DIY Custom Temporary Tattoos That Last

Phake Tattoos | NME Box

Have you wanted to try out a tattoo before committing? There are a few easy ways to create your own temporary tattoos that stay put and don’t rub off.

You can design them yourself or trace a pre-made design of your choice.

Here are some tips on making your very own temporary tattoo.

Inspiration

Check out my Tattoo Pinterest board for inspiring tattoo looks. 

Let’s make some tattoos.

I found several ways to make tattoos, and I think they’re all pretty much equal in difficulty. Of course, that depends on how complex your tattoo design is.

Using Alcohol Activated Paints

I wanted to find a way to create detailed temporary tattoos. This video by Jaclyn Forbes explains how to use alcohol activated paints to create a lasting, realistic tattoo. 

This technique allows you to add shading and depth to your tattoos. I didn’t find any other tutorials that really matched this depth and still using skin-safe products. You’ll see what I mean later.

This video uses alcohol activated paints and copy paper.
Skin-safe?

I found a lot of videos of people using Sharpies to create long-lasting tattoos, but I personally wouldn’t recommend it. I linked to some skin-safe tattoo pens down below. They’re made for the skin and have the same effect as a Sharpie.

This next video has another approach. MerakideeTV uses hair dye to create a tattoo that lasts for weeks. I’d still prefer the skin-safe markers, but this is a pretty cool approach.

Designing Your Own

If you find something beautiful in a book, or a magazine, or on Pinterest, you can easily copy the design. Just print out the image, if necessary, and then cover it with tracing paper.

This next video shows you how to use carbon paper to transfer tattoo designs to the skin. Use your paints or pens to fill in your new tattoo.

Product Recommendations

Here are a few of the products that can get you started making temporary tattoos. I picked products based on the tutorials listed on this page, and you’ll see some of these products in the “Phake Tattoo” makeup effects subscription box.

Join the NME Box

If you’re new here, welcome! This is where I keep track of my journey to becoming a better makeup artist. I’m dragging you along with me for the ride.

Each month I pick a theme and read up on how to accomplish the look. The goal is to stay on a budget of $50 per month for each look.

The NME Box is a subscription box stuffed with 5-7 makeup effects products and cosplay items. The products I’m trying for myself? I send them to you for you to try too.

As a challenge, you get a character backstory to get you thinking of what to create, and of course you have the blog to help you find the right tutorials.

So, you like playing with makeup, right? Get yourself some makeup effects products sent to you every month!

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