I Think Tattoos Have Never Been Prettier—These 15 Pictures Prove It

Making the decision of whether or not to get a tattoo can be a tricky one. Besides the fact it’s a decision that will stay with you forever (although laser advancements have come on leaps and bounds), it also comes with a hundred questions. From deciding what exactly it is you want to make your mind up on where you want to get inked, settling on a tattoo can feel like a big commitment.

And we get it—tattoos aren’t for everyone. But as times goes on, tattoos have become a much more welcome trend. For example, advancements in technology now mean that the sorts of designs in which we are able to get tattooed have expanded massively. From fine script to dainty symbols, tattoos have never looked prettier than they do now in 2020, and we’re kind of here for it.

If, like us, you’re toying with the idea of getting a dainty, delicate tattoo, but you’re not quite sure on where to start, we caught up with Mira Mariah of @girlknewyork to offer up some advice on how to make the big decision.

Making up your mind can be made a whole lot easier if you share experiences, advises Mira. From deciding what tattoo artist to trust to simply looking for inspiration, talking to other people is key in deciding what’s right for you. “In life, we always give each other permission to do things. For instance, if you see your favourite pop star with a hand tattoo, it feels okay for you to also get a hand tattoo. Likewise, someone could say I’m going to this really cool tattoo artist and she’s not scary. It’s all valuable information,” says Mira.

And when it comes to finding a design that’s right for you? Use all of the resources already at your disposal. “If you told me you wanted to revamp your wardrobe, I’d tell you to look at fashion magazines so, of course, if you want a tattoo, I’ll tell you to look on Pinterest and Instagram,” says Mira. But beyond scouring the internet, it’s also important to think about how you react to other tattoos you see. “I would also tell you to pay attention to the kind of tattoos you find yourself complimenting other people on. Decide what it is about them that you like and then you can start figuring it out for yourself.”

Having an exact idea of what tattoo you want to get and where to get it is easier said than done, we know, but it’s also really important. Mira warns, “If someone is making a million changes to their design, a lot of the time the changes are likely not even making a difference to the overall tattoo anymore. It’s probably a sign that you’re not actually comfortable getting the tattoo.” 

In fact, if you’re really doubting your decision, it might be best to just take a breather and revisit the idea at a later date. “There’s no need to push yourself unnecessarily. I always say, if it’s right for you, you’ll wake up one day and you can’t go another minute without it,” advises Mira.

So you’ve decided roughly on the design you want to go with and you know where you want it, but you still have one more decision to make: choosing who it is you trust to do the design. In fact, Mira suggests that having a close relationship with the tattoo artist can make all of the difference.

“I like to think of my job in the same way I think of my hairdresser. I go to see my hairdresser partially because I’m going to get my hair cut, but also because I want to talk to her about my life,” says Mira. “When someone comes in to get a tattoo, the first thing I do is ask all about them as a person. I want to know what their sign is, if they’re dating anyone, what their situation is, what’s going on in their life and, most importantly, why they’re getting this particular tattoo.”

Feel like you’re ready to dive right into the world of tattooing? Luckily, the internet is full of inspiration. “For 2020, everyone is going to be looking towards getting butterflies, baby angels, hand collages and vines. We’re really nodding towards a dreamy, renaissance look and with that comes a lot of imagery of cherubs, clouds and ultra-feminine designs,” says Mira.

Keep scrolling for all of the celebrity tattoo inspiration you need.

Next up, these are the at-home beauty trends the experts urge you to steer clear of.