Tribute to your significant other

Many people even consider a name tattoo to be a jinx: passion may be fleeting, but that “Billy Bob” tattoo may serve as a permanent reminder of your failed relationship. Just ask Angelina, who decided to remove and cover up the ink on her arm. Surely there are other powerful ways to express your feelings... like carrying a vile of each other’s blood around your necks. Er, nevermind.
Misspelling your tattoo

It sounds obvious, but be sure both you and your tattoo artist have spell-checked any words that may be written in ink. We all are capable of spelling errors, but this would be one painful and expensive typo to fix!
Not knowing the meaning of your tattoo

Tattoos in different languages have become increasingly popular over the years, but before you make it permanent, be sure you’ve triple-checked the characters with someone who can verify the language. Britney Spears is a great example of a celeb who didn’t do her homework. This neck tattoo was supposed to mean “new life” in Hebrew, but the characters were written out of order, which makes it meaningless. The kanji tattoo she received on her hip was intended to read “mysterious” but it translates as “strange.” As in, it’s strange that a person wouldn’t know what they’re getting tattooed on their body.
Trendy placement on the body

While a lower back tattoo (aka “tramp stamp”) may seem cool now, you may not want a little dragon poking out of your jeans later on in life.
Underestimating your pain threshold

Even the most hardcore tattoo fanatics often complain about areas that hurt more than others, so inquire beforehand. A little ink on your foot may seem out of the way and harmless, but with very little flesh in the area it can be a painful spot.
Getting tattoos with no personal significance

Tribal tattoos and arm bands are some of the most popular designs, but before getting one etched into your skin, think about if a piece of jewelry might suffice. Intricate designs are cool to look at, but you might consider something that holds greater meaning to you with a story behind it.


