If you like the idea of being inked but aren't so enamoured by the pain or permanence of a tattoo, we're here to tell you that you can still have fun with body art. Maybe a sleeve, neck tattoo or any ink at all wouldn't fit your lifestyle for religious or work reasons – but these days, pretty much any design that can be applied by needle, you can now find in a temporary format.
One of the best things about semi-permanent tattoos is the ability to easily remove them after anywhere between a weekend and 2 weeks, so you can change the style to suit your mood. We've created this guide to help you choose fake tattoos that last and look real available across Amazon, eBay and ASOS including custom pens by Inkbox and trending transfers from INKED by Dani. All the inspiration, without the risks!
Quick List - Top Temporary Tattoos
BIC
Get Creative With Colourful Pens and Stencils
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Gaining popularity amongst tattoo virgins and connoisseurs who love to change up their look, semi-permanent tattoos allow you to experience having a realistic tat without the downsides. In this guide, we'll explore the exciting world of temporary tattoos to help you express your personal style, considering products suitable for little ones too.
Unlike the stick-on designs you remember from childhood, there are various different types of temporary tattoos to experiment with now. Whether you're looking for the classic transfers or something more advanced like a marker you can doodle with, we've got you covered!
Out of all the options, transfers offer the biggest range of colours and styles. From teeny stamp-style tats to half or even full sleeves, there are plenty of different looks to play around with and most of them last from around 3-5 days so they're super low-commitment.
Multicoloured, all white, black or metallic – colour-wise, the possibilities nowadays are almost endless. Enhance a boho look with henna-style designs or opt for watercolour florals for a subtle, chic effect. Choosing transfers for kids? Opt for packs with a wide range of bright designs.
One thing that hasn't really changed with transfers is how easy to use they are. The instructions can vary between brands, but generally, after placing them face down on your skin, press on a damp cloth for 10-20 seconds and then peel off the backing. To remove, you can use body oil, baby oil (or even olive oil), rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser.
The best thing about temporary tattoo pens and markers is that they give you total freedom to create your own customised masterpiece! Working as a freehand pen, you can draw the tattoo designs of your dreams. We recommend looking for those with both thin and broad ends for detailed work and colouring.
Some come in just black whereas others offer a wide range of vibrant shades to create tattoos that look so realistic. Opt for pens or markers that have skin-safe ink, especially if you have allergies as designs from a tattoo marker can last from 1-2 weeks – longer than other types of temporary tatt.
These pens and markers might not be for everyone though, as they require some confidence in drawing skills, but it is a great way to improve if you're up for the challenge! Choose one that comes with a stencil kit if your sketching skills are a little rusty, and then you can have the best of both worlds.
To create your own temporary tattoos with a stencil design, consider going for a henna-style stencil kit. Coming with a pre-measured ink mixture, gloves and reusable stencils, this type of kit is easy to use once you've mixed it – you simply paint the designs onto your body and wait for it to dry.
Your design will usually stay put for between 7-15 days and the leftover ink mixture from some products can be kept until next time by refrigerating. Not the option for a weekend festival with work or school on Monday, but a great option for temporary tatts that look great and last a little longer!
For temporary tattoos to be safe for children, they should be dermatologically tested, labelled as non-toxic and preferably have a visible ingredients list on the package and description. Some products are considered safe from age 3 and up, whereas others advise usage from 10+. Generally, this is down to parent discretion.
Whether you're looking for temporary tattoos as a fun gift for a niece or nephew or to include them as part of a party bag at your child's birthday, you'll want to make sure it is 100% safe and won't cause any irritation or allergic reactions.
No matter the age, if you or whoever you are buying for has any allergies, be sure to check the ingredients list (where possible) and, again, go for products that provide reassurance that they have been dermatologically tested and are suitable for sensitive skin. For severe allergies or skin complaints, it might be better to avoid temporary tattoos altogether.
Great news – just like with other skincare products, it's possible to find temporary tattoos that are cruelty-free and vegan. However, there are still lots of tattoo packs out there that don't specify, and therefore we have to assume they are not certified as cruelty-free or totally plant-based.
Temporary tattoos that are made in the UK should have the leaping bunny logo on the packaging (and hopefully in the description) if they are cruelty-free and of course, the vegan symbol if the product doesn't contain any animal-derived ingredients.
Many tattoos available online are made in Europe or the USA, so you'll usually need to rely on the product description to determine its credentials. Although not a hard and fast rule, brands that take the care to ensure their transfers are not tested on animals and are vegan will often contain more naturally derived ingredients for a safer experience all around.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | COKTAK Watercolour Temporary Tattoos | ![]() | Realistic Tattoo Stickers for Those Who Love Florals | |
2 | Inkbox Freehand Ink Temporary Tattoos | ![]() | Custom Tattoos That Last up to 2 Weeks | |
3 | BIC BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers and Stencil Sheets | ![]() | Get Creative With Colourful Pens and Stencils | |
4 | INKED by Dani White-Out Temporary Tattoo Pack | ![]() | Inspired by Hand-Drawn Designs | |
5 | Tatsy Funky Temporary Tattoo Set | ![]() | Designed by Professional Tattoo Artists Worldwide | |
6 | INKED by Dani Self Love Temporary Tattoo Pack | ![]() | Show Off Your Favourite Inspirational Expressions | |
7 | Makerfire Metallic Temporary Tattoos | ![]() | Waterproof Transfers to Add Some Sparkle | |
8 | Glaryyears Black Temporary Tattoos | ![]() | A Sticker Set With a Wide Range of Options | |
9 | Earth Henna Organic Jagua Temporary Tattoo and Body Painting Kit | ![]() | Great for Testing the Tattoo Waters | |
10 | LAROI Extra Large Full Sleeve Temporary Tattoos | ![]() | Experiment With a Full Sleeve for a Bold Look |
Love decorative florals and botanical illustrations? Well so do we, and we couldn't help but be drawn to these watercolour-inspired masterpieces by COKTAK. With 12 sheets of transfers including lavender, sweet pea and dandelion designs, they're perfect for those with a penchant for plants.
These tattoos are advertised as lasting for up to 6 days (particularly in an area such as the leg or ankle) and are non-toxic, safe and easy to remove. Delicate, feminine and totally chic, these temporary transfers are our favourite and we think they might be yours, too.
For something that lasts a little longer, why not try Inkbox's hugely popular freehand ink pen? Made in Canada from cruelty-free, plant-based ink, it develops over 24 hours and lasts for up to two weeks!
The 'For Now' Ink used is a new tattoo technology that works with your skin's natural chemistry for a result that is safe and fades as your skin regenerates. The thin steel tip allows for highly detailed designs, offering creative freedom for very real-looking tattoos without the forever part! The ergonomic bottle makes application a breeze, too.
Feeling a little creative? BIC's BodyMark temporary pen and sheet kit offers the perfect way to express your own style, whether you choose to go freehand or use the beautifully designed stencils.
These cosmetic-quality markers let you create unique and fun tattoos with a burst of bright colour and a bucketload of cool. The flexible felt tip pen produces thin or broad lines and you can choose from eight vivid and skin-safe colours. Exciting, adaptable and well worth the money!
Made with white ink, INKED by Dani's White-Out temporary tattoo pack looks amazing with a warm-weather tan and beautifully compliments darker skin tones. Bring a bit of boho to your day with these gorgeous travel and nature-inspired designs.
Dani's tattoos are totally safe, non-toxic, and hand-drawn and made in the USA from cruelty-free, vegan ink. Not only are these transfers well-made, but they've also been featured in Vogue and worn by the likes of Kourtney Kardashian and Gigi Hadid. And if they're good enough for them, they're certainly good enough for us!
If you love old-school style tattoos but brought up to date with a contemporary twist, check out this set by Tatsy. The designs feature a hot air balloon, dreamcatcher and other unique motifs suitable for adults, kids and everyone in between.
Waterproof, non-toxic and dermatologically tested, they are both safe for your skin and easy to remove. Best of all, the tattoo sets in Tatsy's range are hand-designed by a variety of young European tattoo artists for an authentic look.
Founded by artist Dani Egna, INKED by Dani was created to help you "Make Your Tattoo Dreams a Temporary Reality" – and, of course, have lots of fun in the process! The range has lots of different options and we think these Self Love transfers look super cute and super realistic, too.
The individual transfers have mixed slogans such as "everything happens for a reason" and "carpe diem", perfect for practising some self-love and compassion. We also like that they're subtle enough to wear every day, bringing some good, posi vibes whenever you feel like it!
If you're looking for something different from the traditional black tattoo styles, these metallic transfers by Makerfire are an exciting option. Waterproof and easy to stick onto the body, these transfers add a touch of sparkle and shine – perfect for a party or event.
They are also non-toxic, easy to remove and can be added to most parts of the body for a mesmerising, bejewelled look. A gorgeous accessory for a festival, beach party or holiday outfit that's sure to dazzle.
If you like to keep it cute, take a look at these all-black transfers by Glaryyears. Featuring some really lovely designs in a variety of sizes from tiny to medium, they look realistic (but, of course, without the pain) and are bang on trend.
A highly-rated product online, these tats are easy to apply and remove and last for several days without fading or peeling. Though not recommended for sensitive skin, these are suitable for adults and kids and are a cheap, fun and safe way to try out some charming body art.
Made not with black henna (which contains PPD, a chemical some people react badly to) but with ink from the jagua fruit, this kit is a natural-based alternative suitable for all ages. The kit contains lots of bits and pieces such as toothpicks, gloves and wipes alongside 40 reusable stencils and enough jagua for 10-15 tattoos.
Including a variety of designs from mandala-inspired flowers to barbed wire, there's something for almost everyone here. While it is no doubt more of a faff than a transfer sticker, it does last much longer and is a great pick if you want to see how you might get on with a real tattoo before committing.
Most temporary tattoos focus on "stamp" style designs, but if you're interested in a bolder, more impactful look, this might be the pack for you. With this range of intricate designs, you can experiment with the idea of a sleeve without the commitment.
The pack includes 8 full sleeves and 12 half-arm tattoos which are easy to apply and remove with baby oil, soap and water. Suitable for both men and women, this set can also be used for fancy dress or as part of a character costume for actors or performers. But for some of us, this look might be a bit too bold.
If you're someone who enjoys choosing fun products, whether as a gift for a friend or simply to brighten your own day a little, then take a peek at our related articles. Because as we all know, play is an essential part of life!
So there you have it – the top temporary tattoos that you'll be keen to bind to your bod. Pens, ink or good old transfer stickers, we hope you've found some inspiration from our guide so you can spend less time searching and more time getting creative.
Author: Melaine McPhail
No. 1: COKTAK|Watercolour Temporary Tattoos
No. 2: Inkbox |Freehand Ink Temporary Tattoos
No. 3: BIC|BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers and Stencil Sheets
No. 4: INKED by Dani|White-Out Temporary Tattoo Pack
No. 5: Tatsy|Funky Temporary Tattoo Set
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