Tattoo & Piercing

The Modern Modification Lifestyle: Stretched In tribal cultures the stretching of ear lobes and other soft tissue piercings is predominantly performed with a single method: dead stretching done with gradually larger pins and plugs. In the western world however, there are a variety of techniques for achieving a stretched look, many of them primarily contemporary in origin. One way that large gauge lobe piercings are achieved is by performing the initial piercing with a larger gauge needle than normal (such as a 12 gauge piercing needle) and then allowing the piercings to heal with pyrex or titanium plugs, or ball […]

The Modern Modification Lifestyle: Retro Hair Tutorial Fun retro looks are a huge part of many modified subcultures, including tattooed pinup, 50s glamour, rockabilly, and pierced punkabilly style sets. There’s a way for anybody to rock a little touch of retro though, even mixing it into their everyday modern look. It’s all about creating a balance between vintage and in-the-now fashion. For hair, this means taking interesting and glamorous pinup-inspired styles and giving them a “right now” overhaul by leaving them softer and slightly disheveled. To get the sweet and carefree retro hairdo shown here, just follow the steps that […]

The Modern Modification Lifestyle: Tattooed Holiday Tea Party With all of the “traditional” (read square) holiday parties that are popping up every year, why not opt for something a little more modern? The tattooed tea party has been catching on, and it’s an incredibly fun way for the modified generation to celebrate any occasion. Tea parties aren’t just for rose viewing and poolside snacking; they’re just as magical when taken indoors, and can go anywhere from laid back to wildly extravagant. To make a holiday high tea a little extra special, just add a few distinctly Christmassy touches. Sugar stars, […]

The Modern Modification Lifestyle: The Anti-Valentine Valentine’s Day is coming on fast, and everyone’s getting ready for that ooey gooey love rush. But what about people who are unattached? Or those who had a partner and recently decided to go their separate ways? There’s definitely a stigma attached to being single on V Day, and the tendency is to call anyone who isn’t “in the spirit” bitter. There’s a lot more to being anti-Valentine’s though. The modified generation is full of trendsetters who abstain for a variety of reasons, some of which are actually heart-felt and complex. And going against […]

The Modern Modification Lifestyle: They Call it Puppy Love It’s no secret that a large percentage of the under 40 set in the US is modified, many of us with both piercings and tattoos. But do the modified live any differently than the rest of society? That answer is debatable when it comes to our favorite pets. Most pierced and tattooed persons consider themselves to be open minded, friendly, fun-loving, and down to earth, and that doesn’t sound any different than a person without body mods. When it comes to certain things though, generation modification may be slightly more apt […]

The Modern Modification Lifestyle: Winter Skin Care As anyone who’s modified knows, the change in seasons can mean a difficult period of biological adjustment, particularly for those of us with sensitive skin that’s been pierced or tattooed. But there are a few things you can do during the cold months to combat the winter skin blues. First, continuing with your aftercare regimen is important. Just ask your piercer if the frequency of cleanses or soaks should change as the cold weather rolls in. They’ll be able to give you expert tips on timing, water temperature, mixing ratios, and more. After […]

The Modern Modification Lifestyle: Trending for Halloween 2013 October is my favorite month of the year. Pumpkin flavored everything, seasons changing, and Halloween season is in full gear. Halloween is my Christmas, and I always go all out. So in case you need some ideas, here are a few of this year’s most popular costumes inspired by pop culture and some more classic disguises. Witch– I’m not talking about your ordinary wicked witch here. A more demonizing approach to the typical black hat and green face is appropriate. With the new season of American Horror Story just starting up and […]

The Nature of Fantasy: Fantastical Fashion Drawn from Life With Winter half over, our thoughts turn to the sunshine, springtime, and the beauty of nature. And why not incorporate that beauty into our wardrobe? Just peak at what’s upcoming for the “in between season” and the natural direction that fashion is taking as we watch the snow slowly melt. A floral essence is the number one must for this seasonal interim, and along with the revival of exotic influences, a fairy tale approach to organic shapes seems to be just what the doctor ordered. Leading the pack in plant-inspired elements: […]

Nose Ring Materials: What Kind of Jewelry is Best Choosing your material is just as important as figuring out your size. There are six basic materials that most nose rings will be made of: stainless steel, gold, sterling silver, titanium, bioplast, and acrylic. They can also be found in platinum, glass, and carved organic material like bone, but these media are generally more expensive and harder to come by. Some materials are better to use while healing a new piercing while others are recommended for well-established piercings or for wearing for only a short time. 14k and 18k Solid Gold […]