18 Awesome Sources for Your First (or Next!) Tattoo Inspo

Rachel Charlene
Aug 13, 2015

Whether you’ve got a semicolon, a delicate flower or an homage to someone important to you, tattoos are an incredible way to show the world your personal style. With all those gorgeous designs out there, we know it can be tough to find the tattoo that’s perfect for you. Sure, Pinterest is a tattoo hotspot, but we’ve got 18 more sources to give you the ink inspo to suit your story and style.

Much like us, tattoo artists maintain active online presences. If you stumble upon an artist you really like, be sure to check up on their social media accounts for their best work, along with posts from artists they admire and work with.

1. Sasha Unisex: Seriously, we can’t get over how gorgeous her work is. We’ve written about geometric tattoos before, but it can’t be said enough: Her tattoos are bright, colorful and exceptionally well designed. (Photo via @sashaunisex)

2. Alice Carrier: This popular Portland artist is known for her blackwork and floral tattoos. If you’re looking for an artist whose entire portfolio is easily available online, Carrier may be your new fave. (Photo via @alicerules)

3. Bang Bang: Celebrity tattoo artist Bang Bang has over a million Instagram follows and is well known for slick lines and unique designs. If you’re in (or near) New York City, you should definitely check out Bang Bang’s artwork. (Photo via @bangbang)

4. Dr. Woo: This artist has tattooed many of our favorite celebrities. The Dr. is loved for geometric patterns, minimalism and an extremely strong team of artists. Even if you don’t get Dr. Woo, you’ll find a super-talented artist in the New York City-based shop. (Photo via @dr_woo_ssc)

5. Becca Genné-Bacon: Becca takes classic colors and lines and gives them an incredible, modern spin. Book lovers, pet lovers and tattoo appreciators alike will find something to love about her work. (Photo via @beccagennebacon)

6. Cally-Jo: Cally-Jo works in Manhattan, New York City, at Grit and Glory tattoo shop. Cally-Jo’s strong portfolio and background in fine arts will leave you confident in her skill set. (Photo via @callyjoart)

Celebrities

Yep, celebs are major fans of tattoos. Follow along on their Instas to discover where they got their artwork done and which styles call out to you. Tattooed celebs can serve as good examples for tattoo placement too. If you’re planning on getting multiple tattoos, it’s always best to plan in advance, so you don’t go for that wrist tattoo and then realize you want something else there a year later.

7. Jourdan Dunn: A testament to the growing celebration of tattoos in the beauty biz, supermodel Jourdan Dunn’s eight tattoos don’t keep her from booking gigs. (Photo via @officialjdunn)

8. Rihanna: Rihanna, the one and only bad gal, is slowly becoming covered in works of art. With over 20 tattoos, she’s a great celeb to keep up with for tattoo inspiration. (Photo via @badgalriri)

9. Cara Delevingne: When she’s not hanging with TSwift’s #squad, Cara Delevingne is definitely a regular on the tattoo scene. She even has a matching tattoo with Jourdan Dunn! (Photo via @caradelevingne)

10. Zoe Kravitz: Lolawolf singer and superstar daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet has an eclectic collection of small, subtle tattoos. (Photo via @zoeisabellakravitz)

11. Florence Welch: The super-edgy singer of Florence and The Machine, Florence Welch, sports quite a few tiny tattoos of her own. Copy her sense of style by tracking her latest tattoos on her Instagram. (Photo via @ouhoh)

Books

Though many people think of childhood books as a source of tattoo inspiration, there are a number of reference books out there dedicated to tattoo ideas and the history of the practice.

12. The Tattoorialist: Tattoo Street Styleby Nicolas Brulez ($15): Coming out on September 1, 2015, this book promises to be a must-have for anyone looking for a text on tattoos. With over 300 photographs of various tattoo styles and designs, this will give you a close look into the culture you’re entering when you get a tattoo.

13. The World Atlas of Tattoo by Anna Felicity Friedman ($25): Get knowledgable about contemporary and old-school tattoo practices and styles in this book of over 700 photographs. It’s more than enough to comb through and get started.

14. Pen + Ink: Tattoos and the Stories Behind Themby Isaac Fitzgerald and Wendy MacNaughton ($13): Looking for a meaningful tattoo? This book will introduce you to new designs and new writers. We call that a win-win!

15. Art on Skin: Tattoos, Style, and the Human Canvas by Nancy Hajeski, Marcel Brousseau, Lisa Purcell ($11): Consider this Tattoos 101. It walks you through choosing the right style and describing that style to your artist. The stories from tattooed folks will give you insight into what it’s like to have a tattoo.

Television Shows

If you’re looking for a passive education on the world of tattoos, look no further than these tattoo-centered television shows. Bring on the practiced talent, the gorgeous work and the competition!

16. Ink Master: If you like competition, you’ll love this show. Get a glimpse at the huge variety of styles out there by watching the artists take on thrilling challenges. (Image via Spike)

17. Epic Ink: Pop-culture addicts will fall in love with this show. You’ll learn about “geek-chic” tattoo style and might just realize one of the artists on the team is right for you! (Image via A&E)

18. Best Ink: This series keeps up with tattoo artists from all over the country and follows them as they compete to be the very best. The guest judges will teach you how to judge a tattoo and help you buff up on your tattoo knowledge. (Image via Oxygen)

What’s your plan for your next tattoo? Let us know in the comments below!

Hold Up, Did Rebecca Yarros' First 'Onxy Storm' Excerpt Just Tease Violet Sorrengail's True Identity?

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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WHICH Movie Had Kate Winslet "Sh—ing" Herself?!

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

  • Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
  • However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
  • The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

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Here's A New Look At Florence Pugh's Return As Yelena Belova

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.

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