Oh, and getting inked up hurts. A lot. Still, though they were once culturally relegated to the back rooms of 19th-century brothels and 20th-century biker bars, tattoos are experiencing a surge in popularity. According to a Harris poll , 21 percent of American adults sport tattoos. When you refine the data to apply only to the much-vaunted millennial demographic, that number leaps to 40 percent per additional research from the Pew Research Center. In short, we're in the throes of a full-blown cool tattoo renaissance.
And if you're not yet part of the party, there's no better time to join than now. The only question: What in the world are you going to get? To help you narrow down your options even more, we've pored over hundreds of social media accounts, talked to experts from across the industry, chatted with inked-up friends and colleagues, and consulted our own personal experience between the two of us, we have more than half a dozen tattoos.
Herein, you'll find of the chicest, most tasteful ideas for first-time cool tattoos. Who knows: Maybe you'll find the one for you—or at least the inspiration for one. Flowers—specifically, roses—rank among the most timeless designs in tattooing. As revealed in a recent exhibition at the New York Historical Society, you can trace the trend back to high-society women in the Victorian era , who used to discreetly get the design in easy-to-hide places, like under the wrist so it could be concealed by a bracelet.
If you want to play it safe, opt for a simple tattoo like this one. Or, work with an artist on a custom-designed bouquet of all your favorite flowers.
As far as house plants go, orchids, if taken care of properly, are among the longest-lasting and, if you ask most tastemakers, the prettiest, too. Get one that lasts forever. Succulents , too, carry on seemingly endless lives. This minimalist tattoo piece—which belongs to and was designed by Best Life editor Ashley Moor—is an example of how to design them right. Cut out the flowers but stick with the greenery.
Wrap your wrist, forearm, or even your entire thigh with some nimble, elegant vines. The contemplative nature of the willow tree is fit for a contemplative soul—and its accompanying simple tattoo.
Excess exposure to sun and sand can cause irreparable damage to your skin—or worse: the artwork. However, this doesn't mean that a cool tattoo like this one can't evoke a bit of that breezy nature in your day-to-day life. In other words: More needlework than a traditional black-ink tattoo requires. If you're going to get a colored tattoo, consider going for a design done up in the watercolor style that's all the rage these days.
When your tattoo fades—and make no mistake, it will—muted, splashy ink tends to age better than more vividly colored pieces. Then, choose from their book. That way, you'll have something special that no one else has. Another fount of inspiration from nature: the animal kingdom.
We'll ask clients what means the most to them and where they're thinking of getting the tattoo. Then, we work our magic to design something special they can enjoy—forever. Something along the lines of this fierce wolf —which was meticulously done up by Dan Bythewood, at New York Adorned —courtesy of our colleague, Tyler Stewart, is a great way to pay homage to man's best friend's Darwinian ancestor.
Human relationships might wax and wane, but a dog's love stays the same. Memorialize your pup. Also, speaking from personal experience—the design above, by the artist Ok, is Morgan's—having a dog tattoo is an excellent conversation starter. Align yourself with Best Life 's official stance on the cats versus dogs debate.
Getting a paw print is an abstract way to commemorate your furriest, sweetest family member. You'll see a whole lot of these simple tattoos at Coachella and Burning Man. Some consider bird tattoos basic. But if you buck trends and get a stylized, geometric design, your bird will be anything but.
Everyone loves chocolate. Yes, you can have your cake and eat it too. You'll have to provide the edible version yourself, though. Not all cool tattoos have to have meaning, says Jones, but "some people prefer meaningful tattoos! If your biggest concern is uniqueness, do your research beforehand to avoid any of the common tattoo trends - which means opting out of a lower-back tattoo. Additionally, think twice before committing to Harry Potter movie references, tourist landmarks, roses or finger tattoos - as they are all unfortunately overdone.
For those equally concerned about the type of ink being placed permanently into their bodies as they are about the design, vegan ink is worth looking into. Although widely available, it is important to double-check with your artist beforehand that the ink they use is vegan. According to Peta , non-vegan tattoo inks get their colour from ingredients such as bone char to insect parts.
If a vegan tattoo experience is essential to you, make sure to also confirm that the supplies such as the ointment, stencil paper, soap and razors used by the tattoo shop are vegan as well. Fading is also something to consider before deciding on a tattoo location, so it is worthwhile to ask your artist for advice if you don't want to get your tattoo retouched. Finger tattoos and mouth tattoos are the most prone to fading, but over time most tattoos will fade at least a little, especially if they are subjected to sweat, sun, or friction.
If you are worried about a tattoo fading in the future, use sunscreen and try to keep your skin moisturised. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later?
Speaking of fading, outlines and shapes may look sharp and slick at first, but over time, these can fade or even blur. It all depends on the size and location of your tattoo. Often, location alone can determine your tattoo size. Ask your friends to see if they can refer you to a specific shop, or let Google or Instagram point you in the right direction. Most reputable shops smell like disinfectant and have spotless workstations and floors.
If it smells like month-old gym socks, immediately turn tail and head to the next place on your list. Artists are required to use single-use needles and ink to avoid cross contamination. This also applies to gloves, bandages, swabs, razors — anything that your artist might use must be new. You want the artist to be as excited as you, or at least understand your passion.
Just be sure to thank the artist for their time before you see your way out. If you have any lingering questions, ask before you leave the shop. One of the best times to get them answered is when your artist is wrapping your skin.
But how much it hurts depends on your pain tolerance, size, and location. Tattoos tend to hurt more around sensitive areas that have more nerves and less flesh.
This is especially true if you opted for a meatier location, like your bicep or thigh. If the area in question is prone to pain, this will be a great time to get in touch with your meditative side and practice some deep breathing techniques. If at any point the pain becomes too much, let your artist know.
A good artist will get to a stopping point and allow you to take a breather. Use this time to get your head back in the game. A general rule of thumb is to keep the dressing on for a few hours — especially if you plan on spending the rest of the day out and about. When you get home, be sure to wash your hands before you remove the dressing. Remember, a fresh tattoo is an open wound. Dirt or bacteria can damage it or slow the healing process.
You should avoid using any soap with fragrances or alcohol, as these ingredients can cause irritation. After you wash, gently pat the area dry with a clean towel. Rubbing can pull at the skin and may cause ink fallout. As with the cleanser, you should avoid using anything with irritants like fragrance or alcohol. Most artists will give you a verbal rundown of how to take care of your new ink and send you home with a handout to reference later.
This is a normal part of the healing process, and it usually only lasts through the end of the first week. Skimping on care can delay the healing process and also affect how your tattoo looks in the long term.
Practicing good hygiene is the only way to reduce your risk for infection. See your doctor right away if you begin experiencing:. In addition to keeping the tattoo clean, you want to keep it fresh and hydrated. Exposing the tattoo to direct sunlight can cause the colors to fade, so invest in a quality sunscreen or SPF clothing. Dry skin can also cause a tattoo or the ink to look dull.
Still have questions? It all depends on the tattoo size, the type and color of ink that was used, and how deep the artist went with their tools.
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