Lip Tattoo

It’s about enhancing your lip shape and tone using hypoallergenic colour pigments implanted gently under the skin. Unlike traditional tattoos, permanent makeup pigments fade gradually, so you have flexibility as your preferences change.

Modern machine techniques for lip micropigmentation deliver smooth, even colour distribution. The result is hydrated-looking, pigmented lips that appear naturally fuller — never overdone. This semi-permanent cosmetic procedure gives you a vibrant look while respecting your individual facial morphology.

At Microblading Eyebrows Melbourne Studio Face Figurati, I’ve spent years helping clients achieve natural, long-lasting lip colour without the harsh lines or old-school “stamped-on” look. Whether you’re after subtle lip blush, crisp lip liner or a full lipstick tattoo effect, today’s cosmetic tattooing technology makes it all possible — safely, beautifully and with shades that really suit your skin tone and lifestyle.

Like any aesthetic procedure, lip tattooing has its pros and cons. Here’s the honest truth:

When done by certified cosmetic tattoo artists, a lip tattoo is safe, subtle and transformative. But it’s not one-size-fits-all — your lip colour, tone and health history all matter.

There are times when lip tattoos should wait. Avoid treatment or seek medical advice if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have active cold sores, skin infections or wounds on the lips
• Are undergoing chemotherapy or on blood-thinning medication
• Have uncontrolled diabetes that isn’t medically managed
• Have used Roaccutane (Accutane) within the last 12 months

If you’re prone to cold sores, I always recommend taking an antiviral tablet 24 hours before your appointment. It helps prevent flare-ups that can interrupt healing.

If you’re looking for colour that lasts through brunches, gym sessions and Melbourne’s unpredictable weather — lip blush could be perfect.

Lip cosmetic tattooing suits:

• Fair-toned clients wanting visible colour
• Cancer survivors wanting restored pigment after treatment
• Mature clients with faded or asymmetrical lip lines
• Busy professionals wanting low-maintenance polish
• People with darker lips need neutralisation techniques

In other words, if you love the idea of natural colour without daily effort, lip tinting tattvvvvoo Melbourne is a match.

At Face Figurati, I personalise each lip tattoo procedure using colour theory, colour therapy and machine techniques to flatter your complexion.

Lip Blush Tattoo

Soft, sheer and naturally hydrated — lip blush adds a translucent wash of colour that enhances your natural lip pigmentation. Perfect for clients who want a fresh, just bitten look without harsh lines.

Lip Liner Tattoo

This lip contouring method defines the border and corrects asymmetry for more balanced lips. Often paired with lip blushing for smooth blending and subtle enhancement.

Ombre Lip Tattoo

A beautiful gradient where colour deepens along the outer lip and lightens towards the centre — think of it as lip enhancement with a youthful finish.

Dark Lip Neutralisation Tattoo

A must for those with cool or dark lips. Using neutralisation techniques and warm undertones, we balance existing pigmentation before applying your desired shade.

Aquarelle Lips Tattoo

For subtle results — no lines, just airbrushed colour that looks like tinted balm.

Lipstick Tattoo

For clients who want more drama, this lip tattoo looks like matte lipstick, perfect for evening or everyday glamour.

Getting ready is key to a successful lip tattoo. When your lips are in top condition, they soak up the pigment better, heal more quickly and end up looking great.

About a week before You Come In:
– Give your lips a gentle scrub with a sugar scrub or the softest toothbrush you’ve got
– Rub in lip balm every single day to keep them from getting too parched
– Hold off on using harsh skin treatments or exposing them to the sun

48 hours before the appointment:
– Give the caffeine, booze, ibuprofen & aspirin a break – they make your blood thinner
– Don’t schedule anything invasive like a filler or peel
– Get started on your antiviral medication if you need to

On the day of the procedure:
– Show up with a blank canvas (no makeup)
– Eat a light meal beforehand
– Bring your go-to lipstick with you so we can find a perfect match

The better your lips look the day before treatment, the more consistently I’ll be able to apply the pigment.

When you come into Face Figurati, the first thing we do is have a thorough chat about what we’re trying to achieve. I take a close look at the lip shape, symmetry & undertones before sketching out a quick lip shape drawing to give you an idea of what to expect. We chat about choosing the perfect shade, getting the undertones right, and your long-term goals for your look.

And then we get started:

• Mapping it out & numbing (30 minutes): We get your lip shape right on paper & apply some numbing cream
• The actual tattooing (1.5–2 hours): Using a really precise cosmetic tattoo machine, super fine layers of pigment are applied.
• Aftercare: When we’re all done, I slather on some aftercare balm & explain the aftercare routine in detail – I take your skin type & climate into consideration.

You’ll leave with a more vibrant, healthy-looking set of lips – sometimes they can be up to 50% more vibrant than how they look a few days after the procedure. That’s completely normal. Over the next little while, your colour will fade down to a lovely, natural finish.

Healing is a journey — and it’s completely normal to look more intense before things calm down. Here’s a simple timeline:

Your semi-permanent tattoo will go through several visual phases — from bright to pale to perfect. By week two, your true lip tint tattoo colour reveals itself: natural, even and radiant.

Here’s the truth — not really. Thanks to modern numbing agents and gentle machine techniques, the discomfort is minimal.

Most clients describe the feeling as a light vibration or tickling sensation. If you’ve had microblading or brow tattooing, you’ll find tattooing your lips even more comfortable.

The upper lip can be slightly more sensitive due to nerve endings, but we reapply numbing cream throughout to keep you relaxed. You can even chat during the procedure — though most clients are too blissfully still, imagining their future smudge-proof mornings!

This is one of my most asked studio questions: “How long does it actually last?”

A permanent lip tattoo will last between 12 and 24 months, depending on your skin type, lifestyle and aftercare. Melbourne’s climate — dry winters and humid summers — can affect how fast your pigment fades.

Things that shorten pigment life include:

• Excessive sun exposure without SPF
• Chemical exfoliants (retinol, glycolic acid)
• Smoking or frequent lip peeling
• Oily skin that regenerates faster

To maintain your colour, book a colour fill or retouch session annually. A small investment keeps your tone fresh and balanced year-round.

Immediately after your appointment, your lips may feel tender or slightly swollen — nothing dramatic. Expect mild tightness and dryness as the pigment settles.

Normal healing symptoms include:

• Light flaking around day 3
• Temporary dullness before true colour emerges
• Slight tingling or sensitivity when eating spicy food

What’s not normal: prolonged redness, pain, pus or scabbing that lasts more than 10 days. In that case, contact your artist immediately.

At Face Figurati, every procedure follows strict hygiene and sanitation protocols to minimise the risk of infection.

Every skin type interacts differently with pigment. Understanding this ensures realistic expectations.

Melbourne’s variable climate — dry winters and humid summers — also influences healing. I always adjust pigment depth accordingly.

Selecting your ideal lip colour is part art, part science. I use colour theory and colour therapy principles to find the most flattering hue for your undertone.

Here’s a general guide to how undertones interact with pigment families:

I only use high-quality colour pigments which are specifically certified for cosmetic use and are known to be hypoallergenic. These colours then fade gradually, giving your lips a totally natural look – which is always better than a patchy or grey finish.

A top-up session is usually needed about 6–8 weeks after the first treatment. This is so that the first layer of colour can fully heal, and this helps the pigment to settle in properly.

At this session, I’ll touch up any bits that have faded, tweak the tone or depth of colour and generally make sure everything is balanced out. This is included in most of our full lip tattoo packages because we know that the follow-up is just as important as the actual treatment for getting that perfect, even finish.

Choosing the right artist is just about the most important thing you’ll do – actually more important than choosing the right colour.

Look for someone who:

• Is licensed, certified and has loads of experience in cosmetic tattooing
• Uses brand new, single-use equipment – it’s all about keeping things sterile
• Can show real results from previous treatments (healed photos preferred)
• Does an in-person consultation to align expectations
• Understands colour theory and specialises in lip work

At Face Figurati, our philosophy is pretty simple: we don’t take any shortcuts, and we don’t do ‘off-the-shelf’ tattoos. Every set of lips is different – with its own story and its own personality – and we treat them as such.