For many of us, tattoos are so much more than just permanent ink. After years of being told horror stories of regret and unimaginable pain, there’s absolutely no way that any of us would be willing to get a tattoo without something to back it up.
To be honest, all the negative warning signs of tattoos are sort of the reason that I always wanted one. What’s that they say about young people and defiance? In complete honesty, our parents were probably right. Tattoos aren’t something to mess around with, and if you choose to get one, it should mean something special to you.
Okay, enough with the serious stuff. After all, the absolute best part of getting a tattoo is deciding what to get, where to get it, and what it’s going to look like. That little piece of art is going to be stuck with you forever, so please, choose wisely. Avoid looking at Tumblr for inspiration and shy away from anything that’s “on trend.” I know that we fashion people like to stay on top of that kind of stuff, but trust me, this isn’t the time. Just because Kylie Jenner got a little red heart tattoo, it doesn’t mean we all should.
They key to not regretting your ink in 30 years is choosing something that is special to you on a personal level. Sure, by that time, our tattoos might not be in tip-top shape, but if you chose them wisely in the present, their future meanings will still be equally as important as when you first got them. Keep reading for a glimpse into the mindsets of your fellow Style Gurus as they prepared to get tatted up.
“I have 13 tattoos, a lot of them extremely meaningful, some of them silly, and some of them just simply beautiful. Tattoos are art and can mean (or not) anything your heart desires! There is a lot of pressure to only have super meaningful tattoos but I got this one really because I think it’s a pretty sketch. I get the most compliments on this little lady of all my tattoos, and even though it means nothing, I hold her close to my heart and she’s my favorite piece of all 13!” —Ellenina Iacobucci
“Ever since I was young, I’ve found reasons to hate myself and my body. Even now, I’m still very insecure to a point where it affects my daily life; my relationships with others, my diet, my clothing choices, etc. For two years, I was set on finding art that could become part of me and remind me that I am enough, that I am beautiful, and that there are people who love and support me. Then I found this gorgeous girl hugging herself, and the rest is history!” —Megan Sharp
“This tattoo is a quote from Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur. The specific poem that it’s from is my favorite in the entire book, and it really resonates with me. I’m someone who loves really hard, so this quote is a constant reminder to always put love first.” —Emily Ciavatta
“My tattoo is my aunt’s signature. She passed a few months ago after her battle with cancer and it was really tough for me to process. She traveled the world, lived in Paris, Turkey, and explored most of Europe until she finally decided to settle down at the age of 40. She was my ‘second’ mom; my inspiration; the cool aunt. She lived life to the fullest, and I aspire to pack as much experience into my life as she did. So having her signature in clear sight every day reminds me to do so.” —Shelby Howell
“I got this tattoo while I was on a volunteer trip in Thailand. It says ‘sabai sabai,’ which translates to relax and be happy. I have pretty bad anxiety, so whenever I’m on the verge of an anxiety attack all I have to do is look down at my arm. It’s a permanent reminder of a trip that changed my life, and it’s always there to tell me to take it easy.” —Chastity Heusinger
 Do you have a tattoo? We want to see it on social media and hear the big or little story behind its meaning! Tag us @Cfashionista.
