Glossary A–Z

Colour concentrated centrally and washed out to nothing before the edge, using the brightest, most translucent pigments and extra feathering.

The reason for universal precautions, single-use sharps and mandatory BBP certification.

Caused by needling too deep, over-working or heavy pressure; often needs lightening before re-work.

Achieved with a light feathering pass and bright sheer colour; the most forgiving style as it ages.

Sets flow, drying speed and how the pigment implants; adjusted with approved mixing solution.

Cheaper and faster than the first appointment; keeps hue true before it gets thin.

An advanced, multi-session skill for naturally dark or previously tattooed lips.

Screened at consultation; some end the appointment, some just add a step.

A key mapping landmark; flattens with age and can be visually restored with shading.

Aims to avoid trapping bacteria or floating pigment out; can feel tight and chapped.

Predicts post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk and informs pigment choice and intervals.

A form of delayed pigment allergy; hard to treat because the allergen is in the skin.

More likely in higher Fitzpatrick types, with over-working, sun exposure or infection during healing.

Stable, well tolerated and fades honestly; can drift cool as the red fraction clears.

Uses midline, cupid's bow, commissures and callipers; needs explicit client sign-off.

Reading lymph vs blood tells the artist the needle depth is right.

Why a tattoo lasts; slow lymphatic clearance of these cells is the fade.

Small curved magnums give gentle blends on larger lips.

Came with face-specific machines and cosmetic pigment ranges.

Blue/purple countered with orange; brown with warm peach; grey with warm gold plus brightener.

Creates an illusion of fullness; the most structured tasteful style.

Its constant movement is a reason lip pigment breaks down faster than on still skin.

Blended in small amounts with iron oxide to brighten lip formulas.

Lowers but does not eliminate allergy risk; most useful for reactive or multi-allergic clients.

Its 'ring' fade and migration are what modern soft technique reacts against.

Heals more evenly than solid packing and lets the artist stop at the right saturation.

Usually fades over months; reduced by gentle technique and strict sun avoidance.

Standard for anyone with any history of herpes simplex on the lips.

Banned Pigment Blue 15:3 and Green 7 from 2023 and forced many brands to reformulate.

Long-taper round liners are the mainstay of soft lip work.

Often confused with lip blushing; addresses size, not colour.

Used with laser to correct migration, over-saturation or bad colour before re-work.

A stronger primary on intact skin, then a lidocaine-plus-epinephrine secondary once broken.

Part of the procedure, not an upsell; most people need exactly one.

Read before choosing pigment; a warm colour over a cool lip heals muddy.

Gloves, hand hygiene, single-use sharps, barriers and surface disinfection, every time.

Never tattooed as a hard line in modern technique; defined by shading density instead.

Its colour comes from blood beneath; this is the tissue lip blushing works on.

One of the core motions for building sheer, even density.

Catches light to sharpen the mouth; flattens with age and can be faintly faked with pigment.