I got a tattoo! Okay, not really.
Then I saw this ad on Instagram for a company called inkbox (I swear I'm not getting paid for this) that you can get your design as a temporary ink tattoo. They use chemicals and a stencil, so it won't rub off weirdly after two days.
This is the tattoo that I wanted to get:
Because I love Conan O'Brien, particularly when he was host of Late Night.
Mine isn't actually that creative. I stole the basic design from his band's podium thingies.
This is what I ended up purchasing:
If I get a real tattoo, it won't have the weird gaps. That was a requirement of the Inkbox because they use stencil technology. Yes. For some reason, I said "technology." I needed to cut out 1mm spaces in each shape to make it work. I was okay with the result.
I opened my package in my dimly lit living room.
I actually am attempting to cheat a little and fit two tattoos into the shape of the one layout option.
The kit came with gloves, the "inkbox" (stencil/ink), an alcohol wipe, instructions, and a "cloth." I don't know what's on the cloth but it's something liquid.
^This is the stencil/sticky side of the inkbox. |
The first thing I did was cut my two tattoos apart. No, this is not a normal step. I was able to see the design on the underside of the inkbox. I then used duct tape to tape off the exposed edge of the inkbox. So I wouldn't get a big smudgy line on my arm.
I peeled off the backing to the stencil and Husband helped me position it on my arm.
Then I peeled off the ink cover to reveal the "inkbox!"
Husband opened the alcohol wipe and wiped the surface of the inkbox. I don't know what that does. but that's what it said to do.
I cut open my "cloth" pouch. The instructions say to just do a corner, but I needed to save part of the cloth for my bonus tattoo, so I cut it all the way open, cut off a third of it to save, and then microwaved it.
After I removed the warm cloth, I put the extra piece back in the pouch and duct taped it shut.
The next step was to hold the cloth on the inkbox for 30 seconds, as hard as you can. So Husband did that.
I then had to maintain pressure to it for 15 minutes, adjusting where I applied the pressure. I took over for that part.After 15 mintues, it was done! I peeled back the inkbox to reveal my successful tattoo!
I love it!
I then had to wait 5 minutes for the ink to dry and then had to wash off the excess ink with soap and water.
Now it looks worse, but as the instructions say, it takes up to 36 hours to fully develop.
And here it is! Yeah, it's a little blurry. I couldn't get my phone to focus on it. And because I'm a bit OCD, I filled in the gaps with a pen. It was a little darker after the initial 24 hours. This is day 5. We'll see how long it lasts if I avoid washing my arm.
This was a great trial. I know that I want it to be smaller, but otherwise, like it. And surprisingly it took a little bit to get used to it. So I'll maybe also find out if I really want it long term.
They are pretty pricey. So I can't use this as a semi-long-term solution to my lack of commitment. But it's fun. They do have some pre-existing designs you can buy that I imagine are less expensive than a custom one, but there wasn't anything I wanted except for my design.
I was a little surprised that it came out dark blue, not black. Which I was fine with, possibly preferred.
They also have free hand ink (a bottle that squeezes out ink) but I'm bad at drawing on my arm so that didn't sound like the best option.
ReplyDeleteI like it! In short, it's a good way to temporarily pretend to have a real tattoo! Effect!
Yup! Aside from the cost, I love it!
DeleteHow pretty! I might do something like this. I don't want a real tattoo but this would be nice to have for a brief time.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly why I tried it. I think it was worth it to test drive my tattoo!
DeleteI love the "Temporary Bad Decisions" I've always wanted to get a tattoo but have never had the courage to do it. This would be a way to really see if what I have in my head is what I want.
ReplyDeleteSame! I'm so glad there was a way to really try one out.
DeleteThis is a great option for those of us who don't want to get a tattoo.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I love the premade designs they have. I think they run promos too, so you could probably get some for a good price!
DeleteInteresting. It's a good way to try out a design before getting one permanently. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love that I got to really see what my design would be like. #1 thing I learned is that I want it smaller.
DeleteIt is interesting to see that there are so many temporary options available when it comes to tattoos. I am not really a person for putting additional stuff on my skin except for cream. My skin is too sensitive for that stuff.
ReplyDeleteI don't have sensitive skin to be able to advise, but the inks are made with natural ingredients so they might actually be okay for you. They have a test kit you can get to find out. But only if you really wanted to.
DeleteI think t is a great idea to "try" the tattoo out before you decided to have a permanent one. By the way, I think the stars and moon look good. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've been wanting to get it for real for a long time. And now I know that I like it! Just have to decide what color I want it to be. Inkbox just has the one color so I can't play around with that, just have to commit!
DeleteOh that is so cool! I would love to try that out too!
ReplyDeleteI've seen the ads for this on Facebook and have thought about ordering one to do for when I visit my parents. My mom would get so mad if I got a tattoo and I want to put it in an obvious place. I, myself, don't really have a desire for a real one, mostly because I'm non committal, but fake ones sound pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea! Not judgment from me that you don't want a real one!
DeleteI like the idea testing out the tattoo before going for a permanent one. Are you gonna go for it?
ReplyDeleteSeems like a good idea to test out to see if the tattoo you want to get will end up looking good. Neat!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting a white name tatoo or some kind of boho vibe tat. I'd love to see how it would look first so this is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is actually pretty cool to try. I just love the overall concept of this. I am also a huge fan of Conan until now.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to give these tattoos a go for a bit. I want to do the same thing to help get the placement of my next tattoo just right. Especially since it will be a bit large.
ReplyDeleteI’d love to have a tattoo as well! This looks really cute too.
ReplyDeleteI think many people need this temporary tattoo service before they get a real one. I think this is a cool way to test drive something before it is permanent.
ReplyDeleteThis is great!! I would love to try such a temporary tattoo before getting a real one. It is a big deal.
ReplyDeleteПривет, хотела спросить сколько это стоит?
DeleteHey, I know it’s been some time since you uploaded this blog but maybe you’re still going to see this.
ReplyDeleteI stumbled across your review because I am considering ordering some custom tattoos from inkbox, too.
When I read that you cut your custom tattoo into two pieces I wondererd if this affected the quality of the tattoos, especially the second one, in any way (e.g. development, smudges, etc.)?
HI Clara! If I remember correctly, It worked okay.
DeleteI was very careful with cutting it and using duct tape to seal off the cut edges. I left as much room as possible between my two designs for this purpose.
I don't remember exactly what happened with the second one. I know it didn't smudge, and I don't think I waited more than 1 or 2 weeks before using it. It may not have come out as dark.
If you want two different tattoos for the price of one, like I did, then I'd say give it a try. If you want two of the same for re-application... I'm less sure about advising that. Make sure to wrap the second one and the second-piece-of-cloth-thing up with plastic really well so it doesn't dry out.
I wish they just had a smaller size for a lower price!
I also wish they had smaller sizes for a lower price… but from what you‘ve told me I will definitely give it a try and put on 2 designs on my custom tattoo. And in case it really doesn’t work well, the tattoos doesn’t last too long anyways ;)
DeleteThank you so much for your reply!