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Original poster

Tattoos - what have you got?

29 replies

Frogbull · 07/04/2019 14:20

I always joked that my midlife crisis would involve me getting a tattoo. Well, I just turned 40, and I'd quite like one. Not sure what though. I think I'd like, something small, something simple, somewhere not too on show. Also saw some white tattoos I liked, but I am incredibly pale, and wonder if it would just look like I had some sort of scar. I have three kids, maybe something to represent that?

What do you have? Or what would you like?

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NowIKnowHowJoanFelt · 07/04/2019 14:50

I'm 48 and been toying with the idea for a few years.. I'm feeling that I am too old, flabby and uncool.. but.... I would like something like "Be Brave & Be Kind" in typewriter font on the inside of my wrist.

ElizabethMainwaring · 07/04/2019 14:58

I'm forty seven and have a small skull on my hip. I had it done when I was fourteen and on a school trip to Paris. I don't like it, but rarely see it, and when I do I think its quite funny in that it reminds me of how impetuous and carefree I was. Id quite like a tiny insect on my wrist, but I know that I won't do it as I don't trust the tattooist enough to do a brilliant job.

QueenArseClangers · 07/04/2019 14:59

I have quite a few. I love colourful tattoos that make me smile and mean something to me. Like this breastfeeding one:

Tattoos - what have you got?

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Beauty
Badwifey · 07/04/2019 15:01

I have 5. 3 of them were impulse tats I'm no longer fond of . They are on my lower back (tramp stamps!). I have one on my thigh, which is small and I like it. It was my first. Then my last on on my ankle and foot I still like. Although I have elephant kankles so hardly ever have it on show.

unicornsrule · 07/04/2019 17:13

I am 40 i have 10 small tattoos i love them
I have humming bird
Tribal swallow
Cat heart
Disney ariel
Turtle
Flying birds
Owl
Butterflys
Tree

Go for it
I got all my ideas from pininterest just show tattoist pictures on phone
My wrist tattoos are my fav

unicornsrule · 07/04/2019 17:14

I have two on my wrists
Two on back
Rest on arms

NowIKnowHowJoanFelt · 07/04/2019 17:24

Do we think 48 is too old to get your first tattoo?

JaretsGirlfren · 07/04/2019 17:26

This is my moon tattoo, I also have my grandfathers handwriting and a cat outline with white flowers, the flowers are pretty much invisible on my pale skin so wouldn’t recommend white ink. I also have plans for three interlocking rose outlines and loads more

Tattoos - what have you got?
billysboy · 07/04/2019 17:27

Have a camel on my big toe

Clawdy · 07/04/2019 18:03

Got my first swallow tattoo last year, considerably older than 48! Grin Thinking of having another, maybe a butterfly, would having it in two colours be more painful?

Aimily · 07/04/2019 18:15

Absolutely love tattoos! And seeing other people's!
I'm 28 and have 4 atm

  • a side piece that goes from bikini line up my ribs and just under my bra. It says "born to blossom, bloom to perish" it is adorned with large pink, purple and orange daisies. I love the wording and daisies are my favourite flower. (left side)
  • a pattern on the back of my neck, I doodled this when I was 16 and decided I liked it that much I treated myself for my 18th birthday.
  • an infinity knot that says love on the inside of my right arm, this was an impulse tattoo while my oh was having his calf done.
  • a thigh piece that starts at my knee and wraps round the front of my leg and up my hip (right side) Alice in wonderland inspired, an old version of the book (mad hatter putting a tiny Alice in the teapot) cupcake with a flag that says "eat me" an teacup and saucer that says "drink me", and a couple of roses. This will eventually become a leg piece with Harry Potter, Beauty and the Beast and Matilda references as they are my favourite stories.
CatMomma · 07/04/2019 18:27

I have a small cat on my back, about the size of my palm. That was my first and inspired by my first cat.

I've also got a bat on my ribs. That one was very painful but I wanted it out of the way so I know any future ones won't be so bad.

My next one will be something to represent my baby that unfortunately was born extremely prematurely and passed away at a few weeks old.

I've always quite liked the idea of having a massive snake from my hip to my ankle, coiled around my leg. Go big or go home right? Grin

Everybody I know who has had white ink used on their tattoos has regretted it. It's very difficult to heal nicely and often takes on a funny colour. Much better if you have pale skin to use shading in other colours to suggest the appearance of white.

JaretsGirlfren · 07/04/2019 19:45

Here’s my cat with her pointless white flower get your magnifying glass out the flower looked really bloody for a few weeks and now looks like this, wouldn’t bother with white ink if you are pale!

Tattoos - what have you got?
Original poster
Frogbull · 07/04/2019 20:32

Good ideas, thank you. I think I've gone off white after looking at a few pictures online.

Also, where to put it? Nowhere with any flab (bit tricky!) so ankle, foot or shoulder maybe? I've seen some on the back of the neck or behind ears, but my job forbids visible tattoos so couldn't do that.

OP posts:
Aimily · 07/04/2019 20:37

@frogbull this is the one on the back of my neck, it's placed low enough that my collers cover it/when I have longer hair it covers it.
If I were you, go into a tattoo shop and talk to someone. Tell them what your thoughts are and restrictions i.e. work. They're lovely folk and are generally pretty good with design and placement advice.

Tattoos - what have you got?
AndSheWas85 · 07/04/2019 20:43

Have none myself. Just like looking at other peoples. Some really nice ones here. @JaretsGirlfren I LOVE the cat tattoo and yes, I can just about make out the white ink. Even without my glasses!Grin

As for the age question. It Doesn't matter, your body, your decision to decorate it any way you want at any ageSmile

GimmeChocolateNow · 07/04/2019 20:45

I don't have one but am contemplating getting one. I am pale and it is for exactly that reason that I want a white one. The tattoo would be for me. It would be my secret to myself

RocketSurgery · 07/04/2019 20:48

What does a cat heart look like unicornsrule?

ForalltheSaints · 07/04/2019 20:49

None. I think they would look awful on me and go out of fashion.

JaretsGirlfren · 07/04/2019 20:52

AndSheWas thank you! It’s a memorial piece for my cat who was killed quite traumatically a couple of years ago. The white flower was supposed to make up the ‘missing’ side of the cat. If you can make it out, the flower isn’t even in the right place Hmm

GiveMummyTheWhizzer · 07/04/2019 20:56

Completely outing, but I have my family represented in elephants on my shoulders - just had the last baby elephant and heart added last month so it will all even out shade wise soon. I love it.

Contemplating another on my wrist 🤔

Tattoos - what have you got?
Tuesday2ndApril · 07/04/2019 21:38

I have a circle of bluebells around my ankle with lettering "Sis". My younger sister died at 47 and I had it done in her memory.

StarlightLady · 07/04/2019 22:24

I have a small bespoke design on my shoulder. It was designed by a woman who was very special to me, so it means a lot.

No regrets!

Shoulder tattoo tip: Careful that your bra strap does not cut through the design. Mine doesn’t but I have seen some that do, and it spoils the appearance.

MulticolourMophead · 07/04/2019 22:27

I did think about a white tattoo at one point. But was advised they eventually change colour due to the colour of your skin. I'm having some coverups done, as I want to change to all florals, covering up 2/5 tattoos I have.

MenuPlant · 07/04/2019 22:33

I have 4, am 45
Always loved them from when I was young

Advice:
Get it where you won't see it daily, mine are all on my back, so, I know they are there but forget a lot
Know what you want. This is basic but I have 1 I regret as was in a hurry and, long story.

I suppose mine were for me, not for ornament, depending on what you want, will advise.

FWIW all advice says, find a good tatooist, work on a design together, think about it etc etc I have never found that! So. not sure where I went wrong :D

Bottom line GO FOR IT but have a good think first and get some recs on artists x