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  >  Lifestyle   >  I Got Myself a Pretty Watercolor Tattoo.

By none other than the CuriousWiji (Wiji Lacsamana).

I’ve always wanted to get tattooed. 13 years ago, I had scheduled a session on my birthday. It was a yucky tribal lower back tattoo (no offense if you have one. To each his own, I guess). I was so lucky to have dodged that experience when my friend forgot to call the artist to pen me in and when I found out about it, it was too late to make another appointment. I would’ve regretted that design being on me for the rest of my life.

Fast forward to about September of last year. I stumbled upon an article on Cosmo about local tattoo artists who did dreamy watercolor tattoos and the sort-of-extinguished fire about wanting a tattoo was brought back to life. How could I not drool over the lovely designs? My taste has evolved so much over the years and I knew, if I was going to get a tat, this was the best time.

Two artists stood out for me. I immediately went on Instagram to check out Wiji and Katz. Wiji still had slots left for November so I messaged her.

How to book a session with Wiji

Basically, I just went and shot her an email. It would then be a series of email exchanges settling on a date (her November slots had been filled by then, that’s why I got scheduled for December), and then deciding on the design. You should know a few things before sending that first message though. Her website should have everything you need to know to book a session. Also, she updates regularly on her Instagram, I suggest you check there first to see if she is open to accept bookings.

The design

I had initially wanted to draw my first tattoo, but I decided against it. Good thing Wiji is a great artist and I trusted her skills completely in the realization of my concept.

I wanted my first to be special. So I thought I wanted it to include my favorite things:

  • Starlit night sky
  • Waves
  • Flowers
  • and Sunsets

In the beginning, it was actually just plain blue sky. Wiji wanted to add the stars and I’m so happy I agreed. It was perfect. She sent me two studies. I chose this one because I found the other one to be kind of sad. I didn’t want my tattoo to evoke that emotion, so I chose the ‘happier’ one. Plus, I like the wave better on this one.

Here’s a closer look:

It’s so pretty, I’m in love. <3

The experience

I was actually so anxious coming into Wiji’s studio. It was my first time, so naturally, I was thinking it was going to be so painful, and I didn’t know my tolerance level when it came to tattoo pain. It helped that Wiji was such a happy presence in that room. I asked her a lot of questions to ease my anxiety. And you know what? Before I knew it, my 1 and 1/2 hour session was over.

As far as I know, I wasn’t given any painkillers before my session, and I didn’t take any coming into the appointment. But let me tell you, there are a lot more painful things in this world than getting a tattoo. “Mas masakit pang umibig (it’s more painful to love)” was how Wiji described it. And you know what, she was right. Ang yabang ko, pero (It’s kind of cocky, but) right after she said we were done, I said: “That was it?!”

Tattoo after-care

Apparently, there are a bunch of things you need to remember when caring for your fresh tattoo. Here are a few things:

  • Use unscented soap. Mine was Dove.
  • If your tattoo is anywhere near your hair, it is also recommended to use mild shampoo. I used baby shampoo for three weeks and didn’t use conditioner.
  • I also tied my hair in a bun for three weeks (I have long hair).
  • I applied Nivea baby moisturizer every after cleaning.
  • I was careful not to expose my fresh tattoo to too much sunlight
  • I wore loose, low-back, or off-shoulder tops while my tat was healing (here’s a secret: Because I have a lot of v-neck shirts, I wore them front-side back – hahaha)
  • I was also careful not to scratch it. I didn’t sleep on my back for two weeks. Lol
  • I did not go swimming for two to three weeks.

All in all, I think I did a decent job caring for my tat.

Only the first of many

All of my friends are telling me this is not going to be my last. They say once you do it, you’ll become addicted to the pain. I don’t know about the addiction part, but they are right that this is just going to be the first of many. As soon as I left Wiji’s studio, my head was already filled with next tattoo design ideas. Hahaha.

Do you have a tattoo? Where did you get yours done? Share them in the comments.