Elaine is her hairdresser’s favorite client. Every month she has an appointment to get a new colored hair extension spliced into her silver pixie cut. A guiltless gossip, she reports back to her family all the goings-on at the salon and in the town. Her best cosmetic is her optimism, but still, she won’t venture as far as the mailbox without her hair and makeup done. Her laugh surpris- es you; it’s loud, but its sound makes you feel as though you are in on the joke. Elaine’s youth is preserved through her husband and family, they keep her laughing and give her an outlet for her generosity. The most important things in her life, her children, are now raising their own families. She is no longer a primary caregiver, but involved in her grandchildren’s lives almost as much as if she was. It isn’t uncommon to fool her grandchildren’s friends into thinking she is the “cool aunt.” On most days, she can either be found in the kitchen or in her sunroom with her husband and two dogs. Elaine’s life is filled with happiness and abundant love, and because of her family she has always been, in most ways, content, except for one. Her parents gave her a traditional upbringing with little opportunity for rebellious self-expression. But with their passing, and the loss no longer a new wound, Elaine began to consider fulfilling a long-held yearning. Around the age of 65, Elaine got a tattoo of a butterfly on her ankle. A trendy choice at the time, the butterfly was done simply for aesthetic purposes and to free herself from the stigma she had attached to it in her mind. Elaine now has a hibiscus blossom on her other foot, and an explosion of exotic flowers creating nearly a full sleeve on her left arm. She fulfilled a youthful desire to rebel and got addicted. She now considers adding to her sleeve simply for cosmetic purposes. If an appointment with “her guy” is not available, she is not discouraged. Adding to her personal collection of ink has now become a fun activity to do spontaneously. Her decisions no longer controlled by old fashioned conventions, Elaine developed the ability to design her own life. Now, her only concern is not if, but what to get. While up-to-date on the latest trends, Elaine gravitates toward the bright, bold florals, and playful motifs that fit with her personality and won’t go out of style. Trends are followed in hair, clothing, music, and even food. Tattoos are no different, but Elaine’s lotus flower isn’t likely to become the regrettable cliché of a barbed wire bicep band. Of course, it’s her wisdom and experience that allow her to make permanent body art decisions with such confidence and ease.
Are you trying to make a statement, political or otherwise? Do you want the tattoo to serve as a reminder of something important to yourself? Do you want to show support for a larger goal? Is this a rebellious act?
Are you the type of person to get this tattoo? Do you want a tattoo for you or to prove something to other people? Will the design be accepted by others? Do you care what other people think? Is there anyone who may not want you to get this tattoo? Will the design provoke anger in certain peo- ple? Is there a potential chance that someone will confront you about their aversion to your tattoo? Will the tattoo effect where you work or plan to work?
Is there potential to regret the design as you get older and gain more wisdom? If you are underage, do you have permission to get the tattoo? Does the design represent a person who may be temporary in your life? Will this area of your body look different as you age and change the appearance of the tattoo?
If you’re not quite there yet, consider these questions:
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FM/AM FASHION MAGAZINE AT MARIST
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