Remember I posted a couple of weeks ago about getting a tattoo? Well last Thursday I took the plunge and got it done. I returned to Brian in Wildcat, whose girlfriend as it turns out is a Beaut.ie reader and had told him about my post (hello to Dani the Glamour Nazi!) .
Brian took my idea and drew up his own design instead of copying it straight, which I really appreciated. After applying the stencil and making a few minor changes, it was time to get down to business. I was amazed at how calm I felt, as I am not the biggest fan of needles - in the past, I have had to be restrained, bribed and distracted so doctors can get a needle into my arm.
Here I am, midway through the proceedings. I have no idea why I'm smiling. I was not particularly enjoying myself.
I won't lie to you all - it was painful. Not painful enough to be completely unbearable, but painful enough for me to do some serious "Hooooo...haaaaaa..." pregnancy-style breathing. I would compare the feeling to being repeatedly scratched by a very insistent cat.
I got through it though, thanks in no small part to my best pal Roisin, who read me Harry Potter facts to distract me and provided me with a plastic cup to crush in my (very sweaty) palm. I would also advise anyone getting a tat to bring along some Fruit Pastilles, as they are the perfect thing to chomp on during the more painful moments.
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There's the finished product! This photo was taken straight after I got it done, so it's a little bit red and gory looking. It's a bit bigger than I expected, but you know what? I love it. It feels like me. I can't stop looking at it, and when I catch sight of it out of the corner of my eye or in a mirror I can't help but smile.
After spending three days wrapped up in cling film like last night's leftovers, I'm finally allowed to let my tat breathe, albeit from beneath a thin layer of Bepanthen nappy rash cream (the best moisturiser for fresh ink - who knew?) It's still tender, and I live in fear of someone accidentally hitting it, but I'm excited to show it off properly as a pretty piece of body art.
I can't recommend Wildcat in Stephen's Green enough - everyone was super friendly, from the receptionists to the girl getting an absolutely massive (in every sense of the word) tattoo of Marilyn Monroe in the seat across from me.
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It was a great experience - not sure if I've caught that tattoo bug you all spoke of, but I'm certainly delighted with this one.
So what do you think? Love/Hate? Go on be honest - I can take it!
