Applying Swarovski Crystal Tattoos: Step-by-Step Guide

If you were around in the 90s and 2000s, there’s a good chance you attended a party where either you or other guests were sporting crystal tattoos - ah, the good old days! And while we can’t bring the magic of the late 90s back to the present day, a quick look at the runway and your local high street will easily demonstrate that the fashion choices of the early 21st century have come back in style - including crystal tattoos.

So if you’re looking to bring back this fun trend, why not go all out and opt for luxurious Swarovski crystals? Let’s take a look at how to apply these fun accessories.

Why Opt for Swarovski?

While you can definitely find cheaper options on the market, there’s no better crystal than a Swarovski crystal; made to refract light and imitate the gleam and glamor of a real diamond, a Swarovski tattoo is the best-of-the-best when you’re looking for unmatched sparkle. You can either find vintage Swarovski tattoos on secondhand sites like eBay, or even make your own!*

*Note: Do note that due to Swarovski’s recent policy change in 2020, you can now only buy Swarovski crystals from dedicated suppliers, like us at Bluestreak Crystals. You can also now only use bulk-bought Swarovski crystals for physical products that are designed to be sold commercially: for example, while you wouldn’t be able to buy Swarovski crystals to create a one-off tattoo for yourself, you could certainly buy the brand’s crystals to produce and sell tattoo transfers as a small business owner. And at Bluestreak Crystals we have the largest range of Swarovski crystals online - and as a verified Swarovski partner, you know you’re getting the real thing!

How to Apply Swarovski Crystal Tattoos: Step by Step

So, if you do decide to go ahead and opt to create (or buy!) a Swarovski tattoo, here are the necessary steps:

Finding Your Tattoo

As we mentioned above, you can’t buy Swarovski crystals to use for a one-off tattoo for yourself, but you can still buy crystals in bulk for commercial purposes. For the latter case, you’d ideally want to test a couple of tattoos on yourself, in which case you’d want to pick out some smaller, colorful crystals for our online collection.

If you aren’t a small business owner and simply want to apply a crystal tattoo for an event, you can find authentic Swarovski tattoo transfers online. The following steps would also apply to non-Swarovski crystals, but remember that they won’t be as sparkly or as durable as the brand’s famous offerings.

Choosing Your Design

If you’re going to create your own crystal tattoo, you’ll want to create and lay out your design first on a clean surface, so that you can see whether or not your idea comes together visually, and whether or not you have the right sized crystals for the job.

Deciding on the Placement

Next up, think about where you want to place the tattoo. If you want to honor the legendary 90s, you might want to place it on your lower back, your shoulder, your wrist, or even at the side of your belly button. The key is to choose a spot where the tattoo will be most visible and complement your outfit, and won’t snag on your clothes.

Prepare Your Skin

Your next step is going to be prepping your skin: if your skin isn’t prepared and cleaned thoroughly, your transfer is unlikely to hold throughout the night:

• Clean the Area: Ensure the skin where you will apply the tattoo is clean and dry: prepare the area using a gentle cleanser and avoid applying any lotions or oils - these can affect the adhesive.
• Testing for Allergies: If you have sensitive skin, it's a good idea to also do a patch test first, especially if it’s your first time using tattoo transfers. Apply a small crystal to an inconspicuous area and wait for a few hours to check for any adverse reactions.

The Application Process

Remove the Backing

Carefully peel off the backing paper from the crystal tattoo, while making sure not to touch the adhesive side too much, as this may lose its stickiness. Only remove the backing once you’re ready to apply, as too much air contact will also weaken the adhesive.

Place the Tattoo

Next, gently place the tattoo on your skin in the desired location, pressing down lightly but firmly for a few seconds to ensure a firm grip on the skin.

Adjust if Necessary

Once placed, you might feel like you need to adjust your tattoo; if this is the case, you need to do it carefully - and quickly. Peel it off gently and reapply, keeping the same firm pressure on the skin. Remember that the more you handle the adhesive, the less effective it becomes, so try to get it right the first time where possible.

Aftercare and Maintenance

Once applied, you’re ready to go! To keep your tattoo in place for as long as possible, try to avoid unnecessary sweating where you can - this can affect the adhesive. While Swarovski tattoos are waterproof, you’ll still want to take care to avoid being abrasive in the area where the transfer is applied - don’t apply any soaps or scrubs, and try to keep it from snagging on your clothes. With the right application and following the above maintenance steps, your Swarovski tattoo should last for at least 1-2 days!

Check out our most popular Swarovski Hotfix Flatback Crystals