Getting inked is a major decision that requires a lot of commitment. Once completed, a tattoo cannot be removed without some pain and also money, as well as time. However, sometimes it is necessary to hide it from the general public. Here are some ideas on achieve a good tattoo cover up, ranging in effectiveness and also affordability.

Hopefully your tattoo wasn't a spontaneous decision. If it was, you may have gotten it done on a part of your body that makes it difficult to deal with on a day-to-day basis. Perhaps it is a problem at work, or your friends and family hate looking at it; maybe you got something that others might consider offensive. Alternatively, you might simply want to cover it up for a special occasion like a wedding, instead of regretting it altogether.

Different cover up techniques will work for different sized tattoos. The location of the piece and the intensity of the colors will also play a part. Perhaps all you need to conceal it is a particular piece of clothing, an accessory like a watch or simply to wear your hair down. These are all easy ways that cost you nothing to do, until you are ready to show it or remove it.

There's a wide variety of makeup brands that specialize in concealing more obvious marks due to acne, hyperpigmentation or tattoo work. These products tend to have a high concentration of pigment in order to properly do the job. It's always best with such products to gradually build the layers instead of applying one thick layer. This gives a longer-lasting, less obvious finish.

Dermablend has long been a go-to brand for concealing marks, tattoos and pigmentation. One of the products is specifically for the legs and body, providing buildable coverage for up to 16 hours. The product is smear-proof and waterproof, making it ideal for most weather conditions and most locations on the body. However, other brands' products may need to be set after application so that they don't rub off.

Dermablend is on the higher end of the price range for concealers, but it gets the job done. A little less expensive is the Kat Von D makeup brand, by former tattoo artist by the same name. Who better to know about concealing tattoos? The Lock-It concealer is a top-rated product, both highly pigmented and oil-free.

Not all concealers for this job are expensive. There are some drugstore brands with products that work just as effectively, such as the maximum coverage, oil-free bestseller by E. L. F., which costs only three dollars. Hard Candy also has a Glamouflage Concealer for six dollars, which comes with a second product - a pencil in the corresponding shade for outlining the tattoo before concealing.

Makeup works well on a short-term basis or for special occasions. Perhaps you don't even want to permanently cover your tattoo, so makeup is the best option for you whenever you need it. However, if you do happen to regret your artwork and want it gone altogether, then you can also consider covering it up by adding an entirely new piece over the old one, or incorporating it into a completely different design.