Temporary tattoos are no longer just for kids.
Those lick-and-stick Batman insignias and Canadian flags found in sugary cereal boxes and birthday party grab bags have morphed into a popular new fashion trend for adults - metallic jewelry-inspired tattoos.
West Vancouver resident Paula Lamb is a fan of the latest faux ink fad and last year launched a business called Tidytatts, which imports and sells the shiny gold and silver temporary body decorations.
"It's a lot brighter, a lot funkier and a lot more wearable over a wider age group," Lamb says, comparing her products to the colourful skin decals many remember from childhood.
Lamb first spotted metallic tattoos in early 2014 while watching the reality TV show Bachelor in Paradise.
"At first it looks like a piece of jewelry, and then you realize it isn't - it's actually a tattoo."
Soon after, she started seeing images of celebrities, such as Vanessa Hudgens and Beyoncé, rocking the trend. In fact, both Beyoncé and Rihanna now have their own collections of jewelry-inspired tattoos.
But when Lamb tried to find metallic temporary tattoos locally, she says she didn't have much luck.
"I had a look at who was selling and mainly found the products available in the United States."
Seeing an opportunity in the Canadian market, she began importing sheets of foil tattoo designs from a supplier in the U.S. and now sells them in select retail stores and on Etsy.
Much like children's peel-and-place tattoos, Tidytatts come with a protective plastic coating. The wearer cuts out the desired design, removes the plastic film, places the image face-down on the skin, wets the back, waits five minutes and the transfer is complete.
"It lasts four to six days," Lamb says. "It depends on how you take care of your tattoo, so if you're putting lotions over it, perfumes, soap, it is going to deteriorate the adhesive."
The tattoos can be removed with baby oil.
Lamb handpicks all the designs she sells, from tribal patterns to peacock feathers. In addition to gold and silver options, she recently ordered in 3-D designs, which are slightly raised, plus neon colours.
For those who haven't sported temporary tattoos since elementary school, Lamb has some suggestions on how to wear the new trend.
"An upper arm band looks really, really cute," she says, explaining a simple gold "bracelet" can be paired with a sleeveless top or a little black dress for a sleek and sophisticated look.
Those planning to spend a day at the beach or a weekend at a music festival might choose to load on a few more tattoos. Unlike jewelry, waterproof Tidytatts won't come off while swimming or dancing.
"What I love about the tattoos is you can be as flamboyant and boho and crazy as you like, or you can be as conservative as I am," she says. "I just wear maybe three or four on my upper arm or three or four on the lower arm as a bracelet and that's all I wear."
Temporary tattoos can be worn in place of, or in addition to real jewelry. Lamb loves the look of midi rings, which are worn above the knuckles, but can't seem to keep them on her fingers.
"Mine always fly off, I'm always losing them, so now I just use the tattoo as a midi ring because I know it's not going to go anywhere when I'm having dinner or land in my husband's food."
Her main word of advice for those looking to add some temporary bling to their summer ensembles is to have fun.
"They're just unique and fun, very on trend," she says of the tattoos.
Tidytatts are available on the North Shore at Glynda the Good Witch in Ambleside and online at tidytatts.com (approximately $8 per sheet).
