I am currently in the beginning stages of planning out some
body magic and thought it would be helpful if I placed one or more
appropriately designed sigils on my body during the course of my working. There
are numerous ways this may be accomplished. One could make such temporary magical
tattoos using ink pens, markers, paints, etc. If one is going to use these
items on the body for a short amount of time, they are probably not going to
cause much harm, except for a possible allergic reaction. However, since I am
planning to keep the sigil on my body for an extended period of time, I am
somewhat concerned over the possible toxicity of any substance I would leave on
my skin. I found quite a bit of disagreement on the internet (go figure!)
regarding the safety of using pen and marker to mark the body. While
most of the ordinary pens and markers
of today are labeled “non-toxic,” they are only declared to be so when used
appropriately (e.g., when used on paper, poster board, etc.). Since “skin
illustration” is not included among the “appropriate” uses for these items, I
am somewhat cautious about their use on my body. After looking around I found a
technique for making temporary tattoos that utilizes liquid eyeliner. Since
eyeliner is intended to be placed on the skin, I figure it’s one of the better
choices with respect to safety. Additionally, as some of the instructional
videos illustrating this technique demonstrate, they can look very much like an
authentic black/uncolored tattoo.
The items needed for this type of temporary tattoo are:
1. Liquid eyeliner
2. Powder
3. Tracing paper/wax paper (for
the non-artist like me)
4. Liquid or spray bandage
5. Rubbing alcohol. Although neither of the videos linked below
shows this, you might consider cleaning the area where you are placing the
tattoo with alcohol beforehand.
Rather than try to explain the
technique, I have included below two videos that adequately demonstrate this
method for making temporary tattoos.
When I begin my body magic, this is the
technique that I will be utilizing. If you use another method of generating
temporary tattoos, please share it in the comments.
