How to Wear a Temporary Tattoo

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

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With the right attitude and reasonable expectations, you can make a real impression with a temporary tattoo. Whether you're testing out the idea of a permanent tattoo or showing off your sense of style, it's possible to enjoy all the glory of a real tattoo without making any serious commitments or burdensome sacrifices.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Isopropyl Alcohols
Body Paints To Go
Body Liquid Cleansers
Body Lotion
Cotton Swabs
Body Jewelry Kits
Tattoos

Step1

Clean and dry the area of your skin where you plan to apply your temporary tattoo.

Step2

Read and carefully follow the directions that come with the paints or paper transfer sheets you're using, so you get the best possible results from the product.

Step3

Let the ink dry completely.

Step4

Avoid getting alcohol or oil on your temporary tattoo; they might remove it.

Step5

Try to keep your clothing from rubbing off the tattoo.

Step6

Begin to think of the applied design as a new body part, without getting too attached to it.

Step7

Reveal your hip side with a strut and pout (if that sort of thing works for you) to add to your new tattoo look.

Tips & Warnings

There are much more sophisticated temporary tattoo options than the lick-and-stick variety.
Experiment with creating your own design or using a stencil with paint-on colors.
Try some of the realistic patterns on paper that can be transferred directly onto the skin.
Look for inks that are nontoxic and FDA approved.
If you have sensitive skin or any other skin condition, temporary tattoos may cause an allergic reaction or irritate your skin.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 4/3/2006 Don't forget to shave the area. Hair will impede the adherence of the image. If it's a place you don't want to shave, don't put it there. Hair grows back though, so don't worry about it.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Henna is a dark brownish-red pigment. Depending on where it's applied, it can last anywhere from 3-10 days. You can opt to go to a salon that applies henna, but it's more inexpensive to buy the henna and apply it yourself.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Kandahar ink is similar to Indian ink except that it is for use on the skin. As it is applied directly to your clean, dry skin, you have your choice of design, placement and length of wearing. My family is against tattoos, so while living in Grenada I discovered the joys of Kandahar ink while looking into henna tattooing. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, I felt compelled to show my patriotism by drawing 'USA' with red stripes off the 'U' and a heart in red following the slant of the 'A' and a smaller peace sign at the base of the heart. I always got comments on how much people liked my "tattoo" (especially in heels). I always kept it in the same place (the instep of my right foot) and have now gone as far as to have the same tattoo professionally done two days ago. The tattoo artist loved the design and placement.

Kandahar ink is easily removed by soap and water, although in a pool it fades and but is still visible unless you rub it off (my son would wear the self drawn tattoos to his swimming meets). To make it more permanent, I'd spray with hair spray or Nuskin clear. It comes in all different colors. Have fun!

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