How to Create a Temporary Tattoo

Temporary tattoos are a fantastic, low-risk alternative to permanent tattoos that are loved by people of all ages. They're especially eye-catching at parties! With a little patience and effort, you can craft the perfect temporary tattoo to proudly show off, whether it's a sticker tattoo or a glitter design.

Make sure your skin is clean and dry before applying the tattoo. Temporary tattoos are made with water-based ink, which means natural skin oils can interfere with the application. Clean the area where you plan to apply the tattoo with soap and water, then pat it dry with a paper towel.

• If your skin is sweaty, you can use rubbing alcohol to remove oils. Pour a little alcohol onto a cotton pad to wipe the area clean. Just don't do this daily, as alcohol can dry out your skin.

Choose a Tattoo Design. Some temporary tattoos come pre-packaged, making it easy to choose one. However, if the tattoo you want is part of a sheet with multiple designs, you'll need to cut it out. Use sharp scissors to carefully cut around the tattoo, being cautious not to trim into the design. Continue cutting until the tattoo is free from the sheet.

Remove the Transparent Plastic Layer. At this point, your tattoo has a thin protective plastic layer on top. Gently peel off this layer to reveal the vibrant colored version of your tattoo design, which will appear in reverse on the plastic.

• From here on, the side with the ink, previously protected by the plastic, will be referred to as the 'inked side.'

Press the Inked Side onto Your Skin. Position the area you’ve just cleaned where you want the tattoo to be applied, and then carefully place the tattoo's inked side onto your skin. Avoid moving the tattoo once it's in place – it’s crucial to keep it steady as you move on to the next step.

Press a Damp Cloth or Sponge onto the Back of the Tattoo Paper. Use a damp cloth or sponge (not too dry, but not soaking wet) to firmly press on the back of the tattoo paper. Keep it still, avoiding any unnecessary movement.

Hold for at Least 60 Seconds. For the sharpest tattoo design, patience is key. Never remove the cloth from your arm before a full minute has passed. During this time, try to stay as still as possible to ensure the tattoo transfers clearly.

Nhẹ nhàng bóc giấy ra. Bắt đầu từ một góc giấy để nhin hé vào hình xăm. Nếu thấy hình xăm trông kỳ lạ hoặc không dính vào da, bạn hãy ấn vải hoặc miếng bọt biển trở lại và chờ thêm 30 giây nữa. Khi đã hài lòng với hình xăm, bạn có thể từ từ bóc lớp giấy ra.

Chờ cho hình xăm khô. Hãy kiên nhẫn thêm khoảng 10 phút nữa. Cố gắng kìm hãm cảm giác muốn sờ vào hình xăm. Tốt nhất là ngồi yên và đừng gập duỗi cánh tay nhiều để hình xăm khỏi bị nhăn hoặc nhoè.

Chấm một chút lotion gốc nước lên hình xăm. Để hình xăm giữ được lâu hơn, bạn hãy cấp ẩm cho da bằng cách thoa một lớp kem hoặc lotion mỏng lên trên. Tránh dùng kem dưỡng ẩm đặc gốc dầu như sáp dầu (kem Vaseline) vì nó có thể làm nhoè hình xăm. Nếu muốn, bạn có thể rắc một chút phấn rôm lên để hình xăm trông lì hơn (và nhờ đó cũng giống thật hơn.)

Chuẩn bị vùng da sạch và khô ráo trước khi bắt đầu. Quá trình tạo hình xăm kim tuyến theo khuôn hơi khác với dán hình xăm, nhưng nó cũng đòi hỏi da phải sạch mới dính được. Bạn cần rửa sạch da bằng nước xà phòng ấm, sau đó thấm khô bằng khăn giấy.

Choose a Tattoo Stencil. Not all stencils are suitable for every type of tattoo! It’s best to choose a stencil made specifically for glitter tattoos, as these have a less painful adhesive when removed. You can find glitter tattoo stencils or individual designs in gift shops or beauty stores. Once you have your stencil, place it where you want your tattoo.

Apply Skin-Safe Glue to the Tattoo Stencil. If you bought a stencil set, it will come with a special adhesive designed for use on skin. If not, you can purchase it separately. Use a brush to apply a thin layer of glue to the exposed skin area left by the stencil, and wait for it to dry until it becomes almost transparent.

Use Another Brush to Apply Glitter. Now comes the fun part – applying the glitter to your tattoo! Dip a brush into skin-safe glitter (any cosmetic glitter will work) and gently dab it onto the skin within the stencil’s outline. Have fun experimenting by mixing different glitter colors.

Remove the Tattoo Stencil. Once you’re satisfied with the glitter placement, take a corner of the stencil and slowly peel it off the skin. Do this gently to avoid disturbing the glitter design you just created.

Brush Off Excess Glitter. After peeling off the stencil, you may notice some excess glitter. Use a large makeup brush (a blush brush works best) to sweep away the stray glitter particles. It’s best to do this outside to avoid cleaning up glitter from your carpet later on.

• Smaller tattoos are usually easier to apply since they have less risk of damage when you remove the paper backing.
• Avoid touching the tattoo if you want it to last longer.

• Temporary tattoo
• Damp cloth or sponge
• Temporary tattoo stencil
• Small paintbrush
• Skin-safe glue
• Glitter
• Large makeup brush