Aquarelle Lips Melbourne

Aquarelle lip tattoo is a style of lip cosmetic tattooing that gives your lips a sheer, watercolour-like tint. It’s softer than lip blush tattoos and far more natural than a heavy permanent lip makeup block.

Instead of creating a solid outline, tattoo artists use a tattoo machine to layer lip pigments for a smooth, airy finish. The goal? Long lasting lip enhancement that looks like your natural lips, just more even in tone and healthier in colour saturation

This lip cosmetic tattooing method has a few key features:

• No hard borders – no lip liner look.
• Custom pigment blending – every mix is matched to your undertones and desired lip colour.
• Layered application – pigment is built up in passes to control depth and prevent colour patches.
• Compatible with other cosmetic tattooing – clients sometimes book it with eyeliner tattoo or eyebrows corrections.

Tip: Aquarelle lips work well if you’ve had uneven colour from old cosmetic tattooing – we can correct and refresh for a more balanced result.

1. Everyday wearability – looks good with no makeup or a full face.
2. Easy to maintain – a type of semi permanent makeup that doesn’t smudge even through coffee and wine.
3. Colour correction – corrects uneven colour from old lip tattoo work.
4. Multiple pigment options – from baby pink to berry.
5. Time saving – no need to reapply lipstick throughout the day.

Many clients book Aquarelle with Lip blush tattoos for a bit more colour.

You may need to delay or avoid lip tattooing if you:

• Have active cold sores (must be fully healed before booking).
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Recently had lip filler (wait 4 weeks).
• Have had chemical peels near the mouth in the last month.
• Have uncontrolled diabetes, immune disorders, or clotting issues.

We always assess health history to avoid additional expenses from rescheduling or extra correction work.

If you’ve been wondering whether the Aquarelle lip tattoo technique is for you, it’s worth understanding who benefits most. As a cosmetic tattoo artist in Melbourne, I’ve seen this style suit a wide variety of clients — but there’s a common thread.

You’re likely a great candidate for Aquarelle lips if you:

• Want a subtle, natural lip enhancement rather than bold lipstick.
• Have pale or uneven lip colour.
• Can follow aftercare instructions for the best healing process.
• Are open to a follow-up session for perfecting your results.

Real story: A Melbourne client with a history of cold sore outbreaks booked in after years of patchy pigment. By following antiviral prep and aftercare to the letter, she got smooth, even results without triggering an outbreak.

If there’s one thing I tell every client, it’s this: prep is non-negotiable. Your skin’s condition directly impacts how well the tattoo pigments take and how evenly they heal.

One Week Before

• Exfoliate gently 2–3 times using a sugar scrub or a soft toothbrush. This removes dead skin that can block pigment.
• Hydrate consistently with a nourishing balm — avoid menthol or camphor, as these can dry and irritate the delicate skin.
• Skip strong acids, retinoids and chemical peels around the lip area. They can thin the skin and make the cosmetic tattooing process less comfortable.

24 Hours Before

• Avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine — both thin the blood and can lead to more bleeding during the procedure, affecting colour saturation.
• Hydrate well — well-hydrated lips hold pigment more evenly.
• If you have cold sores, start your antiviral medication to prevent an outbreak.

Tip: In Melbourne’s dry winter, clients often forget to hydrate. Dry or flaky lips will cause patchy healing and extra correction in the follow-up session.

At Face Figurati, we follow a precise step by step process to ensure your Aquarelle lip tattoo is tailored to your natural features and personal style. We want to create a soft watercolour finish that enhances your lips without looking too bold or fake.

1. Consultation – We start by assessing your natural lip shape, undertones and overall facial features. This is when we discuss your goals, whether you want a subtle enhancement or more colour. We’ll also review any previous cosmetic tattooing you’ve had and check for symmetry.
2. Pigment selection – We’ll swatch colours on your skin to see how they look on you. We want to choose a pigment that works with your natural lip undertone for a result that looks good fresh and healed.
3. Numbing – A topical anaesthetic is applied to numb the area. Most clients describe the sensation as a light scratching or tickling rather than pain.
4. Application – We use a professional tattoo machine and fine needles to layer pigments. The technique is soft shading and blending to achieve the Aquarelle “watercolour” effect – a look that’s even, airy and natural without harsh lines.
5. Check & refine – Once the initial passes are complete we check symmetry and make micro adjustments to ensure both sides of the lip contour are balanced. We also check for even colour distribution and make additional passes if needed.
6. Aftercare instructions – Before you leave you’ll be given an aftercare kit that includes a healing balm and a printed step by step guide to the healing process. So you know exactly how to care for your lips to maximise pigment retention and get the best results.

The healing process is smooth if aftercare is followed:

Not following aftercare is one of the fastest ways to turn a perfect Aquarelle lip tattoo into patchy, uneven results — and yes, that can mean extra costs for colour correction. At Face Figurati, I always tell my clients: your aftercare is just as important as the procedure itself.

For the first 7–10 days follow this:

• Keep lips dry and clean initially — gently blot with a clean tissue if needed, but don’t soak.
• No lipstick, gloss or makeup on the lips until fully healed to prevent contamination and pigment disruption.
• No swimming, saunas or heavy workouts — too much moisture or sweat can interfere with pigment settling.
• Eat mild foods — avoid spicy or acidic foods (think citrus, chilli, vinegar) that can sting or irritate.
• Don’t pick flakes — flaking is normal during the healing process, but picking can pull pigment out and leave gaps.

Pro tip from the studio: I’ve seen clients get perfect retention just by not helping the healing process. Natural shedding ensures the pigment locks in evenly.

Lip pigments are not one size fits all — we customise them to your undertone, natural lip shape and skin tone. With Aquarelle lips we want a shade that flatters you without looking fake.

Here’s a quick pigment guide:

We also adjust pigment load to control colour saturation and longevity. For example, if you want a softer ‘lip blush tattoos’ finish, I’ll dilute the pigment slightly for a sheer, buildable tone. For a more defined look, I’ll layer the pigment for extra depth.

Most clients enjoy their permanent lip makeup for 2–3 years, with optional annual colour boosts to keep the shade fresh. Factors that influence pigment fade include:

• Sun exposure — UV light can break down pigments faster, especially in Melbourne’s summer.
• Skin type — Oily skin may see slightly faster fading compared to dry or balanced skin.
• Lifestyle habits — Smoking, frequent exfoliation, and strong chemical lip products can reduce longevity.

My advice: treat your tattooed lips as you would a luxury lipstick — SPF during the day, gentle balm at night, and no over-exfoliating.

Your follow-up session (usually booked 6–8 weeks later) is where the magic is perfected. By this stage, your lips have healed, and we can see how the pigment has settled.

A follow-up allows us to:

• Even out pigment retention
• Adjust colour intensity
• Extend the life of your results

I’d say 90% of my Melbourne clients see a dramatic difference after this session — the colour looks richer, the shape is sharper, and any small inconsistencies are gone.

When done by an experienced lip tattoo artist with high-quality tattoo inks and sterile equipment, risks are low. But like any cosmetic procedure, there are considerations:

• Swelling or redness — usually goes away within 24–48 hours.
• Cold sore reactivation — if you’re prone, take your antiviral medication (such as Zovirax cream) before and after.
• Uneven fading — often due to not following aftercare instructions.
• Rare allergic reaction — sensitivity to certain inks can occur but is very rare.

At Face Figurati we use European methods, medical-grade numbing cream and strict hygiene standards to minimise risks.

Typical prices in Melbourne for Aquarelle lip tattooing:

• First session: $500–$800
• Touch-up: $200–$400

Tip: Investing in a good artist reduces the risk of bad colour or costly corrections later. Cheaper isn’t better if it means extra sessions and more healing time.