Marketing consultant and former Allure editor Grace Clarke describes herself as “the first person in her friend group to try something new.” So when she shared her experience of having blush semi-permanently tattooed onto her face at Brooklyn’s Velvet Cosmetic Tattoos on TikTok, it seemed like just another ordinary Monday. However, the video quickly went viral, amassing over a million views and igniting a lively debate in the comments section.
Many viewers labeled the tattoo blush treatment, which takes about an hour and a half and costs around $400, as “insane.” The reaction is understandable; at the end of her 30-second video, Clarke showcases her bright pink cheeks reminiscent of Cabbage Patch Kids. Yet, Savannah Messenger, the owner of the tattoo shop who performed the treatment, clarifies that “most of that redness was just the skin’s reaction to being tattooed.”
When one thinks of tattoos, images of Travis Barker might come to mind. However, Messenger emphasizes that cosmetic tattoos differ significantly from traditional tattoos. “In a regular tattoo, color is pushed deep into the skin with a needle,” she explains. “For cosmetic tattoos, I use very light pressure. It’s more about buffing color onto the top layers of the skin to achieve a watercolor effect. The pressure is gentle, ensuring there are no harsh lines.” Typically, achieving the desired pigment level requires a few sessions, including an application and at least one touch-up, with a healing period where the results may not look ideal initially.
Messenger notes that this procedure is suitable only for lighter skin tones (specifically those on the Fitzpatrick scale from 1 to 4). People with conditions like rosacea or eczema, or those prone to significant breakouts, are also advised against the treatment. Additionally, once you have this tattoo, you cannot use retinol or exfoliants like BHAs or AHAs on the area, nor undergo skin laser treatments until the tattoo has fully faded, which can take about three years.
Clarke was surprised by the video’s virality, as she had shared about her tattoo treatment before; this was actually a touch-up appointment. “That’s the cost of posting online,” she reflects. “I’m very open about my life,” and adds that her experience with Messenger has been overwhelmingly positive. During their pre-treatment consultation, she presented mood boards to convey her preferred placement and favorite blush shades, like the ILIA Multi-Stick Cream Blush in All of Me and Tenderly and Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Believe. From that, Messenger crafted a custom blush color and mapped out the application area. “I’ve had skin extractions during facials that hurt more,” Clarke laughs.
The year 2024 has already seen numerous blush trends, including boyfriend blush, workout flush, and sunset blush. However, for Clarke, her decision to get tattoo blush is about more than trends. “I’ve never been trend-driven in my approach to beauty,” she states. “I just want my face to look the best it can, and trends don’t play a big role in that for me.”
While most of Messenger’s clients seek lip-blushing treatments, she observes that “cheek tint tattoos are becoming the next big thing for me.” This is especially true as videos from Korea and Eastern Europe, where cosmetic tattoos are more commonly embraced, continue to gain popularity on social media.
For Clarke, this treatment is all about simplifying her daily routine, allowing her to concentrate on what truly matters. “A big luxury for me is the freedom of space and time in my life,” she shares. “I like to cheat the system, and this is one of those high-maintenance treatments that make life low-maintenance, which everyone is talking about.”
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