Tattoos: Tacky or Tasteful?

Written by Chloe Shenton

Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com

Tacky or Tasteful?

Whether a fan of the indelible ink or not, the high rise of tattooed individuals is causing controversial opinions within society and can be a matter of concern when possibly applying for jobs.

Tattoos originally associate themselves with sailors and representing destinations that they had been to via a permanent mark on their skin – usually a bird, snake or cross. Creating a coloured mark in the skin consisted of having a particular shaped wound and rubbing ashes into it, the skin would then heal over leaving your new tattoo. Regardless, as the technology has advanced so has the incredible art that is tattooing, and unless you inhabit a dark chasm common knowledge is: needles and ink are now used. Usually people state that when getting a tattoo they are resembling a person, belief or significant moment that will make them unique.

Personal bias taking a front seat sees myself as a particular fan of tattoos and tattoo 'artists' definitely meet their title. Supposedly any one is able to draw - definitely not an expression you could allege when discussing tattooing. Common tattoo artists are subjected to a typical cliché; exhibiting ear lobe stretchers, tattoo sleeves and bountiful piercings, and possibly listening to heavy metal music. Nevertheless they are nothing less than perfectionists. Unlike usual artists - tattooists can't rub out their work if a mistake is made, nor can the finished product be easily removed. Years of training and skill has to be developed to create some of the worlds leading tattooists and unless your tattoo artist isn't kosher you should be elated with the outcome.

Celebrities especially deem tattoos as a fashionable quality to have, therefore celebrity enthusiasts follow suit: some having the same as their icon, some having their icon's face embedded onto their body. Yorkshire man Carl Mc-Coid blatantly has a fond spot for the apparent 'star' that is Miley Cyrus. With a recorded nineteen tattoos of the young American singers face and name covering his body, clearly he appears to have taken 'fangirling' to the next ultimate level. Miley being some what of a controversial item at the moment I can't help but wonder whether (like many) he may start to regret his reluctant dedication towards her. Commended celebrities featuring tattoos are teenage heart throb Harry Styles; his whirlwind of tattoos caused media havoc as they tried to snap each piece he had whilst trying to make connections to previous girlfriends or why he had them done. Contrary to myth not each tattoo someone has needs a deep, heart felt, philosophical meaning - why not get one for the simplistic fact that you like it?

Tattoo on right arm.

Undoubtedly everything can have extremists and tattooing is definitely something someone can take to the extreme; such as the worlds most tattooed men and women. Lucky Diamond Rich (formerly known as Gregory Paul Mclaren) has been confirmed to be totally tattooed with 100% body coverage! He claimed the title from former record holder Tom Leppard, and yes, he completely covered himself with leopard print - the two men hold records in the Guinness Book of World Records. From the over the top to the minimalistic, the common star tattoo has undoubtedly become a symbol almost every developing tattoo enthusiast has. Along with a large complicated font style expressing bereavement in a family across the neck, I can't postpone thoughts that perhaps people lack imagination and that tattooists are bored of completing the same image.

Expressing yourself at work can be difficult as being an individual you are seen as reflecting a company in the way you act and sometimes look. Employers suggest that tattoo's can jeopardise obtaining a job as it can make you look unprofessional or threatening - but unless the tattoos are offensive why do so many people get discriminated? Being an individual and standing out positively in an interview is something employers look for. This tends to be the only downfall when considering tattoos: whether the profession you want to go into is more important than an area you want tattooing.

Undeniably everyone has their own opinion of various looks, beliefs and behaviour but surely the rise of tattooed men and women illustrates how desirable they are. The journey that tattoo's have accomplished is nothing less than admirable and they are no longer considered the height of rebellion they used to be. The body is said to be 'a work of art', a tattoo is simply extending that maxim.