If you're bored at home this summer, chances are high you're considering a tattoo. Perhaps it's something you've been thinking about for years, or maybe quarantine has left you feeling impulsive. Either way, it might be a good time to try out a temporary tattoo. And although there are a slew of elaborate temporary tattoos you can purchase online, a DIY temporary tattoo is an easy, affordable option you can enjoy instantly. Odds are that it won't be quite as detailed as the real thing, but utilizing a temporary tattoo you make yourself will give you a good idea of what it feels like to have something semi-permanent on your skin for more than a day.

If you Google how to make a temporary tattoo, you'll discover a handful of different options. As the A Beautiful Mess blog points out, printing them out is usually the easiest way to go if you want something more intricate than a single word or a basic shape. For the purposes of DIY-ing the quickest, easiest temporary tattoo, however, I tried another method that can be completed with just a few simple household items. This method can't be used to create tattoos that go beyond simple lettering or shapes, and the final result won't look exactly like the real thing, but it's still fun (and cheap) and easy to remove. Plus, no stencils are required!

Step 1: Gather Supplies

The best thing about this project is that it costs very, very little. In fact, you probably have most of the supplies in a junk drawer somewhere already.

how to make temporary tattoo

Chances are, you have the items you need for a DIY temporary tattoo in your home already.

Photo courtesy of Oliva Muenter
  • Sharpie ($1.69, Staples)
  • Baby Powder ($6.99, Target)
  • Alcohol Wipes, ($2.76, Walgreens)
  • Liquid Bandage, (5.99, Target)

Step 2: Clean The Area With An Alcohol Wipe

This will help the "tattoo" stay on for longer and adhere to the skin.

how to make temporary tattoo

Cleaning the area you want to apply your temporary tattoo will help it stay on longer.

Photo courtesy of Oliva Muenter

Step 3: Draw A Simple Shape With A Sharpie Or Liquid Eyeliner

The name of your temporary tattoo game can be whittled down to one word: simple. Unless you have a fine-tipped pen and are an artist, of course. In that case, go to town. But if you aren't an artist, try something basic, like initials, a date, or a heart. If you don't get the shape 100%, don't stress, as you can clean up the edges with an alcohol wipe later on.

Step 4: Lightly Tap Baby Powder On The Ink And Brush Off

You know that makeup tip that involves putting baby powder over lipstick to get it to stay on longer? This is a little like that. Let the powder sit for a few seconds and brush it off to "set" the tattoo.

how to make temporary tattoo

Use some baby powder to "set" the temporary tattoo and help it stay on longer.

Photo courtesy of Oliva Muenter

Step 5: Apply Liquid Bandage Over The Top

This step works a bit better if you use a spray-on liquid bandage, rather than a brush-on liquid bandage. But if the brush-on type is all you have available to you, don't fret: it will work just fine. Just make sure you use a very, very light amount so the ink doesn't bleed.

how to make temporary tattoo

Try to keep your temporary tattoo simple, like a name, date, or shape.

Photo courtesy of Oliva Muenter

Step 6: Clean The Edges With An Alcohol Wipe Or A Q-Tip.

If the edges bleed at all, or you just want to clean up the area around the tattoo, use a Q-tip soaked in alcohol (or one of the alcohol wipes) to make the edges sharper and remove any excess liquid bandage.

Step 7: Enjoy for 2-3 days.

This won't last forever, but that's kind of the point, right?! While it will last even after a few showers, the less wet it gets, the longer your DIY temporary tattoo will likely remain in place.

Want more Woman's Day? Subscribe to Woman's Day today and get 73% off your first 12 issues. And while you're at it, sign up for our FREE newsletter for even more of the Woman's Day content you want.