Glitter TATTOOS - Primer Please!

Hello everyone,

I searched for info on Glitter Tattoos on the site without success.. if you recall any and can point me to them that would be great. I am looking for tips for How To and What to Buy...

Are the kits worth while? --- seems odd to purchase 100 'unique' designs and not have any repeats!
3 sided or 2 sided tattoos ?
Can store bought 'craft' stencils be used?
Any recommendation on where to buy (and get a good deal)?
How long do those little $2 glitter containers last?
Brush on or Poof bottle? (Glitter Body in LA makes a good case for brushing on the glitter)
Glue recommendations?
How long does a tattoo take to put on? the demos online seem long (they've all been speed ed up and still last 5-6 minutes)

and last but not least what do you Charge

Philly has been SO WET that I feel I have to have a back up. Your advice, as always, is greatly appreciated!

Best,
Avigail

Are the kits worth while?:
I wouldn't because what happens is one kids sees it and wants it, then what. I keep about 25-30 of the most popular in my kit. 3 sided or 2 sided tattoos ? Go for the three and use the clear top cover to get all the extra glitter bits off the skin
Can store bought 'craft' stencils be used?
They can, but no adhesive will really slow you down. I use these for face painting when precision is not as big of a deal.[/color]Any recommendation on where to buy (and get a good deal): From what I have found they are all "around" the same price, .$50 each unless you want to buy loads.
How long do those little $2 glitter containers last? Not sure
Brush on or Poof bottle? (Glitter Body in LA makes a good case for brushing on the glitter)
Try both to see what you are good at. Poofing creates a lot of waste unless you are careful, and I always get glue on my brush.
Glue recommendations?
Go with the glue in the lip gloss like container. The roll on glue gets clogged and is nearly impossible to unclog.
How long does a tattoo take to put on? the demos online seem long (they've all been speed ed up and still last 5-6 minutes)
I usually take about 1 minute with a max of 2-3 colors. Less than a minute for a one color.

and last but not least what do you Charge.
$5 each.



Metina

thanks bunches - Metina!

I too bought a kit from Silly Farm to start off and found the problem that you have loads of different designs and not a stock of a few. I now keep stocks of a list to choose from and it works very well.
I use the roll on glue and have found that medical alcohol gel (hope you know what I mean) will unclog the ball really quickly and evaporates off. I keep a bottle with me to help clean the glue from my hands whilst working. If you want ease of use go for the applicator Metina recommends.

Glenda

Thanks so much for the info ladies! I should be receiving my glitter tattoo kit in the mail shortly and will be using your tips.

My experience is that this works best.......(sorry this is long!

a) Use the 3 part stencil (they really are the best), esp if you choose more intricate designs as it cuts down on the stretching mauling of the stencil
- peel off the white backing
- place carefully avoiding gapping, bubbling, should be smooth on skin area
- carefully roll the clear layer off (imagine how you would roll a large carpet - from the top down usually works best)

b) Apply the adhesive (I have the ball lipgloss rollers too but now hate them- they ALWAYS gum up - even after the alcohol degunking process! I prefer the little lipgloss/nail polish type bottle with the little brush in-the-lid *Sometimes I even pour the glue in a small disposable condiment bowl. * Restaurants like Moe's here have them for their hot sauce bar or some restaurants use them for condiments* so I can use my own brush and dispose of the container at the end of the gig.)

c) Remove the black stencil layer from the skin BEFORE glittering while glue is still white/wet

==WAIT FOR GLUE TO DRY CLEAR!!! THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP!!! (so you don't ruin your glitter brush or spread glue to parts you don't want it to go) This will give you the clearest/crispest tatts I promise!

d) Use brush to apply glitter - loading on the top of the brush(kinda of like it is a spoon or scoop) and brush on clear dried adhesive (turn the arm/ankle/body part to see the glimmer of where the adhesive design is) *Tip: I always put the black stencil layer back on the white backing on my table to refer to as a guide to where the colors will go for greatest impact in the design-really helps when using 3 to 5 different colors.

e) I like to apply glitter from the bottom up as this controls it better and keeps it from sticking to other parts of the design you may not want in the color you are working. (I also will use my business card to catch the glitter to keep it from being on the ground or on their clothes-- plus the person usually watches you and is looking at your card while you are working!

e) Toss card, glitter and stencil - (I only reuse stencils when playing with my own kids at home.)

f) Brush with a big fluffy blush/powder brush (mine is from the Dollar Store!) and brush excess glitter from around the design (I think this kinda rubs any loose-ish glitter down into the design too.)

**ANOTHER TIP IS TO GET A PAIR OF TWEEZERS FOR YOUR GLITTER TATTOO KIT FOR THOSE LITTLE LOOSE "FLOATING" unconnected parts of the stencil so you can peel, and place better. Also nice if you want to add stick on rhinestones to your fancier designs to embellish even more.**

***my favorite adhesive is the one by Glimmer Body Art, it has no latex content and seems to last longer than some of the others without getting that dirty look that a lot of the others get when the glitter starts to fleck off***

Wow, thanks for the breakdown of how you do it, Wyndy. It's very helpful for us newbies who've never done it before.

Wyndyo - WOW!
Indeed, very helpful!
I ordered some 10 designs, and the glimmer glue (luckily... it seems)

How do you price the tattoos services (hourly & per tattoo) ?
also do you ever paint free hand? If yes, any tips there?

Thanks!
Avigail

I've aways done freehand, but just acquired lots of stencils which are pretty durn easy to use. Still do freehand though.

I like to draw the designs with tattoo inks, then "colour" them with the glitter. I'll draw anything they want - lots of kids have me copy their mom or dad's tattoos... can be fun.

interesing, Shannon.

Here are some novice questions regardign the tattoo ink:
Why not just paint with face paints? what is special about tattoo ink?

Do you mix glue into the ink or does the glitter just stick to the ink. Also, does the ink need to be wet for the glitter to adhere?

i saw a demo online by a british glitter artist and she recommended adding a touch of blue paint to the glue do that it would be easier to see where you've painted.

Thanks in advance,
Avigail

Tattoo inks are products that are activated with 90-99% isopropyl alcohol and with proper care can last 3+ days on the skin - they are water and sweat proof (showering and swimming included!)

I use Reel Creations but there are other brands too, Temptu, BIC from Kryolan, etc.

http://www.reelcreations.com/products/item_listings.asp?idCategory=26

I simply draw the designs (using very small brushes), lightly rub with powder (baby powder is fine) to blot up any excess moisture, then apply the adhesive where I want to put glitter (one colour at a time!). The adhesive on top of the dried tattoo inks will make the inks last longer as they are sealed in by the glue!

I've not added anything to my glue - I can see where it is as it is shiny compared to the skin!

I often just do the ink tattoos without glitter as the point is to create a realistic looking tatt (to freak out their parents usually!)

Shannon,

I just went and checked out that website link. Got a question.....what is the difference between a transfer sheet and a stencil? Are the transfer sheets physically temporary tattoo's themselves that you color in with the ink?

Looks like these things that last a bit longer and stand up to water may be a little better for us deep southerners.

"Transfers" are ink imbedded in paper that transfers to the skin (rub the skin with alcohol, lay down the paper ink side down and rub) The image in on the skin and you can leave it as is, trace over it, fill in with glitter... whatever you want.

Stencils are, well, stencils...

Got it Shannon! That is super-useful info! Thanks again!

In terms of wasting glitter with poof bottles, here a couple of tricks that were shared with me early on:

First, don't "pouf" the glitter - you will waste it. That doesn't mean, however, that you can't still use the poof bottles. All you need to do it to use a toothpick to widen the "pouf" hole a bit - then the glitter will pour instead of pouf.

And second, bring a small tupperware container with you to gigs (I use a plastic shoebox container). When you're doing a glitter tattoo, have your tattoo-e place their arm, or ankle over the container while you're doing the tattoo. This way, all of the extra glitter falls into the container and you can save it to create a multicolor glitter. Better than using it to make the grass all sparkly...

As far as re-using stencils, I'm usually use mine two or three times (that's about all they'll last), but that's only because I use alcohol wipes to wipe down whatever area of skin I'm going to be using them on prior to placing the stencil. I'm sure Shannon is cringing right now, but I feel silly wasting the stencils when they're so expensive...

not clear how one could reuse the stencil.. perhaps the designs i am using are to complex, but when i remove them (after painting on the glue) they curl up and would take care and effort to reuse. And as time is money... is it really worth it?

???

The only one's I've ever had any problems with are Amerikan Body Art's "art deco butterfly" and "hibiscus with leaf" stencils - they're just so detailed that's it's sometimes difficult to pull them off without tearing various pieces.

I haven't really noticed any curling, and when I take them off, I just pop them back on the white backing, smooth the clear cover back on, and put them back in my box. And extra 15 second at most, and I save $.50 each time I do it.

hm... well I will certainly try. So far i had been trowing them after every use, so I wasn't using care in the removal. thanks for the tip