Hi friends old and new! Thanks for stopping by this #TATTUESday. ^^

I promised (on Instagram) to start this blog with some helpful information if you’re in the market for a new tattoo, especially your FIRST tattoo.

Truthfully, it is things I advise OFTEN and wish I’d been privy to when I chose to get mine.

follow me on Instagram | @ipukekawaii

Whether you’re new to the game or a repeat offender, though, this upcoming series of tattoo advice will be beneficial to all of us. (← that’s right … me too!) <3

Before we get to the meat and potatoes though, let me tell you a story about my first (ever) tattoo.

My First Tattoo

I got my first tattoo at the age of 18. I was in my first year of college (shout out Clark Atlanta Univesity!!!) and couldn’t make it home for Thanksgiving break. All semester I saved up (to go home for Thanksgiving) and doodled “future tattoos” in notebooks during class. Some of those doodles included what I’d get when I crossed Zeta Phi Beta and a lot of asymettrical tribal drawings.

Since I couldn’t afford a trip home, I decided to treat myself to my very first tattoo. It was super warm … I mean we were in Atlanta and I grabbed my friend Qualin to go with me. We strolled to West End Tattoo (now relocated and renamed Tri City Tattoos) and I met a guy named Redd. Never in a million years did I think we’d become peers, by the way. (Thank you universe for being amazing ^^)

I gave him a super rough sketch of my idea and told him where I wanted it. He quoted me $50 and I said cool! Anxiety set in after paying and usually in tattoo land there are no refunds! So a teddy bear ad a few winces, whines and uncomfortable squeals later, I had my very first tattoo.

Now don’t let it fool you, I am extremely happy with my first tattoo experience. I truly lucked up for not having done slick of research. BUT with such a saturated industry now days, everyone’s not going to care enough about your skin (which you don’t get back).

So let me share some things that may help lead you to a most pleasurable first tattoo experience.

6 Tips for Planning for Your 1st Tattoo

So you want to be a cool kid?!

Please feel free to view my portfolio and stop by every #TATTUESday for some cool body positive love. ^^

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