#Balm Tattoo Stencil

[digitalmarketing0000]

tattoo supply store

INKSOUL® Tattoo Supply – Better for Tattoo Artist Welcome to INKSOUL® Tattoo Supply ! We can ship to worldwide,Most countries offer free shipping, customs clearance, and taxes!We are committed to providing high quality tattoo equipment and consumables for tattoo artists around the world! 

# The Rise of Tattoo Supply Stores: A Closer Look

In recent years, the tattoo industry has witnessed remarkable growth, with an increasing number of individuals seeking to express their identities through body art. As a result, tattoo supply stores have become essential hubs for both professional tattoo artists and enthusiasts alike. This article explores the significance of tattoo supply stores, the products they offer, and their role in the tattoo community.

## A Hub for Artists and Enthusiasts

Tattoo supply stores serve as vital resources for artists, offering everything from inks and needles to machines and aftercare products. These stores cater to a diverse clientele, including professional tattooists looking for high-quality supplies and hobbyists exploring the world of tattooing. With the rising popularity of DIY tattooing, many supply stores have adapted to provide kits and instructional materials for those interested in trying their hand at tattooing.

## Quality Matters

One of the primary concerns for tattoo artists is the quality of the supplies they use. Professional-grade inks, sterilized needles, and reliable machines are crucial for ensuring safe and high-quality tattoos. Reputable tattoo supply stores prioritize quality over cost, often sourcing products from trusted manufacturers. This commitment to quality not only protects the health of clients but also enhances the reputation of the artist.

## Expanding Product Lines

Today’s tattoo supply stores offer much more than just basic supplies. Many have expanded their inventory to include a wide range of products, such as:

- **Vegan and Organic Inks**: With growing awareness around health and environmental issues, many artists and clients are seeking out vegan and organic tattoo inks.

- **Aftercare Products**: Proper aftercare is vital for tattoo healing, leading supply stores to offer various balms, lotions, and sprays designed to promote skin recovery.

- **Stencil and Design Tools**: Artists often need stencils and design tools, which have become more sophisticated and user-friendly, making it easier to transfer designs onto skin.

- **Educational Materials**: Many stores provide books, videos, and workshops that help artists refine their skills or learn new techniques.

## The Community Connection

Tattoo supply stores often serve as community hubs where artists and enthusiasts can connect. Many host events, workshops, or guest artist sessions, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. This environment not only enhances the skills of individual artists but also encourages the sharing of ideas and styles, helping to push the boundaries of tattoo artistry.

## Challenges in the Industry

Despite their importance, tattoo supply stores face challenges, particularly from online retailers. The convenience of purchasing supplies online can be tempting, but it often lacks the personalized service and expertise found in brick-and-mortar stores. Many store owners combat this by providing exceptional customer service, hosting educational events, and building strong relationships within the community.

## Conclusion

Tattoo supply stores are more than just retail spaces; they are integral parts of the tattoo community. By offering high-quality products, educational resources, and a space for artists to connect, these stores play a crucial role in the continued growth and evolution of the tattoo industry. As the popularity of tattoos continues to rise, the importance of these supply stores will only become more pronounced, ensuring that artists have the tools they need to create meaningful and beautiful art on skin. tattoo supply store

[originalsoothingbalm]

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Key Features:

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[lyanro]

~$5 and Under Gift Ideas (And Places To Find Them)

Since Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Yule and Christmas are coming up, here’s some inspo for small, cheap gifts that are still fun to receive for things like Secret Snowflake/Santa, stocking stuffers, little add-ons, etc. — Feel free to reblog and add your own ideas!!:)

(Some good places to *find* these kinds of things are also listed under the cut)

Storebought Gifts

- Lil pins or iron-on patches

- Scented candle(s)

- Pack o’ gum

- Their fav candy (if you don’t know their preferences/allergies maybe skip this one)

- Snacks (Their fav chips, a funky bottled drink, etc.)

- Cute stickers:•)

- Lil $5 gift card from their favorite cafe

- Jewelry

- Lip balm (normal, unique, 2-pack, fancy, whatever)

- Bath bomb

- Bath salts

- Bottle(s) of essential oil

- Scarf

- Cool book from a Little Free Library

- Nail polish in a unique color, a color you think would suit them, their favorite color, or a color you think would work well with their fashion sense

- Gloves

- A pretty mug

- Travel-size or mini versions of their favorite beauty/self-care products (Body wash, rollerball versions of their favorite perfume, hair products, etc.)

- Cheap(!!) T-shirt

- Fun socks

- Charging cable extensions or other cheap phone accessories

- Fun/cute USB drives

- Poster or print

- Little storage containers/organizational things

- Pretty soap

- Pretty tube of hand lotion

- Goofy lil prank/gag gift (yknow like the kind the sell in those little niche gift stores? that like always seem to have yellow cardboard pacakaging for some reason? yknow where its like. candy that tastes like soap or little fake gum packets that zap ya. you should probably be fairly close to someone if u wanna give them something like this tho) (mostly including this on here in honor of my dad’s family tradition of exchanging gag gifts during hannukah. ex: my goofy great grandfather giving my very prim and proper great grandmother a ‘gas-powered’ electric tooth brush) (...and ya ‘gas’ as in ‘gastrointestinal’) (............like it had like a vacuum tube coming out the bottom to ‘attach’ to the ‘power source’ and everything lmao)

- An affordable/cheap lipstick, highlighter, palette, gloss

- Cool temporary tattoos

- Cool old postcards to decorate their walls with (or actually send lol)

- Bandana, scrunchies, barrettes, headband, or other hair accessories

- Pretty, mini notebook or journal

- Stationery/Art supplies (Gel pens, rubber stamp/s, ink pad, stencils, a cute Japanese eraser, etc.)

- A box/tin of their favorite tea🍵

General Good Places To Find Some Nice Cheap Stuff

(I live in the Midwest of the US, so obviously this is by no means an exhaustive list, just what I have experience with. Again, feel free to add on!)

- Target: This time of year Target’s “Wonder Shop” brand usually has displays scattered around the store with items corresponding to the area they’re in, as well as a main hub in their seasonal section. Most of these items are designed to be cheap and stocking stuffer-like, which is just what we’re going for here: Depending on where you are in the store they feature things like cheap makeup, fuzzy slippers, candles, throw blankets, bath bombs, stationery, little kitchen gadgets or fancy seasoning sets, etc. The main hub usually has tons of regular candy as well as novelty treats like giant marshmallows, drinking straws made of candy cane, etc. They also have a (predictably) very small selection of Hannukah things:/ Year round, Target’s Dollar Section is awesome in general, lots of fun little decor things or craft supplies. Sometimes they also have cheap tech supplies there (extension cords, portable chargers, knock-off popsockets, headphones, even speakers) depending on the time of year. Their jewelry is relatively inexpensive for the most part, and their brand Wild Fable has a lot of really cute jewelry and hair accessories for pretty cheap ($5-15). In general, they are great for: Snacks, candy, candles, (some) craft supplies, jewelry, cosmetics, travel-size versions of beauty products, jewelry, socks, and even cheap DVDS (the ones they have at the front of checkout booths).

- T.J. Maxx/Marshall’s/Home Goods: Always have fun cheap stuff in the checkout aisle to try to lure you into last minute purchases (but again, that’s the kinda cheap stuff we’re going for here), especially snacks. Sometimes they have nice cheap stationery, depending on the store. Candles, super marked-down beauty products, home decor.

- The Container Store: A little more on the expensive side in general and can be harder to find but if you can get to one they often have tons of cool, relatively cheap gadgets (like cord sorters, little phone accessories like a USB minifan, etc.) and organizational supplies. A lot of their stationery is more regular-priced to expensive, but they can have some nice little things if you dig. One thing I really love is their Amac Boxes, these pretty little lucite boxes in a bunch of different sizes and colors that are great as little storage/organizational things and double as something you can actually put other gifts in. They only cost between ¢0.69-$1.09 each! (They also have tons of cheap cardboard ones as well as little tins too if you’d prefer not to buy plastic.) Again, the little checkout area is FULL of cool little gadgets and stationery supplies, and some of them are really cheap! (Side Note: They also sell a lot of those quirky Kikkerland-type novelty gifts if you like those kinds of things, although they’re typically on the more expensive side)

- Michael’s: GOD TIER. Mostly for crafty friends but you can get some non-crafty things there too (or just things that would appeal to pretty much anyone). They sell some candy in the front checkout area. Cheap things: Embroidery thread, yarn, stickers, candles, some home decor, some jewelry, washi tape, some little starter-kit type things, stationery.

- Jo-Ann Fabrics: ALSO GOD TIER. If you’ve never been, they actually sell a TON of crafty stuff besides fabric arts. They sell iron-on patches, candles, art supplies and stationery, some home decor, embroidery thread and yarn (obviously), some little cheap starter kit-type things, and some cool books and magazines. Stuff can be on the more regular-priced to expensive side on average, but you can absolutely find things for under 5-6 bucks.

- Half-Price Books: So good! Obviously reduced-price books, but often also other miscellaneous little things and some stationery. Definitely depends on the store, but would recommend.

- Goodwill: This one’s pretty obvious, but if you’ve genuinely never shopped there, besides clothes, often they have really good kitchen supplies and home decor for very cheap. Usually tends not to be super ~hip~ (although sometimes you luck out!), but often works great if you’re shopping for a friend with a kitsch or vintage ~aesthetic~. (I’ve gotten some of my favorite decor items there: An awesome antique-looking bookend with a spinning globe, a cool old Pierrot/Venetian clown doll, several antique books, and a pretty wire birdcage, all for super cheap!!) And then, obviously, you can also dig around for cheap cool shirts and dresses, and often can find rad things for as low as $5.

- Dollar Tree: I’ve noticed that Dollar Trees tend to differ vastly, but usually they tend to have some surprisingly awesome things. At various Dollar Trees, I have found: Candles, incense, lipgloss, nail polish, loose pigments (usually gold, silver, purple and pink), pretty vases, pretty or plain little notebooks, fun washi tape, various home decor things, pretty ribbon, small funky kitchen gadgets, hair accessories, wrapping paper, bubble mailers, gift tags and labels, stickers, flash tattoos, and snacks.

- CVS Pharmacy or Walgreens: Super useful. Cute little home decor things, candy, snacks, cheap (ish) makeup and nail polish.

- Papersource: A little more on the expensive side (think Kikkerland stuff again) but you can find some cheap stuff! Again, the small checkout booth items are often great. The Papersource near my house also sells various versions of these gorgeous posters by Cavallini for about $5. They sell lots of fun washi tape too, for relatively cheap. Their stationery tends to be a little more regularly-priced to expensive, though.

Best of luck! Happy Holidays<3

[wlw-lovestruck-fiction]

Can we get a fic or headcanons of mc getting a tattoo like Ruelle?

________________________________________

Trigger Warning: This fic contains scenes of skin carving/scarification for the purpose of tattooing.

Written by @shootingstarwithagrudge

"Will you stay with me?" I asked. Ruelle turns to me and her expression softens.

"Of course." She walks over to where I lay. The soft skin of my chest exposed in the bright lighting. She traces her long fingers over the place where the tattoo will go. One to match her own. A heart for a heart.

"You're beautiful." She says.

"You're not so bad yourself." I reply with as a slight blush rises to my face.

"Heh.. I won't argue with you there." She smirks and leans over bringing her lips softly to mine. Each kiss from Ruelle was a gift in itself, let alone one not shared behind my chamber walls. When she pulls away, her smile is softer than it was before.

"Are you nervous?" She asks. Her fingers dance from one freckle to the next as her amber eyes watch me carefully.

"Oh Frost, a little? It helps.. having you close, though." My voice is shy as I blush a little more.

It was easy to get lost in the way she made me feel. Her soft touches that only I got to feel. The way she looked at me as we layed in bed, both completely exhausted by the other. She nodded and gives me a small smirk as she rubs a smooth balm across my chest.

"What's that for?" I ask, her eyes growing soft.

"To help with the pain." She smiles, her gaze never leaving my skin.

"O-oh. Thank you." I grin at her and my heart can't help but swell at her mere consideration.

"Of course." She says, locking eyes with me in an attempt to underline her statement.

Once the balm is completely saturated into my skin, she begins to trace the outline of the tattoo, using a small feather dipped in fermented blackberries. The smell was sweet and intoxicating, instantly making the moment more sensual - erotic. I look up to meet her eyes and heat instantly rises to my face. Her unique features dancing with the shadows in the room.

"Frost, you're so beautiful." My words catch her off gaurd and I see the corners of her mouth slightly turn up.

"Heh.. the stencil is ready, Your Majesty." The way my royal title slides off her tongue is a symphony to my ears.

"Th-thank you, Ruelle." I can feel the blush rising all the way up to my ears now as she leaves to call the tattoo artist in.

A man only known as only The Scarer walks in with Ruelle following close behind him. He's covered in the most intricate tattoos I've ever seen and his eyes were ice white, glowing with approval as they trace over the stencil so lovingly drawn just minutes before. Ruelle takes a seat beside me and places her hand in mine. The small token of affectionate instantly calming me.

"Are you ready?" She asks softly. I nod and she gives The Scarer a small salute.

He slowly pulls out the smallest blade I had even seen, gleaming with sterilization in the bright light that hung above me. His movements are steady and calculated as he traces the blade over the stencil perfectly, wiping any blood that may trickle down as he goes. The balm Ruelle applied keeping any pain at bay, and the whole experience begins to feel amazing. My skin exposed as someone marked with me with a part of Ruelle, her amber eyes hungry as she watched my soft skin turned into a canvas for her. I close my eyes and take in all the sensations I can before they're gone. I can feel him nearing the end of the stencil, at the end of my sternum, slight pain as the balm wears thin there, makes me slightly whimper. Ruelle squeezes my hand and I open my eyes, giving her a small smile of reassurance. The Scarer places down the blade and picks up the ink.

"This part may sting a little. But it won't last long." Ruelle speaks low and comforting as the Scarer dips a small brush into the ink.

"Oh, slush.." I gasp as the first drop hits my newly raw skin. The color, a green so dark it rivaled the beautiful locks that fell from Ruelle's shoulders.

"Almost done. You're doing so, so well." There's an undertone of desire to her voice as she places a soft kiss to my forehead, causing any feeling of to pain swiftly drift away.

The Scarer wipes down my chest with a silken cloth before generously applying a second balm, this one slightly more yellow in color. The soothing feeling is immediate, a cold sensation spilling over my body. I sit up carefully, as Ruelle hands me a mirror.

"Oh wow.. Ruelle.. I ..." I stumble over my words as she checks over their work.

"And just when I thought you couldn't get any more beautiful." She smirks.

The smooth lines of the tattoo is a testament to The Scarer's talent. Dark green ink shimmering in the light as I take it in at each angle. It was almost identical to Ruelle's save for color and the smallest hummingbird I had ever seen where hers pointed down. My heart swells again as she begins to place a soft bandage over my sternum. Her hands gentle - eyes focused, never leaving me.

"As I explained earlier, Llewellyn, this will take about a year to completely heal. But lucky for us, Xenia has made up a balm to help with the healing process, and one for the itching too." She finishes dressing my bandage and then very slowly slides my undergarments and dress over me. I pull her in for a kiss, not heated enough to fluster her in a public place, but just enough to show her how much I want her. She returns it with a soft smile upon her lips.

"Thanks for staying with me." I whisper into her.

"Heh.. you're just lucky there's no where else I'd rather be, Your Majesty." She whispers the last two words directly into my ear and I shudder, entwining her fingers into mine as I eagerly led her through the door, and back towards the Royal Chamber.

[stickandpokekit]

Our Stick and Poke Tattoo Expert Kit® has been changed to get you what you most need for several tattoos. The stencil transfer stuff, the aftercare balm and green soaps are the hardest to get on your own in sample size online. So we give you more! Save money by getting just one kit instead of 10 things. Also, fuck Amazon. 100% Vegan products 🌱... ... ... ... #vegantattoo #vegantattoosupply #stickandpoke #tattoostencil #greensoap #aftercare #handpokesupply #stickandpokesupply #tattoosupply #pokesafely https://www.instagram.com/p/CBrCrBklf5F/?igshid=eofo31rbpfzc

[geekstudio]

Fan Expo 2018 Report

I was so glad to be back at Fan Expo this year after taking last year off! I got to talk to so many people and see tons of amazing cosplay and I had really missed it!

Now that I’ve a recovery day I thought I’d do up a little report about how the weekend went for me.

Long post with lots of pics so read more for the whole thing!

First up was the awesome cosplay! There were so many great costumes that walked past my table. Most of them I wasn’t able to get pictures of but here are some that I did get.

Saw this great Edna Mode on the Thursday and she had a great attitude!

This Aquaman was great! He was so high energy and outgoing and we ended up chatting for a bit during the slow morning. All his tattoos were airbrushed using custom stencils and apparently he had to run back to his hotel to get his back-up plastic trident because security wouldn’t let him in with his better, custom, metal trident o_O

I was so excited to see this Merlin and Roxy Kingsmen pair! I think they’re the first Kingsmen cosplay I’ve seen and I love Kingsmen so much!

And the last one from the weekend, the Grandmaster! I was so sad that Jeff Goldblum ended up cancelling...

Next part of the report is sales! I spent pretty much the entire weekend at my table. Usually I wander around a bit more but my sister was actually involved in a lot of the tabletop gaming events and panels this year so couldn’t cover me as often.

Lip Balm! So this was the first Fan Expo that I brought my lip balm and lotions to and they were a big hit! The most popular flavour was the Vampire one with Unicorn, Dragon, and Mermaid tied as a close second. It was the first show overall for the Dragon and Mermaid flavours so I was super happy that they went well!

Lotions! The Unicorn scent was the popular choice by quite a lot with Wizard and Fairy tied for second. That was a switch from what I expected because at Anime North the Zombie and Pirate scents were super popular and they were really low sellers at Fan Expo.

Enamel pins! This is also the first Fan Expo with my full stock of enamel pins. The biggest seller for the weekend was one of my original, non-fandom, designs, Spirit of Spring (above). This made me so so happy that a completely original design was so popular at a comic con! This pins isn’t up in my store right now but it will be soon. The second most popular by far was my Luna Lovegood Spectre Specs pin!

Candles! I brought a few candles to this show but the most popular one was the Butterbeer. This was a big surprise because it hasn’t been very popular lately. I sold more Butterbeer candles at Fan Expo this year then I’ve sold at all the shows I’ve gone to in the last year lol. Don’t know why they suddenly did that I was glad to see the Harry Potter love back!

My new Nuka Cola candles went over really well too! I have some left over though so I’ve posted them in the shop here if you wanted to grab some for yourself.

Now for my purchases!

I didn’t buy as much as I usually do this year because I didn’t have much time to shop but I did get some awesome stuff!

The mug I got from FanFit Gaming. It’s an N64 mug with different game items all over. It was their first time at Fan Expo and they had a lot of really cool stuff!

The book is Ark Land by Scott A. Ford. It’s a post apocalyptic sci-fi graphic novel and the art and colours are gorgeous! I’m super excited to read it!

I bought one of these dudes from Triforged Studios as a birthday gift for a friend that was there on the weekend. These Dittos are made from a squishy rubber and totally feel like a real Ditto.

My big purchase was this life size 3D printed Cubone skull. I got it from the same table as the Standee People but I’m not sure if it’s actually still them that sold them. I’m definitely putting this up on my wall next to my Unownymous painting from Rawry & Powly :D

Now the weekend is over and it’s back to the grind. My next show is the Etsy: Made in Canada show in Chatham, ON at the end of September so if you’re in the area stop by and say hi! After that I’ll be at EGLX, then some holiday shows leading up to Christmas. Can’t wait to see people there!

[pmu-shop-usa]

Microblading Training Kit

Microblading is becoming popular day by day. Microblading is making a difference in peoples’ lives and more people are opting for the Microblading technique to correct the defects in their eyebrow.

Microblading Expert uses a small handheld tool with several tiny needles and adds semi-permanent pigment to the skin. The technique is called Microblading. Not exactly tattoo but you can say a semi-tattoo practice; the ink lasts for around 1-3 years depending upon the type of skin.

There are many Microblading training kits available in the market offered by brands and if you are someone who is looking for a place where you can buy a Microblading training kit then PMU Shop USA is the right spot for you.

But wait, before you jump to our website, let us help you understand the components that make up your Microblading Training Kit.

A Microblading Training Kit includes:

Blades- These Stainless Steel Surgical Blades are not only high in quality but also help to shape the eyebrow perfectly- short or thin. Popular needle sizes include numbers 7, 12, and 14.

Microblading pen- A Microblading pen holds the blade and keeps it in place while in use. A good quality Microblading pen comes with a fine grip so one can handle it comfortably without losing the grasp or hold.

Stencils- A stencil helps you outline the desired brow shape. With the right stencil, you can move more evenly and faster, with more precision.

Face mask- This facemask is for you and not for your customer as you will be more exposed to chemical dyes; a face mask protects you from this. You need to wear the face mask for each and every session of Microblading.

Numbing cream- The pain from blade strokes and cuts can be painful for your customers and therefore, as a good Microblading expert, you should provide customers with a high-quality numbing cream, pain-relieving gel, or ointment that can help reduce their pain.

Pigment/ Skin Color- Microblading pigment helps you get the right shade for the brows. The pigments should match with your clients' brows and skin tone otherwise it will look awkward.

Measurement tool- Measurement tool helps you maintain the symmetry of brows and ensure the right shape and size of the brow. These are disposable stickers that can be used only once.

Pencil- A pencil is used to draw the hair-like strokes that perfectly define the arches and give the right shape to the eyebrow.

Healing balm- Once the Microblading is done, the healing balm is applied to the incisions and eyebrow area. It ensures that incisions heal properly, and also help prevent swelling and discoloration.

Now when you know the components of your Microblading Training Kit, visit PMU Shop USA where you are offered with Microblading Training Kit that is not only high in quality but comes at affordable rates and prices.

What are you waiting for? Grab your Microblading Training Kit today!

[originalsoothingbalm]

If you're looking for an easy-to-use stencil cleaner that removes all stencil marks, look no further than the TATWAX Stencil Cleaner. This 8oz bottle is perfect for cleaning stencils of all sizes, and it only requires a small amount of spray to get the job done. So why wait? Order your TATWAX Stencil Cleaner today!

[tatwaxusa]

Are you looking for the highest quality Tattoo Aftercare Products online? Go for Tatwax. We offer the finest stencil cleaner, soothing balm, and more.

For more information, visit: https://tatwax.com/

[singleneedleltd]

DIY Tattoos - The Latest Alternative

Tattoo art has been with mankind for a long, long time as is evidenced by mummified skin preserved for many years, going back to, for example, Neolithic times. Of course tattoo art and its application may have changed and developed over the centuries, but as a form of physical adornment it is as popular today as it has ever been. Also, trends dictate the tattoos individuals apply to their bodies, where on the body – and what type of tattoo.

There are various reasons for this new trend: self application with the right tools is really not that hard to do, it can be done in the privacy of one’s home without interference from another person, it is done at a pace that you feel comfortable with and it allows you to choose the exact tattoos you have in mind for yourself.

Some people may feel intimidated by the idea of visiting a parlour with others looking at them during application, or they may feel uncomfortable with the idea of having machines and guns driving the tattoos into their skin. These are the perfect candidates for DIY, the latest alternative, the so-called stick and poke method, also referred to as hand poke tattooing.

It is what it says: a method of applying your permanent tattoo ink by hand, not by machine, by using single poking movements of a needle into the outer layers of the shin to leave the tattoo there after application. This hand-powered process has the same effect as the one offered in a tattoo parlour: it deposits the ink into your skin to last for a long time – sometimes years depending on the quality and strength of the ink and the process – but is reportedly more comfortable and less painful and, of course, done in privacy by yourself or someone that assists you, not the parlour’s personnel.

As is the case with the visit to a parlour for your tattoos, you would need all the relevant tools and accessories to ensure you are doing a good job, safely, guaranteed to last for a good while. These you ensure you buy from a good supplier, one that offers great options and choices and instructions for the process of self application. Many buyers order their DIY kits from a good, recommended online source, from a firm that is known for the quality of their products and for their knowledge about self application so that the customer will feel confident about the whole process and the quality of their tattoos.

Always make sure their websites carry good information about the process and the different tools and be sure that you have an instruction manual to offer you the information you may need to make sure you get a good quality tattoo or tattoos. Choosing your supplier is important, also the options available to you.

For example, the beginner may want a basic kit, or one that is specifically offered as a starter kit, whereas the experienced enthusiast may want a more advanced kit, one that may offer them more than just a single application option, but, for example, double or triple options. Some may want to use one colour such as black, for instance, when they stick and poke; others may want to use a different colour, or different colours in the same tattoo.

Part of the DIY journey is to find that great supplier that offers you all the tools, and different options so that you get the exact tattoo(s) you want, whether it is the range of colours, or the stencils you may want to use for the design you are after, or the quality of the needles you will use, or the aftercare balm – or the help and advice they offer the beginner, or the experienced enthusiast that needs new ideas.

Before you settle on a supplier, make sure they are well-known, that they offer you the options that interest you and that other customers speak highly of them. Then place your order and enjoy your new tattoos!

At Single Needle we pride ourselves on the different, quality services and products we bring the tattoo enthusiast that wants to make use of our exclusive online service to give them the option of single needle tattoo application.  We offer a variety of tattoo kits, a great choice of all popular inks, different needles, advice about transfer stencils for stick and poke tattoos, and all the information you may feel you require before you start your tattoo journey. We have various products available, also aftercare products to ensure good healing after application. It is our mission to ensure our customers are offered superior products and outstanding service. For more about us, please visit https://www.singleneedletattookit.com/

[tattorium]

A strong meditative gorilla. Tried to play with focus so the gorilla appear sharper and the laves are a bit blurry. It is so fresh off the press that the stencil is still some what visible. Will post a picture once healed. Thanks for looking I use and endorse Recover Denmark Skin Balm while tattooing and for aftercare and use The Tattoo Archive to help tattooers and clients alike @recoverdenmark @thetattooarchive #tattoo #tattoos #tat #ink #inked #gorilla #gorillatattoo #photooftheday #tatted #instatattoo #bodyart #tatts #amazingink #portraittattoos #realismtattoo #danishtattoo #realistictattoo #followback #instagramers #tattorium_work #tattoolife #tattooworkers #tattooartistmagazine #customtattoo (her: Tattorium) https://www.instagram.com/tattorium/p/BxRYtVKFyEC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ycsegvjnihcs

[bangtaninink]

just skin

Summary: You’re back home and itching to get the final piece of Jungkook etched into your skin (tattoo artist!au)

Notes: I’ll save you guys the trouble/horror of googling it yourselves: yes, a Prince Albert piercing is a dick piercing; also, this is the tattoo(s) that Jungkook and the OC get

“Yeah, and so I said to the guy, ‘listen, man, I’m way too sober to pierce your tongue and your d--’ wait.” Hoseok stops, ears perked as he tilts his head. “Do you guys hear something?”

Yoongi takes his foot off the pedal, the buzzing of his tattoo gun cutting off immediately. The studio falls silent as everyone strains to hear whatever Hoseok’s heard, the sound growing louder and louder in volume, until eventually, the studio door swings open, the bell overhead ringing frantically as you step in, phone held up above you, Eminem blasting from your phone’s speakers.

Guess who’s back? Back again...

“Holy fucking shit!” Jungkook cries, standing up so quickly his chair almost topples over, Jimin quick to catch it before it does. “Babe?”

“The queen is back, bitches!” you announce, grasping the pleats of your imaginary skirt and curtseying for your crowd. “Miss me?”

“Hell yeah, I did! Come here, sweets.”

You barely have time to blink before Jungkook has run towards you and swept you off your feet -- literally -- carrying you up and spinning you around in his embrace.

“Um. Who’s that?” the man sitting at Yoongi’s station asks, warily eyeing the cluster of needles still hovering inches away from his thigh.

“Hmm? Oh. That’s Jungkook’s girlfriend. _____ pierces here with Taehyung and Hoseok.”

“One of the best,” Taehyung adds, spinning around in his chair, lollipop hanging precariously between his lips. “Have you ever seen someone pierce themselves? Because I’ve seen _____ pierce her own bellybutton without flinching and I just knew, at that moment, that I would never reach her level of badass. Ever.”

“Alright. Who needs glove refi-- _____?”

You turn to look over your shoulder, laughing at the sight of Namjoon staring dumbly in your direction, unopened boxes of disposable gloves in his arms. You give him a little wave hello before turning your attention back to Jungkook, whose arms are still wrapped around your waist.

“Namjoon. Namjoon.”

“Huh? What?”

“Gloves,” Yoongi says, holding one hand out for a box.

“Right. Yeah. Sorry, hyung,” Namjoon mutters, handing him one of the boxes before walking to each station, discarding the empty boxes to replace them with new ones. Yoongi haphazardly tosses his box onto his work bench, the monotonous buzzing returning as he lowers his foot back onto the pedal and returns his attention to his customer. 

                                                          ▫▫▫

Everyone has already turned their attention back to their work while you and Jungkook remain lost in your own little bubble, giggling and whispering words in between kisses.

“You said... you weren’t coming back... ‘til next week,” Jungkook mumbles, your bottom lip caught between his teeth. You grin, combing your fingers through his hair.

“I know,” you reply. “I lied.”

“Minx.” There isn’t a hint of betrayal in his voice, however, and he leans forward again, the tip of his tongue just barely brushing against the small silver ball below the corner of your lip before kissing you once more. You smile, shutting your eyes as you kiss him back.

“Jesus. Will you two lovebirds move away from the door? People’ll be thinking this place is a goddamn brothel, not a tattoo studio.”

The sound of Yoongi’s voice pulls you two apart, and the both of you are laughing quietly, foreheads pressed to one another’s for a moment before either of you think about moving. Jungkook keeps his arms wrapped tightly around your waist as you both waddle back towards his station, so close to falling over.

“So,” Taehyung sing-songs, wheeling himself over to you when you sit down in Jungkook’s chair. “How was Japan?”

“Oh my god,” you moan. “I am probably fifty-percent noodles and sushi right now, Tae. You will not believe how good the food is over there.” You tilt your head back, looking at Jungkook over the back of the chair. “We gotta go together sometime, babe.”

“Did you go to the Ghibli Museum?”

You reach forward to grab Taehyung’s wrist, sighing dramatically.

“It was the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to,” you reply. Taehyung groans loudly, wheeling himself back to his station as quickly as he can, just as the studio door opens to let another customer in.

“I shouldn’t have asked you.”

“I’ll send you the photos later.”

                                                         ▫▫▫

“Have any clients today, babe?” you ask, carding your fingers through his hair in an attempt to tame the chaos. Clearly, today too, Jungkook hadn’t bothered to brush his hair. He shakes his head where it’s resting on your shoulder.

“Finished already. I had one this morning at ten,” he replies. He takes your other hand where it’s resting on his stomach, threading his fingers between yours and resting it on his chest. “I’m free for the rest of the day, pretty much. Unless someone comes in specifically requesting me.”

You glance up at the clock on the back wall; it’s almost two o’clock, but you know that the day is far from over, considering it is Friday.

“Hey,” you say, nudging the side of his head gently with your cheek. Jungkook hums in acknowledgement. “Since you’re free, do you wanna do my arm?”

His eyes snap open, and Jungkook sits up, his back lifting off of your chest. He turns around with a grin.

“Yes,” he replies, already climbing off the chair and walking over to his work bench, ripping open the new box of disposable gloves. “God, I thought you’d never ask.” You laugh, blindly searching for the lever to recline chair. “So you’ve decided to get inked up then? Like, definitely?”

“Yeah, I guess I have. It was all I was thinking about in Japan, aside from the food, I mean.”

“About time. We’ve had a couple customers ask why you’re the only one who hasn’t had any work done in here. I had to stop Namjoon hyung from telling everyone you’re too chicken to get anything.”

“Pfft.” You roll your eyes. “That makes no sense. How am I supposed to be scared of getting a tattoo when I pierce for a living?”

“That’s what I said!” Jungkook laughs, shaking his head. “Honestly, for a certified genius, he can be a bit of an idiot sometimes.”

“Anyway. Have you drawn anything up? Wait. Never mind. You probably started sketching the minute I brought up the idea.”

“You know me so well, sweets,” Jungkook replies, the latex snapping against his wrist. He hands you his sketchbook before preparing his station, a bottle of sanitiser already in his grasp. “Pick something, because lord knows I’ll never be able to.”

Shaking your head, you open up his sketchbook, the smell of sanitiser sharp in the air as you flip through the pages, finding the ones with your name scrawled on the top corners. You leave Jungkook to prepare himself, setting up his gun and small pots of ink to be lined up beside his chair.

You stop flipping pages when you find a sketch of some swallows, flying in a line across the page. It’s simple, nothing in comparison to the complexity of the ink covering Jungkook’s body, but it’s hard to take your eyes off of it.

“Found something?” Jungkook asks, peering over your shoulder from behind the chair, looking down at the page in front of you. “Oh yeah. That’d be good for your first tattoo, babe.” You nod your head slowly, humming in reply. “Where do you want it?”

You lift your head up, staring at the mirror in front of you, suddenly hit with an idea. Putting the sketchbook down, you stand, taking Jungkook’s hand and leading him over to the adjacent wall.

“Hold my hand,” you say, turning around so that your back faces the mirror.

“O...kay,” Jungkook replies, raising an eyebrow but following suit anyway, turning on his heels and peeling off his glove to take your hand in his. Looking over your shoulder, you smile, pointing down at your wrist.

“Right here,” you say, drawing an imaginary line starting from your wrist and ending just below his elbow. “Let’s get matching ones.”

Jungkook follows your finger in your reflection, a smile growing on his lips as he begins to understand.

                                                        ▫▫▫

“I can’t believe you two have become that couple,” Jimin mutters from where he’s crouched down behind you and Jungkook, applying the stencil to both your arms.

“Says you,” Jungkook scoffs. “You and Yoongi hyung have matching piercings.”

“Piercings are piercings. You guys are getting matching tattoos. Gross.”

“Whatever. Just hurry up.”

You chuckle quietly and shake your head, feeling the stencil paper being pulled away to leave a crisp purple outline on your skin.

“Good?” Jimin asks, standing up.

“Looks good to me,” you say, nodding and smiling.

“Good. Well, I’m not even gonna ask Jungkook because his OCD ass’ll find something wrong with it regardless, so I’m gonna bounce before this brat can scold me.”

“Thanks, Chim.”

Jungkook rolls his eyes and leads you back to his station, letting you sit back down.

“We gotta let it dry first, sweets,” he tells you, pulling on a new glove, careful not to smudge the stencil on his own arm. “You just want black ink?”

“Mhm. Exactly as you’ve drawn it, babe,” you reply, fanning the stencil on your arm in an attempt to dry it quicker.

“God, I can’t believe I get to do your first tattoo,” Jungkook says, grinning as he attaches the needle tip and tube to his gun. “I feel just as excited as the first time you said yes to going on a date with me. And the first time we had sex.”

“That’s literally the worst thing to compare it to,” Yoongi deadpans, not looking up from his neighbouring station where he’s finished tattooing his customer and proceeds to rub some balm over his skin, rolls of bandages already ready on his lap.

“Whatever. The point is, I’m pumped as fuck right now. My baby’s getting her first tattoo.”

You shoot Jungkook a glare, but there’s barely any malice in it as you try to suppress your laughter.

“So dramatic,” you mutter.

“I love you,” he replies, smiling as he leans forward to kiss you quickly. “Ready?” You look down at the tattoo gun in his hand before nodding once. “Just tell me if you can’t handle it. We can take as many breaks as you want.”

(Yoongi rolls his eyes, but spins around before either of you can catch the hint of a smile on his lips.)

                                                        ▫▫▫

The process is, fortunately, not as bad as you’d anticipated it to be.

“And... we’re done,” Jungkook says, taking his foot off the pedal and lifting his head. “You okay?”

“Peachy,” you reply, sighing with relief regardless. “That wasn’t so bad. I think getting my tits pierced was worse than that.”

“Oh yeah. How’re those healing up, by the way? Can I touch them yet?”

“Jungkook, please,” Namjoon sighs from his station when he overhears you both. “There are customers here. We can all hear you.” The both of you laugh, while a few of the customers seem to flush red and turn away.

Jungkook presses a kiss to your shoulder, handing you a small mirror to look at your new ink before starting his clean up process, disassembling his tattoo gun to clean and sterilise the needle.

“Everything look okay?” he asks you.

“Perfect,” you reply, beaming. “Can’t wait to see what it’ll look like when we both have ‘em.”

Jungkook grins, peeling off his gloves and washing his hands, making sure to avoid the purple ink still clear on his forearm.

“I’ll show you how to take care of it at home,” he says. “Amongst other things.”

“Oh yeah? And what exactly are those ‘other things’?” you ask, raising an eyebrow as you take the balm he holds out to you.

“Oh, you know. A ‘welcome home’ celebration and stuff. You were gone for three weeks after all, sweets.” The studio is filled with quiet groans. Jungkook looks over his shoulder and winks in your direction; you blow him a kiss in return.

                                                        ▫▫▫

“Uh... _____?”

You look up, pulling your eyes away from Jungkook’s newest additions to his portfolio to turn your attention to Seokjin.

“Yeah?”

“I know you’re still technically on leave still,” he says. “But I just got a call booking in ten kids for some piercings and ink, and Tae and Seok have already got a few clients booked in for tonight.”

Scrunching up your nose, you shut the album in your hands, already standing to walk across to your station.

“You guys owe me.”

                                                        ▫▫▫

It’s just after nine in the evening that a wave of customers start to flow into the studio, and before you know it, you’ve dove right back into work as if you’d never left, gloves on, piercing gun in hand.

It’s a taxing job at times, because while it seems simple enough (one: gloves on; two: clean the skin; three: load the gun with the cartridge; four: mark the skin; five: point, aim, and shoot), no one really tells you about the emotional counselling that accompanies your work.

It’s almost half past ten when you’re sitting at your station beside a girl who can’t be older than twenty, quickly losing feeling in your hand because of her vice-like grip around your fingers as she tries to calm herself enough to get the small silver hoop in her nose.

“A-are you sure it won’t hurt?” she asks on the verge of tears.

“You’ll hardly feel a thing, babe,” you say. “See Yoongi over there? I did his eyebrow. And over there, I did Hoseok’s tongue. And at the station next to you, I did Taehyung’s septum. Exact same piercing you’re gonna get.”

“Hardly felt a thing,” Taehyung adds, smiling and shooting your client a thumbs up. “_____’s one of our best. I might even say she’s better than me.”

“Gee, that’s reassuring,” the client at Taehyung’s station mutters, smacking Taehyung’s arm.

“You’ll be fine, I promise,” you say. “I’ve done so many piercings by this point, you’ll be done before you can blink. Here. Pinch the skin between your nostrils as hard as you can.” The girl slowly brings her hand up, sniffling quietly before bringing her thumb and forefinger close, squeezing the cartilage separating her nostrils. “Really squeeze hard. As hard as you can, babe.” The girl’s eyes narrow slightly as she tries as hard as she can, fingers starting to tremble a little as she exerts as much energy as she can into squeezing her nose. “Okay, you can stop. How’d that feel?”

“That... wasn’t so bad, I g-guess,” she says, lowering her hand and resting it in her lap. “It’s kinda like... I need to sneeze or something.”

“That’s all you’re gonna feel. Your eyes might water, but it won’t be because of the pain. Besides. You know why I’m positive it’s not gonna hurt as much?”

“W-why?”

“Because us girls are better at handling pain than the boys. And if Taehyung says he hardly felt a thing, then it’s gonna be a breeze for you, babe.”

Your client is quiet, staring at the ground, deep in thought.

“How would you know though? Your nose isn’t pierced,” she says.

“Wanna see my most painful piercings?” The girl sniffles and nods her head. You smile, carefully pulling her hand off of yours to stand. You lift your shirt up, tugging down one cup of your bra to expose one of your breasts, shrugging. Her eyes grow wide with shock.

“Y-you... you got your nipple pierced?”

“Nipples,” you correct. Just before he passes your station, Jungkook freezes on the spot, whistling appreciatively.

“Woah, hello. Didn’t realise we were starting the ‘welcome home’ celebration early, sweets,” he laughs, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Keep walkin’, babe,” you reply, fixing your bra and shirt before sitting down next to your client again, peeling away your gloves to replace them with new, sterile ones. “Don’t worry about it. I know pain. Waxing your legs hurts more than getting pierced most of the time, to be honest. Your nose’ll be fine.”

Gnawing on her bottom lip, the girl is quiet again for a moment, and it might be a full minute that passes before she speaks up.

“Okay. I think... I think I’m ready.”

“You sure?” you ask, already pulling on your second glove.

“Yeah,” she replies. “If you can get your nipples pierced and still be alive, I think I can survive a nose piercing.”

“Good for you, babe,” Taehyung cries from his station. “You got this!”

                                                        ▫▫▫

The girl stares at her reflection for a good three minutes after it’s done, while you’re busy cleaning up and readying your station for the next customer.

“I know it’s tempting to touch it,” you say, smiling a little at the awe on the girl’s face. “But try not to. At least for a couple months.”

“This looks... so cool. And you were right. It didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would.”

“Hey, hey. Lookin’ good!” Taehyung says, throwing her another thumbs up from his station.

“Thanks,” she laughs. “And thank you, _____. Couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Don’t sweat it, babe,” you reply, waving your hand. You watch as she turns back to the mirror to stare at her reflection a little more, and you can see her fingers twitching, wanting to reach up and touch her nose but resisting. You toss your gloves into the trash, grabbing a bottle of sanitiser to clean up your work bench and chair before turning your attention back to your client. “Alright. All good? Were you after anything else tonight? More piercings? A tattoo?”

“Ah, no, I think the nose’ll do for tonight,” she says, chuckling quietly.

“Sounds good. Well, I’m done here cleaning up here. Let’s head over to the front and fix you up so you can be on your merry way and show off your new hoop.”

At the front counter, you take her money (and the very generous tip), counting out the money more out of habit.

“Hey, um.”

“Hmm?” You look up, watching as the girl leans forward on the counter.

“Who was that guy before, when you were showing me your boob? The one who called you sweets,” she asks, voice lowered slightly.

“Oh.” You laugh, putting the money into the till. “That was my boyfriend, Jungkook. He’s one of the tattoo artists here. Why?”

“He’s cute. You’re a lucky chick, _____.”

“Don’t I know it.”

                                                       ▫▫▫

“No way.”

“_____, please.”

“Jung Hoseok, I am not doing a Prince Albert. Get Taehyung to do it.”

“He’s busy. He’s gotta pierce five sets of ears and three noses. Please?” You tilt your head back with a wince, hands on your hips as you sigh. “Is that a yes?”

“No. Jungkook. Jungkook.” Before he can walk back to his station, you grab Jungkook’s hand as he passes you. “Babe, help. Save me.”

“Why? What’s wrong?” he asks, eyebrows furrowed.

“I need your girlfriend to do a PA on that dude with the bright blue hair up front.” Jungkook’s eyes grow wide.

“Woah. No. _____’s not touching anyone’s dick except mine. And if she even thinks about coming near my dick with a needle, she can fucking bounce. No offense, sweets.”

“Jungkook, we have too many customers coming in, and not enough piercers. I already spoke to Seokjin hyung. If she does this, she’s done for the night. Me and Tae’ll do the rest.”

“A Prince Albert? Seriously? Who the fuck even wants that?”

“The guy with the bright blue hair, apparently.”

Jungkook sighs, staring down at the ground as he thinks. It’s almost a minute before he looks up again to meet your eyes, holding a silent conversation with you.

Complete and utter dread washes over you when it dawns on you that you really have no choice: money is money, and if you have any chance of buying that new piercing gun for your station, you’re gonna need to take all the jobs you can get.

It’s as if Hoseok senses your admission of defeat, because before you can blink, his expression transitions from pleading to pleased, grinning as he runs back to his station to tend to his client, leaving you and Jungkook standing in the middle of the studio completely dumbstruck.

You sigh, huffing loudly as you exhale and scratch your temple.

“Want me to come with you?” Jungkook asks, wrapping his arm around your shoulders. You shake your head in reply.

“I’ll be fine. You have clients to work on anyway,” you say. Jungkook leans over and presses a kiss to your cheek.

“My trashcan’ll be ready for you to throw up in when you’re done.” Despite yourself, you find yourself laughing, and returning the kiss with one of your own.

“Can’t wait.”                                                        ▫▫▫

“Hi. Uh, you were the one after an Albert?” you say, approaching the man with the bright blue hair. You watch as he stands quickly, wiping his hands on the back of his jeans nervously.

“Uh, yeah. That’s me.”

“I’m _____. I think Hoseok spoke to you earlier, but he and the other male piercer here are swamped with clients tonight, so I’ll be the one taking care of you tonight, if... that’s alright with you.”

“Oh, um... sure. No... no problem.”

“Cool. I’ll take you over to my station then.”

With your client following behind, you walk to the back of the studio where you station is, motioning for him to take a seat while you move to the corner and grab the curtain to pull it shut around your space. You see heads turn in your direction at the sound of the small metal hoops holding the curtain up scrape against the railing overhead, and you take another deep breath, flashing Jungkook a tight-lipped smile as he throws you an encouraging thumbs up.

(You resist the urge to flip off Hoseok and Taehyung when they look your way.)

“Just gimme a sec to set up and we can get started.”

“No problem.”

Though you don’t want to admit it, you are stalling a little, taking your time to pull your gloves on and make sure everything is sterile and sanitary. You pull open the bottom drawer of your cabinet, digging around for circular and bent barbells, almost forgetting where you kept them all. You lay everything out on your workbench, all still sealed and cased, not daring to open anything until it was absolutely time to.

“Alright,” you say, turning around to face your client. “I’m, uh, gonna need you to take your pants off.”

“Right. Yeah.” The guy clears his throat and stands, awkwardly fumbling with the button and zipper of his jeans. “Have you, uh... have you ever done this kind of piercing before?”

“A few times, yeah,” you reply, nodding. “Most guys request for either Hoseok or Taehyung though, which is understandable. But I’ve pierced a few dicks in my time.”

“That’s, uh... that’s pretty reassuring, actually.” You chuckle, nodding again as he drapes his jeans over the back of the chair.

“Hey, um, can I ask, just out of morbid curiosity... why’re you getting an Albert?”

“Oh. U-um...”

“Oh. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I ask all my clients why they’re getting the piercing their getting. But an Albert’s in an... intimate area, so if you don’t wanna say why, that’s cool.”

“Nah, it’s fine. Uh... it’s for my girlfriend, actually.”

“Oh. You... wanna improve your sex life, or...”

“Kinda, I guess. But she also was saying the other day that my dick looked kinda... plain. Boring.”

Surprised, you raise your eyebrows.

“She said that to you? To your face?”

“Yeah. I mean, she was a little tipsy when she said it, but... pretty much.” You let out a loud exhale, leaning back against your work bench.

“I mean, it’s not really my place to say, but she kinda sounds like a bitch. Who says something like that to their boyfriend?”

“I dunno,” he says, scratching the back of his head. “She kinda has high standards though. She’s one of those rich kids. Her parents run some kind of law firm or some shit.”

“Still. That’s not something you just say.” He shrugs, sitting back down. “How long’ve you two been together?”

“About a year and a half now.”

“You love her?”

“I mean... I guess? If we’ve been together that long, that means I more than like her, doesn’t it?”

“Not necessarily,” you say, pulling over your wheelie chair to sit down too. “I’ve known people who’ve dated for two years and never said ‘I love you’ to one another the entire time. I also know people who were together for about a month before dropping the ‘love’ bomb on each other. Time’s just one of those things that can’t define relationships. That’s what I think, at least.” You lean forward, chin resting in your palm as you prop your elbow up on your knee. “I don’t know you, and I don’t know your girlfriend, but I have a feeling it’s more tolerance than love between you both. Correct me if I’m wrong, of course.” He says nothing, so you continue, flicking the small silver ball under your lip absentmindedly. “I mean, if she does love you, I don’t think she’d be going around calling your dick boring and plain-looking. After a year and a half, I’d like to think you learn how to love your significant other’s so-called flaws alongside everything else, y’know?”

“Dicks aren’t really attractive things though,” he suggests.

“True, but that doesn’t give her the right to insult yours.” You shrug and stand again, moving to your bench. “If I was you, I’d probably drop her ass. She doesn’t deserve someone like you. But, hey. That’s just my opinion. If you’re happy in your relationship, then that’s all that matters, right?”

You client stares off into space while you get back to work setting up, taking out a bottle of disinfectant and some topical anaesthetic.

“So. Do you wanna sit or stand for thi--”

“Wait.” You pause, eyebrows rising expectantly. “Can I, um... can I take a raincheck on the Albert? I, uh... I think I wanna think about this some more, and about what you said.” You smile in reply.

“For sure.”

“Thanks.” Quietly, he stands to put his jeans back on, getting dressed in silence while you start to clear your bench and put everything back.

You’re in the process of peeling your gloves off when he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet.

“Hey. It’s fine,” you say, stopping him.

“You sure? I took up a lot of your time with my unnecessary bull-crap.”

“Totally fine. No needle, no money.”

“Right.”

You walk over to the other side of your station, grabbing the curtain to pull it back and expose your space to the rest of the studio, heads once again turning in your direction.

“It’s funny,” the guy says, tucking his wallet back into his pocket. “I came in thinking I’d be walking out with a sore dick and some numbing cream, and instead I’m gonna be leaving with a full wallet and a piercer-slash-therapist blowing my mind. Thanks, _____.”

“Anything to avoid doing an Albert,” you joke; he laughs, combing his fingers through his hair. “I’ll walk you out.”

You finish peeling off your gloves, throwing them into the trash can before leading your client to the door.

“Hey, um. Not to sound like a complete ass, but... are you single?” You laugh, holding the door open for him.

“I’m not, sorry.” You nod your head towards the back of the studio in Jungkook’s direction. “My boyfriend’s one of the artists here.”

“That’s a shame. You’re pretty cool.” He gives you a small wave before walking off, hands shoved in his pockets.

                                                       ▫▫▫

You’re sitting at Jungkook’s station just as he bids his customer goodbye, sliding the money into the till and his tip in his back pocket.

“Hey,” he says, quick to rub sanitiser on his hands before leaning over to steal a kiss from you. “How’d it go?”

“It didn’t. Thank god,” you reply, chuckling. Jungkook raises his eyebrows.

“You talked him out of it?”

“He practically talked himself out it, actually. I don’t think he wanted the Albert in the first place.”

“Why?”

“I asked him why he was getting it. You know what he tells me?” Jungkook shrugs. “He said he wanted to get an Albert because his girlfriend said his dick looked ‘plain’ and ‘boring’.” Jungkook leans back, eyebrows furrowed.

“To his face?”

“Yup.”

“What a bitch.”

“That’s what I said. I told him ‘look, dude. If you’re gonna get your dick pierced just because your bitch of a girlfriend doesn’t like the way it looks, you can tell her to hit the fucking road’. Alberts are no joke.”

“Christ. Poor guy,” Jungkook says, shaking his head. “Wait. You don’t think my dick looks plain and boring, do you?”

“It’s my favouritest dick in the whole world,” you chuckle, leaning over to kiss him.

“Get a fucking room,” Jimin groans; Jungkook throws him the finger over his shoulder.

                                                      ▫▫▫

You’re all finally able to call it a night just before two in the morning, but to your surprise, even with the jetlag, you’re hardly tired.

“Thank you, Jesus,” Yoongi sighs, dropping into his chair with obvious exhaustion, a bottle of sanitiser still hanging precariously between his fingers. “We made it.”

“Another Friday night done and dusted,” Namjoon says, peeling off his gloves, throwing them towards his trash can (he misses).

“Alright, folks. Pay day,” Seokjin announces, a thick wad of cash in his hands as he leaves the front desk to wheel himself to the centre of the studio, right in the middle of everyone’s stations. Namjoon reaches over, pushing Seokjin’s glasses higher up the bridge of his nose when he spots them sliding down as the elder starts to count out paper bills.

“Woah, woah, woah,” you say, sitting up in Jungkook’s lap when everyone is given a stack -- everyone, that is, except you. “What am I, chopped liver? Did I not just pierce thirteen ears, four noses, an eyebrow, two pairs of nipples, and almost a dick? Fuck you, Kim Seokjin. I’m suing. I’ll see your ass in court.”

“Hey!” Namjoon cries out. “No one gets to see hyung’s ass except me.”

“Calm your pierced tits, _____,” Seokjin says, rolling his eyes. “You’ll get your money when you’re officially off leave.” You grumble, leaning back against Jungkook’s chest, arms crossed in front of you.

“And when is that?” Taehyung asks, counting out his money before pulling out his wallet.

“About a week and a half from now,” you reply.

“What’re you gonna do for a week and a half?”

“I have suggestions,” Jungkook answers immediately, raising his hand in the air.

“Shut up,” Yoongi says, sighing.

                                                     ▫▫▫

“Drive safe, you horn bags,” Yoongi says, draping his arm over Jimin’s shoulders, watching as Jungkook lifts the seat of his bike to pull out a spare helmet for you. “No road head.”

“How the hell am I gonna give Jungkook a blowjob if I’m sitting behind him?” you laugh, putting the helmet on. Yoongi shrugs, taking the cigarette from behind his ear and holding it between his teeth as he rummages around his pockets for his lighter.

“If anyone can find a way to do that, it’s probably gonna be you, _____. Come on, babe. Let’s go home. I need a shower.”

“Later, brats,” Jimin says, throwing you both a little wave goodbye over his shoulder as Yoongi walks him to the car. 

On the sidewalk, Hoseok helps Taehyung untie his bandana, carding his fingers through the younger’s bright red hair with a fond smile.

“We should head on home too, cutie,” he says, chuckling as Taehyung nuzzles Hoseok’s neck before nodding. “C’mon. Let’s boogie. See you two tomorrow.”

“See you,” Jungkook says, waving goodbye. You watch as Seokjin locks the front door of the studio, one arm wrapped around Namjoon’s. “Alright. We’re heading off too, hyung.”

“Sure. Drive safe, Jungkook,” Namjoon says, giving the both of you a salute goodbye.

“Try not to stay up too late, please,” Seokjin adds, sending you both a pointed look.

“Can’t guarantee anything,” Jungkook says, grinning before shutting the visor of his helmet, warming up his bike with loud, growl-like revs of the engine as you wrap your arms around his waist, blowing Namjoon and Seokjin a dramatic kiss goodbye.

[promptistrashqueen]

A Royal Commission (3)

Quickly: I have several tattoos but didn’t bother doing research so if you are an artist, forgive me the inconsistencies (or yell at me and I’ll fix them). @fleetstreetfatality Tuesday morning Prompto is sitting at his desk, trying to draw some small figure studies of Shiva, because Astrals know he can’t focus on anything else. He’s glad his morning appointment had to reschedule because he’s concerned about what his focus would’ve been like, anticipating starting Noctis’ ink that afternoon.

He sighs as he botches the drawing, again. Working in pen always makes him crazy, but it’s a good distraction, even if he just turned a Goddess into a hunchback.

He tosses the page aside and gives up on Shiva. Tapping his lip he stares at the blank page until Charlie’s voice interrupts him.

“Okay, there are way too many drawings on the floor in here for you to be chill...it;s gonna be fine dude, you’re wicked awesome at what you do and Noctis definitely likes you so, just, find your zen maybe?”

Prompto huffs a sigh, easy for the other artist to say, he’s not going to be putting art on a Prince forever. He turns, glaring a little.

“I know and I am trying to get “chill” but you know I’m shit at Shiva.”

Charlie shrugs, “So draw something else? Hell, draw the Prince. He’s got a good face for it.”

He takes a sip from his mug and turns away as the bell chimes, like he hasn’t just giving Prompto a great idea...and temptation.Prompto looks back at the empty pages in front of him and curses under his breath. Astrals, hopefully Noct never see’s this…

He starts with the loose shape of Noctis’ face, the way his cheeks are soft but his jawline is not and the curve of his chin. He finds himself relaxing as he draws, the details clear in his mind as he adds the way the Prince’s hair falls messily across his forehead and the slight pinch at the corner of his mouth just before he laughs.

The linework is finished before he knows it and he hums softly to himself, tugging his colored pencils toward him. It’s not until he’s very carefully shading the edge of an iris that he realizes that he’s drawn Noctis the way he likes him best.

There’s joy just under the surface in the way Prompto’s shaped his lips and the slight crinkles at the corner of his eyes, like he’s about to squint. The second thing that occurs to him is that he didn’t need a picture at all and it’s a perfect likeness.His heart thuds hard and he sets the colored pencil down, because he cannot and will not let himself go down that road.

He can’t crush on...on the Prince of Lucis. He’s not the type to sign himself up for heartbreak and while he can do casual dating he really, really doesn’t want to try it. Not when he’s already so enraptured by Noctis as a person.He takes a breath and glances at the clock. It’s close enough to time for the man in question to arrive and he tucks the drawing away, stretching and starting to prepare his space.

He vows to himself to try to put a little distance between the Prince and himself. After all, Noctis is a client and unlikely to come back much after the work is done.It’s a balm on his uncertain mind that the back piece he’s designed will take multiple sessions and he tries not to cling to the thought too much.

He’s wiped everything down and probably organized some of his stuff a little too much, because he knows he’s going to reach for something he usually keeps to the right and it’s been moved but it’s not like Noctis knows that, when Charlie peeks in.

“He’s in the front for you. I’ll send him back if you’re ready?”

Prompto nods firmly, “Thanks man.”

He takes a deep breath and settles himself, excited to start working because he’s pretty in love with the art itself, even if he’s worried a little about the body it’s going on.

There’s a light knock and he looks up, finding Noctis standing next to the open curtain that Prompto uses to close the room off from the rest of the work spaces in the back when he has a client.

“Hey! C’mon in. You can get water if you need it and get comfy and we can get to work.”

Noctis gives him an odd look, tilting his head a little, but it’s short lived. Prompto bites his lip as the Prince gets situated on the large chair that Prompto’s adjusted at a slight angle to make it easier to work. He was hoping Noctis wouldn’t notice his attempt to be more “cool professional” and less “Overeager puppy”.

Noctis straddles the seat and rests his arms on the specifically designed armrests, settling with his stomach against the leather and his back to Prompto. After a moment in the position he sits up straight again and pulls the simply black tee over his head before returning to his previous seat.It’s silent as he does and as Prompto readies the stencil and he can’t help but feel the loss of easy conversation. He starts to clean the skin on Noctis’ lower back, planning to work his way up the Prince’s back, and sighs a little.The skin under his gloved hands is pale but even with the barrier he can tell it’s soft.

Noctis sighs contently and Prompto glances up to see him turning his head and closing his eyes. He smiles a little at the sight of the Prince relaxing.

“Once I place the stencil I’ll take a picture. I’ve a couple ready so if you want it in a different spot let me know.”Noctis hums in response, opening an eye and smiling a little at Prompto, “Alright, but I doubt I will. You’re the artist after all.”

Prompto blushes a little at the faith Noctis has in him and focuses instead on transferring the stencil to Noctis’ skin, working quietly and with gentle pressure. He smooths a hand over the edges of the transferring paper and Noctis let’s out an odd noise.

He frowns, “Did I hurt you?”

To Prompto’s surprise pink tinges Noctis’ cheek and he shakes his head a little, “No...it felt nice. I get pretty tense and..yeah. Sorry dude.”

Prompto laughs a little, surprised and he feels his resolve to keep his distance today crumple a little.

“Well we don’t do massages, or at least I don’t, who knows what the other two get up to behind their curtains.”

He winks and Noctis laughs as he peels the transfer paper away carefully. The lines are good and strong, easy to see. He snaps a picture and hands it too Noctis to see, waiting.

“Looks good to me. Are you going to do the rest?”Prompto shakes his head, “Nah, I don’t we’ll get to them today. I want to work on the lines at the bottom and the crest first. We can talk about when you can come in again after you know how you handle the gun and all.”

Noctis rolls his eyes, “Please, I bet I’ll fall asleep.”

Prompto bites back a grin, “Yeah? What do you bet?”

The Prince does grin at him then and hums, “Well...you like energy drinks, so I bet a case of Ebony.”

Prompto’s eyes get huge, because Ebony is one of the most expensive types of energy drinks out there. His surprise must read though because Noctis quickly adds, “Only if you win! I don’t like that stuff. If I win, you have to go to lunch with me, because I really want to talk to you when you’re not work Prompto.”

Noctis closes his eyes and gets comfy again, something Prompto is very glad for because he can feel his face doing...something.

He clears his throat and nods, “Deal. Alright, I’m going to start in a minute, let me know if you need me to stop.”

Noctis just hums again and Prompto takes his place, checking his gun and running the ink through it for a moment to double check. When he’s satisfied he sets to work, the low sound that fills the space is familiar and he glances up at Noctis as he works on the first line.

The Prince’s eyebrows are pinched and he pauses for a moment.

“You alright?”

Noctis nods, not opening his eyes, “M’fine. I thought it would hurt more?”

Prompto laughs, “Most people do. It depends on where I’m working and your body. I’m glad it’s not too bad right now, but some places are probably gunna suuuuck. I’ll warn you before we get there though.”

Noctis just chuckles and Prompto goes back to work. It’s quiet between them as he slowly works ink into the Prince’s skin, the action of tattoo, wipe, adjust, tattoo making him lose track of time.

He pauses when his fingers start to cramp, setting the gun aside and wiping at the blood rising on Noctis’ skin, looking over his work.

“It’s looking really cool Noct. Just, give me a sec.”There’s no response and he frowns, concerned. He looks carefully at Noctis’ relaxed features, leaning in a bit and poking the Prince’s cheek. He receives an annoyed groan and a twitch of Noctis’ face for his efforts. The Prince is asleep.

“Well shit.” Prompto huffs, looks like he’s got a lunch date soon.

[cloutshoes]

Electrum Premium Stencil Remover and Skin Prep, Tattoo Stencil Skin Cleanser

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CONTAI…

[theextraspoon]

My experiences with with CBD and tattoos

Tattoos hurt, plain and simple. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a dirty liar and trying way too hard to be cool. I have a lot of tattoos, and although different places on the body come with wildly different levels of pain when it comes to tattooing, every single one of mine hurt. Especially my hands. Seriously, that was an experience.

Truth be told, I almost sort of “like” the pain that comes with tattooing. I know that might sound crazy, but I find it almost meditative in a way. Something happens an hour or two into a long tattoo session where I begin to relate to pain differently. I stop looking at it as an enemy I have to fight and instead give in to the pain and see it as just another bodily experience, a sensation that isn’t as scary and negative as I once thought. It’s like I’m able to take a step back from my experiences and view them objectively, rather than being under the direct subjective influence of those experiences.

But I’m weird, and most people, very understandably, are afraid of the pain that comes with tattoos.

Recently, my fiancee and I went in to get some work done and thought we might see if CBD could be used to make the tattoo experience a little bit better. Spoiler alert: we actually had some pretty awesome results. Read on!

Preparing for a tattoo with CBD

You know that a lot of factors go into creating the sensation we experience as pain. Pain is super weird, and our brains take a lot of things into account when it makes us experience pain. Take this video of the rubber hand illusion as an example of one way our sensory perceptions are way weirder than you think.

The point is, there is a lot more than just the actual stimulus itself that goes into us feeling pain, and the way you feel going into a tattoo can dramatically impact how you handle the experience. This is why many tattoo artists and studios recommend that you get a good, full night’s sleep the night before a tattoo, and that you are well hydrated and comfortable. They know that the more relaxed and the less stressed you are, the easier time you are going to have with your tattoo.

Even though I’m a freak who sort of enjoys the tattoo experience, I’m not naive, and I still get a little nervous going in. The meditative nature of being tattooed is valuable, but you have to go through a lot of pain to achieve it, and that isn’t a lot of fun. My fiancee Melissa is the same way, and we both tend to get pretty tense as we walk up to the door of our tattoo studio.

This is where our experiment began. We decided that Melissa would take CBD before the tattooing began, and I would focus more on taking it after. Very scientific, I know.

CBD can help you relax before your tattoo

Thirty minutes before our appointment, Melissa ate four-fifths of a Grön CBD dark chocolate bar , totaling about 80mg of CBD. This would be a pretty big dose for most people, but she has a lot of experience with CBD and REALLY wanted to try and dull the pain.

Signing in, prepping and applying the stencil of the design, and setting up the tattoo station took a little while, so it probably wasn’t an hour to an hour and a half until the tattooing actually began.

Already, Melissa noticed a difference. “This is the most calm I have ever been going into a tattoo,” she said. “Usually I’m stressed out while I’m waiting to start, but I almost feel like I could take a nap right now if I wanted to. This is way better than I normally am.”

It makes sense. CBD has known anti-anxiety properties, and I have heard plenty of reports from people that CBD just helps them relax. If the thought of getting a tattoo makes you anxious, then it might be worth giving CBD a shot. And if what we know about pain is correct, being more relaxed might also make that tattoo hurt a little less.

CBD can help with the pain while getting tattooed

Now, I have been with Melissa while she got a few of her tattoos, and I can tell you that I noticed a pretty remarkable difference. Normally, she would be silent, eye’s clenched, with her face pressed into the chair. This time, however, she was much more talkative and looked far less pained by the whole experience.

In fact, she told me that this was the best tattooing experience she has ever had! Earlier, on the drive out to the studio, Melissa was telling me she might actually stop getting tattoos because the pain was starting to outweigh the joy she received from the artwork. Tattoos get more painful for some people as they get older, and that has been the case for her.

However, afterwords she was all smiles, saying that with CBD she feels like she would have no problem getting more. It was quite the change!

My turn…

Once Melissa was done, it was my turn to step up to the chair. My plan was to take CBD after the tattoo, so I didn’t have the same calming benefits that Melissa had going in. However, once the tattooing began, I saw that my tattoo artist Dan Smith actually uses a CBD cream during the tattoo process. According to Dan, the CBD cream helps “calm down the skin” and generally makes the tattoo process easier.

I’m not sure if the cream helped too much with the pain, but I can say my skin was far less inflamed than it usually is after a tattoo. I have a tendency to swell up quite a bit, but this time my was skin was noticeably less puffy and not as warm to the touch as it normally would be.

Once my tattoo was done, I ate a few pieces of our CBD chocolate, and it did actually seem to help with that lingering, post tattoo pain that generally sticks around for a few hours. About thirty minutes after eating the chocolate, I was chatting with my fiancee on the drive home and almost forgot about the tattoo I had just received.

I can definitely say that CBD made our tattoo experience much better. If you are at all worried about pain, or if tattoos make you anxious, then definitely give CBD a try.

CBD for tattoo aftercare

Anyone who has tattoos will tell you that the pain and discomfort doesn’t stop once the tattoo gun shuts down. The healing process can take up to 3 or 4 weeks in some cases, and that time period can be filled with a lot of discomfort. Not only that, but how you care for your tattoo in the first few weeks will directly impact how that tattoo looks in the long run, and no one wants to sit through all that pain just to have a tattoo that looks off.

CBD creams and balms can fight inflammation in the skin. Well, I don’t know of anything that would inflame your skin more than shoving a dozen needles into it two thousand times per minute.

With that in mind, Melissa and I both set out to use CBD Tattoo Balm in our tattoo aftercare. Multiple times a day, we would take a small amount of the CBD Tattoo Balm and carefully spread it over our tattoos. Keeping your new tattoo hydrated is super important, so why not add a little CBD while you are at it?

Well, I’m not sure if it was the CBD aftercare, or the CBD used during the actual tattooing, but both of our tattoos healed much faster and much better than normal. I’m an avid triathlete, and my tattoo healed so well that I was able to get back to running and biking within two days of getting my tattoo (it is fairly large and located on my upper leg), and I was able to get back in the pool after just under two weeks. I’m actually pretty sure I could have swam even earlier, but I wanted to be extra careful, as swimming pools and lakes can really be bad for tattoos that aren’t completely healed.

Melissa had a similar experience, and said her tattoo, which was on her back, healed much faster than she was accustomed to as well. I would definitely recommend giving CBD a try for your tattoo aftercare.

Final thoughts

All in all, I was VERY impressed with how CBD helped the entire tattooing adventure from beginning to end. CBD helped relieve the pre-tattoo jitters, it made getting the tattoo itself far more comfortable and way less painful, and it really did seem to speed up tattoo healing time.

But I want to hear from you! Have you tried using CBD for any part of the tattoo process? What were your results? Everyone is different, so it’s likely CBD won’t make everyone’s tattoo experience better, but for me, I’ll be using it before every tattoo from now on.

via Natural Healthy: Latest News

[mediarepresentationscmp-blog]

Vegan Tattooing - Maddison

‘Vegan’ and ‘tattoo’ aren’t necessarily two words you’d associate together, but demand is growing for vegan tattoos and shops and artists to provide them here in London.

 It would be easy to think the idea of ‘vegan tattoos’ seems redundant. How can a tattoo – something that involves no food, no leather, no typically ‘animal’ products – be non-vegan to begin with? But the inks, equipment and aftercare products involved in the tattooing process are often made using animal products, making them unsuitable for those who subscribe to the vegan lifestyle.

 Where are the animals?

Ink – made with glycerine (derived from animal fats) as a stabiliser and bone char for pigment in black inks

Stencil paper – made with lanolin derived from sheeps wool

Disposable razors – often contain glycerin

Aftercare balms – often contain lanolin or beeswax

 With a reported three in ten people now sporting ink and vegans making up more than one percent of the UK population (according to a survey for the Vegan Society and Vegan Life Magazine) there seems to be a market for vegan tattoos. But vegan-friendly shops and artists are surprisingly hard to come by, even in hip areas like Shoreditch.

 Fifth Dimension Tattoo claims to be “100% vegan”, using only vegan inks and even going so far as ensuring all their equipment and aftercare products “have no animal additives” so “the entire process is vegan”. Run by two vegans, NAME and NAME understand the importance of having access to vegan-friendly artists and shops.

 INTERVIEW WITH ARTISTS

 Though Fifth Dimension presents a vegan-friendly experience, other shops and artists question why such shops are even necessary.

 INTERVIEW SOMEONE AGAINST