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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

She wants a tattoo on her face AIBU

165 replies

Shikah · 29/01/2019 20:11

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 :)

OP posts:

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Bluelonerose · 30/01/2019 08:27

Have you shown her this post? With no-one saying it's a good idea she might think twice.

Original poster

Shikah · 30/01/2019 08:44

I have sent her a copy of the message from my tattooist friend and am hoping it sinks in

OP posts:

IAmWonderWoman · 30/01/2019 09:24

Maybe show her this thread.

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 30/01/2019 09:52

I second the henna/semi permanent, as a trial. Even a lovely design, the fact it's on her face will get her judged, I don't think she's realised yet.

MoominAnna · 30/01/2019 11:14

I had some thread veins removed from my face with a laser. It really got quite painful at times. The woman doing it said tattoo removal was far more painful. No way would I risk needing that ever

I'm afraid I agree that facial tattoos look dreadful. They really do change how people perceive you and it's very easy to say that doesn't matter but live with peoples' judgement for 20, 30 years plus and I bet it would get very hard and demoralizing.

recklessruby · 30/01/2019 12:43

Both my dc have tattoos but they would never get one on their faces. It really will impact on her employment prospects. She would probably not get past most interviews to be honest!

ErickBroch · 30/01/2019 12:48

She is obviously seeing some w of a tattoo artist. Any respectable one would never tattoo someone's face/neck or hands without surrounding tattoos aka sleeve, chest piece.

Ridiculous.

ImMeantToBeWorking · 30/01/2019 13:15

I have a good few tattoos, all for personal reasons and are for me and not anyone else (one of them you cant even read unless I am holding it to the reader), that being said I can cover all mine up by wearing normal clothes. I only show off the ones I want to show off. One I do regret (because it is meant to be my guardian angel but it looks like tinkerbell), but thankfully it is on my shoulder so easily hidden by clothes.

Not a hope would I let or help, any family member get one on their face. I think they are horrible. And despite me having tattoos myself, if I was hiring for a customer facing role I would not hire someone with a tattoo on their face, or high on their neck because I know there is a lot of old school people in my industry who would not appreciate tattoos.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 30/01/2019 13:45

I tried to find an example of what I mean - the first is interesting, artistic and well executed

The artist is indeed talented, but from any kind of distance, it still looks like she has fabulous sideboards.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 30/01/2019 13:51

Also, not wanting to sidetrack the main point of the thread, but what is it with those nose rings that go through the septum, like a bull ring? Just looks like dripping snot unless you're right up close.

And each to their own, but what is with those huge washers that people (like the woman in the same picture) have INSIDE (not through) their ear lobes? They just look like bullet holes to me.

Haworthia · 30/01/2019 13:52

BEWARE of supposed semi permanent tattoos. They don’t exist.

I know semi permanent tattooed make up does fade (but even then, it doesn’t fade completely) but semi permanent tattoos? I’ve never heard of them and never seen a good tattoo artist offering them.

Best case scenario, if she goes down that road, is she’ll get a tattoo that fades and blurs more quickly than regular tattoo ink. It will look terrible. There’s no way it would vanish completely because that’s basically impossible.

hannah1992 · 30/01/2019 13:58

Both me and dh have tattoos. I have 3 small ones but dh has loads. Neither one of us has one on our faces nor would we ever.

It's not just about the way it looks it's more the fact that it is there forever and yes make up can cover it but that's hassle, yes you can have it lazerd off but that's expensive and takes time.

Does she have a partner? If so how would they feels about it? If not has she contenpletated that a tattoo on the face can put people off and she may struggle to find someone?

user1457017537 · 30/01/2019 14:02

You don’t put stickers on a Ferrari to quote my DS

JaneDawson1 · 30/01/2019 14:04

I worked in a tattoo studio and we wouldnt touch the face unless someone had upto 70 percent coverage of the body - and had worn their tattoos for years, so they were ready for the discrimination. Yes, its 2019, but there is still loads out there. Unless shes a hair salon owner, I'd very much recommend against it - you never know what tomorrow brings.

MouseUtopia · 30/01/2019 14:06

If I remember correctly, a cross and a lightening bolt are symbols of the far right, particularly if they're near the eye.

A tear drop means you've been in borstal.

Make sure she never goes to Russia. She'll either get beaten up or recruited by a crime syndicate 😂

PurpleTrilby · 30/01/2019 14:19

She’s really, really stupid if she goes ahead with it, it’s not old fashioned to think that at all. She can say that all she likes, but it’s simply not accepted and it’s only recently becoming more acceptable to have any ink at all visible. I have loads of ink, I love tattoos, but I can always cover them up for work or other purposes (like not freaking out older people, I did that precisely once and remembered the look of horror on the women's faces). I have two friends with face tattoos, but they are very punk and don’t work. One has always had them, since his teens, never had a job. The other got some ink on his chin now he’s older and disabled. Please talk her out of it, it’s the most stupid thing she could do. I hope she would not be able to find a tattooist who would do it, but there’s lots of scratchers out there – people who buy the kit and just do it at home, very unhygienic and dodgy. And yes, look up Russian criminal tattoos, it’s a whole language in itself. A tear drop near the eye often means the person has killed someone, dodgy territory all round.

MummytoAF · 30/01/2019 14:21

I feel as though people ought to just accept people have them and not be so old fashioned. Having said that, you are not being old school, anything on the face is just a massive no-no.

I have a sleeve tattoo and like the fact I can hide them if necessary (if going for a job, etc.). I don't make efforts to hide them, but in no way do I flaunt them.

Racecardriver · 30/01/2019 14:23

I don’t think it would be an issue for a hair dresser but it may become an issue if she decides to retrain in a less creative feild or decides she wants to ‘marry up’.

Racecardriver · 30/01/2019 14:26

@haworthia they’ve been around for years. You can get them done in henna or those ones that come on paper and transfer onto skin. You can also now get printed tattoos that print straight into skin.

pineapplebryanbrown · 30/01/2019 14:32

I said to my DSs when they were about 12 no tattoos or piercings whilst under my roof - ever. I'm very liberal minded but it's a choice for a genuine adult who lives completely independently, not an adolescent.

Iooselipssinkships · 30/01/2019 14:34

I have visible tattoos on my chest/lower neck and hands/fingers (judge away). I was offered a job by the CPS so not everywhere discriminates. I even stated at the end of my interview that if they were a problem I would do my best to cover up as much as possible and they said it's not a problem.

cuttingItFine · 30/01/2019 14:40

This reply has been deleted

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CookPassBabtridge · 30/01/2019 14:40

I am usually very easy going regarding tattoos and think they look good, individual choice etc.. but come to a judgy stop when I think of face tattoos

Clairaloulou · 30/01/2019 14:42

I have tattoos and love them, but no way would I ever get one on my face.

Squigglesworth · 30/01/2019 14:49

A tattooed face affects the first impression a person makes, and for most people what it says is that the tattooed person has a rebellious streak, is probably impulsive, may be lacking intelligence, and is possibly "low class", none of which are attributes traditionally sought by employers.

As pp have said, a hairdresser can get away with more outlandish hair/dress/etc. than people in most other careers, but she may not always want to be a hairdresser. Why limit herself at such a young age?

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