Tattoos are a unique and popular form of art. They are a great addition to anyone’s body aesthetics. Some people consider tattoos as an extreme form of expressing one’s self. There are many people who want to get a tattoo. However, since tattoos are still viewed as a taboo, not all people would want to go through a lifetime of having them; Not everyone is ready to have a lifetime commitment with tattoos or want to undergo expensive treatments to get them removed in the future.
Some people love tattoos but do not like the idea of experiencing pain in getting them. Tattoos are applied with the use of needles that’s why they are painful. Others are afraid to be judged or go through that certain stigma in their social circles. There are also persons who are prohibited by authorities in their lives. Indeed, there are many limitations and consequences to deal with when getting a tattoo. The good thing is that there are alternative options that do not require people to commit with tattoos for a lifetime, go through a painful procedure, nor spend an arm and leg to get them removed: The Temporary Tattoos.
Although temporary tattoos are easy to remove, we would not want you to waste your money. This guide will help you look closer on your different temporary tattoo options in the market; Make your choices carefully so you can get the perfect tattoo. Let this guide help you discover more things about temporary tattoos; we will tell you a brief history about them, share our top 31 picks for realistic tattoos, and teach you on how to create your own.
What is a Temporary Tattoo?
Temporary tattoos are not permanent as its name suggests. They are a non-permanent image or design that is intended to be applied to the human skin which resembles a real tattoo. There are different kinds of temporary tattoos but most of them are attached to a sheet of paper which makes them easier to transfer to the skin. Children are not allowed to have a permanent tattoo that is why there is a huge market dedicated to producing tattoos for them. They can be found in most toy stores and grocery stores. These tattoos are inspired by cartoon characters, princesses, superheroes, and other kid-friendly designs. Temporary tattoos are often given to kids as a gift on their birthday. Some cereals also add temporary tattoos in their packaging to give kids excitement and thrill in eating a regular breakfast.
However, temporary tattoos are not just for kids; they can also be for adults. There are a plethora of temporary tattoos available on the market. Some of them are even placed in vending machines. There are also high-quality temporary tattoos that can last longer than ordinary ones. These tattoos look more realistic and appealing. You may buy them in tattoo salons or online. Temporary tattoos for adults may be created by drawing, painting, and airbrushing. Popular temporary tattoo options are henna, airbrush, and ballpoint pen tattoos. You can easily find someone to apply these types of tattoos for you. Any person who is able to create an amazing drawing can make a great ballpoint pen tattoo. This can be easy to remove and relatively cheap. If you are willing to pay more, you can go for professionally designed temporary tattoos. If you do not like to apply temporary tattoos, you can also wear tattoo gloves.
31 Realistic Custom Temporary Tattoos for Adults
Temporary Tattoos are not a new concept. They have existed for centuries and have been used in many different ways. Some people use them to express religion and personality while others try them for fun and fashion. Temporary tattoos have been worn by people from different generations and backgrounds in the world. These tattoos are often easy to remove. They may even wear off by themselves through time. This versatility allows its wearer to change tattoos without needing to spend a lot of money.
This also makes it easier for the tattoo wearer to pair the tattoo with their mood, attire, and style. Through the years, temporary tattoos have been an excellent choice for people who do not want to commit but want to get the same benefits of expressing personality and uniqueness with their bodies. Today, even pregnant women can get one of these tattoos.
How long do temporary tattoos stay on?
Temporary tattoos last in the skin in different durations. It depends on the type of temporary tattoo used. Henna tattoos may typically last for 1-3 weeks while airbrush tattoos may last from 2-10 days. Rest assured that with the time these temporary tattoos are on your body, you have enough time to figure out if you like your tattoo and placement or not!
A Short History of Temporary Tattoos
As we mentioned above, the use of tattoos has been practiced for centuries now; one of the oldest forms of temporary tattoos is called Mehndi. Mehndi is also known as Henna Tattoo. In this type of tattoo, henna plant and turmeric are used to temporarily dye the skin with unique patterns. This unique way of applying a temporary tattoo has been practiced in religious ceremonies like weddings. In many different cultures around the world, the henna tattoo is used as an adornment for brides. In the late 1990s, this way of applying tattoo was adapted in Western Cultures. It was not just adapted; it also became an instant hit. From that time forward, there have been a plethora of henna tattoo home kits available for everyone. They can be bought from local stands, malls, and shops.
Before the henna tattoo gained popularity in the West, transferable tattoos became popular first. In the 1800s, transferable tattoos were used as an added treat in candies and gums. Initially, these transferable tattoos were very easy to remove but through time, they became longer lasting. Today, there is a new form of temporary tattoo that is becoming more popular, The Air Brush Temporary Tattoo. It is easily loved by the public since it can achieve more elaborate designs that can really look like permanent tattoos. This form of tattoo utilizes non-toxic pain and simple stencils.
How to make DIY Temporary Tattoos
If you do not want to buy a temporary tattoo, you can also showcase your designing talent by using your own household supplies and make a DIY Temporary Tattoo. You may also buy some supplies from craft stores. Check out the DIY tattoo making techniques below using an eyeliner, stencil, paper, and sharpie.
Eyeliner Tattoo
For an eyeliner tattoo, you will need a pencil, a sheet of paper, an eyeliner, and a hairspray. This type of temporary tattoo can only last for a day. Start by creating a design using a pencil and paper. Once you have crafted your unique design, practice it for a couple of times on the paper.
When creating a design for eyeliner temporary tattoo, it would be best to stick with clear shapes, bold lines, and simple strokes. It would be not ideal to use fine lines in an eyeliner tattoo since they may have the tendency to smudge and spread. It would also be best for you to stick to designing small tattoos than huge ones because they look more authentic and real.
After that, you can set foot to the nearest supply store and buy an eyeliner. You can choose the classic black eyeliner but you can also be bolder with other colors. When getting an eyeliner, stay away from buying its liquid version. These versions have the tendency to form a thick hard crust which can result in a fast wearing off of the tattoos. Once you have the eyeliner, don’t be too excited in applying it. You still have to practice using it in a paper so you can master the needed pressure when applying different strokes on the skin.
When you feel you are ready, go ahead and apply it to the skin. If you do make some errors, you can easily remove the tattoo and start over. Please do make sure that your skin is completely dry before attempting to draw again. Lastly, apply some hairspray to the design. The hairspray can help the temporary tattoo last longer as it secures it from coming off. You can remove this tattoo by washing it with soap and warm water.
Stencil Tattoo
Stencil Tattoos are easy to make since you will not need to have a talent in drawing. You can completely rely on the shape you form in the piece of paper. What you will need for this type of tattoo are paper, scissors, tape, and permanent markers. Start by deciding what shape you want to apply and draw it on the paper. After that, use your scissors to cut the shape out.
You can try diamonds, circles, and other symmetrical geometric shapes so it would be easier to cut. Once you are done with the cut-out, secure the paper to your skin with the tape. Then, get your permanent marker and shade the shape of the stencil. You can also use a washable marker or a stamping ink if you have them available at home. When you have shaded the shape on the paper, give it a few moments to completely dry.
Paper Tattoo
For the paper temporary tattoo, you will need a water slide paper, a computer, a printer, and a pair of scissors. The paper temporary tattoo may last for a week or more. Are you ready to create that familiar tattoo you often find on cereals and gums when you were a kid? Well, this time, you have more options for designs to choose from. Waterslide papers are the same type of paper used in kiddie tattoos. They are a special kind of paper that features an adhesive on one side. You can buy waterslide paper online and you may also find them in craft supply stores.
Once you have the paper, you can start designing your tattoo image on your computer. You can pretty much use any type of image editing programs. Of course, the best option for editing in Photoshop. Once you are done with image design, you need to ensure they are reversed on the computer. If you do not reverse the image, words, and quotes included in the tattoo image will be reversed when you apply them. After that, you can print the images.
When printing, ensure that you have the ink needed for the image; whether it is black and white or colored. In addition to that, you need to ensure that the adhesive side of the paper is facing the printer. You can proceed with cutting the image with a scissor. Lastly, apply the tattoo on your skin and cover it with a damp cloth for a minute. The water on the damp cloth would let the adhesive separates from the paper and stick to your skin. You can remove it by brushing your skin with soap and water.
Sharpie Tattoo
For the Sharpie temporary tattoo, you will need a Sharpie marker, a baby powder, and a hairspray. For the designing process, it would be the same as the eyeliner tattoo procedure. The only difference is that after you draw the tattoo on the skin, you will need to apply some baby powder to it before applying some hairspray. Amazingly, this temporary tattoo can last for a month on your skin.
Temporary tattoos are definitely an easy win-win option for you to express yourself without committing. Enjoy the beauty of realistic-looking tattoos by buying them or by making them on your own. Whether you choose to buy one or make DIY options, you would surely enjoy the compliments from your friends once you have the temporary tattoos on your skin.
Hey readers! I’m Jeffrey and your tattoo artist of the day;) I have been drawing and painting my whole life, and after graduating high school I decided it was time for a bigger challenge and I started drawing on people. I’m so fortunate I got to express my creativity through my body art and even more so to share my passion with my now wife Emilie. She started working with me in my tattoo shop as a piercer and I started writing about and photographing, my creations on this blog. I love to hear from you and hope you enjoy our work together!