Inked
The Many Tattoos of Mena Suvari
Feb 17th
Since her debut 1997 film Nowhere, Mena Suvari has gone on to become somewhat of a popular actress, starring in American Beauty, American Pie, Day of the Dead and The Mysteries of Pittsburgh. When she isn’t busy appearing in films and television shows like HBO’s Six Feet Under, she is busy involved with charities whose cause is breast cancer, taking part in the “End Violence Against Women” campaign, being an activist for the African Medical and Research Foundation that is an African relief organisation, modelling for Lancôme cosmetics and appearing in fashion magazines such as Vogue. She has even branched into fashion design, designing a limited-edition three scarf collection. She will even travel to high schools and encourage kids to quit smoking. With as busy as she is, you would think it would be hard for her to find time to get questionable tattoos done, but somehow she manages. The Tattoos On the back of Mena Suvari’s neck, she has the etching of a lion, which itself isn’t that bad. However she made the regrettable choice of getting “word sound power” inked on directly underneath it, which certainly makes sense to her. At least she doesn’t have to spend time staring at it. After having her ink done in 2010, ahead of her wedding to the Italian concert promoter Simone Sestito, with whom she had been engaged to since 2008, she made a point of talking about what she would do to cover her tattoos up to avoid offending his family, since on his mother’s side there are two nuns who would not approve and that is why she “isn’t too keen” on showing them off, despite what the countless open backed dresses she wears would say. One has to wonder if these tattoos had something to do with her divorce from Sestito after a mere 18 months citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason. Shortly after, she was seen back at Mr. Cartoon’s tattoo studio in LA having additional words added above her lion tattoo, which doesn’t leave too much room between the original tattoo and her hair. The world will be waiting on baited breath to see what genius insight this latest ink will reveal to the world. Mena Suvari also has a number 13 inked on her chest, which Simone Sestito also got a matching version of on his chest for some unknown reason back when they were engaged. Whatever the reason, one thing that can be said for sure is hers looks a lot better and more stylized than his really generic and ugly 13, which looks like a cut rate prison tattoo, or something that some idiot NBA player would spend $1200 on when it’s more like a $40 30 minute job. The Future It will be interesting to see whether her tattoos will affect what future film roles she receives, or how digital technology will be able to cover them up since not only Mena Suvari but many other celebrities have tattoos that might mean a lot to them personally but seem like just a bad decision to outside observers, like Megan Fox’s Marilyn Monroe tattoo for example.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
A List Celebs and Their Tats
Feb 10th
People think celebrities have it all. Millions of dollars for not really doing anything but standing around with blank looks on their faces, maybe they have to memorize a few lines of dialogue and walk from one spot to another. The public adores them, and they get awesome gift baskets just for going to all of those stupid award shows that are filled with iPhones and $50 gift cards to the Black Angus Steakhouse (or maybe even Red Lobster if they are presenting a prestigious award). Yes it seems like there is nothing celebrities don’t have. In fact, the only thing that seems to be missing from their lives are collections of incredibly stupid tattoos. Thankfully, there is a new crop of A-List celebrities taking steps to correct this, presumably so they can go out and eat a Bloomin’ Onion in peace. Rihanna Rihanna is arguably the biggest pop star going at the moment. Because they both had big hits at the same time, she has drawn comparisons to Lady Gaga. Unlike Lady Gaga though, Rihanna is pretty beautiful, and doesn’t look like a Frankenstein’s Monster assembled from leftover pieces found in the dumpster of a cut-rate plastic surgeon in Los Angeles. She must have thought that this would slow down her meteoric rise to the top of the Billboard charts though, and she has attempted to correct this by getting a number of awful and incredibly stupid tattoos. The most recent were here jail-house style “Thug Life” tats across her knuckles, but the absolute worst could very well be a toss up between the stars that she has tattooed on the back of her neck, which are very reminiscent of the stars that some coked up girl from Eastern Europe thought it would be a good idea to have tattooed all over her face, or the ink on the side of her neck that reads simply “rebelle fleur.” Now, there wouldn’t be too much wrong with that one aside from the fact that in French, adjectives are supposed to follow the nouns that are being modified. So in order for it to translate as “Rebel Flower” which is what we can assume it is supposed to say, it should have been inked on as “fleur rebelle.” David Beckham David Beckham, the former Manchester United and current LA Galaxy superstar is quite possibly the luckiest man in the world. Not only does he have millions and millions of dollars, he also has an incredibly hot wife who also has millions and millions of dollars, but now he also has his very own line of underwear. It seems like everything in his life is coming up Beckham. This wasn’t always the case, though. Before he had the majority of his body covered in intricately designed tattoos inked on by one of the premier tattoo artists in the UK, Louis Malloy, he had one incredibly stupid tattoo on his arm. It was meant to be a tribute to his wife, and said “Victoria” in Sanskrit, but instead it said “Vihctoria.” Is it any wonder he decided to cover it up with sleeves that didn’t have words written in a foreign language?
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
Miley Cyrus in Gay Rights Tattoo Controversy
Feb 6th
You’ve heard of Miley Cyrus right? Originally famous for her Disney Channel show Hannah Montana she is now a “much loved” actress and pop singer in the US. Well apparently she’s gone and got herself into a bit of controversy due to a tattoo she’s had inked on her middle finger. Although the tat is said to have been completed back in August last year it is only recently that the 19 year old Disney star has really commented on her tattoo and received a bit of backlash. Gay Rights Miley’s tattoo is said to be in support of gay marriage which she is strongly for. In fact in a recent interview she told Glamour Magazine that it makes her feel “sick to her stomach” that same sex couples can be completely in love but yet are not allowed to show that love to their friends and family in the same way that heterosexual couples are – via marriage. Although Miley herself hasn’t actually “come out” as a lesbian, many people have questioned her sexuality in the past. Controversy The criticism for Miley’s tattoo has mainly come from Christian groups who strongly oppose gay marriage. Miley herself has said that she has received much hate mail and comments in recent weeks asking her what happened as she used to be “such a good Christian girl”. Miley proudly stood up to her haters, telling them that she IS a Christian and that Christianity is about love. She dismissed the threats saying that although she has received them she finds them out of order. Miley has publically said that she does not understand why things need to get so heated “Can’t I have a debate about a sensitive topic without it growing into a threat”? Miley also asked other groups to consider their way of thinking towards gay marriage. She said that her dad “who is a true man’s man and is as straight as they come” is all for gay marriage and loves her gay friends. She claims that there is no difference between racism and sexism and says that every United States citizen should be allowed to have the same liberties and civil rights. Is it Personal? Miley’s tattoo has received a lot of criticism as well as a lot of praise, but did she have the tattoo done for personal reasons? Whilst Miley hasn’t shed any light on the subject herself she has been linked with a few girls in recent years including back in 2008 when photos of her and a friend “almost kissing” were leaked from her private MySpace account. Miley’s comment at the time was that it was “no big deal” but it does make us wonder whether her recent tattoo is more personal than she is letting on. Either way we think she’s been a great role model and we totally respect her confident stance on such a controversial topic. She has stuck firmly to her values and been brave enough to share them with the world. Go Miley!
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
Ri and Her “Thug Life” Knuckles
Feb 3rd
She is a wealthy superstar with millions and a following too large to count. With 20 million albums and 60 million singles, four Grammy awards, five American Music awards and eighteen Billboard Music Awards under her belt, she is one of the best selling artists of all time. She is Barbados’s native, Rihanna. Even with all this, it appears as if there is one thing that this young superstar did not have, at least until recently. A tattoo of the words “Thug Life” etched on her oh so feminine knuckles. We saw it, along with millions of others in her tweet. Sporting a John Lennon T-shirt, and looking proud, Ri displayed her knuckles for us all to see. Is it Authentic or a Fake? The jury is still out as to whether or not the rock superstar Rihanna’s new tattoo is real or an exceptionally keen imposter. The tattoo, created by tattoo artist BangBang is apparently in honor of the late slain rapper Tupac Shakur, who had the same words imprinted on his stomach. Bold and bright, this tattoo or tattoo look-a-like, is a truly strong pink statement. Some say that this cannot possibly be real but who knows for sure. Eye Witness There may be an eyewitness who could speak to the authenticity of Rihanna’s latest work of art. Apparently, Machetestar Danny Trejo happened to be in the tattoo parlor when Ri was getting her new tattoo. He noted: “[She] didn’t stop saying thug life the whole time she was getting it done. [She is] one of the downest female thugs in the world. If I was 40 years younger she would be in a lot of trouble.” Tattoos Here, There, Everywhere Rihanna is no beginner when it comes to body ink. With fifteen other inked designs on her body, we would not put it past this tattoo loving diva to do such a thing. After all, she rocked her followers in when she proudly displayed her ribcage inked with a gun in 2009. This followed shortly on the heels of her public fiasco with her ex Chris Brown. The superstar’s hip also bears a Sanatana Dharma Sanskrit prayer, a musical note charms her ankle, and the word “love” is on her middle finger. She has a tribal tattoo on her hand and a Pisces symbol hiding behind her right ear. Tattoo master designer BangBang gets the credit for star tattoos on her back, and the word “Shhh” on her finger. She even pays tribute to her line or perfume with her neck tattoo “rebelle fleu,” meaning rebellious flower. As if this were not enough, Ri also sports star tats in her ear, an Arabic phrase on her ribcage and an anklebone inking of a skull and cross bones. Time Will Tell But who knows for sure about the authenticity of her latest design, more pictures and time are needed to confirm. Anyway, it has people talking, people watching and people guessing. Maybe that is what this is all about. Sometimes it just gets too quiet!
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
Cheryl Cole ”Finally” Wants it Gone
Jan 30th
Here we go again… English pop and R&B recording artist, Cheryl Cole married England and Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole in 2006. The marriage, marred by reports of Ashley’s infidelity, ended in September of 2010. During their marriage, Cheryl acquired a rather large tattoo on the back of her neck with the words “Mrs. C”. Since reports of her husband’s extramarital follies, Cheryl has publicly voiced that she desires to have the inked tribute to her ex-husband removed from her neck. All Talk No Action Cole has been talking about removing the tattoo for an exceedingly long time now. Really, it is old news that keeps getting circulated to the top again. The removal process involves laser treatment to have the ink removed from her neck. Some are saying that she may opt to have the tattoo redesigned instead of having a “full” removal. Friends and insiders report that Cheryl does regret ever having the tattoo and now understands the true meaning of permanency. Although she understands that the laser treatments are painful and time consuming, Cheryl reports that she wants no memory of her cheating ex left behind as a painful reminder of what she went through. We will believe the removal when we see it. Seems like if she truly wanted it gone it would have been gone by now. Schedule Gap… Are You Kidding? We all know that Cole has a busy schedule, what with her new album set for release in March and a budding film career. Perhaps the tattoo removal has not yet made it to the top of the priority list for this popular princess. There are also rumors of this singer, actress and model launching her very own talk show. Sources state that removal is slated for the first gap in her schedule. We don’t see a gap coming any time soon for this ever so popular gal, who has also been working with Simon Cowell on a potentially new talent show. Moving On Since the split from Ashley, Cole has made the rounds but has not yet settled down into anything long-term. Insiders state that Cole wants to focus on her career, not her love life. Cheryl has supposedly dated a 25-year-old ‘Dancing with the Stars’ pro who helped her through her divorce. Reports also linked Cole to Black Eyed Peas buddy Will.i.am, her co-judge on X Factor, Simon Cowell and singer Taio Cruz. Her latest sweetheart appears to be 21-year-old Patrizio Pigliapoco who is the driving force behind Cole’s American success. The two have become close since Cole has spent a considerable amount of the time in the states working on her next new solo project. There have been many late night recording sessions with Patrizio in Los Angeles and the two are said to have become inseparable. Patrizio has commented that he sees no way that any man could ever cheat on Cole, as she is so incredibly beautiful and awesomely talented. So While it appears as though there is no evidence of a reunion with ex Ashley Cole, Cheryl is not exactly speeding to remove his mark from her neck. Perhaps it is a sign of something to come, or maybe just a time factor? We will have to wait and see.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
DIY Tattoos – Would You Do It?
Nov 25th
Tattoos are currently more popular than ever and with the instant availability of DIY tattoo kits in numerous stores and online, it is even possible to tattoo DIY style. Whilst no official figures exist for the numbers of people who are taking tattooing into their own hands – literally – tattoo artists have reported an increase in recent months of people asking for help to cover or change their botched tattoo designs. Professional tattooists and hepatitis support groups are now encouraging people to look into the risks before they go ahead with DIY tattoos. Cheap and Cheerful DIY tattoo kits can be bought online from tattoo shops and more worryingly eBay for as little as $20 but many people who buy the tattooing kits are unaware of the risks that come with these kits, most notably the risk of HIV and blood poisoning. It is also more likely that DIY tattoos will lead to an infection as most people who are choosing to tattoo themselves are unaware of the way to take care of a new inking in the way that a professional tattoo artist is. With so much information available online, there is no way of guaranteeing that the advice you are reading is correct. However, with the DIY tattoo kits being available at a fraction of the price of a professional inking it is a trend that is set to continue unless it is banned. What’s the Law? The law varies from country to country however you may want to think again before you start using a DIY tattoo kit on friends. The law in most countries states that it is completely legal to use a DIY tattoo kit to tattoo yourself; however it is illegal to tattoo anyone else unless you are supervised and in a licensed premises. There are also health and safety guidelines which must be followed if you tattoo anyone else which includes that both the tattooist and the person being inked must both be over 18 and that sterile equipment must be used to prevent the risk of disease of infection. Of course, from a non-legal point of view, there will be consequences for people who tattoo a friend if the tattoo goes wrong or if the person who has received the inking doesn’t like it. What do You Think? Although health support groups are trying to warn people about the risk of DIY tattoo kits, many people are speaking out about the benefits. When done safely and correctly, the only person you are effectively harming is yourself if something goes wrong. As an individual you are completely within your rights to DIY tattoo although you should be aware of the risks and the consequences should something go wrong. Many people are also speaking out about the artistic freedom that comes with a DIY tattoo kit. Others have spoken out about the pain threshold being lower and others have said that they feel completely confident in their designs, which is not how they feel when their designs are inked by a professional. Whichever side of the fence you are on, we highly advise being aware of the risks. The extra money that it costs to pay a professional tattoo artist is worth the price in our eyes.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
Tattoos to avoid
Nov 18th
Tattoos are a deeply personal thing and a choice only the person wearing them can make. There are plenty of seasoned inkers out there who know what they’re doing and are comfortable choosing their designs and sticking with them. However, there are also plenty of us out there who are just dipping a tentative toe into the world of tattoos and perhaps need a little guidance. Beyond the obvious safety considerations (make sure you know and trust your tattoo artist!), there are also a number of things to take into account when choosing the type of tattoo you want to go for. Many people make rash decisions with their tattoos and have to live with the consequences. After all, tattoo removal can be extremely time-consuming and expensive. So read on to find out the main types of tattoos that newbies should probably avoid to make sure they won’t regret the decision soon after getting inked! Names It might sound obvious, but getting the name of your current love interest tattooed across your forehead may not be the best idea. Joking aside, even long-term relationships can come to an end, so a name tattoo could be a painful reminder of a failed relationship that you would rather forget. If you must go for a name tattoo, it’s far safer to opt for a family member – someone you can be sure you will love unconditionally forever! This can be a wonderful tattoo option that is highly unlikely to go bad in the future. Logos Even if you really are lovin’ it, a company logo tattoo that looks fab now could look dated and awful in years to come. Do you remember what some 80s logos looked like? Logos get updated, modified, even replaced altogether which could leave you with a dated logo that doesn’t really mean anything anymore. If you wish to represent a company or team, try going for something else that characterizes it, You might end up with something really interesting that stands the test of time far better than a logo might. Faces It can be tempting to get the image of Marilyn Monroe tattooed on your thigh but think about it: how often do you see face tattoos that really look like who they’re supposed to? Even the best tattoo artists can’t promise to do justice to that face you love so much. If you go for a face, be prepared for a lifetime of ‘Is that… who… what?’. Plus they can be excruciating due to the sheer detail required to create a face! As we’ve said, tattoos are deeply personal choices and you may well disagree with the above. But it’s always safer to err on the side of caution and make sure you and your tattoo have a long, satisfying relationship! And remember: always choose to have your tattoo in a place that can be easily covered up for jobs or similar situations that might require a more demure approach! Popular locations include the back, arms and upper legs.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
Are Tattoo Removal Creams Safe?
Nov 11th
If you have a tattoo that you really dislike, you have probably spent some time researching the numerous tattoo removal methods. The cheapest method and the least invasive is using a tattoo removal cream. However, with so many different brands on the market it can be hard to know which one is best and more importantly if the one you choose to use is safe. Consult a Specialist Before buying or using a tattoo removal cream, your first course of action should be to consult a dermatologist or a specialist in tattoo removal. Every person’s skin is different and just because a friend of yours had no problems with a specific removal cream it doesn’t mean that you won’t. Certain creams will only work on specific skin colours, and specific tattoo colours too and a dermatologist will be able to advise you further. Visit the Brand’s Website Due to the popularity of tattoo removal creams, there are now hundreds of people selling these products individually. Although the creams may sound safe you should be aware that many people will do anything they can to sell the product and they may not list the possible side effects on their website. In these cases you should visit the official website of the tattoo removal cream of your choice for further information. The official website will give you information regarding the ingredients of the tattoo removal cream, as well as any possible side effects. They may also have an FAQ page or further contact information so that you can obtain further information before going ahead with your purchase. Ingredients in Tattoo Removal Creams If your dermatologist has given you the go ahead to use a tattoo removal cream, you will want to know what ingredients the creams contain. The most popular tattoo removal creams such as Tat Be Gone and Wrecking Balm include a chemical which works its way under the skin where it is applied and dislodges the tattoo ink. This then works its way to the surface of your skin where it can be removed with an exfoliator – these are known for being the safest types of tattoo removal creams. However, some brands on the market contain a product known as Trichloracetic Acid which is basically a form of chemical dermabrasion. These creams work by burning away the top layer of skin until they get to the tattoo. Whilst they can be effective they can also cause some serious scarring and have caused some very bad scars over the years. Even more worryingly perhaps are the creams that include hydroquinone. Used to lighten acne scars, freckles and age spots, hydroquinone is often included in tattoo removal creams to lighten disliked tattoos. However research has since shown that this has been linked to cancer, especially when contained in high quantities. With tattoo removal creams including a 2 to 4% dose of hydroquinone, it is unknown as to what the risks are and although the FDA has proposed banning it, the jury is still out.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
Celebrity Tattoos – Lindsay Lohan
Oct 31st
Troubled teen star and jail bird Lindsay Lohan has a handful of tattoos – all of which (surprisingly!) she got inked whilst out of jail. Her latest tattoo is from the lyrics of Billy Joel’s classic ‘I Go to Extremes’ on her ribcage. Reading “clear as a crystal, sharp as a knife, I feel like I’m in the prime of my life” we can only wonder whether Lindsay is living by the lyrics or on the verge of yet another break down. One thing is for sure, Lohan and Joel will be together forever now, whether he likes it or not. Another significant inking was unveiled back in 2008 when Lindsay and then girlfriend Samantha Ronson, got matching tattoos to signify their relationship. Like most celebrity relationships, this ended up going sour, and Samantha Ronson has recently announced plans to cover her tattoo up with a skull and crossbones design to remove the reminders of their romance – there’s nothing like going a step too far in the celebrity world. Celebrity twin inks seem to be all the rage nowadays though, and even Lilly Allen got in on the action back in 2009 when she visited an LA ink parlour with Lohan at 2am in the morning. Both women emerged with the scribble ‘shhh’ inked on their index fingers. Although they may have found it hilariously funny at that time in the morning, it’s hardly original… especially as Rihanna beat them both to it! It was clearly a moment of madness, and we wonder whether Miss Lilly regrets it now or not. Other tattoos on Miss Lohan’s body include a small heart between the index finger and thumb on her right hand, a small red star between the index finger and thumb on her left hand, a black outlined star on her wrist, and “la bella vita” on her lower back with the ironic meaning ‘life is beautiful’. Apparently it was inspired by her late grandmother though, so this is somewhat forgivable. Of course we should also mention the tattoo on her right wrist which says “breathe”. Thought to be inspired by a John Lennon quote, Lindsay then did herself no favours by admitting that she needed reminding to breathe… because it’s quite easy to forget you know? Seriously! Luckily for her, it is hard to notice unless you are very close to her, which is unlikely unless you end up in a jail cell for rich kids. As well as permanent inkings, Lohan has also sported a number of henna tattoos at points during her career. These are a much safer method and thankfully easy to forget about. She has mentioned a few times in the media that she loves tattoos so much that she will probably start her own tattoo parlour up at some point if she can find a partner or an investor to join her. Whether she will or not remains to be seen, quite like her life in general really.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
Tattoo Spelling Disasters
Oct 28th
If you missed a lot of school when you were a kid and never passed a spelling test in your life, you may want to spell-check your tattoo choices before having them permanently placed on your body. This becomes an extremely important consideration when you are deciding where to have your tattoo done; a cheap tattoo artist does not always equal a good tattoo artist. While misspelled tattoos are pretty hilarious on someone else, you may not be laughing when your own masterpiece turns you into the laughingstock. Here are some of the most commonly misspelled tattoos to help you avoid any tattoo mishaps of your own. We’ve also included a few of the misspelled tattoos we found particularly hilarious. Most Common Misspellings Aside from the typical “your,” and “you’re,” confusion, there are several commonly tattooed words that show up misspelled more often than not. The word “awesome,” gets spelled incorrectly far too often, which is unfortunate, since walking around with “I’m awsome,” tattooed down your arm only lets people know that you are in fact, not awesome when it comes to spelling. “Judge,” is another word that people use for tattoos they feel are deeply profound. “Only God shall juge me,” is not really inspirational and one can only hope that you are not being judged on your spelling abilities (or the lack thereof). Somewhat tragic (and slightly ironic) is the misspelling of the word, “tragedy.” When young people who feel that their lives are completely lost, the tattoo “Beautiful Tragedy,” comes up a lot. But what many of these despairing kids end up with is, “Beautiful Tradgedy.” Celeb Tattoo Mishaps One thing that may be comforting to those suffering from a misspelled tattoo is that you are not alone. Even those glamorous, paparazzi avoiding Hollywood stars have their own share of misspelled tattoos. Hayden Panetierre wanted to tattoo, “vivere senza rimpianti, across her torso. Translated, it means, “to live without regrets.” What she does regret is that her “rimpianti,” has an extra “i” in it. Sanskrit tattoos are very common, even among celebrities. Sadly, there are several of them with misspelled or misinterpreted Sanskrit on their bodies. David Beckham wanted “Victoria,” tattooed in Sanskrit. What he ended up with is “Vihctoria.” Rihanna wanted a Sanskrit tattoo that read, “Forgiveness, Honesty, Suppression, and Control.” Unlike Beckham, hers at least says what she wanted it to, but is spelled completely wrong. Along with Sanskrit, phrases in Chinese characters are also common; as well as commonly misspelled. Britney Spears can attest to that, since she wanted the Chinese character for “mysterious,” and ended up with the character for “strange” instead. That one may have just been fate. Misspelled Tattoo Award Winners As promised, here is a list of the misspelled tattoos we found to be eye-wateringly hilarious: An attempt to have his trip to China Town inked as a permanent memory across his throat, one unfortunate guy ended up with a painstaking tattoo that said, “Chi-Tonw.” Attempting to tattoo her nickname on her lower back, one young woman ended up with a tattoo that says, “Sweet Pee.” One person tattooed an entire Abraham Lincoln quote on their arm. If they had hired a proofreader, they could have avoided the, not one, but three misspelled words within it. At least they spelled Mr. Lincoln’s name right. A quick Google search will allow you to find a picture of a young man who clearly thinks he’s hot stuff. He has a gigantic tattoo across his chest that was supposed to tell everyone how extreme he is (or thinks he is). Instead, the tattoo reads, “Exreme.”
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
