02 Aug “Tattoos helped me take ownership of my body when I felt I couldn’t control anything else,” Christina’s tattoo story

Christina (@christinaloves_clothes) is a fashion and lifestyle content creator, based in Northamptonshire – she adores playing dress up, has since she was a little girl. Now a mum of three who’s still with her childhood sweetheart, her tattoos have become part of who she is – helping her become more comfortable in her own skin. Here, she talks inspiration, meaning and what’s next on her list of tattoo ideas. Let’s dive into her tattoo story…

What made you want to get tattooed? 

As someone who’s struggled with body image from a young age, I’d always been intrigued by tattoos! I loved the way they looked and as a creative soul I knew I wanted one as soon as I was old enough. As a teen, there was definitely an aspect of taking ownership of my body – plus a small amount of rebellion!

I was always drawing on myself and even got a few henna tattoos when I had the opportunity. I’ve always loved to draw and loved the idea of being a tattoo artist but decided I don’t have the stomach for the pain/blood (on other people).

What was your first tattoo?

I got a small butterfly on my ankle at the age of 17. I was on a caravan holiday with my boyfriend’s family (now my husband) and they were always far more relaxed with rules than my own family. They were happy to take me along for a tattoo as my husband’s sister knew the tattoo artist and already had several herself. (My mum knew I was going to get one but I don’t think my dad was pleased, or even knew until after the fact).

How was the experience?

It was terrifying! I knew I wanted the butterfly – I had printed it out especially and I wanted some pretty swirls around it. But the guy who ended up doing the tattoo was a fairly large intimidating man who did little to put me at ease, and ended up doing a smoky swirl. It wasn’t at all what I really wanted, but I was too scared to say anything and he drew it free hand and just did it! I plastered a smile on my face – at least I had a tattoo now, I thought.

It didn’t stop me from going back the same week and getting a tiny heart with devil horns and a tail on my wrist. (This was covered up only a year later and was definitely a rebellion I regretted.) I’ve been meaning to get the butterfly covered for years, but never found the right design or the time to get it done.

After my iffy experiences in the seaside tattoo shop and another awful experience in Northampton, I found an amazing tattoo shop local to me and have been tattooed by several artists there. They really helped put me at ease and took the time to get my ideas right. Shout out to the Rose and Dagger Wellingborough (specifically Matt the owner and Nicole). Also Iggy (@iggy_inktattooist) who did my bigger pieces and has since moved to her own shop in Rushden.

Do you have a favourite tattoo and do you think tattoos have to have meaning?

I have a few favourites, and a lot of mine have some sort of meaning or memory attached.

My ‘self-love’ tattoo is definitely one of my favourites, I love the style and vibrant colours. It means a lot, as I was at a huge turning point in my self-love journey at the time, I was finally starting to feel comfortable with myself and my body. 

I also have a floral bee that my oldest friend and I both have, she moved to Australia in 2020 so it’s nice we have this connection still. I’ve known her since year 7 in school, and she was even my maid of honour. I’m buzzing to see her on her next UK visit (pun intended).

My shoulder/chest tattoo was a big thing for me, I got it on my 30th birthday after wanting it for a long time but never feeling like I could. This one was purely for the look at first, but I had it extended a few years later and I loved the idea of a bird cage signifying the freedom I felt in my early 30s.

My husband and I have got each other’s names. I think it was on/near a wedding anniversary and our designs are completely different but also similar in that we both have an anchor. I loved the meaning behind an anchor (being anchored together/ being each other’s anchor through life) and it felt fitting, as we have been together since we were 14! Mine is a fairly dainty design with two roses and three buds for our family unit with a small anchor, whereas he has a more traditional style anchor on his arm, with our wedding colours on the flowers.

Another favourite is my butterfly key – somewhat connected with the bird cage, it signifies freedom after covid and of having the key to my own self-worth.

What influenced the style of tattoos you have?

I definitely have a real mixture, I feel like the tattoo industry has changed a lot over the last 20 years, and so has my taste! I do love some of the more traditional styles and colours but am also very drawn to dainty whimsical styles too. I love florals probably over anything else.

Do you have any tattoos planned?

In my head yes, but haven’t got any actually booked! I have huge Pinterest boards overflowing with ideas, I want some inspired books I love and have wanted a mermaid and/or a fairy for a long time too.

Has getting tattooed had an effect on your body confidence and how you view yourself?

Tattoos have been a huge part of the body acceptance process for me, as someone who has struggled with body image my whole life. I’ve always craved change – changing my hair often for that dopamine release, my weight yo-yoing and becoming a wife and mother at a young age. I do feel that tattoos were a way to help me express myself, take ownership of my body when I felt I couldn’t control anything else and choosing the art and where to put it, just because I could!

Do you want to make people feel a certain way through your content? 

When I first started my page, I badly wanted to connect with other people who’d ditched diet culture and learned to love or, at least, accept their body. Instagram was the place I learned I could do just that without the need to change any aspect of myself.

I wanted to explore who I was and what I liked – as me, not just a mum/wife. I found many creators that were living life unapologetically in their bigger bodies and I really wanted to try it for myself and see how it went. The relief was immense. The heavy weight of shame and guilt for being in a bigger body has been something that has lifted gradually over time –I really needed to let go and allow myself the freedom to be ok with my body and accept it.

I adopted a ‘fake it till you make it’ mantra and started sharing my outfits and the clothes that made me feel good regardless of my size/shape.

My aim now is to show that you can wear what makes you happy, in the body you have now. If it brings you joy, confidence and adds a little sparkle to your day, why wouldn’t you? Life is too short to be unhappy in your body.

While I have been making healthier choices and have seen some changes in my own body this year, I really hope I can inspire others to embrace their current body and dress for happiness rather than focusing on covering up and being uncomfortable.

What do your children think of your tattoos? Do you think you’ll be taking them to get tattooed when they’re old enough?

My children have never really seemed to care much about them, to be honest. My eldest daughter has definitely shown more of an interest lately though, and sometimes asks to colour them in. She often comes home from school covered in doodles and I can imagine, once she’s old enough, will be asking me to take her for one! I’d love to get a mother/daughter tattoo with her one day. 

Follow Christina on Instagram and read more tattoo stories on our blog.

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