Question for everyone

What are or what were/are your biggest challenges while doing glitter tattoos?

Wind.

I second Shannon about wind. Wind is the enemy for EVERYTHING!

Next is tattoos applied in vertical locales, especially the upper arm. Lots of glitter dumpage with these ... )

Humidity. When it's extremely humid, the stencils won't stick, but the glitter sticks everywhere you don't want it to stick LOL!

sunscreen....it's like squiggle's humidity..".the glitter sticks everywhere you don't want it to stick".

Always have a lint roller with you. Gets that glitter right off! I use that in place of my swiper brush during those hot outdoor events

Hairy arms! Makes the tattoo look furry

Also, setting aside the alcohol pad you used to clean the area helps for later. You can use the same pad to wipe off excess glitter. It's not perfect, but it does help.

Heat, humidity & tiny arms....I HATE that combo!

I'm just getting started and I live in a super windy city and am worried about that as well, but I also do mobile spray tanning and have a tanning tent which is super easy to roll up and carry anywhere so I'm using that to help shield the wind since it's closed on 3 sides and you can face it any way you want...hope this helps, ebay I think is the cheapest around $45. Just my 2 cents

Does anyone have any technical difficulties while actually performing the service itself? Or any difficulties that you had in the past with glitter or mica tats.

My only 2 "delays" were 1) getting the dang transfer tape off...and 2) having to pull the stencil off to remove the transfer tape and the stencil not sticking in places which resulted in a not so symmetrical design.

I realize this thread is a few days old, but my main problem is getting off the top layer while keeping the middle layer (and all the stencil bits) stuck to the skin. I mentioned this in my other thread, but it seems to be a difference of skin types. Some people it sticks with no problem, others it takes forever and I'm almost letting gravity keep it on while I apply the glue!

How's your video coming? Very excited...

I'm putting together a video for glitter tats and mica tats so I want to know what everyone is having trouble with so I can help. I'm going to see the girl who is going to help tonight and I'm super excited!

Have fun. I' be noticed, I don't know why but some glitter brands seem to last longer than others. Like using 2 different brands on a single tattoo.

I like the lint roller idea!

Also, tinting glue, removal before or after glitter, poof vs brush.

Awesome OK I will get this party started. I am so excited to do a video I actually have many video ideas as well as mica tat videos. I'm wondering if I should upload them as I go or when I'm done with them.

As you go... Also Eileen have you found some glitter stays better than others? Have you used the new silicone glitter brush? I rec'd mine yesterday and gave it a trial run. Works like a charm.

No I haven't tried it! What's the difference?

I use glimmer glitter as well as ultra fine from another brand and it all lasts a long time. I think its more the glue than the glitter. I use mica too and it lasts about a week for mica tats. I LOVE Glimmer glue. I also pat the glitter in with my fingers. I use my Laura Geller makeup brush it has a brush on each side. I love the eyeliner brush end because it is great with black for 3D look and other dimension shading.

What is the silicone brush about?

And where did you get it? I want one!

http://www.facepaintforumshop.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=730

They are easy to clean and if you use pots instead of poofers you can scoop and place..
I havent tried glimmer glue yet, just prosaide and tulip. To me they are about the same. I tried some nail glitter from Sallys- really pretty, didn't last long at all. Its very fine and opaque.. I have a picture of a cat on my Fb pages done with the nail glitter.

I love Glimmer and I tell my clients up to 10+ days depending on placement and care.

I hate the bits and pieces. I use a toothpic but this seems to scare some kids...I tell them very sweetly and calmly promise I won't poke you I'm just lifting the edge of this tiny sticker...but I can see some of them tense up...some even say ouch when I am pulling the sticker off () I think it may just be them being nervous, but does anyone else have kids say ouch about the sticker?? I have moved to using tweezers for the bits and pieces but sometimes for the really stubborn stuck on ones I have to use the toothpic to get under. It took me a time or two to realize to get those suckers off BEFORE the glitter! lol. that would def be a good top for beginners. Also tell people to be aware of 'floaty bits' in the design before they purchase, I had no idea there would be a difference in difficulty. I also have certain designs with lots of...wispy parts? I guess...attached, but long skinny, for instance the dragon...where when I try to peel off the top layer those long pieces want to come with it, when I peel this way, those ones get pulled up, when I pull that way, these other ones come up. Don't know if that makes sense in words but I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about. lol. I heard baby powder helps with the sweaty glitter mess, but not sure exactly how to go about that tactic. Please show mica tips too, tried one for the first time but it was really easy to rub off the next day, is that normal? I think thats about it...I def agree with the previous posts. Cant wait to see the vid.

I had a 2 girls that said "it hurts" when I did a tattoo using mama clown green and red glitter and glimmer glue, I had to take off the tattoos and the didn't get a rash but I wonder what could be happen?