Nautilus Hip Tattoo
Posted by Admin in tattoo ideas on 11 30th, 2019
Nautilus shell hip tattoo by Thomas Kuloloia-Juan, an artist working in Las Vegas and Maui, Hawaii.
read comments (0)The Kiss
Posted by Admin in tattoo ideas on 11 28th, 2019
Abstract back piece based on The Kiss oil painting by Gustav Klimt. Tattoo by polyc_sj, artist and owner at Robin Egg Tattoo Studio in Seoul, South Korea.
Vibrant Kingfisher
Posted by Admin in tattoo ideas on 11 27th, 2019
Vibrant Kingfisher by Levi Barnett, an artist based in Melbourne, Australia.
Ornamental Hip & Leg Piece
Posted by Admin in tattoo ideas on 11 26th, 2019
Ornamental mandala hip & leg piece by Kinga Ewelina.
Illuminati Lion
Posted by Admin in tattoo ideas on 11 25th, 2019
Illuminati Lion by Alessio, an artist working at TBS Alicante in Spain.
Tattoo Aftercare: Salix Moon Apothecary
Posted by Admin in th-ink on 11 24th, 2019At Things & Ink we’re always looking for new products to help heal our new tattoos, especially if the ingredients are natural and created by an independent maker. Louise founder of Salix Moon Apothecary kindly sent us some of her Achilles Charm botanical healing salve to try. Read on to find out a bit more about Louise and her tattoo balm…
Louise is a graphic design graduate and aspiring herbalist living by the sea with her partner and two chinchillas. She explains how “Salix Moon Apothecary was born out of my love and respect of the natural world and a need to connect and experiment with it. It was a way of getting creative with nature, combining my love of herbs with my love of design and my urge to create. All of the packaging and illustrations are designed and hand drawn by myself. My partner Max is also a big part of the business, we come up with the recipes and make the products together.”
“I am fascinated by plant medicine and love to go foraging for herbs for my herbal first aid kit and little home-apothecary. I’m very interested by our ancient ways, folklore and the history of our use of medicinal plants and I’m working on some new products inspired by traditional western herbalism/remedies, with herbs used by our ancestors. I recently started studying Herbal Medicine, which has reinforced my path. I hope one day to become a medical herbalist.”
Louise continues to tell us how she is “passionate about leading a sustainable and ethical lifestyle and I try to reflect that in my products and business ethics. I try and source my essential oils and carrier oils from farms in the UK wherever possible to try and reduce our carbon footprint. Our labels are paper based and compostable and biodegradable and so is our packing material. All my products are in glass bottles and you can choose either an aluminium cap, pipette or spray closure (depending on the product). I encourage customers to re-use their pipette/spray top and go for the aluminium cap for future purchases as they are more easily recycled.”
What is Achilles Charm tattoo salve?
Made with a combination of cold pressed and unrefined plantain infused organic Jojoba Oil, Calendula infused organic Sunflower Oil*, organic Yarrow infused organic Sunflower Oil, organic Virgin Rosehip Seed Oil, Organic Beeswax and naturally derived Vitamin E, the balm is:
- Paraben free
- Sulfate free
- Cruelty free
- Preservative free
- 100% natural
- Unscented
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Achilles Charm contains a magical blend of potent herbs that Louise and Max have macerated in organic botanical oils for many weeks to slowly extract their soothing and nourishing properties. Each herb and oil has been carefully chosen for their nourishing compounds and medicinal properties that help to soothe and protect, promote skin repair and tissue regeneration.
A highly moisturising and soothing ointment for the skin, this salve is the perfect addition to your herbal first aid kit, it can be applied to bites, stings, scrapes, minor cuts, dry itchy skin conditions and it is our absolute go-to for tattoo aftercare.
As directed our editor Rosie massaged a thin layer of salve directly onto the skin to help soothe, soften and protect her new tattoo. This is what she had to say:
I absolutely loved this tattoo healing balm, not only is it made from natural ingredients and cruelty free, it also has a beautiful natural scent. The texture is ideal for new tattoos as it just melts into the skin like a dream. I’ve been using it on my husband’s new tattoos as well and he loves it too! It’s so nice to have tattoo care that is ethical with recyclable packaging that also supports an independent maker. I also like to use Achilles Charm on my face as a night oil, and I always wake up with beautifully soft nourished skin.
Rosie using Achilles Charm on her new tattoo
Be sure to follow Salix Moon Apothecary on Instagram or Facebook for more plant magic and you can shop the full range of plant based products on Etsy here.
Beautiful Africa Sleeve
Posted by Admin in tattoo ideas on 11 23rd, 2019
Beautiful Africa sleeve by Chris Hagil Tofteng, an artist at Iron & Ink Tattoo Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Bill Rose
Posted by Admin in tattoo ideas on 11 22nd, 2019
Bill Rose by Marc Llopis, an artist based in Barcelona, Spain.
The Death of Socrates
Posted by Admin in tattoo ideas on 11 21st, 2019
The Death of Socrates, from the 1787 oil painting by Jacques-Louis David. Tattoo by Oscar Akermo, an artist working in Stockholm and New York.
Shedding Some Light on Black Light Tattoos
Posted by Admin in th-ink on 11 20th, 2019Rusty Smart from Black Amethyst Tattoo Gallery in St. Petersburg, Florida reveals the secrets behind black light tattoos and their growing popularity…
C’mon, admit it – the thought of your tattoos glowing like a nuclear-waste spawned superhero is pretty cool. And although not everyone will actually go for it, there’s no denying that UV ink is hot.
First things first – tattoos that incorporate UV inks do not – repeat – do not – glow in the dark like those greenish star stickers that were on your childhood bedroom ceiling (or your current bedroom ceiling if you are living a rave till the grave vibe). That’s because they use ultraviolet-reactive ink, which needs the glow of a black light bulb or tube to show and glow. No light, no bueno.
As with any new or newish tattoo technique, it’s important that you work with an artist who is knowledgeable and experienced. No one wants you to be a guinea pig. Except maybe other guinea pigs.
UV ink is generally thinner, and many artists would say harder to work with. That means it’s best suited for highlighting designs, like providing the glow of a firefly or the flames of a rocket or the sexy stare of an alien.
UV ink can feel more like gray wash than normal color to the artist applying it. Care must be taken not to overwork the skin. Lighter colours – yellow, pink, orange and some greens – reflect better than darker hues like blue and purple. Stencil residue can contaminate UV ink, so it’s important to work clean as well.
After healing, the UV sections of tattoos can appear almost pastel. They have a delicate tone and can be mistaken for watercolor work. UV tattoos can remain “active” for years, the same way that brightly coloured tatts can stay vibrant for a long time. Skillful application, conscientious healing and aftercare are vital to longevity.
The safety of glowing UV inks is an open question, but remember, the FDA doesn’t approve any inks for dermal injection. According to the FDA, “many pigments used in tattoo inks are industrial-grade colours suitable for printers’ ink or automobile paint,” implying disapproval but not actually condemning their use. When talking to artists who have done black light tattoos, they report about the usual rate of irritation and scarring as in other tattoos.
If you’re to step into the next wave of ink adornment, talk to your artist and consider the pros and cons. Then boldly go where few have been before…in the dark, with black lights blazing.
What do you think? Do you have a UV tattoo or want one? Let us know.
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