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Lip Tattoo Color Consultation, Finding Your Perfect Shade
You’re thinking about a lip tattoo, maybe lip blushing, and the biggest question mark is the colour.
Get it wrong, and you’re stuck.
Get it right, and it’s a game-changer.
This guide cuts through the noise.
We’re diving deep into the lip tattoo color consultation process.
Specifically, how we nail the perfect lip tattoo shade for you right here at Elite Look in Perth.
We’ll cover everything from understanding your skin’s undertones to the nitty-gritty of pigment science, the consultation itself, and what happens after the needle stops.
No fluff, just the straight scoop so you walk into your appointment confident and walk out ecstatic.
The goal? To find that sweet spot, that permanent lip color that looks like you, only better.
Let’s break down how getting your lip tattoo Perth color choice spot-on happens.
Lip Tattoo Color Consultation
So, what is a lip tattoo color consultation?
Think of it as the strategy session before the main event.
It’s where you and your artist become partners in crime – the crime of creating killer lips.
The purpose is simple: to figure out the absolute perfect lip tattoo shade for your unique face, skin, and style.
It’s not just about picking a pretty colour you saw online.
Oh no, it’s way deeper than that.
Why Skipping a Pro Consultation is Playing with Fire
Seriously, don’t do it.
Trying to DIY your colour choice or going to someone who rushes this step?
Big mistake. Huge.
Here’s what you risk:
The Wrong Shade: Ending up with a colour that clashes with your skin tone. Think muddy, ashy, or just plain weird.
Unnatural Results: The colour looks obviously tattooed, not like a natural enhancement.
Colour That Fades Badly: Choosing a pigment that turns orange, blue, or grey over time. Nightmare fuel.
Wasted Money & Time: You’ll likely need correction work or even removal, which costs more time, money, and discomfort.
Regret: Living with a lip colour you hate isn’t fun.
A proper consultation, like the ones we insist on at Elite Look, prevents all this.
It’s the quality control step you can’t afford to skip.
The Science Bit: Why Tattoo Pigment Isn’t Lipstick
Let’s get one thing straight: lip blushing colors aren’t the same as your favourite lippy.
Not even close.
Makeup: Sits on top of your skin. The colour you see in the tube is pretty much what you get.
Tattoo Pigment: Gets implanted into the dermal layer of your skin.
This is crucial.
Why?
Because the pigment colour interacts with your natural lip colour and your skin’s undertones.
It’s like mixing paint.
The final healed colour is a combination of the pigment and your biology.
Your artist needs to understand this interplay.
They need to predict how a chosen pigment will heal on you.
It’s part science, part art, part experience.
How Long Does This Strategy Session Take?
Don’t expect a five-minute chat.
A thorough lip tattoo color consultation takes time.
Budget for at least 30 minutes, maybe longer.
We need to discuss:
Your goals and expectations.
Your lifestyle and makeup habits.
Your skin type and undertones.
Your natural lip colour and any concerns (like asymmetry or hyperpigmentation).
Potential colour options.
The healing process and how the colour will evolve.
Rushing this is like building a house on shaky foundations.
It’s destined to crumble. We take the time to get it right.
The Science of Color Theory for Lip Tattoos
Alright, let’s dive a bit deeper into the ‘why’.
Understanding some basic colour theory helps you appreciate why the consultation is so vital.
It’s not just random guesswork.
Colour Wheel Basics: Hue, Saturation, Value
Remember art class? The colour wheel is still relevant here.
Hue: This is the pure colour itself (red, orange, pink).
Saturation: How intense or vivid the colour is (bright fire engine red vs. dusty rose).
Value: How light or dark the colour is (pale baby pink vs. deep berry).
For lip tattoos, we’re manipulating these three elements.
But here’s the kicker…
The Big Interaction: Pigment Meets Your Natural Lip Colour
This is the most critical concept.
The pigment we implant doesn’t just sit there unchanged.
It blends with your underlying lip tissue colour.
Imagine layering coloured cellophane.
Pink pigment on naturally pale lips = Soft Pink result.
The same Pink pigment on naturally brownish lips = Muted, potentially warmer pink result.
Pink pigment on naturally purplish lips = Might heal cooler, more mauve, or even greyish if not chosen carefully!
This is why someone can’t just point to a picture and say “I want that exact colour.”
Your natural lip base will influence the final permanent lip color.
A skilled artist knows how to select a pigment hue, saturation, and value that will interact predictable with your specific lip base to achieve the desired healed outcome.
The Fitzpatrick Scale: Your Skin’s Blueprint
You’ll hear us talk about the Fitzpatrick scale.
It’s a way dermatologists classify skin types based on their reaction to UV light (how easily you tan or burn).
It ranges from Type 1 (very fair, always burns, never tans) to Type 6 (deeply pigmented, never burns).
Why does this matter for lip tattoo Perth color selection?
Undertones: Different Fitzpatrick types tend to have different underlying skin tones (cool, warm, neutral).
Melanin: The amount of melanin (pigment) in your skin and lips affects how tattoo pigment heals and settles.
Risk Factors: Certain skin types might be more prone to hyperpigmentation (darkening) or hypopigmentation (lightening) after tattooing.
Fitzpatrick Scale Quick Guide:
| Type | Skin Colour | Tanning/Burning Response | Typical Undertones |
| I | Very Fair, Pale | Always burns, never tans | Cool (Pink/Blue) |
| II | Fair | Usually burns, tans minimally | Cool or Neutral |
| III | Light to Medium | Sometimes burns, tans gradually | Neutral or Warm (Yellow/Gold) |
| IV | Olive, Light Brown | Rarely burns, tans easily | Warm or Neutral Olive |
| V | Brown | Very rarely burns, tans very easily | Warm (Red/Gold) or Cool |
| VI | Deeply Pigmented | Never burns, tans very dark | Cool (Blue/Purple) or Warm |
Knowing your Fitzpatrick type gives your artist crucial clues about which pigment families will look best and heal predictably on you. It’s a foundational part of finding the perfect lip tattoo shade.
What’s Actually In the Ink? Pigment Composition Matters
Lip tattoo pigments are specifically designed for cosmetic tattooing.
They typically fall into two broad categories:
Organic Pigments: Carbon-based. Often brighter, wider range of colours. Can sometimes fade faster or shift hue more over time if not expertly formulated or applied.
Inorganic Pigments: Iron oxide-based. Generally more muted, earthy tones (browns, reds, oranges). Known for stability and longevity, less likely to undergo drastic colour shifts. Often preferred for their predictability, especially for achieving natural looks.
Many modern pigments are actually hybrids, combining the best of both worlds – the brightness of organics with the stability of inorganics.
Your artist at Elite Look will use high-quality pigments known for their safety, stability, and predictable healing. We understand the chemistry and choose pigments suitable for the delicate lip tissue and your specific needs.
Colour Correction Magic: Fixing Underlying Tones
Sometimes, the goal isn’t just adding colour, but correcting it.
Many people have natural lip tones they don’t love:
Cool/Blue/Purple Tones
Dark/Brown Tones
Uneven Pigmentation
This is where colour correction comes in.
Using colour theory principles (complementary colours on the wheel cancel each other out), artists can neutralize unwanted tones before applying the target colour.
Example: To neutralize blue/purple lips, an artist might first implant a layer of warm orange or yellow-based pigment. This cancels out the coolness. Then, the desired pink or red shade is applied over the top.
This neutralization step is essential for achieving beautiful, vibrant results on lips with strong cool or dark undertones. Skipping it can lead to muddy or dull healed colours. It’s a key part of achieving the desired permanent lip color.
Finding Your Ideal Lip Tattoo Color Systematically
Okay, theory’s great. But how do we actually find your colour?
It’s a step-by-step process. No shortcuts.
Step 1: Cracking Your Skin Undertone Code
This is foundational. Your undertone is the subtle hue underneath your surface skin colour. It doesn’t change with tanning. It’s either Cool, Warm, or Neutral. Getting this right is crucial for choosing lip blushing colors that harmonise.
The Vein Test:
Look at the veins on your wrist in natural light.
Blue/Purple veins? Likely Cool undertones.
Green/Olive veins? Likely Warm undertones.
A mix of both, or hard to tell? Likely Neutral undertones.
Why it works: Your skin acts like a filter over the vein colour. Blue filter (cool skin) makes veins look blue/purple. Yellow filter (warm skin) makes blue veins look greenish.
The Jewellery & Fabric Test:
Does silver jewellery flatter you more? Probably Cool.
Does gold jewellery make you glow? Probably Warm.
Both look equally good? Probably Neutral.
Think about clothing colours too. Do crisp whites and blues suit you (Cool), or do creams and earthy tones look better (Warm)? Neutrals often look good in most colours.
Natural Lip Pigmentation Check:
Look closely at your bare lips in good lighting.
Are they naturally pink, rosy, pale? (Often leans Cool or Neutral)
Are they naturally peachy, coral, brownish? (Often leans Warm)
Are they naturally purplish, bluish, very pale/greyish? (Often leans Cool, may need neutralization)
This natural base is a massive clue for your artist.
Understanding your undertone prevents choosing a lip colour that fights against your natural colouring.
Find Your Perfect Lip Color: Skin Tone Assessment Tool
Answer these quick questions to determine your skin undertone and receive personalized lip tattoo color recommendations.
Question 1: Look at the veins on your wrist. What color do they appear?
Question 2: Which jewelry typically looks better against your skin?
Question 3: How does your skin react to sun exposure?
Question 4: What is your natural lip color?
Question 5: Which Fitzpatrick Skin Type best describes you?
Step 2: Complexion Analysis (Hello, Fitzpatrick!)
Now we layer the Fitzpatrick scale knowledge onto the undertone assessment. This refines the perfect lip tattoo shade possibilities.
Fitzpatrick 1-2 (Fair Skin):
Undertones: Usually Cool (pink/blue) or sometimes Neutral.
Goals: Often want a subtle flush, definition, or a hint more colour.
Good Choices: Soft pinks, dusty rose, peachy-pinks, nude pinks. Think delicate and natural. Avoid very dark or very warm orange-based colours initially, as they can look harsh or heal strangely. Careful selection is needed to avoid ashy results on cool undertones.
Perth Considerations: Our strong sun means fair skin needs excellent pigment selection to prevent unwanted fading or shifting.
Fitzpatrick 2-3 (Light to Medium Skin):
Undertones: Can be Cool, Warm, or Neutral. This group has variety!
Goals: Can range from subtle enhancement to a more noticeable ‘lipstick’ look.
Good Choices: Wider range available. Coral pinks, warmer pinks, rosy mauves, medium berries, brighter pinks. If warm-toned, peachy and coral shades look great. If cool-toned, berry and rose shades shine. Neutrals can often wear both.
Key: Match the undertone carefully.
Fitzpatrick 3-4 (Olive and Tan Skin):
Undertones: Often Warm (yellow/gold/peach) or Neutral Olive. Can sometimes have surface coolness despite warm undertones.
Goals: Definition, adding warmth, counteracting any natural coolness or darkness.
Good Choices: Warm corals, terracotta shades, deeper roses, warm berries, brownish pinks. Need pigments with enough warmth to avoid healing ashy or cool on olive tones. Sometimes a warm modifier is added to the main colour.
Challenge: Avoiding colours that pull too purple or grey upon healing.
Fitzpatrick 5-6 (Deep Skin Tones):
Undertones: Can be Warm (red/gold) or Cool (blue/purple/ebony). Natural lip colour is often darker, sometimes with two tones.
Goals: Often evening out lip tone, neutralization of darkness/coolness, adding richness and definition rather than drastic colour change. Sometimes, just defining the border is desired.
Good Choices: Rich berries, deep roses, warm browns, terracotta reds, plums. Crucially, often requires a neutralization step first using warm orange/yellow pigments to counteract natural coolness/darkness. The target colour is then applied over the neutralized base. Selecting pigments with high opacity and stability is key.
Risk: Hyperpigmentation (darkening) or hypopigmentation (lightening) can be higher risk; experienced artist essential. We manage this carefully at Elite Look.
Lip Color Recommendations by Fitzpatrick Type (General Guide):
| Fitzpatrick | Typical Undertones | Recommended Color Families | Considerations |
| I-II | Cool, Neutral | Soft Pinks, Dusty Rose, Peachy-Pinks, Nude Pinks | Avoid overly dark/warm initially. Risk of ashy heal. |
| II-III | Cool, Warm, Neutral | Coral Pinks, Warm Pinks, Rosy Mauves, Medium Berries, Bright Pinks | Match undertone carefully. Wide range possible. |
| III-IV | Warm, Neutral Olive | Warm Corals, Terracotta, Deeper Roses, Warm Berries, Brown-Pinks | Need warmth to avoid ashy/cool heal. May need modifier. |
| V-VI | Warm, Cool | Rich Berries, Deep Roses, Warm Browns, Terracotta Reds, Plums | Often requires neutralization first. Pigment stability key. |
Remember, this is a starting point. Your individual lip colour and goals refine the final choice.
Step 3: Weaving in Your Lifestyle and Personality
Your lips, your life. The colour needs to fit you.
Bold vs. Subtle:
Do you want a barely-there enhancement, a natural flush?
Or are you after a more defined, ‘always wearing lipstick’ look?
Be honest about your comfort level. We can always go bolder at the touch-up, but it’s harder to go lighter.
Work Life:
Consider your professional environment. A super-bright fuchsia might be perfect for a creative field but less ideal for a conservative corporate job (unless that’s your power move!).
The goal is often a colour that looks appropriate and polished in all settings.
Makeup Habits:
Do you wear bold lipstick daily? You might want a more saturated permanent lip color.
Do you prefer tinted balm or nothing? A sheer, natural lip blushing shade is likely your jam.
The tattoo should complement, not clash with, your usual look. Can you still wear your favourite lipsticks over the top for a change? (Yes, usually!)
Age Considerations:
Mature lips sometimes lose volume and definition. A well-chosen colour can restore a youthful appearance.
Often, softer, warmer tones are more flattering than very cool or dark shades, which can sometimes look harsh. But again, it’s personal! There are no strict ‘age rules’, just considerations.
Think about it like choosing a hairstyle. It needs to suit your face, yes, but also your lifestyle and how much effort you want to put in each day.
Step 4: Adding Your Personal Style Flair
This is where you really come into play.
Cultural Influences: Colour preferences can vary culturally. What’s considered beautiful or desirable in one culture might differ in another. Your background might influence your ideal shade.
Seasonal Colour Analysis: If you’re into this (knowing if you’re a ‘Winter’, ‘Summer’, ‘Autumn’, or ‘Spring’), it can offer additional clues. Certain lip shades harmonise better with specific seasonal palettes.
Winters: Often suit clear, cool, bold colours (true reds, fuchsias, deep berries).
Summers: Often suit soft, cool, muted colours (rose pinks, soft plums, mauve).
Autumns: Often suit warm, rich, earthy colours (terracotta, warm browns, deep corals).
Springs: Often suit clear, warm, bright colours (coral pinks, peach, light warm reds).
This isn’t gospel, but it can be a helpful guide if you already know your season.
Ultimately, the perfect lip tattoo shade makes you feel confident and beautiful. It should feel like you.
What Happens During Your Lip Tattoo Color Consultation at Elite Look
So you’ve booked your consultation at Elite Look Cosmetic Tattoo in Perth. Smart move.
What can you actually expect when you walk through our doors?
Before You Arrive: Your Prep Checklist
A little prep goes a long way.
Gather Inspiration (Carefully!): Find photos of lip colours you like, but understand they are just inspiration. Focus on photos of healed lip tattoos on people with similar skin tones to yours if possible. Pinterest is great, but reality checks are needed.
Think About Your Goal: What do you want to achieve? More definition? A colour boost? Neutralizing dark tones? Symmetry? Write it down.
Bring Your Favourite Lipsticks/Liners: This gives us a fantastic starting point! Seeing the colours you naturally gravitate towards helps us understand your preferences. Bring 2-3 of your most-worn shades.
Come with Bare Lips: No lipstick, balm, or gloss, please! We need to see your natural lip colour and texture clearly.
List Your Questions: Write down anything you’re unsure about regarding the lip tattoo Perth color process, healing, or aftercare. No question is silly.
Be Open-Minded: Trust the process and your artist’s expertise. The colour you think you want might not be the best technical choice for a beautiful healed result.
Key Questions to Grill Your Artist With (We Expect It!)
This is your chance to get clarity. Ask away!
“Based on my skin tone and natural lip colour, what colour families do you recommend?”
“Can you show me examples of healed work on clients with similar colouring to mine?”
“What pigments do you use? Are they organic, inorganic, or hybrid?” (We use high-quality, stable pigments at Elite Look).
“How do you predict the healed colour? How much fading should I expect?”
“How will this colour look immediately after vs. fully healed?”
“If my lips have cool/dark tones, how will you address that?” (Neutralization!)
“What happens if I don’t like the colour once it’s healed?” (Touch-up adjustments, potential for correction).
“Can you explain the healing process in detail?”
“Show me the pigment bottle – let’s see the base colour.”
A good artist welcomes questions. It shows you’re engaged and invested.
Questions Your Artist Will Likely Ask You
We need info to guide you effectively. Expect questions like:
“What is your ultimate goal for your lips?”
“What lip colours do you normally wear?” (Bring ’em!)
“Are you looking for a very natural look or something more like lipstick?”
“Have you had any previous lip filler or lip tattoos?”
“Do you have any skin conditions, allergies, or medical concerns I should know about?” (Crucial for safety).
“How much sun exposure do your lips typically get?”
“What are your biggest concerns about the process or the colour?”
“On a scale of 1-10, how bold do you want the final colour?”
Honesty here is key to getting the result you dream of.
The Moment of Truth: Testing and Selection
This is where the magic happens. We don’t just guess.
Physical Swatching: We’ll likely swatch potential pigment colours directly on your forehead or near your lips (on the skin, not in the lip yet!). This helps see how the pigment undertone interacts with your skin undertone. It won’t look exactly like the healed lip colour, but it gives valuable clues.
Comparing to Your Lipsticks: We’ll hold your favourite lipsticks next to the pigment swatches and your natural lips to find parallels and understand the vibe you like.
Draw-Down Method: Sometimes artists mix a tiny bit of pigment with water or mixing solution and draw it down on paper or skin. This can help reveal the undertone of the pigment more clearly than looking at it in the bottle.
Digital Visualization (Less Common, Use with Caution): Some apps allow uploading a photo and ‘trying on’ colours. This can be fun for ideas but is not a reliable predictor of healed tattoo results due to screen calibration differences and the pigment/skin interaction factor. Use it for general direction, not precise selection.
Artist’s Experience: Ultimately, a huge part of the selection relies on your artist’s experience. They’ve seen how hundreds of colours heal on different skin types and lip tones. They can predict outcomes based on this knowledge. Trust their guidance.
We work with you, explaining why certain colours are better options than others for your specific case.
Red Flags During a Consultation: Run, Don’t Walk!
Watch out for these warning signs. If you encounter them, consider finding another artist.
Rushed Process: Feeling pressured to decide quickly.
Dismissive Attitude: The artist doesn’t listen to your concerns or preferences.
Guarantees Exact Colour Match: Promising the healed colour will look exactly like a lipstick or a photo (impossible due to individual healing).
Doesn’t Assess Your Skin/Lips: Skips the undertone check or ignores your natural lip colour.
Limited Pigment Choice/Knowledge: Doesn’t seem to understand their pigments or only offers a few basic options.
No Healed Photos: Cannot show you examples of their own healed work.
Bad Hygiene: The consultation space looks unclean (major red flag for the procedure itself).
Pushing Unwanted Colours: Trying to convince you to get a colour you’re uncomfortable with.
Your consultation should feel collaborative, informative, and comfortable. At Elite Look, we prioritise this.
From the Artist’s Chair: Pro Techniques for Nailing the Colour
Want the inside scoop? Here’s how experienced artists think during the lip tattoo color consultation. It’s more than just picking pretty colours.
Expert Insights: Beyond What Meets the Eye
Experienced artists aren’t just looking at the surface. We’re thinking about:
Lip Tissue Health: Is the skin hydrated? Any dryness or flakiness? This affects pigment implantation and healing.
Underlying Vasculature: The natural redness/pinkness from blood vessels influences the final tone.
Potential for Swelling: Lips swell during the procedure, which temporarily alters their shape and colour appearance. We factor this in.
Pigment Load: How much pigment can the skin realistically absorb and hold? Packing in too much can lead to poor healing or unnatural results.
Client’s Pain Tolerance/Anxiety: While numbing cream is used, a very anxious client might move more, affecting precision. The consultation helps build trust and ease nerves.
It’s a holistic assessment.
The Art of the Mix: Customising Your Shade
Rarely is a colour used straight from the bottle.
Expert artists are like master painters, custom-mixing pigments to create the perfect lip tattoo shade for each client.
Why mix?
Neutralizing: Adding complementary colours (like orange/yellow to counteract blue/purple lips).
Warming Up/Cooling Down: Adjusting the temperature of a colour to better suit the client’s undertone (e.g., adding a drop of warmth to a pink for an olive skin tone).
Adjusting Value/Saturation: Making a colour slightly lighter, darker, brighter, or more muted.
Creating Unique Shades: Developing signature colours tailored precisely to the client’s desire and natural colouring.
This requires deep knowledge of colour theory and pigment behaviour. It’s a key difference between a basic technician and a true cosmetic tattoo artist.
Predicting the Future: How Will it Heal?
This is the million-dollar question. Predicting the healed result is an art based on science and experience.
Factors we consider:
The Mix: The specific pigments used and their known healing characteristics.
Natural Lip Colour: The base we’re working on.
Skin Undertone: How it will influence the pigment.
Fitzpatrick Type: Potential for melanin interference or fading characteristics.
Implantation Depth: Correct depth ensures colour longevity and prevents blurring. Too shallow = fades quickly. Too deep = cool/ashy results, potential scarring.
Aftercare Compliance: How well the client follows healing instructions massively impacts the final colour.
We know lip blushing colors typically fade 30-50% from the initial look immediately after the procedure.
The colour implanted looks much brighter and bolder initially because:
There’s pigment sitting on the surface skin layers that will exfoliate off.
There’s temporary inflammation and blood flow bringing colour to the surface.
We select a pigment that looks brighter/darker initially than the desired final outcome, anticipating this softening and fading during the healing process. Managing your expectations about this is part of the consultation.
Tailoring the Colour: Special Cases & Considerations
Not all lips are created equal. Certain lip characteristics require specific colour strategies.
Thin or Asymmetrical Lips: Creating Balance & Fullness
Goal: Enhance shape, create illusion of volume, improve symmetry.
Colour Strategy:
Often, slightly lighter and brighter shades within the desired colour family can make lips appear fuller. Very dark colours can sometimes make thin lips look smaller.
Careful outlining just slightly outside the natural border (vermilion border) combined with skillful shading can create a more balanced and voluminous look.
Focus on colours that look natural and vibrant, drawing light to the lips.
Hyperpigmentation & Uneven Tone: Achieving Uniformity
Goal: Neutralize dark patches, create a single, even lip colour.
Colour Strategy:
Neutralization is KEY. This cannot be skipped. Applying a target colour directly over dark areas will result in patchy, uneven, or muddy results.
A layer of warm orange, yellow, or peach pigment is usually applied first to the darker areas to cancel out the brown, blue, or purple tones.
Only after neutralization is the desired target colour (pink, red, berry) applied over the entire lip area.
This might require more than one session to perfect.
Pigment choice needs to be opaque enough to cover underlying variations.
Scarred or Damaged Lips: Working with Texture
Goal: Camouflage scar tissue, blend colour seamlessly.
Colour Strategy:
Scar tissue often lacks natural pigment and can absorb tattoo pigment differently (either grabbing too much or resisting it).
Colour choice might lean towards shades very close to the natural lip colour to ensure subtle blending.
Technique is paramount – gentle layering and potentially multiple sessions are needed.
Sometimes, combining lip tattoo with other treatments like microneedling (at a separate time) can improve scar texture first.
Neutralizing Highly Pigmented Lips (Dark Lip Neutralization)
This is a specialised skill, particularly important for Fitzpatrick V-VI clients or anyone with naturally very dark or cool-toned lips.
Goal: Lift the darkness and coolness to allow a warmer, brighter target colour to show through.
Colour Strategy:
Requires potent warming/neutralizing pigments (strong oranges, yellows, warm modifiers).
This neutralization step is the main event in the first session. The goal is simply to cancel the unwanted undertone.
The client needs to understand that their lips might look quite orange/warm during the initial healing of this first session. This is normal and necessary.
The target lip colour (the desired pink, red, etc.) is typically applied in a second session, weeks later, once the neutralized base has healed.
Patience is crucial for both client and artist. Rushing this leads to poor results. Elite Look has artists experienced in this specific technique.
Mature Lips: Restoring Youthful Vibrancy
Goal: Redefine blurring borders, restore lost colour, add subtle volume illusion.
Colour Strategy:
Often gravitate towards warmer, softer, medium-toned shades. Think warm roses, soft corals, natural pinks.
Avoid very dark, cool, or extremely pale colours which can sometimes drain colour from the face or look harsh.
Focus on definition at the border and a soft blend of colour towards the centre.
A well-chosen permanent lip color can take years off!
Navigating Lip Colour Trends
Trends come and go, but your lip tattoo is semi-permanent. How do you balance current styles with lasting appeal?
What’s Trending in 2024 for Lip Tattoos?
Sheer Washes: “My lips but better” is still huge. Think subtle enhancements, barely-there tints that just even out tone and add a healthy glow. Very popular for lip blushing colors.
Warm Nudes & Terracottas: Earthy, warm tones are having a moment. Think sophisticated, sun-kissed vibes. Great for warmer skin tones.
Dusty Rose & Muted Mauves: Romantic, soft, and universally flattering. A step up from nude but still natural-looking.
Juicy Corals: Bright, happy, and youthful. Especially popular for spring/summer vibes and on medium to tan skin.
Focus on Neutralization: More clients are seeking correction of dark/cool tones, making neutralization techniques increasingly popular.
Regional Variations: Perth Preferences?
While global trends influence us, sometimes local preferences emerge. Here in Perth, with our sunny climate and outdoor lifestyle:
We often see requests for colours that look fresh and healthy, not too heavy.
Natural enhancements and warm-toned shades that complement a sun-kissed look are popular.
However, classic pinks and berries always remain in demand too!
Ultimately, the lip tattoo Perth color choice is deeply personal, transcending local trends.
Classic Shades That Never Go Out of Style
These are the reliable choices, the colours that stand the test of time:
Natural Pinks: From soft baby pink to a deeper rose, a well-chosen pink mimics a youthful, healthy flush.
Soft Berries: Think raspberry or muted plum – adds definition and colour without being overly dramatic.
Peachy Nudes: A warm, subtle enhancement that brightens the face.
Classic Reds (Used Wisely): A true red lip tattoo is a commitment! Often, artists recommend a slightly softer red or berry that looks red but heals more naturally, allowing the client to amp it up with lipstick for special occasions. A full, opaque red requires careful consideration of lifestyle.
Choosing a timeless shade ensures you’ll love your permanent lip color for years to come.
Celeb-Inspired Lips: Handle with Care
Seeing a celebrity with amazing lip colour can be inspiring. But remember:
Photos are often edited.
Celebs have professional makeup artists.
Their underlying lip colour and skin tone might be completely different from yours.
Use celeb photos as inspiration for the vibe you like (e.g., “I like that natural, rosy look”), not as a demand for an exact replica. Your artist will help translate that vibe into the perfect lip tattoo shade for your face.
Leading Pigment Brands & Our Choices at Elite Look
Quality matters immensely. Reputable pigment brands invest heavily in research, safety testing, and stable formulations.
While specific brand names might change as formulations evolve, artists trust brands known for:
Safety: Rigorous testing, sterile manufacturing.
Stability: Pigments that heal true to tone and resist unwanted colour shifts over time.
Predictability: Consistent results across different skin types (when used correctly).
Good Range: Offering a wide variety of colours and modifiers.
At Elite Look, we only use premium, reputable pigment lines that meet these high standards. We understand their nuances and how they perform, ensuring the best possible outcome for your lip tattoo Perth color. You can ask us during your consultation which specific lines we favour.
Beyond the Consultation: The Healing Colour Coaster
The colour you see immediately after your lip tattoo is not the final colour. Not even close. The healing journey involves significant colour evolution. Buckle up!
The Colour Evolution: Phases of Healing
Your lip colour will go through distinct stages:
Day 1-3: Bold & Bright: Immediately after, the colour looks intense, vibrant, possibly even darker/brighter than you expected. There will be swelling. This is normal! It’s the fresh pigment mixed with temporary inflammation. Think of it like a fresh coat of paint – very vivid.
Day 3-7: Darkening & Exfoliating: The colour might appear even darker as a protective layer (scab/flaky skin) forms. DO NOT PICK! Let this layer exfoliate naturally. Picking can pull out pigment and lead to patchy results. The lips will feel dry. Keep applying the recommended aftercare balm.
Day 7-14: “Ghost Phase” / Lightening: As the superficial layers shed, the colour underneath can seem very light, almost like it has disappeared. This is also NORMAL. Panic is common here, but trust the process! The pigment is settling into the deeper dermal layer.
Day 14-30 (and beyond): Colour Bloom: Over the next few weeks, the colour will gradually “bloom” or resurface from the deeper skin layers. It slowly builds back up, revealing a softer, more muted version of the initial bold colour.
Healing Timeline: What to Expect When
Lip Tattoo Color Healing Stages:
| Timeframe | What Lips Look/Feel Like | What’s Happening with the Color | Key Action |
| Day 1-3 | Swollen, tender, intensely coloured | Very bright/dark, initial pigment visible + inflammation | Apply aftercare balm |
| Day 3-7 | Dry, tight, flaky/scabby, colour darkens | Protective layer forms, initial pigment oxidising/darkening | DON’T PICK, balm |
| Day 7-14 | Flakes shedding, lips feel smoother | Colour looks very light, “ghost phase” as surface flakes off | Keep moisturised |
| Day 14-30 | Normal texture returning | Colour gradually “blooms” back, becoming more visible but softer | Continue balm use |
| Week 4-8 | Fully healed surface | True, healed permanent lip color revealed (approx. 30-50% softer) | Assess for touch-up |
This timeline is approximate and can vary based on individual healing.
Managing Expectations: Initial Shock vs. Final Subtle Beauty
The biggest hurdle for many clients is the difference between the immediate result and the final healed colour.
Immediate: Looks like bold lipstick.
Healed: Looks like a soft, natural tint or stain (unless a very bold ‘lipstick look’ was specifically agreed upon and achieved over multiple sessions).
We discuss this extensively during the lip tattoo color consultation. Seeing healed photos helps. Understanding the healing phases prevents unnecessary worry. The goal is usually a beautiful, natural-looking enhancement, not permanent opaque lipstick (which often doesn’t look great as it ages anyway).
The Touch-Up: Perfecting the Shade
Around 6-10 weeks after your initial session, you’ll come back for a touch-up. This is crucial.
Why?
Reinforces Pigment: Adds another layer of colour for better longevity.
Corrects Imperfections: Addresses any areas where pigment didn’t take evenly during the first heal.
Adjusts Colour: If the healed colour is slightly too light, too cool, or too warm, adjustments can be made during the touch-up. We can deepen the shade, add warmth, or enhance saturation.
The touch-up is where we refine and perfect your perfect lip tattoo shade. It’s an integral part of the process, not just an optional extra.
Keeping the Colour Vibrant: Long-Term Care
Your permanent lip color isn’t truly permanent; it’s semi-permanent. It will fade gradually over time. To maximise its lifespan:
Sun Protection is KING: UV exposure is the #1 enemy of tattoo pigment. Use a lip balm with SPF daily, even on cloudy days. This is non-negotiable in sunny Perth!
Avoid Harsh Exfoliants: Glycolic acid, retinol, chemical peels applied directly on the lips can speed up fading. Be mindful of skincare ingredients around the lip area.
Stay Hydrated: Healthy, hydrated skin holds pigment better.
Schedule Colour Boosts: Depending on your skin, lifestyle, and chosen colour, expect to need a colour boost session every 1-5 years to keep the shade looking fresh. Lighter colours may fade faster than darker ones.
Proper long-term care protects your investment and keeps your lips looking fabulous. Considering cosmetic tattoo removal? We handle that too at Elite Look, should the need ever arise down the track, though our goal is always a result you love long-term.
Dodging Disappointment: Common Color Selection Blunders
Let’s learn from others’ mistakes. Avoid these common pitfalls:
Mistake 1: Chasing Trends Over Timelessness
That neon coral might be hot right now, but will you love it in 2 years? 5 years?
The Fix: Lean towards colours that enhance your natural beauty and have lasting appeal. You can always play with trendy colours using actual lipstick over your beautiful, timeless tattoo base. Prioritise shades that make you look healthy and vibrant naturally.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Your Natural Undertones
Choosing a cool pink when you have warm olive skin? Recipe for an ashy or dull result. Picking a warm brown for cool-toned pale skin? It might look orange or unnatural.
The Fix: The undertone assessment (vein test, jewellery test) is crucial. Trust your artist’s guidance on which colour families harmonise with your innate colouring. This is fundamental to achieving the perfect lip tattoo shade.
Mistake 3: Forgetting About Makeup Compatibility
Getting a super bold lip tattoo when you usually wear minimal makeup might feel jarring. Or choosing a very cool-toned tattoo if all your favourite blushes and lipsticks are warm.
The Fix: Consider your overall aesthetic and makeup routine. The tattoo should feel like a seamless part of you. Bring your favourite makeup products to the consultation to ensure harmony.
Mistake 4: Unrealistic Pigment Expectations
Expecting the healed tattoo to look exactly like opaque lipstick, or exactly like a photo you saw online. Thinking the colour won’t fade at all during healing.
The Fix: Understand the science! Tattoo pigment heals in the skin, interacting with your natural tones. It will soften and fade significantly from the initial application. Look at healed photos from your chosen artist. Listen during the consultation when they explain the healing process.
Mistake 5: Skimping on Artist Research & Consultation
Choosing an artist based solely on price, or going somewhere that rushes the lip tattoo color consultation. Not asking questions or seeing healed work.
The Fix: Invest in quality and expertise. Look for an experienced artist with a strong portfolio of healed lip tattoos. Prioritise a thorough consultation where you feel heard and confident. Check reviews. Your face is worth it. Elite Look prides itself on expertise and detailed consultations right here in Perth. Check out our Lip Tattooing page for examples.
Avoiding these mistakes sets you up for a result you’ll adore.
Your Burning Questions Answered: Comprehensive Lip Tattoo Colour FAQ
Let’s tackle some of the most common questions we hear at Elite Look about lip tattoo Perth color.
How long does the lip tattoo colour actually last?
It’s semi-permanent. Typically lasts 1-5 years before needing a colour boost.
Factors affecting longevity:
Colour Choice: Lighter colours (nudes, pale pinks) fade faster than darker ones (berries, reds).
Skin Type: Oily skin may exfoliate pigment slightly faster than dry skin.
Lifestyle: Sun exposure is the biggest factor in fading. Smoking can also affect longevity and colour tone.
Metabolism: Individual body chemistry plays a role.
Aftercare: Diligent SPF use extends the life of your lip colour significantly.
Can the colour be changed or adjusted later if I don’t like it?
Minor Adjustments: Yes, during the touch-up session (around 6-10 weeks), we can slightly adjust the shade, warm it up, cool it down, or deepen the saturation.
Significant Changes: Drastically changing the colour is difficult and may require multiple sessions or even laser tattoo removal. Going from a dark berry to a pale nude, for instance, isn’t realistic. This is why the initial lip tattoo color consultation is SO important – we aim to get it right the first time.
Correction Work: If you had a bad experience elsewhere, artists specialising in corrective work might be able to neutralize or improve an undesirable colour, but it’s complex. Prevention is better than cure.
Will it look natural, or obviously tattooed?
The goal of most modern lip tattooing, especially lip blushing, is a natural enhancement.
When done correctly by a skilled artist who chooses the right colour and uses appropriate techniques, the healed result should look like a soft, healthy flush or tint – your lips, but better defined and more vibrant.
It shouldn’t look like heavy, opaque lipstick unless that specific look was requested and understood (which often requires more sessions and may not age as gracefully).
Proper colour selection based on your undertones is key to a natural look.
How much does the consultation and procedure cost in Perth?
Cost varies depending on the artist’s experience, location (Perth prices may differ from elsewhere), and the specific technique (e.g., simple lip line vs. full lip blush vs. dark lip neutralization).
The consultation fee might be separate or included in the total procedure price. At Elite Look, we’re transparent about our pricing.
Think of it as an investment. High-quality pigments, sterile equipment, extensive training, and insurance all factor into the cost.
Be wary of extremely low prices. This can sometimes indicate compromises in pigment quality, hygiene standards, or artist experience. Quality and safety should be the priority when choosing your lip tattoo Perth color provider. You can view general pricing guidelines on our main Tattoo services page, but a precise quote is given during consultation.
Do sun, swimming, or certain foods affect the colour?
Sun: YES. Biggest factor. Protect, protect, protect with SPF lip balm. Sun exposure fades pigment and can alter its tone over time.
Swimming: Avoid chlorine pools and saltwater for the initial healing period (around 10-14 days) as they can irritate the healing skin and affect pigment retention. Once healed, it’s generally fine, but continued SPF use is still vital.
Foods/Drinks: During the initial healing (first few days), avoid very hot, spicy, salty, or acidic foods/drinks that might irritate the sensitive lip tissue. Drink through a straw. Once healed, food and drink don’t typically affect the colour.
Skincare Products: As mentioned, potent exfoliants (acids, retinoids) directly on the lips can speed up fading over the long term.
Have more questions? The lip tattoo color consultation is the perfect time to ask anything and everything on your mind!
The Final Word: Nailing Your Perfect Lip Tattoo Colour
Choosing your lip tattoo color isn’t just picking a shade you like in a bottle.
It’s a calculated decision.
A blend of art, science, and personal preference.
The lip tattoo color consultation is where the magic starts.
It’s the single most important step to ensure you get a result that enhances your natural beauty, complements your skin tone, and makes you feel amazing.
Skipping it, or rushing it, is asking for trouble.
Investing in a thorough consultation with an experienced artist, like the team here at Elite Look in Perth, means:
Understanding your unique skin and lip tones.
Choosing pigments that will heal beautifully on you.
Considering your lifestyle and personality.
Managing expectations about the healing process.
Minimising the risk of regret.
Key Takeaways for Your Perfect Shade:
Undertone is Everything: Know if you’re cool, warm, or neutral.
Fitzpatrick Matters: Your skin type influences colour choice and healing.
Pigment ≠ Makeup: Tattoo ink heals differently; trust the process.
Consultation is Crucial: Don’t skimp on this strategy session.
Healing is a Journey: Expect colour changes; the final result takes weeks.
Quality Over Cost: Choose an experienced artist using premium pigments.
Protect Your Investment: SPF is your lip tattoo’s best friend.
Ready to find your perfect lip tattoo shade?
To wake up with effortlessly beautiful lips every day?
The first step is that crucial chat.
Take action. Book your comprehensive lip tattoo color consultation with Elite Look today.
Let’s work together to define your perfect permanent lip color.
You deserve lips you love. Getting the lip tattoo Perth color right is how we make that happen.
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