-You can tell if an artist doesn't really know
what they're doing with lip blush
if you notice that the lip pigmentation
isn't fully even around the lips.
You really want to always keep colors
a little bit more neutral for the lip blushing
and based on their skin tone.
-I'm Brandie.
And I'm getting a lip blush tattoo done today.
Growing up, everyone has always said I had, like, a great smile.
But my lips get, like, ashy and dry,
and I feel like they're kind of the same tone as my skin tone.
To wake up one day and not have to worry
about how my lips are looking
or if it's too cold, if they look ashy.
So I'm excited just to have that extra step of beauty
already done.
I've never gotten any permanent makeup done before.
I do have two tattoos, so I'm, like, ready for the pain.
I'm not sure if I ever, like,
thought it was possible on my own skin tone
just because I've always had, like, darker lips
compared to some of my friends.
But through talking to Bella, she just let me know,
like, she's really confident doing it on my skin tone
and making sure it's bright and even.
There's not a lot of artists
that work on my skin tone and my complexion,
so getting to know Bella made me believe
that it's possible and I'm ready for it.
-I'm Isabella Owens.
And I am the owner of ALO Beauty Bar.
I am a permanent makeup tattoo artist and trainer
for the Lip Blush Academy of New Mexico.
I've always been involved in the permanent makeup community
because my mom has been a permanent makeup artist
for a really long time
and she really inspired me to start this career.
I specialize in lip blush tattooing and training.
And I became known for it
because I was one of the first people
to actually bring new techniques of lip blushing to my state.
Hi. How are you today?
-I'm doing great. I'm excited.
How are you? -I'm good.
So what do you want to do today for your color?
-So I really like this, like, wine plum color.
-Okay. -Not too bright, not too soft.
-So we can definitely mix a few colors.
This one is going to be, like, a little bit more of that,
like, plummy red tone,
especially when it mixes with your skin tone.
-Okay.
-And then if you wanted to even, like, a little lighter,
like this one,
we could add a couple drops of a different color.
-I'm ready. Let's do it.
-Great. Let's get started.
-Because I have a history of cold sores,
that's the main thing I feel nervous about.
But at the end of the day,
I felt like we've done everything right to prep for it.
-After consulting with Brandie, I will lay her down,
and then I will numb her for 20 to 25 minutes.
I will go ahead and I will map her lips.
I use a red gel pen to really define her borders
and her shapes for where we will do the outline.
I will use the white marker to apply around.
And that is our no-go zone,
so we will not tattoo anywhere in the white.
I will then show Brandie the mapping
and let her approve of the lip shape
and make any corrections that I see.
I am going to start by doing her outline.
Once her outline is complete, I will start shading in her lips
and give her a fully opaque lip blush look.
Due to Brandie's natural lip color,
I have to go very slow and soft while doing her lip blush
to make sure not to cause any damage.
On Brandie, I did a lip neutralization
first before adding her darker plum color.
And I kept everything at an orange base
to counteract with her natural purple tones.
Between shading her lips, I will continue to numb her
so that she stays numb during the entire procedure.
Because Brandie has a tendency for cold sores,
I will have to be very gentle and I will have to make
sure and layer the lip blush appropriately.
That way I can prevent her from getting any cold sores
and from causing any kind of hyperpigmentation onto her lips.
On the top lip, I always have to be a little bit more gentle.
The top lip has about 20,000 more nerve
endings than the bottom lip,
and so it can be a lot more sensitive,
even with numbing cream.
Lastly, I will just apply our ALO gloss to her lips
so that they can start healing.
And now it's time for the mirror reveal.
-Oh, I love that color.
I actually have a shape. -Yes.
It really defined your shape.
So for aftercare,
you're going to only want to apply this gloss.
-Okay. -This is, like, our gloss.
It has arnica in it, which really helps to heal.
It's also super hydrating and it'll just keep your lips
from getting too dry
and peeling too much for the color comes off.
After 2 weeks, you can apply anything you like.
-And can I put the lysine on now still?
-You can, yes, especially to help with the cold sores.
You can put the lysine.
And you do want to just treat it as an open wound for 3 days,
so just be really cautious of what you put.
But just keeping it moist in there with the product
is going to help you the best.
-Okay. Thank you.
Wow.
She did it so fast, and it looks so different.
I saw my Cupid's bow for the first time.
Like, she really got the color I wanted.
-The Cupid's bow is definitely the most important part
of your lip blush.
And so adding a really nice Cupid's bow
to somebody's lips can
just absolutely change their entire face.
-I Feel like my lips are going to look more natural.
But now with the Cupid's bow,
I just feel like it's a little bit more poutier.
It just makes me feel a little bit more confident.
Now I can just see the full shape of my lips.
Hello.
Just doing a 2-week update on my lips.
I am in love.
They are a nice, natural color.
And I feel like I'm always wearing lipstick
or I always look ready.
I'm just very happy. It came out so nice.
-Finding the right pigment
can sometimes be a little bit complicated.
You always want to look at their natural undertones
and make sure that their lips...
You're never adding a darker tone
to their lips than what they already have.
Lip blushing takes a full 6 to 8 weeks to heal
and to see the true color.
-I expected the needle to feel a lot bigger than it did.
I just expected it to be a bit more painful.
You have to have a pain tolerance
for sure to get it done.
But also just be honest and just say, "Hey, can you wait?
Can you numb it a little bit more?"
I would definitely get it touched up if I had to.
I feel like Bella would, like, really be there for me
if I had any concerns.
I feel like if it needs to get touched up,
I wouldn't be afraid to ask for it or kind of just let her know.
I'm just thankful and I'm happy
that I had this opportunity to do this and gift myself
and just go ahead and take a chance.
♪♪