I treat every Consultation Lip Tattoo appointment as the foundation for your future lip colour – the starting point from where all your lip tattoo dreams begin to take shape. I’m Olha Po, and after nearly a decade of lip tattoo in Brisbane, I’ve learned that getting the consultation right is what separates ‘nice’ lips from lips that really make your face sparkle, make your daily routine easier, and lift your confidence.
So getting your consultation right means you get a final colour, shape and saturation that works well for you year-round – no worries about having to top up or adjust constantly. Think of your consultation like a roadmap through all your lip tattoo ideas, questions and fears – you walk in with some idea of what you want, possibly some inspiration from the internet, and walk out with a clear plan, a sense of direction, and a much clearer head.
Why Your Lip Tattoo Consultation Really Does Matter
A proper consultation with me is what makes sure we choose a cosmetic lip tattoo technique that not only suits your lip shape but also your skin tone, facial features and what you want to achieve in the long run. Before we even think about tattooing your lips, I need to know what you’re after in terms of natural tint, long-lasting colours and whether you want your lip line to be bold, soft or somewhere in between.
In my Melbourne studio, I break everything down in a way that makes sense to you: the healing process, aftercare instructions, colour behaviour and whether you might need a touch-up later on. A consult is your chance to design a realistic plan based on correct colour theory, choosing the right colour pigments, and techniques that work with your lip anatomy – not just some photo you saw on Instagram.
Figuring Out Your Lip Goals and Personal Style
A lot of my clients aren’t quite sure which cosmetic tattoo look will suit them best – maybe soft lip tint tattooing, fuller lip colouring or a subtle lip contour with a defined lip outline focused on enhancing natural lip volume without filler.
And that’s perfectly fine.
During your consultation, we go over:
- Whether you want to enhance your natural lip look or go for a permanent lipstick makeup effect
- How you usually wear lip makeup (tints, lip gloss, stains, balms)
- Your favourite lip colours (nudes, pinks, warm rose, berry tones)
- What style fits your daily routine
I always ask one simple question: Do you want a natural look, with your lip colour top-of-the-rangebarely there, or a more defined lip border with long-lasting definition?
Your answer really helps me decide whether we should lean towards soft cosmetic tattoo pigments or richer medical-grade pigments.
The Way I Look at Your Lip Shape, Skin and Symmetry
Every artist works a bit differently, but when it comes to cosmetic tattoo art here at Face Figurati, my approach starts with a really close-up look at your lip outline, lip border and symmetry. And let’s be honest, no two sets of lips behave the same during a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure, especially if you’ve had lip filler or have had other tattoos on your lips in the past.
During your consultation, I take a close look at:
- The natural shape and contours of your lips, including whether subtle adjustments could help with creating the appearance of fuller lips while still looking balanced.
- Where your lip border is and if it’s symmetrical
- Your skin undertone and overall skin tone
- How hydrated your lips are
- If you’re suitable for certain pigments and techniques
- How lip filler movement might affect where we map out your lip line
That way, we can avoid any surprises during your cosmetic tattoo and tailor your treatment to your lip anatomy using top-of-the-range equipment and special custom settings.
Cold Sores, Medications & Skin Conditions: Let’s Get Safety on the Table
Before we even start thinking about permanently enhancing your lips with a tattoo, we need to take a good, hard look at your medical history – especially when it comes to the herpes simplex virus. If you’ve ever had a cold sore in the past, we’ll need you to be on antiviral medication before we can even think about scheduling your lip tattoo session. No exceptions.
Here are just some of the other things we’ll be covering:
- Making sure any prescription meds you’re on won’t interact with the antiviral meds
- Finding out if you’re allergic to the stuff we use to numb the area
- Checking whether you’ll react badly to the medical-grade inks we use
- Whether you’ve had any issues with previous cosmetic tattoos
- Any skin conditions that might affect how you heal
Don’t get us wrong, this isn’t just some boring protocol we’re following – it’s all about making sure your healing process stays on track, and your final lip colour is even, smooth & perfect.
Finding the Perfect Shade for Your Skin Tone
One of the most fun parts of our lip tattoo consultation is picking out the perfect shade to match your skin. We’ll work with your skin undertone, your natural lip colour & lifestyle to pick out shades that really bring out the best in your features, and don’t fade away too quickly.
During colour selection, I’ll consider:
- Your undertone – are you warm, cool, olive or neutral?
- What kind of finish are you after? Do you want a natural tint or a more intense lip colour?
- How the colour will soften up a bit during the healing process
- How the inks we use will be affected by Melbourne’s fickle weather
With years of lip tattoo experience under my belt & a stash of high-end, top-quality cosmetic pigments to choose from, I can pick out a shade that really makes your skin pop, and gives you a lip colour that will last for ages – without turning all ashy or too cool once it’s fully healed.
A Look at What You Can Expect from a Consultation
When it comes to the lip tattoo consultation, here’s what typically gets sorted out:
| Consultation Topic | What We Assess | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Tone & Undertones | Warm, cool, olive, neutral | Determines the right pigment family |
| Lip Shape | Symmetry, borders, fullness | Guides mapping and technique selection |
| Health Considerations | Cold sores, allergies, medications | Ensures safe treatment |
| Lifestyle | Sun exposure, skincare habits, filler history | Influences colour longevity |
| Aesthetic Preferences | Natural tint, lipstick effect, soft ombre | Shapes your final result |
Industry data shows – and it’s a sobering fact – more than 8 out of 10 lip tattoo correction jobs occur because there wasnt enough discussion about colour theory, skin undertones, or how the tattoo would actually sit on your face. If you have a good chat beforehand, though, you can massively reduce the risk of it all going wrong.
Real Stories From Behind the Scenes
I had a client once who turned up with a really cool undertone in her lips. We ended up using a mix of custom-tailored pigment and warm colour theory to get a subtle peachy base that would blend really well with her natural skin tone. And you know what? When it had all healed up, her new lip colour settled into a gorgeous, natural-looking rose.
Another client of mine was worried that the tattoo might make her lip filler look even more asymmetrical than it already was. We had a good chat in the consultation and did some careful mapping of her lip border to work out a way to balance out the filler migration. And the result? A soft, subtle lip contour that added some extra volume without making a big show of it.
FAQ
Do I really need a consultation first?
You definitely should. If you do, we can select the right pigment, technique, and plan for your skin tone and lip shape.
Can I bring in some photos of the look I want?
Absolutely! The more inspiration you can bring, the better I’ll be able to achieve the style you’re after.
What if I still have lip filler in?
We can proceed with lip tattooing after filler in most cases; we just need to wait a couple of weeks for the filler to settle before we start.
Will I get to see the final shape of my lips before we start?
You’ll definitely see the full lip outline before we start, and you can give the thumbs up or thumbs down before we begin any work.
How long should I expect my new lip colour to last?
Most people can expect their lip colour to remain soft and natural-looking for at least a year, and often for up to three years, depending on how well they take care of it.