different methods for applying glitter tatts....

[vegaburm]

So, in general, my method for glitters is
1. Wipe area with alcohol
2. Stick on stencil
3. Brush on glue
4. Poof on glitter
5. Remove stencil
6. Brush/blow off excess

Usually works pretty well with minimum fuss. Two things I've seen are that if it is a really large stencil then by the time I get to taking off the stencil it is really dry so some of the glue wants to come off with it and I have to be really careful. I'm thinking with those that I might go more with the recommended method and take the stencil off before putting on the glitter. I'm wondering though if I will have problems with the glitter wanting to stick to the in between places.

the other thing is getting off the excess glitter, especially when someone is hot and sticky. It generally doesn't stick too much where I put the alcohol, but all around can be a problem. I read on another list someone recommending powdering the whole area with baby powder to solve this issue. They keep one of those refillable brushes that has the powder in it and brush the area first. I'm wondering if this will make the stencil not stick well? And also make the glue not last as long if it is getting mixed with the powder in application? I may try it out though. As a variation I might try doing the alcohol, putting the stencil on, and THEN powdering around the outside of it.....

Just wondering if anyone has tried the powder solution and had any success.......

[Sherry]

I take cornstarch with me and powder the skin with it when it's hot and sticky.  I haven't noticed any problems with the tattoo not lasting.  Another thing you can do when it's a hot and sweaty situation is to clean up the sticking glitter with alcohol.  I take a little alcohol pad and clean up glitter that's sticking in the wrong places.

I've done the tattoos both ways... taking the stencil off first and taking it off last.  I usually like to take it off last, like you do, but have had the same problems once in a while.

[twinkletattoos]

When I first started doing glitter tattoos I had the same problem with the glue edges being too thick (kind of sticks to the stencil and stretches) I was using the Glimmer Body Art Glue applicator that is like a nail polish brush and it applies too much glue, which usually gets pushed up thick against the edges. I have since switched to sponge wand applicators (think lip gloss applicator) this applies a thinner layer of glue. I start at the edges of the stencil and work my way in when applying glue. I no longer have this issue. Less is more when it comes to glue for Glitter Tattoos.

As for the extra glitter sticking to unwanted areas---WATER--Glitter Tattoos are water-proof after all. Simply bring use a spray bottle to spritz the area and wipe with a hand towel or paper towel. This has a wow factor with the kiddies too, because you are showing them that it really is water-proof.

[reginanewsum]

thank you gals for all the info on glitter tattoos!  This is a new venture for me, I am now just experimenting on myself,  I am soaking up the info like a sponge! Thanks again

[twinkletattoos]

I simply love glitter tattoos! I wish though that I had more talents for free hand designs. I'm not so great in this area yet.

[vegaburm]

interesting. I also use the glimmer glue with the nail polish type brush. I've been very happy with it as it doesn't get gunked up and the brush is always there when I need it, but I have applied it too think many times. Perhaps I can try to be more minimalist in my glue as well.....

I keep a spritz bottle in my kit, so I could spray and wipe, but my problem comes when I do them places like the neck and end up with glitter all down their front.  I don't really want to get in there and wipe all over. lol. but I could spritz, give them the mirror and have them take care of it. I want people to be able to walk away with a great looking design and no extra glitter making my work look sloppy, you know.

I have a three day festival the first weekend of July. Everyone there is likely to be hot and sticky! I think I will try a bunch of different methods then and see what works best. Will report back to everyone.

[reginanewsum]

I have only done glitter tats on myself and a couple on my daughter so far. And I have only used the free hand way to apply the glue, I have to order some stencils. But I was just thinking about the stencils, I know when I have done painting with any type of stencils, I have gotten a build up of paint around the edges, would this work better to prevent the build up of the glue?   Apple the glue and brush it towards the center of the stencil, after appling the glue, you could take your sponge applicator and brush the glue away from the edges, this will break down the build up, I think you could do it very fast?  Just an idea I was thinking about.   I have to oder stencils still, I want to have them by the middle of next month for the next ren faire.  Where do you order from? and about how long does it take for delivery?  I think this addition at the next ren faire will be some thing worth while having.

[Sherry]

What is appling?

There are a lot of vendors who sell glitter tattoo stencils.  Off the top of my head, we've got our very own FPC member Twinkle Tattoos of twinkletattoos.com... there's also Chit Chat the clown, Silly Farm and Amerikan Body Art.

[twinkletattoos]

What is appling?

There are a lot of vendors who sell glitter tattoo stencils.  Off the top of my head, we've got our very own FPC member Twinkle Tattoos of twinkletattoos.com... there's also Chit Chat the clown, Silly Farm and Amerikan Body Art.

Thanks Sherry for throwing my name out there. I didn't want to step on any toes.
I carry 3 brands--Twinkle Tattoos, Glimmer Body Art, and Amerikan Body Art.
I am testing out a new stencil line this weekend and may be adding it to my store soon too--depends on the quality and ease of use.

[reginanewsum]

opppps!  mis spelled work!   Ahhh that's one thing that I need to practice on is..................typing! 

[vegaburm]

Another source of glitter stencils I just found. www.faketoos.com They have some really AWESOME designs! And only $1 shipping on orders up to $500. Love it!

[vegaburm]

OK, after my long weekend and trying new ways I can say that when I used the powder on the areas after I applied the stencil it did help to keep that runaway glitter from sticking where I didn't want it. I kept forgetting that step cause I'm not used to it, but when I did it, it did help!

also tried the Amerikan body art glue in the lip gloss container. It did apply well to small areas, but I found the container got easily gummed up and the glue does not appear to last as long as Glimmer glue, so I suppose there are pros and cans to each of those.

[Wildcatfin]

Must admit I hate all the waste of stencils so I only ever do freehand.

I don't powder or wipe down the skin beforehand, mainly as its usually only adults I do them on and at balls etc they have a lot of fake tan/ makeup on which the wipes also take off (learnt that fast the hard way, ooops, stripe on your shoulder there Ok for you ma'am??).
Again I hated the waste of all the wipe packaging too, its just insane, have they never heard of less is more/ recyling? I find even w/o the wipes 1st, my glue lasts several days easily and sometimes up to 2 weeks on skin!

I use the squeezy bottles I fifnally found with the screw-lock lids and screw-lock fine tips, much better than the empty bling bottles/ heena bottles with the push on tips I used to use.

Cat x

[Psalmbook]

WildCat! I just started doing the freehand glitter tattoos & I don't think I'll ever buy stencils again! I hate working w/ them, they stick & rip, fold & bend. I love the ease of the henna bottles. I've used them w/ mica powder, glitter & done gilding w/ Mehron Metallic Powders.
My one question is how do you get the glue to dry fast while the client is waiting? Do you do the freehand tattoos when you have lines of people waiting (like in clubs)? I was thinking of getting a hair dryer that has a cool setting.

[Wildcatfin]

Yay glad you like - I was the same, I loathe stencils, a trained monkey (or my 3 yr old) can do them and there's not much artistry in it!

What I do is I freehand glue the 1st 3 or 4 people, they stay still a few mins whilst it dries, i then glitter the 1st, glue a 4th, glitter the 2nd, glue a 5th etc. That way you don't stand around not working. I only really do teens/ adults at balls etc so its not a kid thing.

I really wouldn't advise a hairdryer - aside from the plug/ safety-checked issue (lots of venues won't ket you have stuff not issued by them) its chaos around loose glitter and will still heat up. Not great in clubs etc around liquid & drunks either. At most i have asmall handfan but I rarely use it. I think it also depends what size tip you use & how fast you drag it - faster & smaller = thinner lines that dry quicker.

Cat x