She wants a tattoo on her face AIBU

[Shikah]

Are facial tattoos socially acceptable now?

I asked my god daughter (23) what she wanted for her birthday and she has asked for money towards a new tattoo, on her face (she has a few elsewhere). I have told her I won't contribute and that I think it's not a good idea. She thinks I'm old fashioned and out of touch and she may be right. I spoke to a highly skilled tattoo artist I know and she said she would not tattoo faces or hands unless she knows them very well and that it was a terrible idea for a young woman who had her first tattoo a year ago.

I don't have any objections to tattoos and think they can be very beautiful, I also wouldn't necessary judge someone I met for having a facial tattoo (depending on what it was) but I think having one will negatively effect your life, especially employment opportunities.

So are facial tattoos still a barrier to employment or am I am old fogey?
If anyone has a facial tattoo I'd love your opinion on this :)

Anyone who gets a tattoo on their face is a fucking idiot and I don't care how judgey that makes me

^This. Face tattoos are hideous and she will get judged. Every single time.

I also suggested she drew it on for a year or 2 and tested it - but that was utterly hilarious and stupid apparently

She will do whatever she wants, I am just wondering whether to try and talk her out of it again.

Could she agree to wait a year and get it done then if she’s still keen?

She has a very sweet chubby 'baby face' and waist length blonde hair - I find it all very bizarre that she would even consider it.

I have a well tattooed friend. She won't get her face or hands done because "people treat you differently once you cross that line". It's something she could struggle to get employment with, at a later date.

There's a girl with a tear drop tattoo under her eye on SAS : Who Dares Wins at the moment. The staff do comment on it and that it makes her come across a certain way to the other recruits and that they perhaps perceive her differently because of it at first. It shouldn't cloud judgement but it evidently does a bit.

God she'll look like a drug trafficker

They look so tacky, YANBU to try to talk her out of it but if not then at least don't contribute!

A school friend of mine had loads of tattoos done when we were 18-21 and some epidermal implants. Her tattoos were on her legs, wrists, right across her chest, and some on the side of her forehead. She was quite rebellious shall we say. Anyway fast forward 15 years and she is now in the army and has to cover them as best as she can (especially the offensive ones 🤦🏻‍♀️). She has told us she has to get up extra early to slather her face in foundation if they are needed to be presentable for inspection etc. As she is not allowed to wear any other make up it looks a bit daft tbh. She is pretty sketchy on the details if asked but I would say if she could go back she wouldn't get them. She seems embarrassed of them now never showing them off like she once did.

I've just googled it and can only see pictures of men with a tattoo cross near their eye.

In fact I really regret googling and feel a bit freaked out and ill now. Oh god.

Not because men have that tattoo I will add, because I just saw some REALLY REALLY bad facial tattoos and I am freaking out.

I’m a big fan of body art but not facial tattoos, I regret some of mine but at least they are in places where I can cover them.

I’m mid thirties and I would 100% judge someone who had a tattoo on their face.

I’m not against tattoos in general, they can look good, they can look awful but they definitely always tell you something about the person and a face tattoo says lack of judgement and poor impulse control.

i have a lot of tattoos including on my hands and fingers but i wouldn’t have any on my face. they are not known as Everlasting Jobstoppers for no reason.

fairymummy75 i think grown women who believe in fairies are fucking idiots but each to their own, innit.

So are facial tattoos still a barrier to employment or am I am old fogey?

Depends on the salon, if it’s an edgier style of place or a trendy barber, probably not. If it’s more mainstream, then perhaps it will.

I don’t dislike facial tattoos although I wouldn’t choose to have one myself, some can be amazing (IMO) if they’re something larger with a distinct look/theme/cultural meaning - a random heart/cross/star is uninteresting and a bit...meh (again, IMO).

I tried to find an example of what I mean - the first is interesting, artistic and well executed, the other is poorly done and just...meh.

I have met people professionally who have facial tattoos.

They are not the professional in this scenario.

It’ll look dreadful, and do nothing for her job prospects, but if that the risk she’s willing to take...

There is zero chance I would let anyone with those prison facial tattoos near me with scissors. None.

@exWifebeginsat40

Why the personal attack? You could always disagree with what she actually said, you know?

I think random bit tattooed on the face look weird and out of place, a bit naff and pointless really.

Tattoos done as part of indigenous culture (Maori Moko etc) are absolutely stunning; but obviously would be completely inappropriate for a white person with no link to that culture to get it done.

I think if I wanted a tattoo, I would get a henna one put on first to see if I liked it.

Facial tattoos are a huge mistake.

I honestly would judge and I wouldn’t go to a hairdresser or have my nails done by someone with a facial tattoo.

Tattoos on faces and necks always make me think of thick chavvy dole dwelling jailbirds.

Omg what a horrific idea. Only 1 barber I know had a tattoo: part in his hair, part temple. Looks fine. Good.
No other job/very few other jobs would it be ok in.

Although this thread has reminded me of a regular at a pub I used to pick up the odd shift at - he had a massive 3D tarantula tattoed on his face, purely so he could aggressively ask people “What are you staring at?!?” And start a fight. What a charmer...