If I’m being real, I think that women who have “tramp stamps” get a bad rap. I guess I blame Wedding Crashers for making the lower back tattoo into a “sure thing” or a “bullseye”. It just seems unfair that a tattoo on a certain place of the body became synonymous with “slut”. I mean, I get that it’s right above the butt and butts are sexy to men, but I’m not sure if it’s a fair assumption that each and every female with a “tramp stamp” is a tramp! But that’s just the wanna-be feminist inside me.

I don’t have any tattoos nor do I ever plan to get one on my lower back, but if that’s your thing, go for it! And guess what? If you want one or already do have one, you’re not alone. Surprisingly, tons of celebrity women are rocking the “tramp stamp” ! From Paris and Nicole to Khole Kardashian and Kate Moss, these women are proud to display their tattoos. Check out which other famous ladies got branded right above their bum in our gallery below! Read More »

[Yes, I realize this month's Cosmo breakdown is a little bit late. Sorry 'bout that. But better late than never, right? Especially with the poop Cosmo was throwing at the wall this month.]

This month, Cosmo’s Guy Report includes some of the usual brilliant suggestions from staffers, as well as expert opinion (read: random dudes interns found on the street) on everything from tatted up ladies to the little signals he’s allegedly sending us.

3 Things He Says That Seem Innocent But Aren’t…

Cosmo Says: “I still love you” translates into “I love you a lot less now that we just had this fight.” “Whatever” is no longer a fun word to abbreviate, but rather a sign that your guy is about to tune you out, and “Oh, Great” is not a demonstration of his sarcastic side, but an omen that your relationship will end.

Kari  Says: I guess my boyfriend should have broken up with me years ago, because these non-innocent quips pop up from time to time. Maybe it’s just me, but if I screw up royally and we get into a shouting match, I want nothing more than reassurance that my boyfriend still loves me. And as for “whatever”-ing, it’s usually more of a response to my daily “What should I make for dinner?” text. And the sarcasm? I def would prefer sincerity but I don’t think a few eye rolls are grounds for an impending break up…

Guypinion: Chicks With Lots of Tats

Cosmo(‘s poll guys) says: Back tattoos would screw up Jon’s “rhythm” during doggie style.  Chris, 35, would prefer no ink—however “great boobs and a great butt” might make up for it, and Matt, 27, thinks all tattoos are stupid unless they are an exact replica of your dog’s paw print.

Kari Says: Ink-free is the way to be for me, but I personally think that all my girls with body art are bangin’. They all put a lot of thought and time planning out their tattoos, and none of the guys they’ve hooked up with had ever had a problem with…distractions (sorry, Jon). Where are all the guys who think tattoos are sexy? They had to be out there somewhere, Cosmo; more diversity on the polls please! Read More »

There are few things I enjoy more in life than having a tiny brown peacock on the palm of my hand.Henna, or mehndi as it’s called in Hindi, is the perfect compromise between a temporary tattoo and a permanent tattoo.

Temporary tattoos will flake (yuck) and wash off within a day, and permanent tattoos will never wash off (which is terrifying enough in itself), but henna stays on your skin for one to four weeks before fading away. It’s beautiful, it’s painless, it’s natural, and you can do it yourself.

Yep! You heard that right. Even if you have no artistic ability, henna is very forgiving, and most designs are abstract enough that you’ll be able to pass off almost anything as something gorgeous.

First, you’ll need the henna. Most Indian grocery stores stock it, so just do a quick Google search to find the store closest to where you live. It’s cheap—you shouldn’t have to pay more than $5 for the powder you need. You can also buy it online. The Henna Page has an entire list of retailers that will ship henna.

Henna cones are also available, but I find the quality in a pre-made cone isn’t as good as what you can get from mixing your own henna and making your own cone. Read More »

If you haven’t already gotten one, odds are you’ve come pretty damn close. But whether you have or want a symbolic tattoo, like your name in Celtic, or an artistic tattoo, like a swan, or you just have that one night you were wasted in Cabo and woke up with the likeness of Tinkerbell on your lower back, tattoos are signs of coming-of-age, of self-realization and expression.

I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo for awhile now, but I just can’t decide where to put it. Where you choose to get your tattoo can say a lot about you, and every single body part seems to have negative connotations. For example, the lower back is not a place for a tattoo but a tramp-stamp.

Where would you get a tattoo?

Read More »