VIVID Tattoo Oil by SLEEK INK
Nowadays, tattoos are an integral part of our fabric. Getting a tattoo is certainly a big life decision – it took me a number of years to get there. But once the bandages come off and the new you is revealed, what comes next? Yes, you now are a cooler version of yourself and might not think twice about caring for your art and that’s okay because that art will grow with you in its own direction. If you are like me and love that high contrast between ink and the skin tone its sitting on, you might be looking at your options to keep things looking like that on a daily basis.
This is where SLEEK INK comes in with their VIVID Tattoo oil. Since getting my first tattoo just under a year ago, I have been very interested in finding the right product to keep my ink in top shape.
Shout out and thank you to SLEEK INK for having me try their oil.
There are a few things that caught my eye with SLEEK INK. First off the product is an oil as opposed to a cream, balm or paste. In that sense it stand out. I know of at least one other tattoo oil. The one by Clubman (yes, the classic Barber brand) and that one does double duties as both a beard oil and tattoo oil. It was sadly also one of the first products by Clubman that did not score full marks with me.
As part of my research and reviews on beard oils, I have developed quite the admiration for natural oils. There are incredible skin and hair benefits to be found there. Skin rejuvenation, hydration, moisture control, detox, etc… The VIVID tattoo oil by SLEEK INK is packed with a boat load of natural oils that scream skin benefits.
With that in mind, I am thrilled to be able to try and feature the VIVID tattoo oil.
So what are these ingredients and what do they do? Here is the listing and their top level search results in Google. Very quickly you will get a good sense of just how impressive some of these are.
Here are the top 10 ingredients:
• Kukui nut oil – protection
• Avocado oil – moisturizing
• Shea olein – nourishing
• Sesame oil – protection
• Safflower oil – moisturizing, protection
• Olive oil – antibacterial
• Caprylic / Capric triglycerides derived from Coconut oil – barrier to reduce dryness
• Apricot Kernel oil – softness
• Sweet almond oil – improves complexion
• Rice Bran oil – improves circulation, slows aging
Considering that the product is an oil, very little will be needed to offer good coverage.
I wasn’t expecting this product to have a fragrance, but it does. Fragrance is somewhat of a double edge sword. On one side, it is an olfactory perk. On the other, it can be a negative trigger for some folks. I am very fortunate to have no known allergies or skin reactions to products. I am also a sucker for a good scent. And the scent here is a winner for my nose. Peppermint or tea three, powder and a faint something that reminds me of that soap purple gum by Thrills. The scent is not childish by any stretch of the imagination, but there is an element in there that triggered that scent memory. I might add that I use to dislike that gum from a chewing point of view, but loved its aroma.
The fragrance is mild and fairly short lived. Don’t expect this to replace your cologne or to hang out with you all day. Within about 30 minutes it will have gone its merry way.
Now for the results. The oil is nice to work with. It is a clear and not as dense as olive oil on its own for example. These lighter properties make the product easy to work with and easy for the skin to absorb. My tattoo is about 2 square inches on my left shoulder. So really, I need like half a drop!
Immediately, I noticed a difference. The ink appears crisper and clearer. As if it were a new tattoo.
The oil was fully absorbed within 20- 30 minutes and your fingers will not be oily after touching the area. After drying, your skin will feel smooth and hydrated.
Price wise this 120 ml bottle goes for $39. If we were to compare this to a bottle of quality beard oil which might be composed of similar natural oils, it might easily be sold for $15 to $20 for 30 ml. It would thus cost you between $60-$80 for 120 ml. In that sense, at $39 it’s a bargain. In my case this bottle will last me ions, but even with a full sleeve this will last you a number of months.
In closing, the VIVID tattoo oil by SLEEK INK is calling on some the best natural oils out there for skin care and is a great alternative to the balms and pastes. I found that it did a great job of enhancing the clarity and contrast of my body art.