If the slipper fits…or the lips…

Olivia SnapeOnce upon a time there was a girl called Olivia. She was a quirky girl with lots of flair. She worked in fashion and possessed a unique style to match. The boys stared and the girls often glared. The envy of all that looked upon her. To enhance her look she wished to etch that individuality onto her body. Style that remained when her clothes did not. “What on earth would be the perfect fit?” a question this stylish young girl often pondered.

One sunny day in Brighton Olivia sat amongst her friends, her lips painted her calling card red. Then the thought dawned. The lips that encapsulated her flamboyant flair could be painted on her skin when her lips remained bare. So Olivia printed her scarlet red lips onto a napkin. “This is just not right”, she proclaimed “this just won’t do”. She realised she did not want her own lips, but something so much more. Her friends called out, “why not mine Olivia?” So she put them all to the test and they all kissed a napkin wearing Olivia’s trademark red lipstick, but which lips would win?

Ed
with a pout like that how did he fail...?

First up was Ed ‘Deathwish‘ Higgins, the napkin he did kiss. “Olivia, use mine, use mine” he cried. However the napkin impression did not impress young Olivia. “These lips are too thin, these lips were not meant to be painted red, imagine how silly they would look on my skin!” Olivia decided Ed’s thin lips were just not meant to be, they would provide no artwork on her skin.

Next up was Jorunn, how would her lips compete? Would they become the fairest lips of them all and adorn Olivia’s body for life? And so she kissed, however they missed. “Something is just not right” Olivia cried in despair, almost tearing out her peroxide blonde hair. Jorunn looked glum, she just hadn’t won. Olivia was sorry, but for her it had to feel right.

Kissed napkin

Liv and KeelyThen there was Keely. In their eyes pure love, they gazed at each other across the table. “It’s meant to be” proclaimed the young fashionista. “Keely your lips are mine”. So Keely kissed and left was the perfect imprint. These lips are for life. Forever, Olivia and Keely, best friends and tattoo buddies.

So here it stands. Olivia and Keely and a memoriam of their friendship ever lasting.

Olivia lips

This is a story based on the real life experiences of Olivia Snape. A beautiful young stylist (see her blog here) who left Market Harborough to pursue a career in London. Her style remains iconic, she has won awards for it…I’d like to think it all began on that sunny day in Brighton…let’s hope there is much ink to come…I will endeavour to keep you updated on her story.

Finished lipsFeaturing: Olivia Snape

After lipsAfter lips


The unveiling of Fearne’s rose.

Fearne Cotton tattooFearne Cotton

Admitted ink obsessive has unveiled another beautiful tattoo while holidaying with fiancé Jesse Jenkins in the Caribbean. The rose perfectly compliments her existing pin-up girl/mermaid and adds some more 40s glamour to her growing collection. As ever Fearne you feed my tattoo imagination. Loving your work…

Fearne's new tattooI cannot wait to see some non pap pics.

Photos: source unknown, flynet

Hello Keely.


Feature girl: Keely Reichardt (her blog is here)

KeelyOh well, hello there Keely. My new tattoo feature girl. A talented make-up artist, who has taken her quest for beautification from her flawlessly made-up face to her body. Keely is covered in beautiful ink, feast your eyes on this th’inkers…

Skull

What a pretty skull you have…a girly, modern twist on a traditional tattoo idea. The skull was created by Matt Difa, who used to work in Tusk, Covent Garden.

As a striking pin-up style girl herself, Keely decided she would also like to pin-up her body.

Pin-up girl

This piece is a work in progress. Created by – the very much in demand – Nikole Lowe of London Ink fame. Keely would love to get this piece finished, but is not quite sure when or if this will ever happen. Keely tells a funny tale about her inking experience…

“The second sitting was extremely painful after a particularly easy first sitting with the outline – probably down to the fact that I was a little stoned so felt nothing. Although an old hells angel style character came in and told me it was going to feel like I had been hung and was being beaten with sticks….he then proceeded to show me his bull dog tattoo on his knees.”

Keely I wish I had been there to witness this, sounds like an interesting experience to say the least…I also wish we had a picture of the man and his bulldog-branded knee!

Foot

Now we move on to Keely’s beautiful feet and possibly my favourite tattoo of all time. This piece was inspired by the Japanese Manga artist Junko Mizuno. This inspired ink is a collaborative creation by Paula, at Into You. Paula and Keely picked out the images they liked from comic books and combined and changed them to create this piece of art.

Back

This dramatic and awe-inspiring back piece by Matt Difa, at the Jolie Rouge . Stigmatas, Latin meaning ‘Branded with tattoos’.

DWBH

DWBH – Don’t Worry, Be Happy. The lip tattoo was done by some guy in a random parlour in Middlesex for a tenner! He thought DW and BH were initials, hence the big gap.

Mince pies and heartLove Heart – by Adam, Into you. This piece was done by hand, not using a gun. Keely originally wanted a pineapple, but apparently this would be too intricate for a finger design.

Keely’s creative approach to tattooing has made me feel utterly inspired. I also really fancy a mince pie, anyone else?

Photos: Olivia Snape