Beauty
20 Matching Tattoo Ideas, From Pinky Promises To Pets
Grab your BFF and make some plans.
Sure, some people might say getting a matching tattoo with a friend or romantic partner could be risky given a potential falling out. But as long as you keep a few things in mind — and as long as you're sure you'll still like it even if you no longer like the person you got it with — it's a great way to symbolize an important relationship.
First up: Before you head in to get your new bit of body art with someone, make sure you've checked out your desired tattooer. "Always do your research," says Ink's Alysha Howard. "Every artist has a different skill set, so find the artist that you feel will make your idea real. I know how intense instant gratification can feel, but trust me, if you do it right the first time you’ll be happier long term."
Artist Huka of Royal Heritage Tattoo adds that you should also think of the tattoo as a standalone piece. She tells Bustle that matching symbols or illustrations, rather than names, are a good option if things change within your relationship. "This way you don’t need a cover-up," she says, "just a new reason to tell people why you got it ... consider if you would still like the tattoo if you didn’t like the person you got it with anymore. The answer should be yes!"
Howard adds that it's always best to make an appointment — particularly with matching pieces of art — to ensure you get who you want, what you want, and that the designs get done together. She says two artists can do simple pieces, like lettering, but if you want a specific tattooer's style, that same person will need to work on both people.
If you need inspiration, Howard says designs inspired by travel, flowers, and dates are rising in popularity, and Huka is seeing a rise in minimalist pieces. If you're looking for more ideas, here are 20 matching tattoos to consider.
1Date Tattoos
Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner got matching ink marking the days they got their Game of Thrones roles.
3Cause Tattoos
Those who share a passion for a specific cause could consider getting body art inspired by it. Selena Gomez and some 13 Reasons Why cast members got semicolons as a way to show support for Project Semicolon, an organization that helps those dealing with depression and other mental health issues.
5Pet Tattoos
Those who have shared a pet could also get a tribute to their furry pal, just as Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner did when they got matching portraits of their dog Waldo's face after he died.
7Food Tattoos
Huka also cited avocados, like these from Atticus Tattoo, as popular options. Food themes also happen to be common among celebrities: Miley Cyrus and ex Liam Hemsworth have matching vegemite ink, and Ashley Benson got her pommes frites tattoo done with a friend.
10Arrow Tattoos
Arrows are another popular design option, and many people, like Selena Gomez and Julia Michaels, coordinate them to point toward each other. Nick and Joe Jonas have a similar design on the backs of their arms.
11Heart Tattoos
Hearts are universally common in the tattoo world. Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner have matching broken hearts.
12Butterfly Tattoos
Butterflies can represent a myriad of things, like rebirth or freedom, and those who choose this symbol for a tattoo can match their friend or family member and still assign personal meaning to the ink.
14Pop Culture Tattoos
People who share a favorite film or TV show sometimes choose to get inked with a character or memorable line. Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner's Toy Story-inspired "To Infinity and Beyond" tattoos are a great example.
19Conjoined Tattoos
Like coordinated ink, "conjoined" pieces are another way to interpret matching tattoos. These hearts, reminiscent of the one Hailey Baldwin and Kendall Jenner share, are a great example of how to split a tattoo.
