Recently, a few media outlets have expressed their astonishment at a recent trend that has been making the rounds on Instagram, which involves one getting mini tattoos inked at their cuticles. But obviously, we aren’t surprised by this trend at all. Here in multi-cultural Singapore, many of our Muslim and Hindu friends get their hands painted with henna (a temporary dye made of plant extracts), usually to celebrate the end of the fasting month, i.e. Ramadan, and Deepavali, the festival of lights. Of course, the outcome is a very detailed and Instagram-worthy work of art, so it came as no surprise for us that the cuticle tattoo is actually trending right now.
We’re guessing the trend started taking off when celebrities such as Rihanna and Pia Mia were seen sporting tribal tattoos on their fingers and hands, which led to pinterest and tumblr accounts popularizing the idea of cuticle tattoos.
However, the trend that’s popular on Instagram features mini tattoos, such as dots, flowers, arrows, geometric designs, and some even matching their tattoos with elaborate nail art and accessories.
Here’s a warning though: if you have a low pain tolerance, this trend might not be for you. The cuticle area is mostly skin and bones, so going under the needle can be a pretty painful experience, though not as bad as getting inked at the ribcage or at the back.
If you are not ready to undergo torture or commit to a trend that is probably going to be another one-off fad, henna or stick-on tattoos would be a much more viable option to take.
Header image: @badgalriri
