15 Watercolor Tattoos To Inspire Your Next Ink

Skip navigation!ADVERTISEMENTStory from Beauty15 Watercolor Tattoos To Inspire Your Next InkR29 TeamLast Updated June 26, 2020, 5:45 PM ADVERTISEMENTSee All SlidesBegin SlideshowPhoto: Via @tattrxWhen J.Lo was asked to give her thoughts on her ex Ben Affleck’s vibrant phoenix back tattoo — besides leading with "Awful!" — she gave a piece of advice: “His tattoos always have too many colors. They shouldn't be so colorful. You know what I mean? They should be cooler."Many people agree that body ink looks best when limited to a simple palette of black, gray, and other neutrals. However, there's one tattoo trend that might just change that misconception. Hugely popular in Japan and South Korea, watercolor tattoos are beautiful and vibrant — without overrunning the skin in hyper-color pigment. The technique mimics a watercolor painting with color that minimally bleeds outside the lines. Think: Wassily Kandinsky's Untitled or Paul Cézanne's Still Life with Blue Pot.Tired of your simple line tattoo? Add a wash of pale pink or blue to the mix. Looking for a way to rock a little ink that’s only noticeable to those who look closely? Try a design made with the faint body paint.But before you run to your tattoo artist, there is one thing you should know about watercolor tattoos: They have a bad reputation for not lasting long. Tattoo artist Jessica Valentine tells Refinery29 that these tattoos (that require a bit more shading than your typical linework design) can fade quickly. Her suggestion to keep your colorful ink vibrant: Be liberal with your sunscreen and daily lotion — it'll increase the longevity of that tattoo you just paid a lot of money for. After all, getting the tattoo is easy — maintaining an aftercare routine is the hard part.Ahead, the raddest watercolor tattoo designs to get this summer.Begin Slideshow ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENT BeautyI Dropped Prescription Skincare When I Found This $15 Retinal SerumAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Until a few weeks ago, I waby Jacqueline KilikitaBeauty5 New Skincare Trends That’ll Be Everywhere In 2026All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. 2025 was a standout year foby Jacqueline KilikitaBeautyI’ve Been Using Shark’s LED Mask For Months — & It...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. LED face masks are everywheby Karina HoshikawaBeauty10 Of The Best Beauty Tools To Gift Skincare Obsessives, From $18by Jacqueline KilikitaBeautyA Dermatologist Told Me To Make These 7 Skincare Resolutions In 2026All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Every January, I set big inby Jacqueline KilikitaSkin CareMedik8 Is Having A Huge Sale — Here’s What A Beauty Editor Would BuyAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. This Black Friday and Cyberby Venus WongSkin CareI Tried $173 Worth Of Hand Creams & Only One Totally Eradicated M...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. When I was an eager intern,by Jacqueline KilikitaSkin CareThis Luxe Overnight Serum Is Beauty Sleep In A BottleAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. When you think of “beby Karina HoshikawaMercadoThe At-Home Facial Routine That’ll Make You Cancel Your Spa Membe...by Raquel ReichardBeautyRhode’s New Peptide-Infused Patches Are Heaven For Tired EyesAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. POV: You slept just okay, aby Karina HoshikawaSkin CareGlow Recipe’s New Serum Is a Cactus-Powered Take on Snail MucinAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. From boosting hydration to by Karina HoshikawaSun BlockedAre We Finally About To Get Better Sunscreen?The last time a new sunscreen active ingredient — you know, the good stuff that protects skin from the sun’s aging and cancer-causing rays — was apprby Carli WhitwellADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENT