Tattoo artist shares 'fashionable' designs she can't bear to ink on customers

11 April 2023 , 14:14

1157     0

She's also had to turn down tattoos in the past (Image: Getty Images)

A tattoo artist has opened up about three on-trend tattoos that she doesn't care for at all, and has offered her personal top tips when picking out ink that will feel timeless even in years to come.

Alice Nicholls, 39, has worked in the industry for 15 years and now runs her very own tattoo studio. In that time she's created countless works of body art, with her clients ranging from a female priest who wanted Bible-themed ink, to a man who spend hundreds of pounds on a huge cartoon gherkin that covered his entire thigh.

According to Alice, who is based in Essex, the three trendiest tattoos she sees at her studio are stars, infinity symbols, and lion heads. As popular as these designs may be, however, she's not keen on them one bit, and feels they're just too "generic".

There are three trendy tats Alice is tired of seeing (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Alice told The Sun: "They look nice but literally everyone has them and I don't want to look like everybody else."

She added: "I call these people Pinterest Pickers. We get tattoos to tell a personal story but these are the most generic inks. They lack imagination and I'd love to help people create something truly unique."

Customer fumes as tattoo artist selfishly hid their initials in design

Alice would rather customers go for something more 'unique' (Getty Images/EyeEm)

Offering advice to those after a solid tattoo that will still look timeless in years to come, Alice suggested opting for classic sailor tats, such as swallows and roses.

Although it's very rare that Alice will turn down a tattoo request, she can recall one instance where she stopped a young ink enthusiast from getting a design she felt he'd only regret a few years down the line.

She explained: "I once had a young lad ask for the words 'chicken chow mein' tattooed across his chest. It was his first-ever tattoo and I had to refuse - he would have regretted it."

Do you have a tattoo-related story to share? Email us at [email protected]

Julia Banim