7 Tattoo Trends About to Blow Up in 2017
Tattoos are a bold form of self-expression, but the pressure of choosing just the right design can make you feel a bit overwhelmed. Need some inspo? I got the lowdown on 2017's biggest tattoo trends from two of New York City's most in-demand artists: Bang Bang, whose clients include Kylie Jenner, Cara Delevingne and Rihanna (not to mention Seventeen.com assistant style editor Kelsey Stiegman); and JonBoy, whose handiwork can be seen on Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin, and Justin Bieber. Here's what their coolest clients are asking for right now.
1. Hip tattoos
If you want a tattoo that offers flexible visibility, the side of your hip is the hottest spot for placement.
"It's an area where you can easily hide the tattoo or show it off," JonBoy told Seventeen.com. He would know - he inked Hailey Baldwin with "gente" (Portuguese for "people") there.
Bang Bang did Kylie Jenner's hip tattoo ("sanity" spelled phonetically) and has received a ton of similar requests from Kylie stans in recent months.
2. Inner arm tattoos
The other trendy placement you're about to see everywhere is on the inside of the arm. These tattoos have a hide-and-go-seek appeal - sometimes you see them, sometimes you don't.
"Inner arm tats are neat because when you're standing in your neutral position, head on, you can't see them," JonBoy explained. "They're only revealed when you turn your inner arm toward me." He inked Kylie's grandmother's name on her inner arm in her grandfather's handwriting.
3. Photorealistic tattoos
"Hyper-realism - being able to make something look real on someone's skin - is becoming a really popular request," Bang Bang told Seventeen.com.
Some of these gorgeous tattoos look like HD pics.
4. Tiny tattoos
Dainty skin art has been hot for a while, and it's sure to remain a major trend in 2017 as people find more and more places to put the small designs.
"Arms, the side of the ribs, the back of the neck, and behind the ear - these are beautiful, elegant spots," JonBoy said.
Bella Thorne is the queen of tiny tats, which include a heart below her collarbone and a moon and stars on her heel.
5. Cosmetic tattoos
Not every tattoo actually looks like a tattoo. Some cosmetic tats mimic the look of natural eyebrows, freckles, or even nipples (for people who have had mastectomies). Others are designed to look like makeup.
"One of the really great things tattoos can do for people is to help them feel better about themselves," Bang Bang said. "This is absolutely a rising trend."
6. Script tattoos
Lettering has always been a popular choice, but delicate cursive is a fresh new take.
"I'm doing a lot more script than I used to," JonBoy said. "Words, names, dates, stuff like that. From afar, it looks like a linear design. Up close, you see that it's a word or phrase. At any distance, it looks very sleek on the body."
7. Geometric tattoos
On the flip side, this tattoo trend skips words and phrases entirely. Aesthetically pleasing geometric shapes are often placed to complement the body's contours and boast a timeless appeal.
"Dots and lines are easier to commit to than committing to some kind of imagery," JonBoy explained. "Five dots could mean five family members - or anything at all."
Hannah Orenstein is a writer at Seventeen.com. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
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