How To Make A Temporary Tattoo With Perfume? DIY Fake Tattoo

If there is one trend sweeping across the TikTok Nation, it’s tattoos. But with demographics showing that most TikTok users are between the ages of 16 and 24, how are some of these TikTokers getting tattoos?

Don’t panic: they are temporary, and the way they are made is truly ingenious.

If you are like one of the million users on TikTok, you have probably seen the latest temporary tattoo challenge. People are showing off their skills, whether it’s a young gal sporting a cute floral design to more intriguing designs that are big, bold, and decked out in detail.

To put it simply, we love the new temp tattoo buzz and we want in. So how is it done?

Let us discover now..

How to Make a Temporary Tattoo with Perfume and Water: Step By Step Guide

You’re ready to jump into the fake tattoo game, and you want to impress TikTok with your new ‘ink’. Here are the must-know steps to creating an awesome temporary tattoo:

1. Start By Picking a Design

This is the most important part of making a temporary tattoo! Think of the design you are looking for. Perhaps you want to start small, with a tiny star or floral design on your wrist, or something bolder like a dragon on your shoulder. Whatever style you’re seeking, make sure you are happy with the design. While it’s temporary, it’s still going to last a little while.

2. Print the Design

After settling on the style you’re looking for, it’s time to search for the actual design online. Look through Google/Pinterest images until you find the perfect one.

From there, you will need to drag the image to Word (or another word processor application) on your computer. Scale it to the size you need. Keep in mind the size of the printer paper and only use the ones that are bright made like this one. Then you can print.

3. Cut the Design

Your design is likely going to be smaller than the actual size of the paper. To make the process simpler, cut down the edges of the design so that there is little ‘excess’ white printer paper around the image.

Make sure that you don’t come too close to the edges of the image. Else, this can have a damaging impact on the end result. Leave around half an inch to an inch around the image.

4. Douse the Image in Perfume

This is another extremely important part of creating a fake tattoo, and probably the part that might not make a whole lot of sense at first. While you might think that dousing ink in perfume will damage the image, this couldn’t be further from the truth. (Use any perfume of your choice, I’ve personally used this one)

Keep your perfume (or body spray or hairspray) about 6 inches (15 centimeters) away from the image. Continue to spray the entirety of the paper until it is completely drenched in the perfume.

Make sure to get every inch of the image. If certain parts are left untouched, then they will not show up in the end result. Douse perfume to reach the edges and back of the paper.

5. Let the Paper Soak in Hot Water for 3 to 5 Minutes

You have the option of either filling up your sink with hot water or boiling water and placing it in a cup or bowl (depending on the size of your paper). With either option, you will want to place the image covered in perfume into the hot water.

Let the paper soak in the hot water for at least 3 minutes, although it is ideal to let it soak for up to 5 minutes. The paper should come out very flimsy and should feel as though it could break at any second if it is handled too roughly.

Tip: Handle the paper with care at this point

6. Place the Image Down in the Desired Location and Firmly Hold Down with a Hot Rag

This is the last and most critical step of a temporary tattoo. Begin by spraying the area where your tattoo will be placed heavily with perfume. Then, place the image down on the desired area. Have a hot towel or rag ready (not too hot that it burns the skin, of course) and hold the paper firmly against the skin using your towel.

You will need to continue firmly holding the image against your skin for at least 2 minutes. Anything less than this could cause the image to not transfer properly.

After 2 minutes have passed, remove the rag or towel and slowly peel off the paper. The image should have successfully transferred from the paper to your skin.

These temporary tattoos should last a few days to weeks, depending on the size and how well it was done.

Tip: Try and hold the paper down as steady as possible. Moving the paper while it is transferring can cause damage to the image.

Do these ‘Printer-Paper Tattoos’ Look Realistic?

You might think that a temporary tattoo that is done with a piece of paper and perfume might lack detail and realisticness, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. These temporary tattoos resemble real tattoos and that is why it has become so popular with teenagers on TikTok.

What If You Don’t Have Printer Paper?

Some people may not own a printer, or they simply don’t want to fuss around with the printing, cutting, and going extra lengths to get their hands on a tattoo. So is the perfume and printer paper method the only option for getting one of these trendy TikTok tats? Of course, not!

Let me introduce you to the perfume, tracing paper, hairspray, and sharpie method. With this method, you still get the ease of placing a temporary tattoo on your body, only you don’t need any printer paper or printing involved. It works quickly and easily and you’ll be showing off your cute tat in no time.

Let’s take a closer look at the step-by-step guide for creating a temporary tattoo using perfume, tracing paper, sharpie, and hairspray.

How to Make a Temporary Tattoo with Perfume and Sharpie?

1. Think of your dream design

Before you start gathering up your materials, you must first think about what tattoo you want to be displayed on your body. Keep in mind, though, that this method does not include a printer. That being said, you will want to pick a design you’re comfortable drawing onto the tracing paper.

2. Get your materials in order

Once you’ve picked your top-notch design, it’s time to get ready for action! With this particular method, all you will need is perfume, tracing paper with design drawn on, a sharpie (in one color or several colors, your pick!)and hairspray.

3. Get drawing!

After your materials are on your countertop and easily accessible, you can move on to the actual drawing part. You or a friend will draw the design right onto the tracing paper.

4. Rub perfume onto the area where the tattoo will be placed

Placing perfume and letting it dry will give the area more adhesiveness so the tracing sticks better.

5. Place the tracing paper onto the area

While still a bit wet with perfume, place the tracing paper onto the area and firmly press. Wait a couple of minutes so the tracing can transfer onto the skin.

6. Draw in the tracing with sharpies

After the tracing has successfully been transferred to the skin, you can begin going over the tracing and filling it in with sharpies in the colors of your choice.

7. Spray lightly with hairspray

Wait until the sharpies have completely dried. Then, holding the hairspray about 6 inches away from your tattoo, spray lightly. Make sure that the entirety of the tattoo is covered with the hairspray, but don’t drench it.

8. Enjoy!

Once the hairspray has dried, you are ready to show off your new ‘ink’.  Just keep in mind that while this is a hardy tattoo, you might want to consider reapplying hairspray when you get out of the shower, pool, or ocean to ensure that the tat stays sealed to the skin.

Tips for This Method:

• Be careful when choosing a design – The biggest difference between these two methods is that one utilizes a pre-drawn design, while the other is freehand. Make sure that you are choosing a design that you can apply with ease. You might consider starting with something basic, such as a heart or star.
• Be careful when applying the design – Make sure that you are placing the tracing paper so the tattoo is going in the direction that you want it. In some cases, it may be easier for a friend to outline and color in the tracing, such as when a tattoo is placed on the side of your stomach or somewhere difficult to reach.
• You can also use rubbing alcohol instead of perfume – People have found plenty of success using perfume, but you can also complete this method using rubbing alcohol instead. Just follow the steps, as usual, replacing perfume with rubbing alcohol.
• The tattoo is hardy- but still, be careful – The great thing about this method is that it is hardy and shouldn’t wash off easily in the shower or in the ocean, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be careful. The better you treat your tat, the longer it will last.

How Long Do These Temporary Tattoos Last?

You can feel confident that your temporary tattoo will last up to a month. However, there may be a few small blemishes here and there- unless, of course, you take care of the tat and keep it out of harm’s way.

If you want to remove the tattoo before the one month mark, that’s possible, too. All you will need to do is to get a cotton ball and dip it in some rubbing alcohol. Scrub the temporary tattoo with the rubbing alcohol until it is removed. You may have to dip the cotton ball in the rubbing alcohol a few times before it’s completely washed off of your skin.

Conclusion

In just a few simple steps, you can complete the temporary tattoo TikTok challenge! It’s quick and easy to do, the hardest part is finding an image you’re happy with. Let the creative juices start flowing!