So it wasn’t that long ago that tattoos were considered taboo, counter culture, biker-ish, or just plain skanky (but only when on an actual skank).
But those days are long gone and it’s harder to find a girl without ink then it is to find one with. Even my gf has a few and I love them. Not to mention that in my experience, lesbians seem to be some of the most tatted up women around.
Why is that? Mmmm …. I see a future blog coming soon all about the pathology behind lesbians and their tattoos. But that’s another blog.
As for this blog: I want your honest opinion.
I don’t have a single tattoo or a single piercing. I mean zip. Zero. Nada. I don’t even have my ears pierced! Totally virgin skin which is the only virginistic thing about me.
But lately I’ve been considering taking the plunge.
Here are my two favorites.
I know, I know ….. why so big for your first tattoo?
Because when I do something, I really REALLY do it. I’m kind of an all or nothing kinda gal, so why should this be any different?
Go big or none at all. Great tattoos are BIG.
Women with small butterfly or rose tattoos, WTF was the point? Seriously?
I can give examples
Hell I have 12 now. AND I work where tattoos can’t be visible.
Do it Sasha!!! Do it! Do it! Do it!
I don’t have a single tattoo either…but it’s because I’m a workout chick obsessed with definition, and I think it messes up my body…although a back tat wouldn’t do that! I once contemplated getting one down my right side…
Oh…and there already IS literature around tattoos and lesbians…both as an act of self-destruction/self-loathing, and as a counter-cultural expression…people can’t seem to decide.
If you’re are jumping into a big tattoo (gutsy), I personally like the first one best. It’s bolder, stronger, and that’s how I picture your person.
Angelic? Well, that might be the ironic part. Let us know what you decide!
You want to make sure you get something that you won’t tire of, and also keep in mind that it will be there despite your clothing mood. If you have to dress up formally, would it hinder what you could wear? Swimsuits? Etc? Also, would it have an impact on your job? What you could wear? Just a couple things to keep in mind.
And if you’re choosing between the two above, personally, I prefer the first.
I love the first one. I have 5 now, and my gf (wife) just got her first last year. I love the tat’s she and I got together. We both designed them ourselves and both of them are super original. My largest goes between my breast and my hipbone on the left hand side and it is by far my favorite.
Also, tattoos are hot!!!!!
I have two tattoos. Fair sized, both easy to hide with a basic short sleeved tee. Cropped sleeves….sometimes you can see them peeking out just a smidge.
I agree with dancer, ink is permanent. Removal is possible, but more costly and painful than the original tattoo.
I personally think the whole back angel wings are overdone and fatuous. If you’re going to ink, at least think on it long and hard, and come up with something that actually means something to you. Fads come and go, even in ink. Be sure you really want to live with that Tasmanian Devil right between your breasts for the rest of your life.
Also, another thing to consider. Skin changes as we age, things do sag (eventually). I would select a body part not so prone to sagging, or something that start out as lovely wings could end up looking like a couple of hammocks by the time it’s said and done.
And another thing. Over time, the ink turns to powder under the skin and gets fuzzy and blurry around the edges. You’ll have to go in from time to time to have it touched up and redefined, and that’s a LOT of surface to have to get re-inked.
You can ALWAYS get more tattoos. They are addicting. Your first will NOT be your last, it rarely is. Get something you want and that you want for a long time. You have to want the tattoo before you get it for the sake of it! You will get more, which is a way better time to go big or go home, and way easier to get a tat just cause you want more.
Deb makes some very good points about skin sagging and touch ups. Another thing to keep in mind is making sure you keep your tat out of the sunlight, especially in the first year after getting it done. If you do have it out in the sun, use lots of lotion.
I have a fairly large one up my spine (not as big as the ones pictured above!) but I love it. It means something to me and I think it’s beautiful.
I want to get others but can’t seem to decide on placement. I’d love to get a quarter or full sleeve, but can’t decide on a design.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s a design that you can imagine having on your body forever and pick an appropriate place for it.
I’m having tattoo lust right now too! i don’t really think that i would do something so big though. i think i’ll start with something small or medium sized…even if it does make me a little lame
I say go big or go home and if it’s something you absolutely love then you can’t go wrong. Just know that they are 100% addictive. I got my first one when I was 25 and in the same year I ended up with 2 more and 2 piercings (that’s another story). Just don’t forget to show us what you get when it’s done.
I love tattoos, I just got my 8th one done two weeks ago, it’s a cupcake on my left wrist as I’m obsessed with baking. Unfortunately there is a little infection which may end up scarring the tattoo but I won’t know until it heals.
The large dragon on my lower back is what got me and my gf together, she spotted me dancing on stage in a club in a backless top (oh to be thin and young again) and got her friend to ask me out on her behalf. We celebrate 7 years together next week and are getting married this year!
She just got her 2nd one and only got her first a few months ago, they are seriously addictive.
You’re brave to consider something so large as your first but it’s also a good idea as the excitement helps with the pain. I can’t add much to the other posters comments but I agree that you should think long and hard about what you want on you permanently as I do regret some of the designs I got when I was only 17 & 18 as they are all small and don’t really work well together. If I’d thought more about it rather than get caught up in the excitement I would have considered a larger design or started small with the aim to add to create a cohesive piece. Now I’m in the process of getting 2 shoulders covered up as they look ridiculous with the dragon along my lower back.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
I guess technically I have 3 tattoos but they are all on my back and neck basically forming one large backpeice. I have a few things to tell you before you get anything.
Regarding the many other coments about skin getting older, getting something you won’t get sick of, re-touching etc.
A) I think that of all the parts of the body your back won’t stretch and sag as much. That’s my theory anyways.
B) Having all my tattoos on my back means I don’t get sick of them because I can’t see them everyday. They are covered up and I have to look in a mirror and make an effort see it if I want to. I love the fact that people don’t need to know I have them unless I intentionally show them or tell them. It’s like having tattoos on only the days you want them.
C) Anything detailed does get blurry and needs a retouch every ten years or so but a larger piece like the wings would age well and not look like a big blob until your 90.
D) Yes someone said don’t be in the sun. It is not a good idea to do a large back piece right before summer. You will not be able to go swimming for a month after each session and should not have it exposed to the sun especially in the first 6 months. So do it after the summer so in the winter it can heal nicely.
E) My backpeice took over 30 hours in multiple sessions. The pain is not that bad at all and your endorphins run throughout you body for the first 4 or so hours of a session and it feels almost good. Thats why they are addicting people like endorphins.
Also I hope you know that a good tattoo artist nowadays charge over 100 an hour so find a good artist that you wanna spend a lot of hours with. One of my best friends from high school did the work on my back and he is amazing, he was just featured in TATTOO magizine. If you are looking for someone great I will tell you more details.
I love the wing idea. My only suggestion; make it your own. Find a really great, highly recommended tattoo artist, and tell them the kind of wings you want. Let them design one just for you. Have fun!
Hey you…..Sending some thoughts of mine from over here on the East Coast
Any tattoo that you get make sure its meaningful…..I have 4 and if I could do 2 of the 4 over again….I would.One of mine is actually a cover up already. I have my next two thought out already…and one will be a very cool shaded Hour glass representing “Time” and the other will be up on my left shoulder of Angle/Harley wings colored in the Italian colors with Nana down the middle of them and under them it will say ti amo
(I Love you) the purpose of this tattoo is because when I got my Harley two years ago and my parents hating that I did….the same day that I brought it home….Mom said that she prayed to Nana (RIP) and told her to please be my guarding angle. So just absolutely make sure it something that you want….and don’t pick it out of a book….draw it or have someone else draw it…but for sure Hun…go all out!! Keep us posted on this….