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16 Tattoo Rules Every Woman Needs to Know

Avoid tattoo regret with this foolproof advice
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Tattoo Rule No. 5: You Might Want to Rethink That Chris Carrabba Lyric
A classic rookie mistake, tattoo artists warn against getting quotes or song lyrics that you love in your 20s tattooed permanently on your body. "It will just feel silly in 20 years," says Mayorga.

Tattooed 30-something Mary says she got a quote tattooed on her ribs at the age 24 — a quote from her therapist, no less — and though it felt supermeaningful at the time, she now has ambivalent feelings about it. "I didn't consider that I might not always feel comfortable talking about it and explaining it to people for the rest of my life," she says. "Especially since it's so personal."



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Tattoo Rule No. 6: Don't Copy a Celebrity's Tattoo. Just Don't.
"Celebrities have some of the worst tattoos on the planet," says Rakovic. (Find 13 of the worst ones here).

In other words, just because your favorite pop star has a certain dream catcher or four-leaf clover tattoo doesn't mean it's an objectively good one. "Don't go into a tattoo shop with an Us Weekly and point to a design because celebrities are not like us," cautions Rakovic. "They have sycophants lying to them about how cool their tattoos look."



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Tattoo Rule No. 7: Handle Pop Culture Tattoos With Caution
If you want to get a tattoo that references a pop culture event, Rakovic recommends waiting until "at least five years after the fact."

"If tattooing was more prevalent in the '80s there would be a million people with script tattoos of 'Frankie Says Relax,'" he says. "So no 'Pitch Perfect 2' tattoos — yet." But in 2020, if you still want a tattoo of Anna Kendrick doing to the "Cup Song," go for it.



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Tattoo Rule No. 8: They're Called 'Job Stoppers' for a Reason
We're talking about tattoos on the hands, neck or face. That level of visibility can create a negative impression on potential employers.

"There is also a sense that you have to earn those tattoos by having most of your skin already covered up," explains Rakovic. "To the tattoo community, a person with a tattoo on those most-visible areas, but no ink elsewhere, looks like a poser."

Back at work, discrimination against tattoos more deeply impacts women in particular. "A man who wears a suit every day can tattoo his arms, whereas many professional women aren't expected to cover their arms," explains Taylor. "Legs, ankles, feet, shoulders and chest can also potentially be seen in the workplace. This can make consideration of placement more of an issue for women than for men."

If you're dead set on one of these "job stopper" tattoos, consider waiting until you're established in your career. For example, Jarah Emerson, the heavily tattooed owner of NYC activewear showroom, Gear Collective, waited five years until her business took off to get her small facial tattoo.

Or, here's a better idea: Choose one of these teeny-tiny tattoos we love (which can be hidden with a dab of concealer).



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Tattoo Rule No. 9: Think About If You Want Your Ink to Show on Your Wedding Day
Remember that Grandma will be there, the pictures will last forever and cover-up makeup "won't fool anybody," warns tattooed business professional, Allyson Whipple.

If all those things seem fine to you, feel free to spring for that half-sleeve. Otherwise, you might want to avoid getting tattooed on "the upper back, arms and any other areas that might make your ink visible in your dream dress," says self-proclaimed tattoo-addict Megan Ingenbrandt.

BY AMANDA MONTELL | MAY 29, 2015 | SHARES
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