Shoulder Tattoos

If you want a temporary tattoo to stay as long as possible, the shoulder is a smart pick. It is one of the areas that gets rubbed and washed the least, so a design there can last up to 2 weeks, longer than on hands or feet. That makes shoulder tattoos a good way to live with an idea for a while before deciding on anything permanent.

Front, cap or back of the shoulder

The front of the shoulder, just under the collarbone, suits flowers and delicate fine line work that shows around a tank top strap. The rounded cap takes circular designs well: mandalas, compass roses, a sun, a lotus. Toward the back, the shoulder blade has room for wings, birds in flight or a bigger floral piece that spills down the back. Designs that wrap from the cap onto the upper arm work best when they stay slim, and since the area holds so well, it is the right place for the detailed pieces you want to enjoy for the full run.

The shoulder is curved, and a long vertical design may bend more than you expect, so check the size against the spot in a mirror before you apply. Once it is on, keep it away from water and rubbing for 8 hours. The color looks faint at first and turns blue-black within 24 to 48 hours. Read how long temporary tattoos last for ways to keep it fresh.

Shoulder tattoos often connect to the arm or the back: see arm and forearm tattoos or back tattoos.