From a girl who has spent way too much of her free time surfing the web for cool designs and the best places to call, here’s a few tips for what to think about!

Make it meaningful!

If in 15 years you’re going to be embarrassed telling your kids why you have a butterfly on your ankle, don’t get it! Don’t worry about how the ink is going to look when you’re 50, you’re going to look bad ass no matter what. Choose a design or an idea that means something to you, whether it is for your family or just for yourself.

Do your research!

Talk to your friends with tattoos, use Google, call! There’s nothing worse than walking into a tattoo parlor all ready to go and you find out that it is one guy with a dirty needle.

Make sure it’s clean!

If they do not open all brand new needles and antibacterial wipes right in front of you, walk out. If they’re not willing to use all new material then the odds are that they’re not going to do a good job putting ink permanently on your body.

Take someone with you!

The first time is scary; no matter how high of a pain tolerance you have, if you go alone you’re going to want to back out (I spent half an hour freaking out before the needle even touched my skin). Just make sure the person you’re bringing with you isn’t squeamish; there’s usually some blood.

Call or go into the shop first!

My first tattoo I did as a walk in, I had the design all ready, and they just needed to trace it. This made my anxiety so much worse! I had never met the artist before (my brother had recommended the shop) and I had no idea what I was in for. Making your appointment in person ahead of time calms the nerves and you get to meet your artist!

Keep an open dialogue!

If the artist you trust to trace or draw your original design doesn’t do it the way you want or a line doesn’t look straight, ask them to redo it. Don’t be afraid to ask them to alter things, it’s going on your body not theirs! I almost got my first tattoo put on backwards because I was afraid to tell him it was wrong…Don’t be that person.

Make sure you can live with it!

Someone once told me “if you couldn’t have it as your phone screen for a year, don’t put it on your body”. If it’s going to be something you regret 10, even 2 years down the line, I suggest you don’t waste your money. Use the opportunity to get something self-expressive or super meaningful to you. Odds are, if you can’t find something you love, you shouldn’t be getting tatted.