TATTOOS HAVE BEEN A RIGHT OF PASSAGE FOR MANY YEARS
Many cultures in the world have used tattoos, body modification, and scarification as a means for a right of passage. Both males and females had their different rituals. There were multiple reasons for these to occur. Often, a right of passage was a coming of age, such as becoming a man or for a woman, being able to have children. Enduring the pain meant you were ready for your new role in your society.
Other former rights of passage, in all forms of body modification, was in regards to battle or a hunt. Being victorious in battle could earn you certain marks. The more you were successful, the more marks you got. It was to show your peers and enemies you were fierce and someone to respect. To bring down a dangerous or large animal also earned you different marks, showing your prowess as a hunter.
Some cultures that exist today still practice these forms of body modification, and can be found on nearly every continent. It's most commonly seen in African tribal cultures, but it's just as prevalent in many other parts of the world. Traditional rights of passage have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years.
In today's society, most of the advanced cultures don't generally view tattoos as a right of passage. This is particularly true if someone uses numbing agents or get put under anesthesia (yes, it happens) to get their tattoos. They are missing out on part of the experience, and they're looking for the payoff without the price. The pain involved with getting a tattoo is part of what makes it a right of passage.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
As time changes, so do trends. Tattoo designs and styles come and go, but not forever. Something that was really popular in the 40s may have died out, but often there's a resurgence of interest. Sort of like the high-waist "mom jeans" of the 80s making a comeback in recent years. So, what should we look out for in 2024 for tattoo trends?
WHAT'S THE BUZZ IN WHAT'S GOING TO BE POPULAR?
There are many designs in the tattoo industry that there's a certain buzz going on. There are tattoos people are talking about getting done once their holiday spending has subsided and tax refunds start to roll in. Here are some of the more talked about, searched for, and discussed tattoo trends.
FULL SLEEVE TATTOOS
Sleeve Tattoo by Christina
Although always popular, sleeve tattoos seemed to be having an uptick in interest. People that weren't interested before are not showing signs it's something they're looking to get done. A full sleeve tattoo can be of any style and topic. There really is no limitation. It will take your artist more time to conceive, design, and draw out a sleeve tattoo, but the results are worth the wait. This one trends more than any other.
FLORAL TATTOOS
Floral Tattoo by Leah
Another staple in the tattoo industry, the trends of floral tattoos continue every year. It doesn't look like a design that will ever go away, and with good reason. There are so many things you can do with a floral tattoo regarding style and design. A good artist will probably create several hundred unique floral tattoos over their career, and in the thousands for those who specialize in the subject. If you take into consideration of how many tattoo artists there are globally, that's millions of unique floral designs.
COLORFUL/VIBRANT/WATERCOLOR TATTOOS
Colorful Tattoo by Jared
Before we get into it, no, black & grey tattoos aren't going anywhere. They will be popular forever. B&G is well loved internationally and it's a given to be popular. With that said, there is a bunch of internet chatter and in-studio discussions with clients that makes it appear there are trends happening in the desire for extremely colorful and vibrant pieces. These differ from typical tattoos with color and are more like color tattoos on steroids.
SMALL/MINIMALIST/SIMPLE TATTOOS
Small Bee by Vitalii
People more and more are recognizing the simplistic beauty of a small and/or minimalist tattoo. A tattoo doesn't have to be grandiose and take 30 hours to be impressive. A very well done small and simple tattoo can also have a degree of impact simply due to its innate beauty. They are the epitome of "less is more" if done perfectly.
FINE LINE/UNSHADED TATTOOS
Fine Line Tattoo by Leah
Fine line tattoos have been popular for a while now, but there seems to be a larger interest as it trends in this coming year. Finely detailed tattoos with little or no shading seem to becoming more popular each year, and it appears to be really focused in the majority with women. Men do enjoy this style as well, but the ratio is much smaller than with the female tattoo crowd. They are also a popular choice for people that are looking at getting their first tattoo, which would indicate it's also age related to a certain degree.
MEMORIAL TATTOOS
Pet Memorial Tattoo by Christina
Memorial tattoos have been around for a very long time, and they will always have a place in the tattoo industry. As time goes by, more people seem to be inclined to get a memorial tattoo for someone they loved and lost or for a lost pet. These kinds of tattoos span all age groups, and surprisingly, it's the older crowd that dominates the request for one of these tattoos. Older people that have never had a tattoo before in their entire life are starting to book memorial tattoos.
WHAT TATTOOS ARE TRENDING ON THE DOWNSWING?
With some trends swinging in the upward direction, that always means others will swing on the downward. It doesn't mean these tattoos are passé or lame, it just means they aren't currently as popular as other styles. Sometimes, a particular design or style has its moment in the sun, and then it fades away, perhaps forever. This could be said about the stereotypical "90s tribal". It did go away for the most part, but it appears to have been given sort of a new life with neotribal as that style trends. So what's out in 2024?
CLICHE TATTOOS
What is a cliché tattoo? It's something that's been done a million times before. Some of these include, but not limited to, infinity symbols, feathers blowing away and turning into birds, lovers name tattoos, "carpe diem" or "memento mori" tattoos, cheesy quotes such as "Live, Laugh, Love", and so on. People are starting to not only stray away from cliché pieces, but are also looking to get them covered up.
HARRY POTTER TATTOOS
There's nothing wrong with Harry Potter or enjoying the books/films. However, it's had its day in the tattoo world, mostly with either "Always" or the Deathly Hollows logo (or sometimes the two designed into one tattoo together). So many of these designs have been done over the years, there are actually some artists that flat out refuse to do any more of them. Fortunately for those artists, the request for HP tattoos have dropped quite a bit, and it looks to continue that way into 2024.
IGNORANT STYLE TATTOOS
There will always be a special place in the hearts of many who enjoy this bizarre trendy tattoo style. If you're not familiar, they're cartoonish style tattoos that often have some sort of stance on society usually done in a humorous way. They're easy to identify because they are generally and purposefully done to look like they were drawn by a child. Some artists absolutely hate that these even exist. It's a trend that lasted a few years, but it looks like it's nearing its end in 2024.
AMERICAN TRADITIONAL
Sad as it may seem, it looks like American Traditional style continues its downswing. Once very popular, particularly in America, these classic tattoos just aren't resonating with the younger crowd like they used to. There will always be people out there getting the traditional style, and most tattoo artists have a certain degree of love, if for nothing more than nostalgia, for American Traditional tattoos. Unfortunately for those that still love it, the style continues to fall further down the line for requested tattoos outside a shop that only does flash.
FOREIGN WORD LETTERING
Let's face it, quite a few of us have something like this done. A few decades back, it was "cool" to have some Chinese or Japanese characters tattooed on you that meant something like 'strength' or 'power'. Not so much these days. There doesn't seem to be any upcoming interest in these tattoos by practically anybody. Roman numerals and Norse runes are still trending, but Asian characters have all but died off for tattoo requests.
TRENDS COME AND GO, BUT HERE'S TO 2024!
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
Neotribal cybersiglism is one of the newest tattoo styles in the tattoo industry. It's most often done in black ink, rarely ever any colors. It's characterized by fine lines and points with a semi-biomechanical flow. Often you'll see some influences of the great artist H.R. Giger, the designer for the original ALIEN movie by Ridley Scott. Frankly, they look badass.
Just as the name implies, neotribal literally means "new tribal". Unfortunately during the 90's, everyone and their dog was getting a "tribal" tattoo. None of those tattoos were technically tribal in the least. Tribal would be Polynesian, Maori or something like that. What we all saw in the 90s style was its own thing, black pointy tattoos that resembled barbed wire in a way. Quite a few people now regret getting those tattoos, and due to how dark they were, they can be a little hard to cover. Not impossible, but tricky in some circumstances.
The main problem with the 90s tribal style was that they pretty much looked all the same. They weren't anything special and everyone had one. For men, it was commonly an upper arm band. For women, the lower back, commonly known as a "tramp stamp".
The great thing about neotribal cybersigilism is that there is so much potential for variety. The only limitation is the imagination of your artist. You could get something as basic as a small 2 inch bat all the way up to a full back piece. Even the stylization of neotribal can vary greatly. It's still so new that only one of our artists has done one so far, but we expect to book more as more people become aware of the style.
OTHER NEWER STYLES WE'RE EAGER TO DO MORE OF
With all the creative artists out there, sometimes some new styles just stand out and deserve recognition. Unfortunately, some people out there that are ready to get a new tattoo may be unaware of some of these great new styles.
One of those styles is what's know as patch style. It's a tattoo that literally looks like a realistic embroidered patch. It was created by artist Duda Lozano out of São Paulo, Brazil. Now, artists around the world are honing their craft so that they, too, can make these types of tattoos. Our own Leah recently finished a beautiful example of this type of work, which is pictured below.
Patch Style Tattoo by Leah
Another one of these innovative styles is sticker style. The sticker style, much like the patch style, replicates an actual sticker. Some artists are so good at this, it's incredibly hard to tell that it's a tattoo and not an actual sticker. The creator of this style is Sergey Shanko, a realism artist. However, the undisputed master of this art is Luke Cormier. Sergey is originally from Russia, but currently lives in New York and is often on the road.
If you are looking to get a new tattoo, and get something a lot of people haven't seen before, book one of this fantastic new styles with one of our artists! We have many great and talented artists that are looking forward to doing more of these styles, so call, text or come in to book a consult or a tattoo today!
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
In tattooing, there are big mistakes, and there are small mistakes. In reality, you don't want to be any part of either. Even a small mishap can lead to bigger problems.
One big mistake is showing up on an empty stomach. It has nothing to do with how tough you are, or how tolerant to pain you are. The simple biological fact is this; getting a tattoo causes your body to produce adrenaline. Adrenaline burns sugar. A sudden drop in sugar is a leading cause to passing out, or at least feeling woozy.
The vast majority of anyone getting a tattoo that ends up having one of those reactions is simply due to low blood sugar, because they didn't eat anything substantial before their appointment. The easiest way to avoid this issue is to just eat, and even bring something with you to snack on, especially if you have a longer session.
Another mistake, which falls in line with the first topic, is not being hydrated. Not having enough fluids in you can cause you to feel queasy, and not just during a tattoo session. Very often, if you are feeling queasy, just drink some water and nearly always you start to feel better immediately. Besides that, dehydrated skin isn't as elastic and not the best to tattoo on.
Having healthy skin is important, not only for when you get your tattoo, but afterwards as well. Drink plenty of water before, during and after your tattoo appointments. Drinking plenty of water also makes your skin more youthful!
Fortunately, most reputable studios will not tattoo someone who is clearly inebriated. Not only is it now illegal in most (if not all) states to tattoo someone who's under the influence, but it's also very immoral and it says a lot about a shop that will still do it.
That being said, getting drunk before you go to ATTEMPT to get your tattoo is a huge mistake. If you had a deposit, you will lose it. So, simply put, stay sober for your tattoo, and it's advised to not get plastered right afterwards since alcohol thins the blood and will possibly delay the healing process.
Another big mistake people can make is to grossly miscalculate how much time and money a quality tattoo will be. If you get a consult and are quoted 24 hours for a sleeve, and you book all those appointments, but then you don't budget for the whole 24 hours, you may find yourself in a bit of a situation when trying to settle up with the studio and your artist.
Some people may get that quote and think to themselves "There's no way it will take 24 hours, 10 at most", but they still book it thinking they know more than the professional artist who's been doing this for years, they'll be in for a big surprise. Most of the time, a quote is very accurate.
If you don't listen to your artists advice regarding aftercare, that can be a rather huge mistake. It doesn't matter how many tattoos you got in the past, and were perfectly fine using gauze and petroleum jelly, the newest products on the market are there for a reason. Your artist will advise you exactly what you need to do and how to do it. What to use and what not to use. Listen to your artist if you want to have the best possible aftercare outcome.
Speaking of listening to your artist, it's wise to heed any recommendation regarding your tattoo ideas. You may ask for a very detailed tattoo, but only want it one inch in size. Your artist may recommend going a little bigger to retain detail, or simplify the idea. Or, you may want something done way too big for the location you want it tattooed, and your artist may advise you that it will look wrong, or not as you imagine.
Remember, your artist has likely been doing this for a long time, they know what they're talking about and have your best interests in mind. The same goes for them recommending a followup. It's not about money, it's about your tattoo coming out the best it possibly can be. You're wearing their art, and they want to be proud of it, just as much as you do.
IN SUMMARY
Eat something before you come in for your tattoo.
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, preferably water or a sports drink before, during, and after getting your tattoo.
Don't come in under the influence, especially alcohol. You will definitely get turned away.
Budget time and money for how long your tattoo will take and how much it will be.
Listen to your artist regarding design and aftercare.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BLACK & GREY VS COLOR TATTOOS?
Black & Grey Roses by Leah
Full Color Roses by Jared
Black & grey or color. It's a questions for the ages. Ok, not really, but it is a topic often discussed amongst tattoo artists and enthusiasts alike. Some people definitely prefer black & grey tattoos over color tattoos, and vice versa. There's even debate from the black & grey vs straight up black.
Basically, it all boils down to personal preference. One isn't definitively better than the other with one exception, longevity. It's just a fact that black/grey tattoos last longer over time. Yes, they can fade out a bit to more of a scale of dark grey to grey. But, color tattoos definitely lose their luster faster over time and would require more frequent touchups to make them look good. Some colors fade faster than others. If you go to a low quality tattoo establishment, it's likely they also use low quality inks, which will just make your tattoo fade that much faster.
Black & grey tattoos can achieve a certain level of depth that is difficult with color. However, color can achieve certain effects that are impossible to pull off with just black/grey. Can you get a monochromatic watercolor tattoo? Sure, but it won't look very good. Watercolor should be done with color to make it stand out. Dark, deep three-dimensional geometric tattoos just don't look right in color. It can be done, but it's missing something that only black can provide.
Watercolor by Leah
Obviously blackwork tattoos are strictly that. Sometimes you can add a very minuscule amount of color, perhaps in an eye or something, but too much added color will take away the impact of a great blackwork tattoo. Darkart tattoos also fall be these same rules. Darkart can display more color than blackwork, but still, you want to keep it at a level that won't ruin the effect that the darkart piece is trying to achieve. There are some very colorful and fantastic darkart pieces out there, but the ones that really shine through are the ones true to the darkness.
Darkart Piece by Jared
Floral pieces often look the best when done in color. Of course there are some fantastic black & grey floral pieces, and they certainly have a place in the tattoo world. If you are looking to have something more realistic and striking, a colorful and detailed floral piece is the way to go. A monochromatic floral tattoo is generally for esthetics and to keep a theme.
Colorful Floral by Rob
As a generality, anything being done to look photo-realistic or fairly realistic would look best done in full color. You can get some awesome realism done with black/grey, for sure. But, for true realism, color looks best unless the original subject matter is typically in black & grey/monochromatic, such as a replication of a marble statue. Often an artist will incorporate opaques and whites, and sometimes some very faint hues of pinks and yellows to get the absolute full realistic effect with minimal color.
Marble Realism by Jared Preslar
When it truly gets down to it, it's 100% preference. Both black/grey and color tattoos have their strengths and certainly have a place in the tattoo world. Certain styles may be better in one method or another, that's a given, but that doesn't mean either dominates overall. Each had much to contribute and nobody should say they'll strictly stay away from a certain color type, because you never know. You may be surprised at what your artist can create for you, and it may be better than what you imagined. Don't limit yourself. Your only limitation is your own imagination.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
When is comes to tattooing, does the season you get it matter? Some would say yes, some would say no. In reality, it all breaks down to your personal habits and plans. Various climate effects can change the way your tattoo reacts and heals. Activities in both the cooler and warmer months can also be a factor. We all enjoy doing things with our free time, regardless of the season.
Some of us are outdoorsmen, some of us are gamers, but all of us like to have fun!
SPRING AND SUMMER
Hummingbird and Flowers by Leah
During the warmer months, the sun becomes a bigger factor in the way your tattoo heals. Once healed, direct sunlight over time may haste fading in a tattoo, and it's recommended to use tattoo friendly sunblock. If you are still in the healing process, excessive sweating can affect how your tattoo heals.
Most people like to do outdoor activities, such as biking, swimming, camping, hiking and so on. If you are still healing, it's advised to avoid doing anything that would cause you to sweat more than normal or anything that could potentially make you fall or something else that may damage the healing tattoo. Swimming is definitely not recommended while you are healing. Once fully healed, all these activities are fine.
During summer, this is the most often time people take a vacation. Not all, but most. This ties up quite a bit of your time, and people don't like to have any of their plans hindered by having to follow tattoo healing guidelines. It also ties up quite a bit of your disposable income.
When you are doing outdoor activities, make sure you wear loose fitting clothing, nothing that will rub up against your healing tattoo. No spandex. A leisurely hike to go out and enjoy the mountains and wilderness is a great activity that won't cause you to sweat too much but still gets you in touch with your instincts to explore nature and enjoy the warmer season.
FALL AND WINTER
Death's Head Moth by Christina
When determining the best season for you, some prefer the cooler months. Although activities such as skiing and snowboarding certainly make you sweat more, there's often more time to get these fun past times on your schedule. So, taking a couple of weeks off of snowy sports is usually not a big deal.
Finances and family time are the bigger factor during the winter time. You have multiple holidays that revolve around being with your loved ones, and especially during the holiday shopping season, quite a bit of that money is pre-planned for use. (To help plan out and budget a tattoo, see our article "How To Save Up For Your Tattoo 101" here https://luckybambootattoo.com/how-to-save-up-for-your-tattoo/)
Just like summertime, you want to avoid any activities during the healing process that will cause you to sweat excessively or to potentially hit, scrape or rub the tattoo. Though tempting it may be, also avoid hot tubs during this time.
The season of winter is a great time to catch up on some of those shows and movies you've been meaning to watch. Use your two weeks healing time just chilling and enjoying indoor family (or alone) time.
THE BREAKDOWN
Whether you want a tattoo in the warmer months or the cooler months, each has its own guidelines, however they are similar. No matter when you get tattooed, try not to sweat too much (which means also taking it easy at the gym) and you don't want to do any activities that could potentially harm your healing tattoo. Follow these rules, and it really doesn't matter too much when you get your tattoo. It's a personal preference!
Tattoos, at least good tattoos, can be expensive. Treat yourself! It's understandable trying to justify getting yourself a new tattoo. You may feel guilty spending that kind of money on yourself, but you shouldn't. A tattoo isn't something you should get buyer's remorse over, (mainly because you can't return it.) Hopefully, we can help you, through reasoning, to not feel that way and to KNOW why you deserve a new tattoo!
Believe it or not, but there are many people out there that have a really hard time spending money on themselves. They're not greedy, they usually are the type of person that spends their money on others. However, when it comes to themselves, even buying themself new shoes may be difficult for them to justify, regardless on how badly they may need them. That mindset is often linked to being a co-dependent, but that's a whole other article.
Fortunately, there are some ways you can get around these feelings and to help you move past it so that you can enjoy the good things in life, such as a new tattoo.
Take the Stuart Smalley™ approach! Tell yourself that you're "good enough, smart enough and gosh darn it, people like you."
Take mental stock on what you've done for yourself lately. Treating yourself to things you want is psychologically important to see and enjoy the fruits of your labor from the work you do for a living.
Doing something you love can be a stress reliever and helps aid in overcoming depression.
Use it as a means to celebrate a recent accomplishment such as a job promotion/raise/bonus, a new baby, etc.
Treat yourself by reaching a new milestone health related, such as losing weight, quitting or cutting back on drinking or smoking, you ran 5 miles for the first time, etc. Doing things for yourself for these achievements is a great motivator and can help keep you on track for further accomplishments!
Celebrate a strengthened relationship such as getting married/engaged or to commemorate a longterm friendship. Matching tattoos are not considered tacky for most cases and are a fun way to celebrate such things.
Get tattooed to celebrate and commemorate an event. A good example of this is when the original cast of the fellowship for LoTR all got matching tattoos for the grand adventure and experience they all shared. Perhaps you and a friend climbed Mt Everest together, celebrate that with a tattoo of the peak with the date (and probably a beer)!
You just need something new that's just for you. Sometimes something new in your life is a great way to give yourself a boost! Occasionally that little boost is just what any of us needs to help us leap forward.
Maybe you've been thinking about a memorial tattoo for a while now. There's not better time than the present to treat yourself by honoring another person or even a pet.
Celebrate your heritage! A very popular tattoo to get is something that celebrates your roots. A family crest. Celtic knot work. Intricate Norse tattoos. Your native countries flag.
You're in a rut and a new tattoo may help you get out of that funk. Getting that fresh tattoo may motivate you to go out and enjoy the night life, giving you a solid reason to show off the new art! This way, you treat yourself double! Not a bad thing!
When you are getting a tattoo, many people experience physical reactions.
Obviously, pain is experienced by pretty much anybody that is getting a tattoo. The level of pain all depends on the location the tattoo is getting placed and your personal tolerance. After the tattoo, you will still experience a certain level of pain until healing has begun. Most of the time, the pain is minor and most people can deal with it just fine. Some, actually find the level of pain experienced is therapeutic. And even some find it relaxing.
Anxiety can affect a small percentage of tattoo recipients for a few reasons. It could be your first tattoo and you amped yourself up in your own head. You may be nervous on how the tattoo will come out. You may be concerned on what others may think about your tattoo. Or you may be having second thoughts and not sure how to remedy that feeling. The trick is to get out of your own head.
Excitement! Excitement can raise your adrenaline levels. It's exciting to get a new tattoo, especially if you are finally getting the tattoo you've been dreaming about for a while now. You may be excited to see the finished tattoo so that you can show it off to your friends. You may be so excited that you are dreaming up the next tattoo and are really pumped about getting right back in for that next appointment.
Some of these reactions of physiological while others are psychological. Either way, anybody can experience a reaction of some sorts. Don't let it get you down and don't be embarrassed. You are in the majority. It's quite common and nothing to worry about.
Before anyone gets bent out of shape, no, tattoos aren't gender specific. If you're a 6 foot 8, 350 pound hairy dude, and you want a butterfly lower back tattoo, you go for it. Nobody is saying you can't get it. Frankly, I think a lot of people would like to see that tattoo. Let's not pretend, however, that some tattoos are seen more often on men and women.
If you're fresh out of ideas, or just need a list to read to get an idea, we'll provide some below. Let's start with the ladies.
TATTOO IDEAS FOR WOMEN:
FLORAL PIECES: Whether you get a colorful floral piece, or a mournful black & grey rose, you can't go wrong with a well done floral tattoo.
WATERCOLOR:When done by a skilled artist, watercolor tattoos are both eye-catching and a good conversation starter.
BUTTERFLIES:Realistic, artistic, illustrative, watercolor, 3-D and so on, a butterfly tattoo is a great choice.
FINE-LINE:A delicate fine line tattoo is a great idea for a first-timer who is still feeling out the world of tattoos. However, they're also great for someone who's been getting tattooed for years.
MINIMALIST:Like a fine line tattoo, minimalist tattoos are also great for people new to tattoos, or people that want a tattoo but don't want anything that's too bold.
ANIME:Anime tattoos are a fun way to express you love of Japanese animation, the style and the characters.
FUN:A small friendly ladybug, Pooh bear, a simple emoji, what have you, can be a great way to express yourself.
MATCHING/FRIENDSHIP:You and your closest friend(s) can decide on a design idea and have your artist give you the same thing. You can also get a variation of the same thing, or put them in a different location, so that you aren't exactly the same.
DELICATE/SMALL:A small and delicate tattoo is great for someone that wants something done, but subtle.
MANDALA: Mandala's are beautiful and intricate, much like you ladies.
LOCATIONS:A good spot could be on the forearm, wrist, upper arm, upper back and ankle.
TATTOO IDEAS FOR MEN:
NORSE:Whether you want a Nordic style band, or the portrait of Odin, a good Norse tattoo can look great.
ARM BAND:Arm bands can be of practically anything. Go old school 90's and "tribal" or barbed wire. Or go something more unique, something nobody has seen before.
FULL SLEEVE:If you plan out a good concept to share with your artist, with time and a little pain, a great sleeve can be striking.
BIO-MECH:A good bio-mechanical tattoo can be many possibilities. HR Geiger inspired, or something completely different, bio-mech pieces look awesome when done by the right artist.
TRASH POLKA:The seeming chaos behind these clever tattoos actually have intricate meaning behind each little image, tying the whole thing together.
DARK ART:Dark art tattoos are often impressive and unique, since an artist can create something completely new for you.
AMERICAN TRADITIONAL/NEO-TRADITIONAL: A classic American Traditional tattoo, or the updated version of the style, Neo-Traditional, are always a great choice for someone that wants old school.
NATURE SCENE:A mountain or forest scene, animals like wolves, bears, deer look great, especially in a larger scale like a full upper arm piece or a sleeve.
LOCATIONS:A good spot for a new tattoo, if you have the space available, would be shoulder/upper arm, forearm, chest/pectoral.
These are just some of the possibilities to give you an idea. It only stops art you and your artist's imaginations.
Whether it's your first tattoo, or fresh ink to go along with the collection, planning out your tattoo is a good idea. You don't want to get something you'll regret later on down the road. If you have a general idea of what you want, but aren't completely clear, you can book a consultation with an artist so that they can help you map out what you are imagining.
Having a very strict, set in stone idea can also be a bad thing. There's absolutely nothing wrong with having a good base for an idea, but don't hinder your artists' creativity by being stubborn. Your artist will do their best work if you allow them to be creative with your concept. A general idea is always the best way to go unless it's a very specific design that wouldn't be recognized otherwise. For example, maybe you want the Star Wars Rebel emblem. It's a very specific design. However, you could take it to a new level. Perhaps, instead of the typical look, make it watercolor. Or, maybe the outline of the emblem, but fill it in with some other Star Wars iconic imagery. Take a look online at the typical Harry Potter Deathly Hollows design. People have gotten very creative with that in tattoos.
If you are getting your first tattoo, think ahead at the future. If you are planning on getting more tattoos, it might be a good idea to mentally map out what future tattoos you are going to get. Maybe your first tattoo is a shoulder piece, let's say of a realistic wolf. Down the road, adding more nature scenery and other animals to help the tattoo flow and have a thought out theme might be a good idea. Although some people truly enjoy chaotic tattoos, having absolutely no theme or having nothing to do with each other, most people like to have a good flow or overall design. That's not to say that chaos doesn't have a place, because it certainly does.
If you are now planning out your next tattoo, think about what you already have and if you'd like your future tattoo to blend with the concept. What do you want your tattoo to say about YOU? Again, if you are unsure, or are fresh out of ideas, a good tattoo artist can most definitely help you plan it out. Sometimes having a second set of eyes on something will help you see things differently.
Whether you're new to the world of tattoos, or an seasoned expert, it's always good to have a solid plan for your next tattoo!
