March 21st 2024.
Sinead Swift's left arm is now covered in a solid black ink, a bold and daring move that has garnered mixed reactions from those around her. The 25-year-old bartender and tattoo artist proudly embraces the new tattoo trend known as "blackout tattoos", where a large portion of the body is inked with opaque black ink.
Reflecting on her decision, Sinead reveals that her mother was not initially on board with the idea. "She doesn't like the boldness of it. She was quite shocked when I first got it done," she shares. However, Sinead stands by her choice and sees it as a way to express herself and make a statement.
The blackout tattoo trend has gained popularity in recent years, with celebrities like Machine Gun Kelly and Kat Von D sporting the look. It involves completely covering a section of the body, such as the arms or legs, with solid black ink. Sinead admits that she has received some curious reactions from people, with some wondering why she chose to cover her arm in such a bold way.
Tattoo artist Mike Philp, who has seen a rise in requests for blackout tattoos, believes that the trend has evolved into its own unique aesthetic. He explains that it initially started as a way to cover up old, unwanted tattoos, but has now become a popular choice for its artistic appeal.
For Sinead, the blackout tattoo not only serves as an artistic statement but also as a way to cover up tattoos that no longer resonate with her. Over the years, she has accumulated up to 60 tattoos, most of which were done after the age of 21. Some of the designs, particularly those on her arms, have fallen out of favour. "I had a couple of small linework pieces that I got when I was an apprentice. Nothing terrible, just nothing I really wanted," she shares.
After considering options like laser removal and cover-ups, Sinead ultimately decided to go for the blackout look. She completed the process in two sessions, with the healing process being quite gruelling. "It was quite a serious healing process, from what I had heard. And I heard it was more painful than getting a regular tattoo," she recalls.
Despite the challenges, Sinead is happy with her new tattoo and believes that it was the right choice for her. However, she acknowledges that the blackout trend may not be suitable for everyone, and other options like laser removal or cover-ups should also be considered.
Tattoo artist Roxx, who did Machine Gun Kelly's blackout tattoos, has received praise for her creativity in incorporating the solid black ink with other elements. Mike also applauds her for her ability to refine the shape and direction of the body through the design.
As for Sinead, she has no regrets about her decision and is happy with the way her arm looks now. "It's a huge commitment, especially coming from my perspective as a tattoo artist. I don't think it should necessarily be everyone's first option to just cover something up because I think some people go, 'Oh, I don't like that anymore, let's just put black over it,'" she says. Despite some negative reactions, she sees beauty in the blackout design and is proud to have a bold and unique tattoo.
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