After the completion of the ritual, the soul mark needs to settle.

Before completion of the ritual, the soul marks has lighter colour.

After activation and completion, soul marks need to settle.
Five minutes after the completion of the ritual, the second wave of extreme pain will occur.

The system will settle the bond, and the soul marks lines will darken. From then on, soulmates will never experience soul mark pain again.

But for red gold and blue string soulmates, it will be hard to be away from each other for long. Their soul marks will need nourishment and energy after the ritual for the rest of their lives. 

There will only be a stinging sensation that will alert the soulmate that the time of invigoration is near. They need to start energising the marks.