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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:
IneedAgoldenNickname · 30/10/2012 22:01

My friends daughter had just had some beautiful butterflies tattooed on her stomach area. They look amazing as agreed a flat stomached 18 year old. Not sure how they'll look after she's had children though, unless she's lucky!

Another friend has angel wings on her back, I luff them!

Must other tattoos I have seen are shit though, although the people they belong to don't think so!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that!

ravenAK · 30/10/2012 22:02

I dunno ZombieSplodger! If you've wanted one for ten years, I'd say go for it. I was just thinking - if it's a bit of a whim, you don't know what you want etc, then don't waste your time/money.

(Currently having one of mine lasered & re-done - it HURTS, costs a fortune & takes months).

Have the two little stars done somewhere like your wrist or ankle, maybe, so you can cover them?

DeeMonic · 30/10/2012 22:02

It's a bit subjective though isn't it - if you are the sort of person that likes body art, or has tattoos you'll like them; if you're not, then none will be 'nice'.

I don't have any. I want one, but until I can get the design sorted out properly I'm not going anywhere. I have the vague idea of what it should look like, but the finer detail needs to cover some personal things (similar to what OohMrDarcy mentions) and I need to work those in.

A few of my friends have some - some are beautiful, some are a bit tacky. But they like them, so who am I to judge? :)

bureni · 30/10/2012 22:04

I like mine, took 5 years on and off from start to finish including adding the colours, it a Celtic theme starting from my shoulder and ending at my wrist with a few spaces left for addons at a later date.

GreatGretzky · 30/10/2012 22:05

Nice tattoos definitely exist. My DH is covered in them!

IMO, black and grey always looks better than colour and simple designs look nicer than more complex ones. 2 little stars sounds like it would be nice Smile

vamosbebe · 30/10/2012 22:05

I pity the fool who posts that question on MN!

Tatoos can be tasteful, yes. Tatoos can be bog-awful, yes.

I'm not a huge fan, but I have liked one I saw years ago on an American girl: a spider on her big toe. You'd hardly notice it was there and it was very simple. I was a fan of that one.

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 30/10/2012 22:06

I was thinking about getting the last lines of 'To His Coy Mistress' in a tiny script but thought it would end up looking pants. I'm hoping for it on a gorgeous bracelet for my birthday instead.

Compromise?

akaemmafrost · 30/10/2012 22:07

I love mine, it's a tiny white pegasus with pink wings and it's really pretty. It's on my hip so no one gets to see it unless I want them too. I'd love a Dolphin too, a little blue one but probably won't bother.

SarahJessicaFarter · 30/10/2012 22:10

Of course they do, if you like them. I don't, so for me, not really. They look nice on other people. And there are pretty ones. Your body, your opinion, so do what you want.

clam · 30/10/2012 22:11

'Course, we're going into winter now, so most people are covered up, but it struck me this summer particularly just how many people have them nowadays. I've never seen any tattoo on anyone that I don't just think "why?" Even on young, tanned skin they look horrid, but once those people age and the ink fades... yuk.

The thing is, someone earlier pointed out how a small one might only take 15 minutes. 15 minutes, for something that is indelible and will be with you for life. And look like you've written on yourself with biro.

AnnieLobeseder · 30/10/2012 22:19

Ah, I love a good MN tattoo thread!

Tattoos are like clothes, some are cheap and nasty and don't stand the test of time, and others are beautiful, classy, timeless pieces of art.

IMO opinion, you should love your design for at least a year before you actually get it put on your skin, have a good relationship with your artist and pay good money. Like so much in life, you get what you pay for. And laser treatment hurts worse than childbirth - take it from me!!

Arseface · 30/10/2012 22:31

Had mine done 20 yrs ago when at university. Designed it myself and it's on my stomach.

It's designed to work with the shape of my body rather than just being a 2D pic IYSWIM.

3 pregnancies later it still looks arty and good. Every time I see it, it reminds me of my younger self: hopes, dreams and ambitions.

Love that no one at work (have a heavyweight job) parent friends etc would dream I had a tattoo.

Put some thought into the design and choose a location on your body where it's your choice when to have it on show.

Am very glad I have mine. Reminds me of the idealistic, creative rebellious person I still am despite all my current responsibilities.

SunshineAndSand · 30/10/2012 22:35

Pinterest has a tattoo category and I've seen some really lovely, delicate ones on there that I'd love to have! I especially like one that's dots for constellations and another that's a dandelion with seeds blowing away across a shoulder, pretty!

ThoseArentSpiritFingers · 30/10/2012 22:37

I love mine, I have a small bass cleff on my left inner ankle, and a small treble cleff on my right inner ankle.

they are small, discrete but still able to be shown off ( bare legs and heels they look amazing!) but are also personal to me (have played piano, sung, various other musical stuff, since I was about 5)

Everlong · 30/10/2012 22:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kennyp · 30/10/2012 22:45

this one is nice

GoOooooooooonatic · 30/10/2012 22:47

I drew mine on every day for six months before I actually got it and I knew i wanted it because every night when I put the goons in the bath, I was gutted when it came off! DH has an amazing one on his arm and shoulder. I really like tattoos.

GoOooooooooonatic · 30/10/2012 22:48

Sending everlong a hug x

Theas18 · 30/10/2012 22:49

Hmm. Don't think I've seen a tat that I admire as beautiful of itself, but I have seen some that have great beauty in what they signify ( everlong I mean you and others who use them to signify something very special and private to them) . I see a lot of tats. Old ones on old folk look awful physically, but interestingly (apart fom the " I was young stupid and drunk" ones) carry history that you can't help respecting too.

Seen an awful lot of frankly crap tattoos and even a badly spelled child's name- yup an error not even an " inventive naming" too!

Arseface · 30/10/2012 23:03

kenny Grin

TerrorNotSoFrightened · 30/10/2012 23:12

I do have some song lyrics as a memorial to a lost child.
It's my only tattoo, it's hidden and if people ask if I have a tattoo, I say no.

But it is a nice tattoo, to me.
Who else matters? (With regards to tattoos, not y'know life :) )

Kennyp · 30/10/2012 23:13

Personal favourite is this one

JammySplodger · 01/11/2012 09:30

Oh my goodness Kenny, I've only just been able to look them up!

And Sunshine, I think there are only about three on there that don't scare me. I quite like the dandelion too, though I'm not quite brave enough for something that big.

wizardsleeve · 01/11/2012 09:35

don't do it.They are common and they look cheap tacky and awful imo and i expect you will regret it anyway

scentednappyhag · 01/11/2012 09:38

I love MN tattoo threads Grin nothing like being considered tacky and hideous to start off the day Grin