Influencer Who Dished Out $33K on 250 Tattoos Reveals How the Transformation Impacts Her Daily Life (Exclusive)
An Australian woman has gone viral on social media for showing her 250 tattoos, which cover nearly her entire body, from her chest to her feet (and yes, her butt)
Over five years, she's spent around $32,600 on her themed ink, which she reveals are done over multiple seven-hour tattooing sessions
Speaking about her transformation, she reveals how her appearance has impacted her confidence and everyday interactionsThis woman's love for tattoos is permanent.
Melbourne, Australia-based content creator Blue Valentine has garnered a following online for sharing her tattoo journey, which, today, includes around 250 works of art that've cost her $50,000 AUD (which is approximately $33,000 USD).
"I always knew I wanted tattoos," says the 28-year-old, who describes herself as "an all-or-nothing kind of person."
Still, when she decided to get her first tattoo five years ago, she approached the process slowly and steadily.
"I was initially scared I wouldn't be able to handle the pain, as I don't like regular needles or taking blood. I did a small traditional tattoo flower on my ribs, so if I tapped out, I wouldn't have to look at it too much." But that wasn't the case.
Despite the "horrible" pain that occurred during that very first session, she wasn't deterred. "As I left the studio, I got over it and booked in my first sleeve about a week later."
There's more than what meets the eye with what Valentine calls her "body suit" (because the majority of her lower half — including her chest, stomach and butt — are, in fact, covered in tats).
Each sleeve and collage are designed in different themes: Diner, Military, Sailor, Circus, Garage, Western and Vintage. The one thing they have in common? Illustrations inspired by 1950s pin-up culture, which also influences how Valentine dresses day to day.
"I knew I wanted to do themes straight away. I like the organization of it. I picked my top themes, assessed which ones had the most images I wanted and they got the larger portions of my body," she explains.
"My favorite tattoo is my throat tattoo. [It reads] 'Not your Valentine', Valentine being my last name. I think it's a bold statement and is a strong representation of my personality. My others would be the ones I have representing my family, such as images of my parents [she revealed in a TikTok tattoo tour that she has an depiction of them as "conjoined twins" as a part of her circus-themed sleeve], brother, grandparents and dogs. 'All Bark, All Bite' across my chest is also another favorite of mine," she says.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
While Valentine's tattoo count may be mind-boggling, she puts thought into every single one she gets. First, she sketches her concepts on an iPad, then gives her moodboard of sorts to her tattoo artists. She's worked with three Australian-based artists, Ben Tuckey, Ben Koopman and Allegra Maeva, over the years (but has never done a tattoo on herself).
Then come the time-consuming — and pricey — tattoo shop visits. "I would book six to seven-hour full-day sessions and go either weekly or bi-weekly until we completed whatever sleeve or themed section we were on. I'd then take a month break or so to draw up the next sleeve if I didn't already have it ready. Usually in a full day you could get two big pieces or three medium pieces [completed]. There would also be full-day sessions just focused on filler pieces to close up any gaps, which were usually just free-handed by the artist."
She says she's dished out around $800 AUD or $522 USD per session.
is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more!
Valentine's transformation has cost her much more than money. She tells PEOPLE that her appearance sometimes receives negative responses from people she meets in real life.
"Men definitely stare and ask inappropriate questions. I also work in a bar so there's not a night that goes by without some form of harassment and comments made towards me and my tattoos," says Valentine, who works in bar management. "I don't take anyone's opinion of it seriously, as my tattoos are everything I planned out and wanted. I'm very proud of what me and my artists have achieved, and I've become incredibly confident in my skin because of it." She also says she has a loving partner who supports her tattoo journey as she does hers.
That means she really (yes, really) doesn't have any regrets about her ink. "I'm so glad I waited until I was 23 to start getting tattooed or, my god, I would have some shockers! Everything was planned and everything worked out the way I envisioned thanks to my artists," she says.
The lingering question: Does she have any more room for a few more tattoos? "I only have the bottoms of my feet, face and ears free," she says, though getting her ears done is next on her to-do list. She does have one body part that's absolutely off limits: "I want to keep my face naked."
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Influencer Who Dished Out $33K on 250 Tattoos Reveals How the Transformation Impacts Her Daily Life (Exclusive)
A content creator details her five-year journey to achieving her tattoo "body suit"NEED TO KNOW An Australian woman has gone viral on social media for showing her 250 tattoos, which cover nearly her entire body, from her chest to her feet (and yes, her butt) Over five years, she's spent around $32,600 on her themed ink, which she reveals are done over multiple seven-hour tattooing sessions Speaking about her transformation, she reveals how her appearance has impacted her confidence and everyday interactionsThis woman's love for tattoos is permanent. Melbourne, Australia-based content creator Blue Valentine has garnered a following online for sharing her tattoo journey, which, today, includes around 250 works of art that've cost her $50,000 AUD (which is approximately $33,000 USD). "I always knew I wanted tattoos," says the 28-year-old, who describes herself as "an all-or-nothing kind of person." Still, when she decided to get her first tattoo five years ago, she approached the process slowly and steadily. "I was initially scared I wouldn't be able to handle the pain, as I don't like regular needles or taking blood. I did a small traditional tattoo flower on my ribs, so if I tapped out, I wouldn't have to look at it too much." But that wasn't the case. Despite the "horrible" pain that occurred during that very first session, she wasn't deterred. "As I left the studio, I got over it and booked in my first sleeve about a week later." There's more than what meets the eye with what Valentine calls her "body suit" (because the majority of her lower half — including her chest, stomach and butt — are, in fact, covered in tats). Each sleeve and collage are designed in different themes: Diner, Military, Sailor, Circus, Garage, Western and Vintage. The one thing they have in common? Illustrations inspired by 1950s pin-up culture, which also influences how Valentine dresses day to day. "I knew I wanted to do themes straight away. I like the organization of it. I picked my top themes, assessed which ones had the most images I wanted and they got the larger portions of my body," she explains. "My favorite tattoo is my throat tattoo. [It reads] 'Not your Valentine', Valentine being my last name. I think it's a bold statement and is a strong representation of my personality. My others would be the ones I have representing my family, such as images of my parents [she revealed in a TikTok tattoo tour that she has an depiction of them as "conjoined twins" as a part of her circus-themed sleeve], brother, grandparents and dogs. 'All Bark, All Bite' across my chest is also another favorite of mine," she says. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. While Valentine's tattoo count may be mind-boggling, she puts thought into every single one she gets. First, she sketches her concepts on an iPad, then gives her moodboard of sorts to her tattoo artists. She's worked with three Australian-based artists, Ben Tuckey, Ben Koopman and Allegra Maeva, over the years (but has never done a tattoo on herself). Then come the time-consuming — and pricey — tattoo shop visits. "I would book six to seven-hour full-day sessions and go either weekly or bi-weekly until we completed whatever sleeve or themed section we were on. I'd then take a month break or so to draw up the next sleeve if I didn't already have it ready. Usually in a full day you could get two big pieces or three medium pieces [completed]. There would also be full-day sessions just focused on filler pieces to close up any gaps, which were usually just free-handed by the artist." She says she's dished out around $800 AUD or $522 USD per session. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Valentine's transformation has cost her much more than money. She tells PEOPLE that her appearance sometimes receives negative responses from people she meets in real life. "Men definitely stare and ask inappropriate questions. I also work in a bar so there's not a night that goes by without some form of harassment and comments made towards me and my tattoos," says Valentine, who works in bar management. "I don't take anyone's opinion of it seriously, as my tattoos are everything I planned out and wanted. I'm very proud of what me and my artists have achieved, and I've become incredibly confident in my skin because of it." She also says she has a loving partner who supports her tattoo journey as she does hers. That means she really (yes, really) doesn't have any regrets about her ink. "I'm so glad I waited until I was 23 to start getting tattooed or, my god, I would have some shockers! Everything was planned and everything worked out the way I envisioned thanks to my artists," she says. The lingering question: Does she have any more room for a few more tattoos? "I only have the bottoms of my feet, face and ears free," she says, though getting her ears done is next on her to-do list. She does have one body part that's absolutely off limits: "I want to keep my face naked." Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Vogue
7 hours ago
- Vogue
Shop Matteau's Latest Vacation Styles for 10% Off
Photo: Courtesy of Matteau If we had to build our summer wardrobes from scratch, one of the first brands we'd want in there is Matteau. The Australian label, founded by sisters Ilona Hammer and Peta Heinsen in 2015, focuses on classic summer styles that bridge simplicity with modernity—an ethos that resonates strongly with many Vogue editors who seek them out for seasonal yet timeless wardrobe additions. Matteau's consciously-designed swimwear is a great place to start if you're just getting acquainted with the brand, but since launching over a decade ago, the label's expanded into various ready-to-wear categories that prioritize regenerative, organic, and recycled materials like poplin, silk, and regenerated nylon. Whether it's for summer-in-the city dressing or laidback vacation wear, mainstays in our own closets include their fisherman drawstring pant, which associate fashion director Madeline Fass recently wore on a trip to Galicia. Associate shopping director Talia Abbas loves their white cotton poplin midi, which she's had for two summers and counting. Meanwhile, Cortne Bonilla swears by their airy popover dress for beating the heat in style, even more so now that she's expecting. Shop these editor favorites for less as an Insider—and discover more Vogue-loved styles that won't compete with your wardrobe, but instead, complete it.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rock star offers support to Scots brothers rowing across Pacific
A world-famous rock star has offered his support to three brothers who are attempting to row across the Pacific in record-time. Michael Balzary – better known by his stage name, Flea – is the bassist for Red Hot Chili Peppers, and is the latest celebrity to back Scottish brothers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean. On Sunday, the brothers marked 100 days of their non-stop, unsupported row from Peru to Australia in a bid to raise money for clean water projects in Madagascar. The entire trip will be around 9,000 miles, and the Macleans are expected to complete their challenge within the next 20-30 days. Celebrities including actor Mark Wahlberg, rugby star Blair Kinghorn, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and actor and comedian Greg Hemphill have also backed the brothers. Ahead of the 100-day mark, Flea spoke with the brothers via a podcast, where they bonded over the challenge and revealed how living with your brothers or bandmates can lead to difficulties. Flea, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, said: 'For us … (the Chili Peppers) we were together and touring for 10 years before we started becoming a really popular band and really making money. 'Without those 10 years, if that would have happened in the beginning, we would have fallen apart right away. 'I think it's really rare … Like, if you hear about a young artist that puts out their first record and they're a big success — very, very rarely do they continue on having a career that works. Something about just paying your dues. 'Like you already rode across the Atlantic (the brothers completed this voyage in 2019). But I'm sure before you did that, you did a million little trips where you learned how to do it. Learned what it is to be stuck on a boat with each other for months. 'There's days when we f***ing hate each other. And that's when it's really hard. When you can live together and everyone's getting along, it's this magical thing — you're this travelling entity and it's all love.' The brothers' 28ft (8.5m) carbon fibre boat, Rose Emily, is named in memory of their late sister. It has no engine and no sail and the brothers are powering their way across the ocean in two-hour shifts. They left Peru in March on a mission to reach Australia and raise £1 million for clean water projects. While speaking with Flea, Lachlan spoke of how he was washed overboard during a violent storm. Lachlan, who turned 27 while rowing the Pacific, said he was 'lucky' to be attached to his boat by a safety line during 40mph (64kmh) winds and 6m (20ft) waves last week. He was dragged along behind the craft before his brother Ewan, 33, was able to help him to scramble back on board. Flea also spoke about what drives him to keep performing after more than four decades with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He said: 'There's definitely times when I'm running on fumes and I've got nothing. We've been doing this for 43 years or something. And you know, our performance is really physical. I try to stay in the best shape I can. But for me, emotionally, the whole thing is, I'm doing this to be of service. 'I like money as much as the next person, but like a long time ago, I could have retired. I could be eating papayas, taking bong hits on the beach somewhere, you know? 'It's a job to bring joy to people through music. And when I stay in that mindset … because there are so many nights where I'm sitting in a hotel room and it's like, 'I don't wanna get up'. 'I don't wanna go face 50,000 people in the stadium and play a concert. But it's time to go. And it's like, OK, it's not about me. I feel like shit, I'm tired, I got the flu, whatever's going on with me — I'm heartbroken, my wife left me, whatever's going on — but it's like, I have to let go of my life completely and do it. 'Be there for the people. Be there for my bandmates. And be there to honour the tradition of music.' Jamie commented: 'We've got a beautiful sunrise, we're sipping coffees out of baby beakers, and we're chatting to Flea. Doesn't get much better.' They also swapped food stories, as the Macleans shared tales of freeze-dried meals prepped in Jamie's old school kitchen, while Flea reflected on years of bad roadside burgers. 'For years and years, we toured in a van, sitting up all through the night, driving through the night for like six months on end,' he said. 'You kind of start feeling like a caged animal, just eating shitty food … roadside truck stop food, whatever you can get. 'You always pull into town after a show, you're starving and there's just nothing to eat … but now we have it good. We eat like kings.' The podcast, Dinner with the Macleans, is available on Spotify, and YouTube. The brothers have raised around £218,000 so far. To donate, click here.
