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Erin
Just Said Yes June 2018

Stressing Tattoo Cover-up?

Erin, on January 9, 2018 at 8:52 PM Posted in Style and Décor 0 37

Hello Ladies!

I'm new here, but also less than 6 months away from my wedding and desperate for some advice!

I recently got my wedding gown from David's Bridal, and I love it!

However, I have some pretty big tattoos on both of my upper arms (pretty much 1/2 sleeves) that are very colorful. I was hoping that I would be able to cover them up for my wedding day, but it's starting to feel nearly impossible.

I was wondering what your thoughts were on tattoo cover-up -- has anybody effectively done it using makeup? Does it work? I have received varying opinions from different makeup artists, but the overall consensus is that it CAN be done, but it also can rub off pretty easily. The last thing I want to do is leave giant makeup stains on anyone that hugs me or be stressing over it rubbing off all night.

My other thoughts were having sleeves added to the dress. The seamstress at David's Bridal said it can be done, but I worry it's going to look crappy or that I won't have enough time. My dress won't be in until early May, and the wedding is at the end of June. Has anyone had success adding 1/2 or 3/4 sleeves to a dress? I worry this may be miserable in June as well if it's super hot out.

Lastly, my resort would be a bolero or a jacket -- but again, it's going to be hot in June and I don't want to wind up looking even more ridiculous than I would just donning the tattoos.

If anybody has faced a similar plight and can add some thoughts or opinions, it's so greatly appreciated!

Thank you! Smiley smile


P.S. This is my dress, for reference: http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_lace-and-tulle-wedding-dress-with-beaded-straps-wg3834

37 Comments

Latest activity by Natasha, on February 4, 2021 at 2:57 AM
  • Amburgerr
    Devoted March 2018
    Amburgerr ·
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    Yes, I have heard it will run off.. I tried with my back tat for a dress and I ended up with makeup on my dress Smiley sad
    Sleeves would be pretty on the dress... But your tattoos are a part of you also I believe, why not flaunt them.
    • Reply
  • Ashley
    VIP May 2018
    Ashley ·
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    Why not just let them show?! They’re a part of you and are special to you.
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  • M
    Devoted December 2018
    MissDec1 ·
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    I’ve used airbrush before wit no issues. BUT I also wasn’t wearing white. I would call a tattoo parlor and ask if they have any suggestions- preferably one that deals with all ranges of customers and won’t tell you you shouldn’t cover them, because it’s uktimateky your decision and you are just looking for options.
    • Reply
  • JerseyGirl
    Master May 2017
    JerseyGirl ·
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    I saw show your tats! I have one at the base of my neck that I decided to cover. It is small, about the size of a half dollar. Nothing major. It was set with airbrush but started to show through by first dance. You can see a faint outline underneath my hair. It was such a small tattoo that I doubt most people noticed. However if the same results were achieved with a half sleeve

    TattooStressing Tattoo Cover-up? 1


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  • Allison
    Beginner December 2019
    Allison ·
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    I agree with PP why cover them up? They are part of who you are! I have a MASSIVE leg sleeve and am trying to find a dress to flaunt that thing.


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  • O
    Master October 2017
    O ·
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    I wouldn't cover up the tattoos, you got them for a reason, it's a part of who you are.
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  • Kristin
    Just Said Yes May 2019
    Kristin ·
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    I am a professional dancer-singer (ex-NFL Cheerleader, Radio City singer, etc) The makeup to use is Dermablend. It works really well, but if you are sweating a lot, or continuously touch or rub it, it will smear or maybe get on your dress or others. Tattoos are awesome though, so I don’t think you need to cover them up, unless you really want to! Smiley winking
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  • M
    Dedicated April 2018
    MSK ·
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    I understand your want to cover even if you love your tattoos. Some people may feel like they’re a show-stealer. I’d look into Kat Von D’s line. She has concealers that are for the explicit purpose of covering tattoos. Good luck!
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  • Sara P.
    VIP October 2018
    Sara P. ·
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    If you really want to cover them up I think the easiest would be to wear a pretty bolero that you could take off if you get uncomfortably hot. You could wear the bolero for ceremony and pictures and then take it off for the reception.
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  • Erin
    Just Said Yes June 2018
    Erin ·
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    Wow, thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts! I just called my husband-to-be to tell him “all the ladies on the WeddingWire forums are super cool!” Hah. So thank you, and thank you for the encouragement!

    I dig my tattoos and he loves them.. I think I just get worried about family and the “traditional” image of a bride, yanno?
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  • Maria
    Master June 2018
    Maria ·
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    I have a big tattoo on my upper back and can relate to your feelings. I know my tattoo is a part of me but I just don't normally flaunt it anymore. I don't think regret is the right word but I feel generally meh about my tattoo and it's big enough that I worry about it overshadowing me on my wedding day. I ended up picking a dress that will show the tattoo and I debated the makeup thing too. Ultimately I'd rather the tattoo show than risk staining my dress. I'm getting married with sleeves in the summer in Puerto Rico! But I'm a freak of nature haha. If you really want to conceal them, I don't think it's too late to add sleeves. Lots of brides do and they look fantastic. A good seamstress will make it look as if the dress originally had sleeves. If it's too hot or you just don't like how the sleeves look, start making peace with the fact that your tattoos will show and you'll look spectacular and gorgeous. But you're not the only bride that would rather not show off the tattoos. Good luck!

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  • Boardgamegeek27
    Dedicated February 2021
    Boardgamegeek27 ·
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    Stage makeup works best tbh. We covered up an actor’s full sleeve using Ben NYE and the right correcting color pallet. You want their banana powder to set it as well. I would try it a couple times since it takes some time and effort. I think application took about 1.5 hours for his.
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  • Susan
    Super November 2018
    Susan ·
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    I’m team bolero. Sleeves added to that dress will look like an afterthought (and from David’s bridal will cost a fortune) and makeup WILL rub off when used on that large a scale.
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  • B
    Dedicated April 2019
    Brittany ·
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    I say flaunt what you got! It's the cheapest and least stressful option!

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  • Summer987
    Super May 2018
    Summer987 ·
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    Don't cover them. I don't plan on covering mine either. I have a wedding party full of tattoos. My sister has a half sleeve and she's in the wedding party. I don't plan on asking anyone to cover them and I'm not covering mine. They are a part of who you are.
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  • Mrs. McMurry
    Devoted June 2018
    Mrs. McMurry ·
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    Kat Von D’s Lock It concealer is great for tattoos. I’d also use her setting spray. My personal favorite is Dermablend Cover Cream—it covers anything!! Make sure to use a primer, powder, and setting spray; that’s how you can keep it from transferring.
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  • FutureMrsS
    Expert October 2018
    FutureMrsS ·
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    I wouldn’t try to cover them up! Your tattoos make you, you!
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  • Bailey
    Devoted January 2018
    Bailey ·
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    Your tattoos are going to last the rest of your life, may as well show them at the wedding. I bought a lace off-the-shoulder piece to go over my dress if you truly insist on covering. However, I bought my dress to make sure my tattoo was COMPLETELY showing. It's on my shoulder so I opted for no straps even though I'm extremely busty.
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  • Nikki
    Devoted October 2018
    Nikki ·
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    I used to cover tattoos for work with Kat Von D but it does get on clothes and smudge and does need touch ups in areas with lots of moving or rubbing. It would also take a lot of product and time. I think for me it would be a question of is this worth the money and effort I'm going to spend to make a few people happy? If people don't approve of you on your wedding day then what's the point of trying to appease them? Good luck either way!
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  • crazypants
    Dedicated June 2018
    crazypants ·
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    I have also heard Dermablend is the go-to. There's another one I think it's CoverRx (?).

    However, I agree with everyone else. My fiancee has tattoos on her upper arms and is proud of them. However, she was planning on covering them because she didn't want her mom to say anything. I told her it was up to her, but I didn't think that was something she needed to do. I love her for who she is, tattoos and all. They are a part of her and she shouldn't feel she needs to hide them for anyone else.

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