Tattoos are a fun, stylish way to express yourself. You might think you’d love a tattoo, but you don’t want a permanent addition to your body. You also don’t look forward to long, painful sessions with a tattoo needle.
Now, you don’t have to worry about a painful procedure or waking up in 50 years wondering why you got that stupid tattoo. You can create a temporary tattoo at home using products you probably already have. One of the best methods is to create a tattoo using perfume.
How Do You Make a Temporary Tattoo Using Perfume?
Is it really possible to get a tattoo using perfume? It’s not only possible. It’s also easy and fun to do. Follow these simple instructions to add some flair to your looks.
1. Gather Everything You Need
You may be surprised by how easy it is to make a temporary tattoo. You can do this using ordinary items you probably have around the house. Here’s what you need:
- Image you want to use as a tattoo.
- A printer and printer paper.
- Hot water.
- Scissors.
- Perfume.
- Heated rag or towel.
Note: You can use cologne, body spray or perfume. You can also use plain rubbing alcohol. If you’re buying perfume for this tattoo, don’t buy an expensive one. Dollar store perfume is fine.
2. Choose Your Design
You have the universe of internet images to choose from when you search for a tattoo design. Are you trying to get a small flower on your ankle or a rainbow on your wrist? Maybe you want a leaping dolphin running along your arm. If you want color, you must print your picture on a color printer. You should also think about the way the design is going to look if you use it on a curved area.
3. Print It Out
When you decide what you want, resize the picture. You may need to place your picture in another computer application so you can edit it. Make sure it’s the size you want before you print it. Once you print it out, hold it against your skin to get an idea of what it will look like. You may want to put a small mark on your skin as a placement guide.
4. Cut the Design Out Carefully
When you cut out your design, cut carefully. Remember, the final result is what will show up as your tattoo. Leave a half-inch margin of white paper along the edges of the picture.
5. Wet the Paper with Perfume
Grab your bottle of perfume and spray your picture with it. Be sure you douse the picture in perfume. If you miss any spots, they won’t show up on your skin. Spray the edges and the back.
6. Soak the Picture
Once it’s totally wet with perfume, soak your picture in hot water. There are several ways you can do this. You can fill a bowl or a casserole dish with hot water and place the picture in it. You could also fill your sink or bathtub with a few inches of hot water. Be sure the picture is totally covered in water.
Let the paper soak for five minutes. Don’t skip this step.
Note: Use extreme care when you handle your picture after the soaking. It will be very soft and flimsy. Some people recommend using chopsticks or kitchen tongs to pull it out.
7. Place Your Tattoo
Before you place your tattoo:
- Spray perfume on the area where you plan to place the tattoo.
- Heat up a towel or rag. You can wet a towel in hot water. Fold it and put it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. When you unfold it, the inside of the towel will be hot.
Remove your picture from the hot water. Place it carefully on the spot you have sprayed with perfume. Press it gently into place. Press the hot towel against the picture and hold it there for two minutes. Hold it steady.
When you remove the towel, you’ll see your fake tattoo on your skin. When it dries, dust it lightly with talcum powder to fix it in place.
Are There Other Ways to Make Temporary Tattoos at Home?
If you don’t have a printer or you want to draw your tattoo freehand, you can try the hairspray and felt-tip method. For this one, we recommend using a black Sharpie pen for the outline. If you are planning a colored tattoo, you’ll need markers in all your colors.
Here’s what you need:
- Tracing paper.
- Sharpie felt-tip.
- Perfume.
- Hairspray.
- Colored markers or felt-tips.
1. Draw Your Picture
This method requires you to use a picture you already have. You can draw the design freehand or ask an artistic friend to do it for you. You can also use the tracing paper to trace a design you found somewhere else.
Use a felt-tip pen on the tracing paper to copy the design.
2. Prepare Your Skin
Prepare your skin for a tattoo by spraying perfume on it. Thoroughly cover the area where you’re going to place the tattoo.
3. Apply the Drawing
Press your tracing paper onto your skin. Your skin should be slightly damp with perfume. Press the drawing down firmly. Hold it in place for two minutes.
4. Fill It In
When you remove the tracing paper, you will see your design on your skin. Use Sharpies to fill in the outline and colors. Be sure you thoroughly wet your skin with color.
5. Final Spray
Wait for the ink from the markers to dry completely. Once your skin is totally dry, spray the design with hairspray. Don’t overdo it. You need only a light mist of hairspray.
Enjoy Your New Tattoo
How did your tattoo turn out? Be sure to take pictures of your wonderful work.
- Your new tattoo will last up to a week.
- Spray your tattoo with hairspray every day to help it last.
- If you want to remove it, use cold cream, coconut oil or another oil-based cleaner. Rub your oil in and wipe it off with a tissue. Finish by washing with soap and water.
Add Some Fun with a Temporary Tattoo
Make a statement with a great-looking tattoo. When you get tired of it, simply wash it off and try a new one. Which method did you try?
