We were thrilled to get the chance to spend some time with our affiliate artist Natalie Cheung, owner and founder of Natural Blush, and find out all about how she carries out her pre-draw process, as well as some of the tools she uses!



Why is the pre-draw so important?

Pre-drawing is essential to ensure the symmetry and precision you need for effective lip blush treatments. By mapping out the lip shape before you work you can ensure that both you and your client are happy with the projected results and make adjustments if necessary.

Mapping and pre-draw allows you to correct any natural asymmetry and create a clear guide for you to work on when you begin to implant pigment. It also allows you to create the client’s desired result, as close as you possibly can!

What are the risks of poor or rushed pre-draw?

If you do not spend enough time and consideration mapping and pre-drawing the lip shape prior to beginning the tattooing process, you run the risk of several issues which could compromise the treatment and your reputation as an artist.

Failure to complete a thorough map and pre-draw can result in an asymmetrical, unbalanced or unflattering lip shape. The lip blush tattoo is very long-lasting, so it is the artist’s responsibility to ensure that the lip shape they are tattooing is correct and approved by the client.



Don’t be afraid to sit the client up, lay them down and even take photos from multiple angles to assess the pre-draw and check you’re both 100% happy with it. Client satisfaction is also key – meaning that your client needs to be happy with the shape and pre-draw before you begin.

If you don’t check your pre-draw with the client or listen carefully to what they want, you could end up with a very unhappy client and disastrous result. This includes checking the type of cupid’s bow they prefer (rounded or pointed) and showing them the pre-draw from several angles in a well-lit area to get their feedback and make any changes they request.

It may even be worth to ask clients to show you how they use lip liner or lipstick to create their desired lip shape. Natalie herself said she can spend up to 45 mins on her pre-draw – this is the stage you need to take your time with.

Taking the time to map and pre-draw with maximum accuracy gives you the best chance of a successful treatment and a beautiful heal. It is not worth rushing through this stage of the procedure as the effects can be detrimental.



What does Natalie use for her treatments?

Natalie showed us how she’s perfected the pre-draw using three essential tools that make her mapping and pre-draw as easy and as accurate as possible.

First up is the Glovcon Eyebrow Mapping String, a dyed thread that makes marking up your measurements easy as anything! Dyed with a water-soluble, natural dye that’s easy to remove from skin with any green soap or cleanser, this string comes in a convenient box with dental floss-style cutter for one-handed use. You can get this mapping thread in black, red or white, depending on your preferences.

Mapping string is essential for creating a balanced, symmetrical lip shape that flatters the client’s face shape and natural features – as well as enhancing what the client already has in terms of lip shape.

Natalie uses a precise concealer brush during the pre-draw to get as close to the lip line as possible, while creating a clean line that is easy to see with the naked eye. One of our top picks includes the Biotek PMU Design Brush, which is perfect to carve out the area around the lips.

Natalie also swears by a light-coloured concealer to apply to the skin around the lips, creating a contrast and guide to adhere to when tattooing. One of our best-selling accessories is the Buff Browz Bare Necessities Collection of creamy concealers. This palette comes with a range of concealer shades so you can opt for the colour you prefer to use for pre-draw!

Make sure to check out our video with Natalie for the full process, including exactly how she uses her pre-draw products, and the incredible end results!