What Kind of Tattoo Should You Get?

Consider getting the word 'Mom' tucked inside a red heart, an anchor, or a hula girl who dances when you flex your biceps. These retro tattoos were pretty much the only ones available in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Popular with sailors, these smaller stamp-like tattoos were generally fairly simple to execute and done in bright primary colors.

These full color tattoos look like photos printed onto your skin. In some cases, they can even look like a 3D object sitting on TOP of your skin. A ghoulish skull, a flower, a strawberry, an extra eyeball, a goldfish...the sky's pretty much the limit. Just make sure that you choose a reputable artist. This type of tattoo can look great at first and then fade badly over time.

These designs first became popular in the U.S. in the late 80s. Based on the striking black ink tattoos sported by many ancient cultures, they are often thick and blocky. Whether they are abstract swirls or flames, geometric shapes, or stylized plants and animals, they make a strong statement. Crosses, arm, wrist, and ankle bands, and full sleeves are common.

Think about getting a tiny Chinese symbol, one that has some special meaning for you, on your ankle or an enormous fiery dragon emblazoned across your chest. Asian-inspired tattoos are pretty timeless and most of them include wind, wave, or fire imagery. They can be delicate or bold, bright or subtle.

This is a newer trend, one that features delicate splashes of color across the skin. They mimic the effect of watercolor paint on paper and can look like splotches of paint, flowers, insects, or even the vistas common in traditional watercolor paintings. Right now these tattoos look fresh and interesting. Only time will tell if they go out of style quickly, never a good thing when it comes to permanent tattoos.

Otherwise known as a prison tattoo, this kind of mark on your body makes a definite statement about you who are and where you've been. Or it did, until recently, when the style started to become popular in fashionable circles. Usually performed with a bunch of stick pins and some black India ink, these tattoos look pretty unprofessional, but you'd never want to say that to the guy who made them. Teardrops (symbolizing murder) and clocks without hands (symbolizing 'doing time') are examples of these.