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Original poster

Do nice tattoos exist?

292 replies

ZombieSplodger · 30/10/2012 20:58

I'd quite like to get a tattoo but am quite concerned that it could just look shit.

Are there any rules about getting a tattoo so it looks nice, maybe pretty, and minimises the risk of you regretting it?

OP posts:
lilachair · 04/11/2012 00:02

I've just put my latest tattoo pic on my profile. I love it. It will still look lush when I'm 70 :p I went to a true artist and got exactly what I wanted. Tattoos can be pretty/beautiful, and it does not matter what other people think if YOU love it. I look at mine and they make me happy and proud. (the lillies were a 7 hr sitting all in one go, and my artist said I was hardcore. That alone pleased me Grin )

ThatVikRinA22 · 04/11/2012 00:11

lilac - your profile isnt public! cant see your latest tat....

lilachair · 04/11/2012 00:17

mended it! Smile

inabeautifulplace · 04/11/2012 00:21

"Whatever you think now, you are unlikely to think the same in 30 years time."

In 30 years time the memories signified by and encapsulated within my tattoo will be even more precious to me than they are now.
And yes, I am capable of remembering without it. It's just lovely to have an automatic trigger that accompanies me everywhere.

ThatVikRinA22 · 04/11/2012 00:21

still cant see it!

lilachair · 04/11/2012 00:23

Oh. I don't know what else to do... it says it's public Confused

GhettoPrincess · 04/11/2012 03:27

I have an odd fascination with tattoos, just for the artwork. Sometimes a nice tattoo on a good looking guy can look great. I didn't know that my personal trainer was in the Paratroop regiment until I saw the parachute tatoo on his arm.

To date, the worst tattoo I've seen was on a woman's chest, just below her neck, of the Harley Davidson logo, six inches wide, four inches tall.

I also understand there's a, 'my tattoo is better than your tattoo' attitude among the tattooed. To me it means you can never be properly naked/intimate with someone because some of your skin will always be covered by a tattoo. (Unless you needed it because your eyebrows fell out etc)

I thought there was a high percentage of people who got tattoed who later (grew up/grew out of it) regreted it.

I watched Miami Ink/London Ink etc on dvd as I was trying to get to the bottom of why people got tattooes. It was interesting and the tattoo artists were very talented. However, most customers where in their twenties. Today's 'hot' tattoo is going to look so dated one day. I also realised that the average drongo who gets a tattoo wouldn't be able to think or plan that far ahead. I also realised that people get a tattoo because they, um, felt like it. However, once it's done they are just sooooo special !

Kez100 · 04/11/2012 04:08

I would never get a tattoo.

I would never judge another who did.

Just like people who dress differently, tattoos are personal to them and, so, that's fine by me. I can really appreciate the choice some make to carry a memory with them.

ellargh · 04/11/2012 04:18

I like tattoos but I prefer them on men. I have three tattoos, quite small an unobtrusive of my children's names (one on the back of my neck and one on my wrist) and a small one on my left wrist. I love these tattoos as they can be covered and it's something I'll always want on me. I couldn't pull off arm tattoos & I think most 'designs' with swirls just look crap.

My friend has some really nice (random) ones. A carousel horse, an elephant and an owl all in colour but separate pieces. They look amazing on her and really are art but I could never do that.

Min77 · 04/11/2012 08:16

they may look good in your 20s ... but never in your 80s

EmmaBemma · 04/11/2012 08:21

That's a matter of opinion, Min77. But anyway, nothing in your 80s looks as good as it did in your 20s. Even Joan Rivers knows that.

McKayz · 04/11/2012 09:22

Min77 I'm not expecting my tattoos to look good in my 80's. I'm expecting to look like a haggered wrinkly old bat.

mignonette · 04/11/2012 09:23

Looking great in her eighties....

lifestyle.ezinemark.com/carmen-dellorefice-worlds-oldest-working-model-turns-80-7736cbc6b823.html

Bit ageist some of these posts.....Plenty of men and women who look better at 80 than many people do in their forties.

McKayz · 04/11/2012 09:25

She looks fabulous!! I'd like to look that good now and I'm 26!

IAmSheWhoMustBeObeyed · 04/11/2012 10:26

lilachair your pics are public now. I think it justvtakes a few minutes.
Personally I will judge. When I see someone like Amy Winehouse- random ugly tattoos, apparently done with very little thought or even talent involved I think idiot

CaoNiMa · 04/11/2012 10:28

I always hated the idea of tattoos, but when my partner passed away in August, I decided to have her signature tattooed on my ribs above my heart, as if she had "signed" me like a finished painting (she was a contemporary art dealer/expert). I can't imagine that I'll ever regret it, and nobody will see it unless I show them.

I think random "designs" can look a bit tacky (especially tribal stuff and Chinese characters), but some of my friends have full sleeves or back pieces done by amazing tattoo artists, and they look amazing.

EmmaBemma · 04/11/2012 11:32

mignonette - yes, she's beautiful, but I don't look that good now and I seriously doubt I will when I'm her age! Personally speaking I'm rather looking forward to being old, should I ever get there.

I loved the raven pic you posted by the way, though it's not something I would go for. My own bird tattoo is similar in design to two of the other tattoos on the same link.

mignonette · 04/11/2012 11:34

I see so many elegant attractive and characterful older people. To age is to be fortunate when so many are denied that....

MurderOfGoths · 04/11/2012 12:06

CaoNiMa That's wonderful, absolutely beautiful.

PacificDogwood · 04/11/2012 12:10

I personally would not have a tattoo.

I fend them tacky when they are very obviously a fashion accessory (arse antlers, anyone?) rather than something with personal meaning.
Larger ones, like lilachair's which is amazing as a piece of art, I can admire the skill that went in to creating them, but still don't 'like' them on people IYKWIM? It's the idea of altering the most perfect surface that human skin is, that puts me off. Not squeamishness, but crossing some kind of line? I don't really know how to express it. It's the same reasoning why I have no problem with piercings, but hate larger diameter plugs etc.

CaoNiMa, your motivation behind your tattoo (and those of others who commemorate somebody) I can entirely understand. So sorry for your loss x.

Kez100 · 04/11/2012 13:17

Thats the problem with judging. I doubt AW was an idiot. Troubled soul maybe, or ill, or under the influence. I don't know exactly (hence why I won't judge) but I doubt, given her talent, that she had tattoos because she was an idiot.

scarlettsmummy2 · 04/11/2012 13:23

No such thing in my opinion.

MrsRhettButler · 04/11/2012 13:56

I'm looking for a good artist to do a couple for me, I'm in bristol, does anyone know of any excellent artists in the surrounding area? I'm not sure how to find a good one and am really scared of a bad artist messing me up! If anyone knows of any I would be truly grateful for the info :)

MsIngaFewmarbles · 04/11/2012 14:09

Doc at Holey Skin on Gloucester Road is an amazing artist. Did my husband's tattoo a couple of years ago and it was fantastic. Great work.

MrsRhettButler · 04/11/2012 14:18

Thanks inga, i have holey skin on my list so will defo go and check him out :)