Tattly Tattoos Review: The Best Temporary Tattoos for Fashionistas and Art Lovers

Hey there, fashion friend! If you‘re like me, you love expressing yourself through your personal style – and what better way than with some cool body art? I‘ve always been intrigued by tattoos, but as a commitment-phobe, I wasn‘t ready to go under the needle. That‘s why I was thrilled to discover Tattly, the brand that‘s single-handedly reinventing the temporary tattoo game.

In this Tattly tattoos review, I‘ll dish on everything you need to know about these chic temp tats, from the brand‘s humble beginnings to my hands-on experience with their artist-designed tattoos. Whether you‘re looking to test-drive a tattoo design, add some artsy flair to your look, or just have fun with temporary ink, Tattly has you covered (literally).

So grab a coffee, kick back, and join me on this deep dive into the wonderful world of Tattly!

What Is Tattly? The Backstory Behind the Brand

Founded in 2011 by designer and creative entrepreneur Tina Roth Eisenberg (aka @swissmiss on Instagram), Tattly is a Brooklyn-based temporary tattoo company on a mission to create "designy, high-quality" temp ink. The idea for Tattly came about when Tina, a busy mom, was fed up with putting cheap, tacky temporary tattoos on her daughter. Sound familiar?

Tina‘s lightning bolt moment: what if temporary tattoos could be well-designed and beautiful? She started the brand with just a handful of her designer friends, and the rest is history. Today, Tattly features over 400 artist-designed tattoos and has shipped over 3 million tattoos worldwide. Not bad for a little startup that began as a mom‘s passion project!

So what sets Tattly apart from the cheap kiddie tattoos of yesteryear? It all comes down to the artists. Tattly collaborates with professional designers, illustrators and artists around the globe to create unique, ultra-cool designs you won‘t find anywhere else. The result is more of an artsy accessory than a cheesy temp tat.

Another cool factor: Tattly is seriously committed to supporting the artists they work with. In the past 5 years, they‘ve paid out over $1.5 million in artist royalties – that‘s 30% of each sale going right back to the independent creatives behind your cute tats. As someone who loves to shop small and support indie makers, I‘m all about this!

The Tattly Tattoo Basics: Everything You Need to Know

Now that you‘re up to speed on Tattly‘s origin story, let‘s get into the nitty gritty of these rad temporary tattoos. Here‘s the 411:

What are Tattly tattoos made of?
Tattly tattoos are safe, non-toxic, and FDA-compliant. They‘re printed with vegetable-based ink and use skin-safe adhesive. So while they may look realistic, there‘s no needles (or regrets) involved.

How long do Tattly tattoos last?
The tattoos typically last 2-5 days, depending on where you place them and how well you care for them. Avoid putting them anywhere that rubs against clothing, apply them to clean, dry skin, and try not to exfoliate or scrub the area. I‘ve had some last up to a week with proper TLC!

How do you apply Tattly tattoos?
Applying Tattly tattoos is so easy, you could do it in your sleep (but I wouldn‘t recommend that). It only takes 4 steps:

1. Clean the area with soap and water, then pat dry
2. Carefully cut out your tattoo and remove the clear protective top sheet
3. Press the tattoo firmly onto your skin and hold a wet towel against it for 30-60 seconds
4. Slowly peel off the paper backing and voila! Instant ink.

Pro tip: For the most vibrant, long-lasting results, exfoliate your skin before application and let the tattoo air dry fully before touching it.

How do you remove Tattly tattoos?
Ready to say goodbye to your temporary masterpiece? Simply soak a towel or cloth in baby oil, coconut oil, or rubbing alcohol and gently rub the tattoo in a circular motion to dissolve the adhesive. Regular soap and water will also do the trick, just with a little more elbow grease.

Tattly Tattoos Review: Trying Them for Myself

Of course, this Tattly review wouldn‘t be complete without putting these tats to the test firsthand. I ordered a few designs I‘d been eyeing, eagerly awaiting my chance to play tattoo artist for a week. Here were my top picks:

Ink Bouquet Set by Lim Heng Swee, $18: These delicate floral line drawings give off a minimalist, sketch-like vibe. The varied sizes would be perfect for creating a dainty "bouquet" on your arm or neck.

Cattoo Set by Rob Pybus, $15: Because every cat lady needs a cattoo, am I right? This cheeky set comes with 8 whimsical cat doodles that are the perfect combo of quirky and classy.

BFF Set by Tattly, $15: I couldn‘t resist these too-cute matching friendship tattoos, which come with retro barcode designs that say "BFF 4EVA." (They‘re way cooler than those generic broken heart necklaces, IMHO).

My Tattlys arrived within a week of ordering, cutely packaged in individual plastic sleeves. I was pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the tattoo paper – these definitely didn‘t feel like the flimsy temp tats from my childhood. The colors were gorgeously vibrant too, even better than they appeared online.

Putting on the tattoos was a breeze thanks to the easy instructions on the back of each sleeve. The wet towel trick worked like a charm for transferring the designs cleanly onto my skin. I had no issues with smudging or residue, and the tattoos dried within a minute.

I ended up wearing a few of the dainty floral tattoos to a friend‘s wedding, and I got so many compliments! No one could believe they weren‘t real – that‘s how crisp and detailed the linework was. My cattoos held up shockingly well too, lasting through showers, workouts and even a beach day. After 5 days I still had to scrub pretty hard with baby oil to get them off.

Overall, I was beyond impressed with the quality, longevity and sheer fun factor of Tattly tattoos. Wearing them brought back all the childhood joy of temporary tattoos, minus the juvenile designs. It was so freeing to be able to switch up my look and express myself in a bold new way, without having to commit to anything permanent. I may or may not be addicted now (sorry not sorry)!

Why Temporary Tattoos Rock: The Benefits of Ink That‘s Not Forever

Listen, I get it. We‘ve all had that friend who got a questionable tattoo on a whim and ended up regretting it big time. (Looking at you, infinity sign with an ex‘s name). The beauty of temporary tattoos like Tattly is that you can rock a trendy design without the lifetime commitment.

Temporary tattoos have definitely come a long way since those tacky vending machine stickers. In fact, the global temporary tattoo market is expected to reach $1.7 billion by 2023! It makes sense – temp ink is an easy, affordable way to change up your look, whether you want to test-drive a real tattoo design or just have some fun with body art.

Tattly tattoos are especially great for commitment-phobes, since they last long enough to enjoy but are gone in a few days. They‘re also perfect for special occasions like festivals, bachelorette parties, or weddings (hello, custom bride tribe tattoos!). And if you‘re job hunting or work in a conservative office, Tattlys let you express your edgy side on the weekends without having to cover up a real tattoo come Monday.

Plus, temporary tattoos are a way more budget-friendly alternative to the real deal. A single Tattly design will run you anywhere from $5 to $18, while the average real tattoo costs $100-$200 per hour. Not to mention all the touch-ups and potential removal costs (yikes).

As an indecisive Libra who loves trying out new trends, I‘m all about the temporary tattoo life. Tattly makes it easy to switch up your vibe on the daily – I can be a minimalist botanical babe one day and a cat-crazed kook the next. The (fashion) world is my oyster!

Tattly Tattoos Customer Reviews: Don‘t Just Take My Word for It!

By now, you can probably tell I‘m a raving Tattly fan. But hey, don‘t just take it from me – the proof is in the glowing customer reviews. Tattly tattoos have 4.9 out of 5 stars on their website, with over 8,000 reviews! Here‘s what other ink enthusiasts are saying:

"These tattoos are amazing! They are very realistic and last a decent amount of time. I love the artwork, it‘s absolutely beautiful and you can find tattoos you wouldn‘t normally see." – Tabi S.

"I am IN LOVE with Tattly tattoos! Not only do they have an incredible selection of unique, artist-designed tattoos that you won‘t find anywhere else, but the quality is amazing. They go on smoothly, last for days, and look so real. I‘ve gotten tons of compliments when wearing them. Plus, the fact that the artists get a cut of each sale is incredible. Highly recommend!" – Alyssa P.

"I bought Tattlys for my sister‘s bachelorette party and they were a HUGE hit! We all chose a different design and had so much fun showing them off all weekend. They held up great through all the festivities (even poolside!) and made for some really cute photo ops. Can‘t recommend these enough for special occasions or just everyday fun." – Maddie J.

Tattly tattoos also get high praise on social media, with fans sharing snaps of their fresh ink on Instagram. The hashtag #tattly has over 50,000 posts, with stylish folks of all ages rocking the playful designs.

The brand has even earned a celeb following, with famous fans like Ariana Grande, Jessica Alba and Cara Delevingne spotted in Tattly tattoos. Hey, if they‘re good enough for Hollywood royalty, they‘re good enough for me!

Tattly Gives Back: Supporting Artists and the Community

Another reason I feel great about supporting Tattly (besides the fact that their tattoos are crazy cute)? The brand has a big heart and gives back to the artist community in major ways.

Like I mentioned before, Tattly is all about uplifting independent artists. They collaborate with designers, illustrators and tattoo artists from around the world, inviting them to create fun, unique temp tattoos in their signature style. Not only do the artists get great exposure and a chance to reach a wider audience, but they also receive a 30% commission on every sale featuring their designs!

Tattly has paid out over $1.5 million in artist royalties since launching in 2011, which is pretty darn impressive for a small biz. They even throw an annual "Artists Retreat" to bring their global artist community together IRL – how cool is that?

The brand‘s founder Tina is passionate about supporting creatives and building community, which extends to Tattly‘s other charitable efforts. They‘ve donated tattoos to children‘s hospitals, contributed a portion of October proceeds to breast cancer research, and even launched a collection benefitting the Humane Society (puppy tattoos, anyone?).

It‘s comforting to know your cute temporary tattoo purchase is going toward something meaningful and making a real difference for artists. Tattly is truly walking the walk!

How to Make Your Tattly Tattoos Last: Tips and Tricks

Alright, so you‘ve taken the plunge and ordered some Tattly temporary tattoos. Yay you! Before you start sticking, here are my tried-and-true tips for getting the most mileage out of your tattoos:

1. Prep your skin. Make sure the area is clean, dry and free of oils or lotions. A quick swipe of rubbing alcohol will get rid of any residue that could interfere with the adhesive.

2. Location is key. Avoid placing your tattoo anywhere that experiences a lot of friction, like your waistline, inner arms or the soles of your feet. The longer the tattoo stays put, the longer it will last!

3. Take your time. Rushing through the application process can lead to air bubbles or uneven lines. Slow and steady wins the Tattly race.

4. Hands off. Try not to touch, rub or scratch your tattoo right after applying. Let it dry completely (give it at least 10-15 minutes) before putting on clothes or getting it wet.

5. Be gentle. When washing the tattoo, use a soft cloth and mild, fragrance-free soap. Pat dry instead of rubbing, and go easy on the lotion.

6. Protect your ink. If you‘ll be spending time in chlorine or saltwater, consider covering your tattoo with a waterproof bandage. A little extra TLC goes a long way!

Follow these guidelines and your Tattly should stay looking fresh for 4-6 days, give or take. Of course, they‘re not meant to be permanent, so embrace the ephemeral nature of your rad body art!

The Final Verdict: Should You Try Tattly Temporary Tattoos?

If you‘ve made it this far, you can probably guess my verdict on Tattly temporary tattoos: a resounding YES. In case I haven‘t made it abundantly clear, I‘m kinda obsessed with this brand. 😍

From the incredible artist-designed selection to the superior staying power to the give-back mission, Tattly knocks it out of the park for me. Their tattoos strike the perfect balance of elevated and fun, quirky and cool, timeless and trendy. I love how they let me express my personality and play with different aesthetics, without the pressure of getting a real tattoo.

Plus, the application process is a breeze and they hold up so much better than any other temporary tats I‘ve tried. I‘m hard-pressed to find a single con, other than the fact that they‘re not actually permanent (which, let‘s be real, is also a pro).

At around $5-18 a pop, Tattly tattoos deliver major bang for your buck. They‘re an affordable, low-risk way to dip your toe into the wonderful world of ink. I think they‘re 100% worth trying, whether you‘re a tattoo fanatic, a fashion adventurer, or simply young at heart.

So go ahead, let your creativity run wild and give yourself the gift of wearable art. Your skin is your canvas, and Tattly is the perfect paint to play with. Trust me – your inner cool kid will thank you.

Until next time, my fellow ink enthusiasts! Keep it artsy. 😘

xo your favorite Tattly-obsessed fashion friend