Trying out a tattoo without regret

Trying out a tattoo without regret: The app I used before I jumped on the bandwagon.

I'm going to tell you something that almost no one knows about me: I always wanted to get a tattoo, but I never had the courage.

You know how it is… we think a thousand times before marking something on our skin forever. “What if I get sick of it?”, “What if it ends up crooked?”, “What if my mother freaks out?” (yes, even as an adult, we still fear her judgmental gaze).

Then one day a friend showed me a application that simulates tattoo directly in the photo. And that's when my life changed!

I spent hours testing designs on my arm, back, ankle… and when I finally decided, I already knew exactly what I wanted and where.

If you also want to test how a tattoo would look without having to go under the needle first, come and I'll tell you all about these apps and how they can save you from making a bad choice.

Why I decided to test an app before getting my tattoo

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that anything that involves changes to the body requires planning. And tattoos are no different.

I've seen people excited that went on impulse and, weeks later, were on Google searching “how to remove tattoo painlessly”. And no, there is no miracle.

So, before I made my decision, I downloaded a tattoo simulator app and started testing it out. And can I tell you? It was one of the best things I've ever done.

First, because it helped me choose the perfect place. That design that I thought would look beautiful on my wrist? It looked terrible. But another one that I wouldn't even consider on my forearm, looked incredible.

Secondly, because I got rid of the risk of regret. I saw in practice how the design would fit my body, if it matched my style and if I really liked the idea.

Now, let's get to the point: The best apps to test a tattoo before you actually get one.

The best apps to simulate tattoos

After testing several (and some pretty bad ones, I confess), these were the ones that were really worth it:

INKHUNTER (my favorite!)

This app is simply insanely good. It uses augmented reality, so you point the camera at the part of your body where you want the tattoo, and the design appears there, as if it were already done.

What I liked most:
You can adjust the tattoo on your body in real time
Has a gallery of ready-made designs, but also accepts custom tattoos
The simulation is VERY realistic

I used this app for days until I decided where to get my real tattoo. If you want a real-life experience, this is the best app to try.

Download it here: Android / IOS

Tattoo My Photo 2.0

This one is simpler, but it still works. You take a photo or choose one from the gallery and add digital tattoos on top.

What I thought was cool:
Easy to use and fast
There are several tattoo styles in the library
You can test different sizes and opacities

It doesn't have augmented reality like INKHUNTER, but it's great for those who want to view the result without complications.

Tattoo Master

If you prefer a more stylized look, this app has a huge database of tattoos for you to try out on your photos. It also has an editing tool that lets you customize your tattoos before applying them.

Highlights:
Library with many different designs
Allows you to adjust the color and details of the tattoo
Great for testing new styles

If you want more variety of drawings and less concern with realism, this app may be a good choice.

Is it worth using an app before getting a tattoo?

If you're thinking about getting a tattoo, it's SO worth testing them out first! I've saved myself time and potential regrets just by playing around with these apps a bit before booking my session with the tattoo artist.

The best part is that they are free and super easy to use. In other words, you have nothing to lose and can avoid a difficult-to-correct error.

Now tell me: what tattoo are you thinking of getting? Have you tried any of these apps? If not, download it and then tell me if it wasn't the best idea before you go under the needle!

By Natalia Lopes