Something Positive

I have decided that I have been complaining too much. Well, that is my option, I guess. I pretty much did this so I could vent as well as share info when I finally get around to inviting people "in." It is sort of like how people do journals. Except that is private. I kind of like the idea of people knowing what things I find annoying.

Anyway, I have to say that while I have used many people's cosmetic tattoo pigments - I am going to go out on a limb here and state my preferences: Derma Medical and Lasting Impressions Aqua. I am not a fan of glycerin - never have been. I think a lot of the halos we see around brows out there are from a heavy hand with heavy glycerin content. I like little to none. Derma Medical pigments are good for me because they are thinner...Aqua pigments are good because they have a high pigment load and I can dilute them easily - I am in love with the brow colors. I like a thin pigment to do brows and even lip liner. I like a more transparent look with a stronger color than a denser look with a lighter color. I hope that makes sense - I am fairly certain I have written on this subject before.

Newbies

It is amazing to me how many people are stumbling into the cosmetic tattoo industry. Yes, that is the correct word choice. Many do not seem to understand how long it takes to acquire the necessary skills to do a really good job. Trust me, if you are not getting loads of word of mouth referrals, you most likely suck at cosmetic tattooing. Don't kid yourself that women keep this a "secret." Remember, we are essentially unable to keep secrets. Especially when we have been through any type of pain. We tell anyone within earshot about it. Time for a class or two...convention or conference. Go to www.SPCP.org as a great source of info!

Machines - Coil

First off, I am not into cosmetic tattooing hand tools, I have respect for them but they are just not my thing. I have always been a coil machine user - love it. They work well for me also because I own a tattoo studio and the whole crew uses the same equipment so tube and needle shopping is simple. I am really tired though, of seeing people promote new equipment as being "superior" to the fact they criticise other modalities. We try pretty much everything new. I will say that I firmly believe people fail at coil machines because they don't know how to maintain them.

So in comes Ms. Digital and suddenly it's the only game in town. Well hell, if that is so true, then tell me why all the top tattoo artists are still cranking out tattoos with the trusty coil machine? It is not as if they could not afford it. They make money hand over fist; but they know how to buy good machines - not the cheap stuff, and they know how to maintain them. I am going to have to do up a WebEd class on maintaining coil machines very soon.

That being said, I am trying out the Neo from Tap Tat Daddio. It is pretty kewl. A rotary machine, so it is quiet and it is compact and light weight. It uses coil tubes and needles and cleans up like a breeze. Even though we cover our machines, they still require cleaning. So far clients like it for eyeliner because it doesn't vibrate quite as much. They are priced about the same as a typical coil as well. A pretty kewl deal, I say...

Tattooing Vs. Tattooing Editorial