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.
A consult is sometimes necessary for your tattoo ideas, but not always. Sometimes, very often actually, you can get a quote from an artist without the need to meet with them first. However, if your piece is more complicated, a cover up, or you just feel more comfortable meeting with your artist before they plan out your tattoo, a consultation is there to help you out.
Consultations at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo are free.
HOW TO PREPARE AND WHAT TO EXPECT
When you come in for your consult, come with your ideas and an open mind, and come with an expectation that you may be booking after your meeting with the artist. With the expectation, that means, be prepared to put down the ADF (Artist Design Fee), which acts as a deposit which is held until your last appointment (if multiple sessions are booked, otherwise your ADF pays for your upcoming appointment).
Give your artist your ideas and input for the piece you want, and it's even fine to show reference images. Don't expect the artist to do an exact copy of any images you provide. You really don't want that anyway, if you think about it. Why would you want a tattoo that someone else already has? One of the benefits of going to a custom studio, like Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, is the prospect of getting a one-of-a-kind piece designed just for you. Watch our video about the importance of giving artistic freedom by clicking the button below!
It's not the best idea to bring a bunch of people with you for your meeting appointment. We see quite often, when this happens, the people with you may be distracting or possibly even confuse you by throwing their own ideas out there. It's much better for you to meet with your artist by yourself so that the both of you can stay focused and discuss exactly what you are looking to get. The exception to this is if multiple people are getting a consult on a matching piece. Even then, it's good to plan out with your crew what you are all looking to get, and have a main spokesperson to talk with the artist during the session.
After you and the artist have come up with a game plan, they will give you a quote for time, and how much of an ADF that needs to be put down in order to book. For smaller tattoos or single session tattoos, your ADF will likely be for the entire amount of your tattoo. For larger pieces with multiple sessions, your ADF will be a portion of the cost of the tattoo. To full understand how our ADF works, please read our article by clicking the button below.
If you end up booking, and especially if you have multiple sessions scheduled, a very helpful tool for you to use is the Lucky Bamboo Tattoo app, which is available on both Apple and Android! You can find direct links to both below!
The app will keep track of your appointments, any changes to your appointments, alert you when your artist has a sudden opening, offers exclusive promotions, access to new pictures in our gallery and more!
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment or a consult 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.
SHOCKER, WE KNOW! WHO KNEW THAT TATTOOS WERE PERMANENT?
It's weird that we have to say this, but yes, tattoos are permanent. It sounds strange to even say it out loud, and that this concept even needs to be explained. Fortunately, most people understand what they are getting into. Others, well they need a little help.
It's not that they don't know that tattoos are permanent, it's more of a reflection on their understanding that WHAT they are getting is permanent. Only an incredibly uninformed person doesn't know tattoos are not going to just wash off. We're more so making commentary on their decisions.
WHY EXPLAINING THIS IS SO IMPORTANT
It breaks down to a few points of interest. Content, quality, and the future. Each of these things should be considered before you get your tattoo(s) and why they're important to think about.
CONTENT
The content of your tattoo is what your tattoo is about or what it's saying. Sometimes content, or subject, tells a story of where you are in life, where you were, or where you are going. Sometimes the subject isn't as deep or meaningful as all that. You may wake up one day and decide to get an image of a piece of toast for a tattoo, for no other reason than you were craving toast. This is why content is important when choosing to put something permanent on your body.
Sure, that toast tattoo may be fun, original and odd enough to be cool, but is it something you see yourself wanting on your body years down the road? Is it something you feel you'll probably want to get covered up some day? If so, maybe you should put a little more thought into your tattoo.
What about the Olde English script "Sublime" tattoo across your neck that you got in the nineties when you just barely turned 18? Was that the best decision? Getting a "job killer" tattoo at a young age should be seriously considered before proceeding. Wait until you have an established career where it won't matter and you can freely express yourself. In this case, your extreme love of the band Sublime. By the way, there is nothing wrong with loving Sublime.
This brings us to the dreaded name tattoos. One of the most common cover-up requests is for names of past boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses. A lot of people will advise against these tattoos for the obvious reasons. There are only a real handful of name tattoos that are completely safe, and that's your kids, siblings, parents and grandparents. Other people, you should be absolutely sure that it won't turn into a regret tattoo.
QUALITY
When getting a tattoo, quality is key. If you are going to put permanent marks on your body, most people want them to be a good quality. Of course, quality=cost. No quality tattoo is going to be cheap, unless you get really lucky. Tattoos are one of those luxuries that you shouldn't skimp on the price. It's permanent and a cover-up will probably end up costing you more than if you got a good tattoo in the first place.
Many of us, if not most of us that have tattoos, are guilty of getting a scratch and poke tattoo that either a friend of yours did at a party, or you did yourself. It's very common. We might have not been considering the permanence of tattoos while we were doing it. Maybe we were young, or drunk, or whatever, but one way or another, we simply weren't going into it with a clear mind.
Even if you plan on a very simplistic tattoo as your idea, you still want it to come out good and of a good quality. There's a difference between a smiley face tattoo with good, even lines with a perfect circle and a smiley face tattoo that's roughly done, uneven lines and egg-shaped. Quality is important no matter what design you are going for, whether simple or elaborate.
THE FUTURE
The future can play a role in the importance of tattoos being permanent. When you are young, you may not be considering what lies ahead. You may have dreams of becoming a successful musician, actor, sports figure, or whatever. You may be thinking your tattoos won't matter in that case. Even if you happen to break into one of these careers, sometimes your tattoos do matter. This is especially true for actors. Many actors have gotten passed up for jobs because of visible tattoos.
Realistically, most people won't land a record deal or a professional basketball contract. It's a sad fact of life. Very high paying entertainment gigs are incredibly difficult to fall into. You'll most likely end up working in some other field, which still may be high paying (like a doctor, or lawyer). Consider what tattoos you are getting and where on your body you are getting them when thinking about your future self.
Not a lot of people have a law degree with "THUG LIFE" tattooed across their knuckles, and if they do, they probably don't have too many clients and may be stuck working as a low paid public defender. You don't see too many General Practitioner doctors with face and neck tattoos.
When considering your tattoos, also consider what lies ahead in your future. You don't want to hinder yourself and add any unnecessary roadblocks to make things more difficult than they have to be. If your career aspirations won't be affected by the prospect of tattoos, great! There's nothing wrong expressing yourself with tattoos as long as they don't become a shackle.
TATTOOS ALLOW US TO EXPRESS OURSELVES CREATIVELY
Despite all that has been previously said, there is nothing wrong with using tattoos as a means to express yourself. Tattoos are a beautiful art form that have been around for thousands of years and have been expressed by nearly every culture and on nearly every continent on the planet.
Unlike other forms of art, tattoos are worn on the body at all times. Being permanent, they are a part of us until we die. This is why certain things should be considered when you are planning on your tattoos. You want a good design that will age well along with you, you want it done with a degree of quality and you want it go along with your future plans without it becoming a burden.
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.
WHAT MAKES A PERSON A GOOD CLIENT OR A BAD CLIENT?
Leah Working On One of Her Amazing Regular Clients
In the world of business, there are good customers and there are bad customers. This is no different in the tattoo industry. You gotta take the bad with the good, unfortunately, but you can avoid being one of the bad ones. No tattoo artist wants to think to themself, "Oh no, not this guy again." And hopefully, no client wants that thought of them, either.
WHAT MAKES A PERSON A "BAD CLIENT" IN THE TATTOO WORLD?
There are many factors that can lead to a person being on this list of dreaded customers. Pretty much all of which can easily be avoided or corrected with just a little conscientious thought and consideration. Being self-aware helps, as well.
UNRELIABILE LARRY
One major factor to be considered a "bad client" is being flaky regarding your appointments. If you are constantly trying to reschedule or even cancel your appointments, this is right up top. Appointments are made for the reason of the artist and the studio aren't making any money as it's difficult to fill those spots at the last minute.
If your artist is planning on you being there on a certain date/time, they've already planned out their drawing schedule and were counting on you being there for the planned time. It's one of the reasons cancelling or moving your appointment last minute is an ADF forfeiture. The solution is to just manage your time better and show up to your appointments.
THE CONTROL FREAK
Another factor separating the good vs the bad is control. If a client needs 100% control and say over the tattoo design, you are tying the creative hands of your artist, and maybe your idea just won't work as envisioned. Trust is essential when getting a tattoo, which means is solely based on selecting the right artist. There needs to be some degree of artistic freedom for your artist to do their best work.
There are few exceptions to this, such as a memorial piece that you need an exact copy of handwriting, or you want an exact copy of a kids drawing. Things like that. Otherwise, loosen up, trust your artist, and don't be a control freak.
SMOKEY THE BEAR
Someone that needs to take an excessive amount of smoke breaks, for example, every 15 minutes, that person is a pain in the ass. Taking breaks is fine, and expected, but if your artist has to constantly stop so you can run out side for a puff, you are not only delaying their time, but you are interrupting their flow/creative process. Put the shoe on the other foot, imagine how you'd feel if your artist was taking a smoke break every 15 minutes? Sadly, that scenario is very real in some other shops. Hold your smoke breaks to no more than once every two hours, but ideally longer.
If you are in for a full day session, you will get an hour lunch and your artist will be willing to take a couple of breaks outside that. They need a quick break now and then too, which is normal. Just don't go overboard. Having to stop and restart, waiting 5 min in between, adds up, and you will lose time with your artist that you paid for.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Body control. Yes, lack of body control can make a person a bad client. If you are unable to keep still or you're constantly fidgeting, you are not only going to annoy your artist, but you will probably mess up your own tattoo. If you are experience extra discomfort during part of your tattoo, it's ok to let your artist know, but do your best to try and muscle through it. If you jump or pull away, that nice little line your artist was just doing will now be a crooked, jagged mess.
MISTER POPULAR
Having people come in to be with you during your tattoo is fine, as long as they are over the age of 18. When this becomes a problem is if you bring too many, or have too many show up during the tattoo process and need to be escorted back to the artists room. The more people you have with you, the louder and more distracting it will get.
Your artist needs to also be comfortable and focused. If you are coming in and getting a tattoo, and you bring the whole bridal shower with you, that's a problem. It will be crowded, loud and distracting. Just bring one, or two maximum. Getting a tattoo doesn't have to be a family get-together.
THE OPERA SINGER
Excessive vocalization can also be a bad thing. Yeah, tattoos can hurt and you should expect that. However, if you are literally wailing during your tattoo, you need to rethink if you can handle it. Wailing, yelling out or whatever can distract not just your artist, but every artist in the building. It may also make other clients concerned. Instead of crying out, just suck it up and deal with it. There is literally no reason for loud vocalizations during a tattoo. The vast majority of spots on the body are not very painful at all.
THE KAREN
Threatening your artist and demanding a discount or you will have another person finish up a tattoo that has already been started in order to get it done cheaper, makes you a very bad client. First off, it's very insulting to the artist to essentially steal the work they created for you. Second, what makes you think another artist can see the vision behind the tattoo and can successfully finish it as intended? It's like taking a half finished Rembrandt and asking your middle school art teacher to finish it up.
THE TOWEL THROWER
Consistently "tapping out" from your appointments can get a little old. If you are scheduled for a 6 hour, and you tap out after 4, and this happens on all your appointments, three things will happen. You will annoy your artist, you will fall behind on your artists plan for your tattoo, and you will still be obligated to pay for the full appointment regardless how much time you had remaining for that day.
If you are unsure if you can commit to long sessions like that, discuss it beforehand with your artist and book out appointments that are more suited for your needs. It's better to plan it this way so that your artist isn't caught off guard with your needing to leave. If you can only do 2 hour sessions, that's fine. However, if you are planning a large piece that the artist needs to tattoo the initial layout, you may need to be there longer for that first session. Just discuss it with your artist.
THE SHY WHINER
Coy complainers. These are the folks that will say they like the tattoo design their artist prepared for them, say how much they love their tattoo after it's done and then go and leave a bad review because in reality, they weren't 100% happy with the tattoo and were just too coy to say something before their artist started the tattoo. This is nearly always based on size or placement.
If you wanted it smaller or bigger, SAY SOMETHING TO YOUR ARTIST BEFORE YOU START. It's really not that hard, and it's not a big deal to the artist at all. Resizing a design is probably the easiest change they can make. The same goes for tattoo placement. If you aren't thrilled how it's placed, say so. The artist can change it. Just be aware of logic, if you have them changing size and placement a bunch of times, you will eat into your tattoo time.
HOPEFULLY THAT LITTLE BIT OF INFO CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND ON HOW TO AVOID BEING ONE OF THE BAD CLIENTS, AND WHY.
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.
Pain is a part of the tattooing process. It's a right of passage, and it's part of the experience. It shouldn't be something to be feared in the least. The vast majority of people, after their first tattoo, express that it wasn't nearly as bad at they expected. It's very true. We often get into our own heads just to find out it was all for nothing. Concentrate on the beautiful work of art you will be getting instead.
PAIN MANAGEMENT AND CESSATION
When it comes to pain, there are various tricks to help, and without the aid of chemicals! First and foremost, it is recommended to avoid using numbing creams. There is a chance that your tattoo will become distorted after healing, due to the way the skin reacts while it's chemically numb. Also, if you apply the cream too close to the time of your tattoo, it may not be numb yet. Alternately, if you apply it too early, there's a good chance it will wear off too soon.
One of the more common ways to aid in pain is simply breathing exercises. Keeping your breathing steady and focused helps take your mind off the pain. They teach this to expecting mothers in lamaze classes. It's a surprisingly effective method.
Having a stress ball around to squeeze can also help. Again, it's mostly a way to focus your attention in a different direction, but it works. A steady motion of squeezing the ball and releasing it helps you keep a rhythm, which keeps you occupied.
Another great way to help with pain cessation is to just bring along company. Having a friend with you to chat, make you laugh, exchange stories, etc is a successful and fun way to keep your mind elsewhere, and it helps pass the time faster.
One more great way is to just bring a tablet and watch a movie or browse social media. Again, it's a distraction and keeps your mind elsewhere. Like bringing a friend along, It's also a great way to make the time fly, especially if it's a movie that you love, no matter how many times you've seen it.
As you can see, the easiest and most common way to help is to keep your focus on something else and be distracted. If you sat and just watched the tattoo being applied, you are literally focusing on what you shouldn't be if you're trying to make the experience less uncomfortable.
Just remember, the pain is temporary, the beautiful art is forever.
Watch our video about numbing creams by clicking the link below!
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.
When getting a bargain tattoo, there are a few things to remember. The very first thing....you get what you pay for. There's probably no greater truth to this than when referring to tattoos. A $10 burger at a mom and pop place might be better than a $100 entree at a fancy restaurant. That won't be a true simile to tattoo shops.
QUALITY
Quality not quantity. It cannot be said enough. Some people have one $500 tattoo, others may have 10 $50 tattoos. Guaranteed that $500 tattoo is far more impressive, unique, and has bragging rights. Who cares about another $50 poorly done infinity symbol on someone's wrist? Or a slapdash American Traditional swallow done with bad coloring on your chest? Those types of tattoos are everywhere.
If you are going to spend the money and decide to get something permanently put on your body, isn't it worth spending the most you can reasonably afford to get it done right? If you have to save up, then save up. There's no rule stating that you have to rush to get a tattoo. Instant gratification isn't always the best option. Getting a tattoo designed specifically and uniquely for you will make you far happier in the long run. Incidentally, Lucky Bamboo Tattoo does offer financing.
Pertaining to this subject, the quality of materials being used is also a factor. With a bargain tattoo, you may be dealing with an "artist" that is using a very cheap tattoo machine, cheap needle cartridges and low quality inks. Lower quality inks are not regulated, have a higher chance of contaminants and will likely have a greater chance to fade out. This will lead to a more probable need for a cover-up or touch-up, which in the end will still end up costing more money.
Most of the time when you are visiting a lower end bargain studio, you are dealing with unskilled or poorly trained "artists". This will not only give you a less than desirable tattoo outcome, but due to lack of knowledge, you risk getting a tattoo blowout. A blowout occurs when a tattoo artist presses too hard or the length of the needle is too long and they tattoo past the layer of dermis and into the fatty tissue. When this happens, the ink does not stay in one spot, it spreads around and often resembles a bruise.
SAFETY AND SANITATION
Christinas always very clean and organized private room
When dealing with a shop that does bargain tattoos, one of the biggest concerns is cleanliness and safety. Most states have general rules, guidelines, and regulations per their local Health Departments regarding the sanitation and safety practices of tattoo shops. However, unless a client reports a problem to the Health Department, very often these lower end shops have a tendency to let their standards slip, or they may have never implemented them in the first place.
In a higher quality studio, such as Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, not only are the safety and sanitation standards met and maintained, but often exceeded. All of the artists are first aid, CPR and bloodborne pathogens certified. Before a client is brought in to get their tattoo, the artist will clean, sanitize and cover everything in preparation for the tattoo. After they are finished with that client, the artist will repeat this process for the next client. At the end of the day, they break down and clean their equipment and work areas. This is done each and every time to insure client safety.
In the bargain shop, you have a greater risk of infection due to unsanitary conditions of both the shop itself, the equipment and even the "artist". Poor aftercare treatment and instructions can also lead to safety issues. Some locations still use outdated methods like using vaseline to cover the tattoo, which is bad for healing. It actually slows the healing process.
THE TRUTH
The cold hard truth is the vast majority of bargain shops, aka "scratcher" shops, are not worth the risk. You'll likely get a tattoo you regret either due to poor quality or how boring/common it is. You also have a greater chance of a blowout due to an unskilled "artist" using subpar equipment or complications attributed to poor sanitary conditions and bad aftercare. It's simply not worth it to save a few bucks on something you are getting permanently put on your body.
To read more about Lucky Bamboo Tattoo's standards, click the button below for our article on why you should choose us for your next tattoo!
THERE IS A LONG TRADITION OF BODY MODIFICATION AMONGST NATIVES
Art by Rob
Whether it's natives in North America, or native cultures elsewhere, it's not uncommon to find a long and rich history of tattoos and other body markings. Some are linked to status, others station in the tribe, while others were a right of passage. Whatever the reason, men, women and children could all be seen bearing one kind of marking or another. The top four being painting, tattooing, piercing and scarification.
PAINTING
Natives in many cultures choose more temporary body markings, very commonly practiced with the Native American tribes, for example. These types of markings were very much used ritualistically, going on a hunt or a battle and for binding ceremonies/marriage. Not terribly common with women in North American tribes, but seeing women with body paintings in South American, Incan and Mayan cultures was just as common as with men. Temporary markings weren't exclusive to the American tribes and cultures, it was also common to see in Aboriginal, Nordic, Gaelic, amongst many other cultures.
Painting was most often seen and used before a battle or a particularly important religious ritual. Native Americans were well known to even give paint markings on their horses before going off to battle. In modern times, these same tribesmen paint their horses for demonstration and to display their history to outsiders.
TATTOOING
One of the more prominent body modifications that can be seen worldwide, and has been around for thousands of years is the practice of permanent tattooing. This art form can be seen on all occupied continents, and amongst hundreds, if not thousands, of historical cultures. Ranging from the aforementioned tribes of the Americas, to Africa, the Middle East all the way to the Asian part of the world.
Tattoos amongst natives often signified status, achievement and right of passage. The right of passage tattoos often involved reaching milestones in their life, sometimes starting with their age. Adolescence, becoming a 'man' or a 'woman', were often times for a tattoo and a celebration in reaching that next stage in life.
A status tattoo would often be connected to your place in the tribe, such as being the chief, shaman, warrior, etc. Think of it as a similar way our military uses patches and medals. It's a quick and easy way for outsiders that are familiar with a tradition to identify what role a person played in that tribe. It would be looked upon poorly to misidentify the chief as just a hunter, not that the hunter didn't have a very important role to play.
When a person received a tattoo for achievement, it was generally due to success in battle or a hunt. Other achievements could be recognized and celebrated with a tattoo as well, such as getting married, having a child, a promotion in status, and so forth.
PIERCINGS
Piercings can be found among natives in many cultures. Ears, noses, lips and cheeks were the most predominant locations of piercings, but there were others, of course. Some cultures embraced piercings more than others, sometimes they were even more commonplace than tattoos.
The more elaborately documented piercings were often seen among the Incan and Mayan cultures in the America's, tribes in the Amazon, African tribes and the Aborigine of Australia and New Zealand. One person may don dozens of facial piercings by themself, but this wasn't terribly common to have that many.
Just like other forms of body modification and art, usually piercings were given for various reasons, which include status, achievement and most commonly, right of passage. Women, just as much as men, received piercings in these cultures, maybe even more-so in some parts of the world. Piercings can range from very small sizes, all the way to huge gauged rings, often seen in ears, lips and the nose.
SCARIFICATION
Arguably the more painful of the forms of body mods, scarification has been around for thousands of years. Like the others, it was also done for the same reasons of status, achievement and right of passage.
Scarification was often applied using a sharp reed, bone or a sharp stone. These very same methods are still used today in many cultures. The marking would be tapped in or wedged, repeating the act until the desired outcome was reveled. Similar to a circumcision is some cultures, oftentimes a person's first scarification marking would happen during infancy.
In some cultures of natives, you would earn a new marking for each foe you felled in battle. The more of these markings you had, the more fearsome you were believed to become. To take down one of these warriors with many markings was considered a great achievement, which could earn better and more impressive markings. The practice of scarification, although not exclusively, is dominated among the African tribal natives.
DON'T SPEND GOOD MONEY AND TIME ON A TATTOO YOU'LL REGRET
A Cover-up Done by Pineapple
There are many ways to regret your tattoo. Many of us already have a tattoo that we'd like to go back in time and stop ourselves from getting. It could be due to subject matter, location of the tattoo or who did your tattoo. One thing that is certain is that there are a lot of tattoos out there that people regret getting. With a little info, maybe we can help you avoid that problem.
SUBJECT MATTER
Pet Memorial by Leah
Sometimes the subject matter can be the reason behind your tattoo regret. Maybe it's a name, or a portrait, perhaps a band logo. To be blunt, that ONLY safe names to get tattooed on yourself are your family, specifically those you share DNA with.
Not all marriages last forever, so maybe getting your wives or husbands name tattooed on you isn't the best choice. Definitely don't get a boyfriends or girlfriends name. This, by far, is the most commonly regretted tattoo type in the industry, hands down.
When it comes to names, the absolute safest are of your children, parents and siblings; in that order. You'll never regret your children, and it's unlikely you'll regret your parents or siblings. So, with that said, go ahead with their names, it's a safe bet.
Another thing to avoid is a passing fad. It's not advisable to get a tattoo of something that is temporarily popular in culture at that moment. Most of these things go away as quickly as they come. An example of this would be Gangnam Style, The Macarena, fidget spinners, ANY meme, and so on. If it's something that's just suddenly and weirdly popular, you can bet that it will vanish just as fast. If you want a tattoo that's pop culture, an established band logo isn't a bad way to go, or a timeless movie quote/scene.
TATTOO LOCATION
Upper Arms Are a Safe Place as seen in This Cover-up by Jared
Another common tattoo people regret is body placement. This biggest culprit would be face and neck tattoos. Unless you work in an industry that simply doesn't care, and you're happy working there for quite a while, there aren't too many businesses that hire people with face/neck tattoos. Obviously there are quite a few places that it's not a factor, such as working in the tattoo industry, as an example.
Sometimes, hand and finger tattoos can also fall into this category. It's not nearly a big deal as the previous examples, but sometimes it does matter. If you have "TUFF" and "LOVE" on your knuckles, it's unlikely you'll get that banker job, but who knows?
Perhaps your location regret is simply that you and nobody else really get to see it. Part of the enjoyment from a tattoo is showing others and admiring your tattoos yourself. It can sometimes be a bummer to spend a bunch of money on something you can't even see.
Many of the tattoo location regrets are due to choices made in haste in youth, and later on as an adult, and you've matured, and no longer want those 'in your face' tattoos. They realize that you don't have to have controversial tattoos to be a rebel, and there's nothing wrong with being a rebel.
QUALITY
Art by Vitalii
Another big factor on a tattoo regret is the quality of the tattoo. Far too many people have gotten basement 'stick and poke' tattoos, or their buddy got their hands on a tattoo machine and had an impromptu unpracticed tattoo party. Not only is this very unsafe due to blood-borne pathogens and a recipe for other infections, but it's a huge factor in regards to tattoo cover-ups. Quite often, a completely unskilled person can cause major scarring, making cover-ups trickier.
A tattoo 'scratcher' artist can also be very problematic in regards to the quality of a tattoo. He or she may be skilled just enough to give a tattoo without complications on the onset, but they may be completely clueless on the right needles to use for particular tattoos, causing excessively thick lines or the inks "bleeding out" beyond the intended results. They also may use low quality materials, such as the needles, inks, aftercare and the tattoo machine itself.
Low quality inks can fade faster than expensive inks. A colorful tattoo will likely not look nearly as rich and bold not too long after the tattoo was finished healing. Keep in mind, even tattoos done with high quality inks may need some touching up after a while to make them vibrant again.
COST
Cheap tattoos aren't good and good tattoos aren't cheap. This is simply a fact. Quite a few regrettable tattoos are a result of the price. Understandably, sometimes you can get a bit of 'sticker shock' when you hear a quote from a quality artist. It may be tempting to take your tattoo idea to Joe Shmo down the street to get a $50 tattoo. However, that's exactly what you are going to get, a $50 tattoo. You are not going to get the amazing realism of Jared, the beautifully hand drawn historically accurate Norse work of Vitalii or the beautiful watercolor blending of Leah. You will get a slap-dash $50 tattoo.
When it comes to your body and getting permanent art put on it, this is not the time nor place to skimp on the price. You want the best work done possible by the most professional people around. You'll get a great tattoo and it will be done with quality materials in a safe and sanitary fashion.
IMPULSIVENESS
Another leading factor to a tattoo regret is simply that you were impulsive when you got it, and you really didn't think it through. You're out with friends, out of the blue the subject of tattoos comes out in the conversation, and next thing you know, you're in a tattoo chair getting matching Tasmanian Devil tattoos on your shoulder. The next day, you realize, you don't even like the Tasmanian Devil, or any Looney Tunes, for that matter. Now you have this glaring regret following you around because you were impulsive.
It's always best to plan things out a little and not just jump at the opportunity to get a tattoo, any tattoo. Many regrettable tattoos are a result of the very reason of being impatient. If you are just wanting a tattoo, but don't have the money put together to invest in the best quality version of that tattoo you want, don't just rush it. Save a little and get the tattoo you actually want, and not one you settled on because you were short a couple hundred bucks. Remember, you're investing in professional and permanent art on your body. It's worth the time and money to do it right the first time around.
If you'd like to meet with one of our artists to help you with a tattoo inquiry and so that they can help you avoid regrets, you can call the studio directly or click the link below to our inquiry form!
Do you have a tattoo that you really want, but just don't have the funds at the moment? You're not alone. Don't stress though, we'll share some money saving tips for you that will add up surprisingly very quickly! Of course you can apply this to other aspects of your life, but hey, that new tattoo is a priority, so let's take care of that first!
There are a bunch of ways to save up small amounts of money nearly every day for most people. Here are some tips and tricks!
Instead of getting a large coffee at Starbucks, get a large coffee at your local convenience store. That will save you on average $2-3 each day. Better yet, brew it at home.
Instead of buying a bottle of water, fill up a refillable bottle at pretty much any soda fountain for free. That, depending on water brand, can be $1-3.
If you use a food delivery service app frequently, or even daily, cut it back one day or more per week. Depending on what you get delivered and how much you averagely tip, that could amount to $20+ per day you cut out. If you insist on take out, go pick it up yourself and save yourself the fees and tip.
If you really want to save fast, go back to the college trick and live off Top Ramen and PBJ sandwiches for a couple of weeks. That could amount to hundreds, depending on how you spend now. Your diet will be temporarily bland (and loaded with sodium), but you will be much closer to having the money for your tattoo. You can always resume your original diet afterwards.
Buy generic brands. For example, the name brand is nearly always twice as much as the generic or house brand of nearly the exact same thing. This can go for most things that offer an alternate to a big name brand. Get creative!
If you go out a lot, to bars, clubs, shows or whatever, trim it back a little. A good night out at a club can easily cost $60+. Another way to help in this way is to go at "happy hour".
Cut back on both drinking and smoking, not only for your wallet, but your health. We're not here to preach, you do what makes you happy, but cutting back even by 25% a week can add up financially quite a bit depending on your personal habits.
If you have basic cable, buy a Roku box for $40 and shut off your cable. Roku offers hundreds of channels that you don't pay anything for after you buy the box. There's even a 24/7 Bob Ross channel!
Look for stuff at thrift stores. If you go to thrift stores near more so-called "upperclass" neighborhoods, you can often find high quality stuff for really cheap. It's actually quite surprising on some of the things you can find. For example, nearly brand new authentic Ray Ban sunglasses for $3. Still brand new tagged Levi jeans for $8. And so on.
De-clutter your home and sell off stuff of value that you never use. There are many online market places and also probably local options of ways to sell off old stuff, such as a yard sale. Depending on what you have, you may unknowingly have some valuable treasure lying around. One of the best sources of this are older, no longer available video games. Some of these games go for several hundreds of dollars, if unopened, you could be looking at thousands.
If you have old gold jewelry that you don't care about, that's a very quick way to make some cash. If you want to just scrap it, go to an actual local refinery and NOT a "cash for gold" place. You will get significantly more money. If it's quality jewelry that is not to be scrapped, do NOT take it to a pawn shop. You will get pennies on the dollar and you won't get much. Sell that stuff on a market place. Watch out for con artists that want to "wire" you the money and have you send the item. If you find a buyer, for safety reasons, insist that you make the transaction somewhere very public, or ideally a police station. Most police stations are ok with this being done outside their building, but you still may want to check in with them. If the buyer won't meet you with this criteria, it's likely a scam or someone looking to just take it from you.
Commit to putting 5-10% of your paycheck in a savings account, if you are able.
Avoid impulse buys. Nearly any retail establishment has their "impulse items" located right at the checkout because they know at least some of the customers will buy the stuff. Ignore those items and only buy what you intended to purchase. Printed magazines are the biggest culprit. If you have a cell phone, pretty much anything in those magazines are already available to you.
Staycations can save tons of money and can actually be less stressful than a trip somewhere. Of course, exploring the world is wonderful and should be done, but if you don't need to go, you can probably enjoy outdoor activities locally, such as hiking or bike riding or whatever. Sometimes a week or two being home can be just what you need to relax and recharge.
Try not to buy too much stuff at convenience stores. A pint of Ben & Jerry's at the grocery store for $5 is $8-10 at the convenience store.
This is just a short example of ways for you to quickly save up money for that tattoo you really want and to overall build up a healthy savings account for future tattoos!
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.
