I was so excited to do this tutorial. I really wanted to do it 2 ways, 1 using markers, and 1 using some special effects makeups i have. Let me tell you, the reason this didnt go up sooner this month is I have looked high and low for my makeup palette (no cheap palette either, it cost me over 100 bucks) and it is NO WHERE to be found! Now i dont do special effects makeup nearly as often as I used to when i was living in Los Angeles, but man is it frustrating!
So since my reign as the monthly pin up gal is over soon (sob sob), i decided i'd just focus on using markers which is ok because it's not like everyone has the makeup palette anyway!
Ok, so here it goes! First i started with Mermaid Treasure, inked her up in skin safe ink (the tattoo ink on the bombshell site is FABULOUS!)
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Now let that ink set for just a minute or 2. This will help to not bleed when you are coloring your image in.
Next grab some "skin safe" markers. I just use Roseart kiddo markers. No, kiddo is not a technical term. It means they are the markers i allow my 3 year old to use.
First i started with a peach tone for her skin...
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Next use a very light brown and add to the edges for some shading. You can then blend the 2 together with a VERY slightly mositened q-tip. The photo is just of the shading.
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Next i moved on to her tail. Go over the whole tail in your main color. I chose a very light aqua. You can then go around the outside with the same marker again to darken. We'll do a little more shading in a bit.
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Next i went to her hair. I chose browns because yellow for blondes isnt a tremendously popular tattoo ink color because it is the most common color to cause skin reactions. It also fades more quickly. I used 2 different brown colors to get some depth.
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Next grab a pink or red marker and go over her lips. You may need to do this a few times letting the ink dry a moment to really get those lips to pop.
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Now the last step is an important one in my preference. The vibrant ink f the markers tend to wash out your stamp outline and black ink in tattoos does not typically look very grey! So i take a black marker and outline my image. Bonus, you can take your other marker colors and run along the edges of black to pick up a little ink and it will really help you shade in your image!
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Last but not least, it's good to set your colored image. This will just help it stay put. When doing fake tattoos for films etc, i also spritz on a makeup sealer. Ben Nye makes a very afforable one that you'd be able to find at most costume and party stores. Then take a powder (preferably a "loose" powder to dab over the top. I use a very large velour sponge, but a brush would work as well. This will help to "dull up" the tattoo giving it a more worn look and less like it was just painted on!
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And there you have it! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
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