Marketing consultant (and former Allure editor) Grace Clark describes herself to me as “the first one in my friend group to try something.” So when she posted on TikTok about getting a semi-permanent blush tattoo on her face at Velvet Cosmetic Tattoo in Brooklyn, it was just a normal Monday. But then the algorithm and the commenters did their thing. After more than a million views, she found herself in the middle of a heated debate.
TikTok content
This content is also viewable on the original site.
Multiple commenters called the tattoo blush treatment, which takes about an hour and a half and costs about $400, “insane.” This reaction is natural. At the end of the 30-second video, Clark shows off her Cabbage Patch Kids-level pink cheeks. But Savannah Messenger, who owns a tattoo shop and treated Clark, said, “Most of that redness was a reaction to the tattoo.”
When you think of tattoos, you probably think of Travis Barker’s full body. However, Messenger explains that cosmetic tattoos are completely different from standard ink. “Traditional tattooing involves pushing color into the skin with a needle,” Messenger says. “For cosmetic tattoos, I keep the pressure very light; it’s about buffing the color onto the top layer of the skin to create a watercolor finish. The pressure is very soft, so never harsh lines. ”It usually takes several sessions (application and at least one touch-up) to reach the desired pigment level. As with all tattoos, there is a healing period where the final result may not look ideal before it takes shape.
Messenger adds that this procedure only works on light skin tones, especially those that fall between 1 and 4 on the Fitzpatrick scale. People with skin conditions such as rosacea or eczema, or who are prone to large breakouts, should also be careful with this procedure. If you decide to undergo this treatment, you cannot use exfoliants such as retinol, BHA, or AHA on the tattooed area, nor can you use skin lasers until the color has completely faded. It takes about 3 years for the color to completely disappear.
Clark was shocked to see the video go viral, as she had previously posted about getting her tattoo done (it was actually a touch-up appointment). “That’s the cost of posting online. I’m very open about my life,” she says, adding that her experiences in the Messenger tattoo chair have been nothing but positive. During her pre-treatment consultation, she brought a mood board with her. To show her favorite positions and the blush shades she wears the most (‘ILIA Multistick Cream Blush’ in ‘All of Me’ and ‘Tenderly and Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush’ in ‘Believe’) , from which Messenger created a custom cheek color. After deciding on the treatment area, it was time to get the tattoo done. “I’ve had skin removed during facials, but it hurt more,” she said with a laugh.
There’s no shortage of blush trends in 2024 (boyfriend blush, workout blush, and sunset blush all had their moments this year). But for Clark, this decision was about more than those moments. “I’ve never been influenced by trends or my approach to beauty. I just want my face to look the best it can, and trends aren’t a big part of me,” Clark said. I say.
While most of Messenger’s clients come to her for lip blushing treatments, she says, “cheek tint tattoos are becoming the next big thing for me.” In particular, videos from South Korea and Eastern Europe, where cosmetic tattoos are more widely used, continue to circulate on social media.
For Clark, it’s all about making daily life easier so he can focus on what’s important. “The great luxury for me is the freedom of space and time in my life,” she says. “I like to game the system. This is one of those low-maintenance to high-maintenance treatments that everyone is talking about.”
Clark’s face completely healed on day 6
