Hey everyone, once again sorry for being absent. I will post a separate post explaining all of that soon it's a long story.
Basically if you haven't guessed from the title this post is all about my tattoo and the process I went through to decide what I wanted, where to get it and who to do it.
So in 2012 a member of my family passed away tragically, it really affected me because I was very close to the accident when it happened. But had no clue of what was going on about 200 yards away from me.
I always knew I wanted a tattoo, or ten.. I knew I wanted something unique but I could never decide on anything. I was always chopping and changing my mind. A few weeks after I lost my cousin I was thinking about getting something in his honour. But I knew I didn't want to do the typical getting his name RIP etc. Mainly because I didn't want someone to see and ask "who's that?". I didn't want to always have to explain it.
So I wanted something in his honour but also something or me. So I decided on a quote. I originally wanted "If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain" by Dolly Parton. But I thought it was too long. So after weeks of searching on Pinterest and elsewhere online. I finally decided on "Everything happens for a reason".
I knew I didn't want it in english because I thought it needed a little something. The only other language I speak is German so I wasn't getting it in that or in a language I don't speak. I've always loved Irish growing up and I'm pretty decent at speaking it. So I decided on Irish, I mean it's my heritage after all. I text my cousin who is an Irish teacher and asked how to spell it. So I didn't make an awful mistake and have a tattoo spelled wrong on me! Like MORTO! She said there were different variations of it but in old Irish it's "Bíonn údar ag gach uile ní".
The font was next. I just randomly searched fonts online and came across this random site that didn't have a watermark in it. Screen shot it and boom there was my stencil. I even showed it to my friend Bekah and she drew it on me roughly with a sharpie so I could get an idea if I liked it. I loved it!
My brother has got an unbelievable tattoo done on his side by Ian Flynn in JMD in Waterford. JMD is to my knowledge the most awarded tattoo parlour in Ireland. It is SUPER clean and there can be a long enough waiting list. Which I find great! I don't like the idea of walking into any old parlour and the tattooist just sitting there waiting for people to walk in. Not a good sign in my books, just my opinion.
So I emailed back and forth with the studio to discuss price and appointments. I remember I had made my appointment for a Friday. But got a call on Thursday asking to come in Saturday that the studio was being shut down on Friday for a VIP client! So amazing!
After a nervous journey to Waterford with my sister it was time to sit down and grit my teeth! I had decided on my right side on my ribs for placement. Since I do the odd bit of modelling here and there and take part in pageants. I wanted to make sure it could be hidden. I got it high enough that a thick bra strap will cover it, but low enough a bikini would show it. So it's completely up to me who sees it.
I walked in and the first thing that hit me was the smell of ink and disinfectant. I really didn't like that, but now it's my drug! The artist I had chosen was Louise. She's amazing and such a sweet lady! She really made me feel at ease because she knew how nervous I was. I was given a moment to relax while she printed the stencil and set up. She printed 2 different sizes and I chose the first one. It was placed on and I looked in the mirror and was delighted it was perfect. I was so excited and nervous at the same time, I knew it would hurt but I wanted it so bad!
I took off my t-shirt and lay down on the table, I had a bikini top on underneath so it would be easier for Louise when doing the tattoo. So many people told me to use numbing cream or take painkillers before hand. But I didn't I went in thinking "nah I'm grand I'll be fine it won't hurt that much!?".
My God was I wrong! Louise did the first 2 letters to let me see how I felt, I remember saying "that's it? sure that's grand!" Oh how my sister laughed at me. So Louise carried on and oh it got worse and worse as she came to the front. Every time she hit the bone my body shook like a leaf! It was so sore! Ian laughed at me and said to breath out as she tattoo's and it won't hurt as much, that being tense was only making it harder on me as they had to dig the needle in more. I tried exhaling, NOPE! That made it hurt more. It only took 20 mins and it got the stage I asked her to call out each letter she was on so I knew what was left.
When it was all over I looked into the mirror and I was in love with it! It took a few weeks to get used to, when I'd get out of the shower I'd catch a glimpse of it in the mirror and jump like "what's that on me". But now I'm used to it I'm planning what I want next! I used to hate the sound of the machine buzzing but now I'm like yes yes yes sit me down and ink me! It's crazy addictive!
After care is so important too! I cleaned it 4 times a day (I was a tad ocd with it) with warm soapy water, and simple soap with a gentle sponge. Then I plastered Bepanthen nappy rash cream all over. Yeas nappy rash cream! It's what I was told to use so I did and it worked wonders. If a tattoo doesn't heal right it will get infected could cause septicaemia and heal badly!
WARNING DISGUSTING IMAGES AHEAD!!
Anyone I know who's considering a tattoo I always tell them think about it for a few months and when they think they've decided think some more. This is something you're going to have on your body for the rest of your life. You need to think long and hard about what you want, placement and who does it for you! The last thing you need is bad art work or a disease!
I don't think I could recommend JMD enough! They are truly fantastic, super clean and AMAZING Artists each one of them, they did an amazing job for me. Made me feel completely relaxed and I can't wait to go visit again soon! Maybe the different placement for my next one won't hurt as much, I hope!
So that was my tattoo story, and boy was it a story. I really put thought into my tattoo and I actually couldn't be happier with it. I really encourage you to put the time into your ink. You don't want to end up regretting it in a few years, like so many people I know!
So that's it for now peeps,
Toodles!
Niamh xo
