Lifestyle

50 Edgy Tattoo Sleeve Ideas That Are Also Super Gorgeous

LifestylePublished Jan 19, 2018
By Kathleen Wong
featured-img-of-post-209348sketchupandfries/Instagram

Tattoo sleeves are badass and totally eye-catching -- no one can deny that. Turning an entire arm or leg into a work of art requires some serious commitment and love for ink. In fact, we'd go so far as to argue that our arms or legs are the perfect canvas to be transformed into a piece of art. Our limbs are incredibly easy to hide, but also super easy to show off, arguably making tattoo sleeves the best spot to get inked. 

For those peeps who freak out at the commitment or thought of getting so inked, then check out this research: A small study at the University of Alabama found that those with multiple tattoos showed a better immune response to new ink than those who were going under the tattoo gun for the first time. This suggests that tattooing might stimulate the immune system, like how a vaccine does. 

More from CafeMom: 35 Majorly Cool & Tiny Micro Tattoos

But other than that possible health benefit, tattoos are just downright awesome, especially ones that cover a lot of skin like a sleeve does. It provides the most personal and artistic expression, just due to its massive size. Plus, a tattoo sleeve takes multiple tattoo sessions, so there is plenty of time to get used to and fall in love with a new design.   

Inspired to get a sleeve? Check out these badass but super gorgeous tattoo sleeves.

Cosmopolitan/Pinterest
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Mandalas galore-placeholder
Mandalas galore
inkspiringtattoos/Instagram

Mandalas galore

This geometric mandala-filled tattoo sleeve is absolutely gorgeous, and the patterns are so mesmerizing.

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Peonies-placeholder
Peonies
marietattoohawaii/Instagram

Peonies

We're obsessed with this half-sleeve of colorful peonies, which are eye-catching, yet still subtle.

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Flower Child-placeholder
Flower Child
babeswithtats/Instagram

Flower Child

We adore this tattoo sleeve of a woman holding up a flower, especially the other flowers, which accent the entire piece.

More from CafeMom: 16 Epic Best Friend Tattoos for Women & Their Soul Sisters

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Ornate Leg Sleeve-placeholder
Ornate Leg Sleeve
babeswithtats/Instagram

Ornate Leg Sleeve

This person's leg sleeve is super intricate, but also cohesive at the same time. We love how the two parts are connected with what looks like jewelry-inspired tats.

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Tiger-placeholder
Tiger
inkspiringtattoos/Instagram

Tiger

We can't get over how realistic the tiger's face is, and the detail in its eye makes it look alive.

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Nature-placeholder
Nature
inkspiringtattoos/Instagram

Nature

This half-sleeve is making us one with Mother Earth -- just look at these gorgeous silhouettes.

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Henna-inspired-placeholder
Henna-inspired
inkspiringtattoos/Instagram

Henna-inspired

This henna-inspired tattoo is absolutely beautiful, and is like having an arm of jewelry.

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Flowers and Dragonflies-placeholder
Flowers and Dragonflies
veronicalilu/Instagram

Flowers and Dragonflies

We love how the peonies travel up and down this sleeve, and the spacing between all the tats is perfect.

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Art Deco-placeholder
Art Deco
maredelnoir/Instagram

Art Deco

This art deco-inspired sleeve is eye-catching but delicate at the same time.

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Octopus-placeholder
Octopus
rawhidetattoostudio/Instagram

Octopus

We love how this octopus wraps around this woman's upper forearm, not to mention the bright and lively colors of it. 

More from CafeMom: 23 Hip Tattoos That Are So Stunning, We Can't Help But Stare

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Coffee-inspired-placeholder
Coffee-inspired
uglytom/Instagram

Coffee-inspired

This colorful sleeve is totally inspired by coffee, and looks like an old-school scientific illustration.

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Watercolor Flora-placeholder
Watercolor Flora
inkbyaballer/Instagram

Watercolor Flora

For someone who wants colors and a sleeve, but still wants it to look delicate and subtle, then this watercolor sleeve is for you.

More from CafeMom: 20 Heartfelt Tattoos That Make Us Wanna Fall in Love

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Van Gogh-placeholder
Van Gogh
katti_renee/Instagram

Van Gogh

This Van Gogh–inspired sleeve is literally a piece of art. We'd never have to pay for a museum fee again with a sleeve like this.

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Skull-placeholder
Skull
tattoos_of_instagram/Instagram

Skull

This realistic clock and skull almost look like a painting.

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Disney Classics-placeholder
Disney Classics
we.can.be.rainbows.bink/Instagram

Disney Classics

This sleeve combines characters from classic Disney movies, like Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Wendy from Peter Pan.

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Underwater-placeholder
Underwater
fullsleevetattoos/Instagram

Underwater

This tattoo is not for the faint of heart, thanks to the intense coloring. But it seems to be worth it, because this underwater scene is amazing.

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Sunset-placeholder
Sunset
fullsleevetattoos/Instagram

Sunset

Anyone who loves colored tattoos will love this sleeve. This beachy sunset has the prettiest colors, and can make anyone who looks at it feel zen.

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Nature Scene-placeholder
Nature Scene
fullsleevetattoos/Instagram

Nature Scene

This colorful nature scene is beautiful, thanks to its vivid depictions of birds, flowers, and ladybugs.

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Watercolor-placeholder
Watercolor
chlomakes_noise/Instagram

Watercolor

This watercolor tattoo sleeve has all the colors of the rainbow arranged in delicate splashes and abstract shapes. 

More from CafeMom: 25 Wedding Band Tattoos for Truly Committed Couples

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Colored Mandalas-placeholder
Colored Mandalas
christopherlanetattoos/Instagram

Colored Mandalas

We love how these geometric mandalas are accented with splashes of bright color.

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Bright Flowers-placeholder
Bright Flowers
fullsleevetattoos/Instagram

Bright Flowers

I'm getting serious Georgia O'Keeffe vibes with this sleeve.

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Veggies and Fruit-placeholder
Veggies and Fruit
fullsleevetattoos/Instagram

Veggies and Fruit

This produce-inspired tattoo sleeve must be the one that vegans (and others) dream of. 

More from CafeMom: 32 Matching Couple Tattoos to Share Forever & Ever

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Wanderlust-placeholder
Wanderlust
bodyartstudio13tattoos/Instagram

Wanderlust

This map tattoo, complete with a compass, is perfect for anyone with a bad case of wanderlust.

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Neotraditional Tiger-placeholder
Neotraditional Tiger
inkd___/Instagram

Neotraditional Tiger

This neotraditional tiger, accented with pink flowers, is also reminiscent of the Japanese tattoo style. And yep, we're obsessed.

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Traditional-placeholder
Traditional
mrbarberlee/Instagram

Traditional

Any fan of old-school traditional tattoos will love this sleeve, which is made cohesive by the stars and dot-work.

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Disney and Pixar-placeholder
Disney and Pixar
thebakery/Instagram

Disney and Pixar

This tattoo sleeve unites all of our favorite childhood Pixar and Disney characters.

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Polynesian-placeholder
Polynesian
mcnallytattoo/Instagram

Polynesian

Polynesian tattoos are rooted in cultural tradition, and this one is a prime example of how beautiful they can be.

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Sunflowers-placeholder
Sunflowers
sketchupandfries/Instagram

Sunflowers

This black half-sleeve of sunflowers and lilies is stunning and feminine. 

More from CafeMom: 24 Perfectly Tiny Tattoos That Can Be Covered or Shown at Will

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Koi-placeholder
Koi
cindy_maxwell/Instagram

Koi

We're really into this colorful koi, which is done in a Japanese style.

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Black Flowers-placeholder
Black Flowers
tonitattoos_/Instagram

Black Flowers

This half sleeve is accented with colored flowers over black ink, and looks super cool.

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Delicate Outlines-placeholder
Delicate Outlines
inkspiringtattoos/Instagram

Delicate Outlines

Who says a tattoo sleeve can't be delicate and feminine?

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Fierce Snake-placeholder
Fierce Snake
eastrivertattoo/Instagram

Fierce Snake

This black animated skate is a tattoo to be reckoned with. We love how it crawls up the owner's arm but faces anyone who looks at it.

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Line Work-placeholder
Line Work
eastrivertattoo/Instagram

Line Work

The line work on this tattoo is so stunning, we can't take our eyes away from it.

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On the Road-placeholder
On the Road
tattoogallery.info/Pinterest

On the Road

This landscape tattoo sleeve will ignite wanderlust in anyone. 

More from CafeMom: 16 Moms-to-Be Flaunting Their Seriously Stunning Tattoos

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Colorful Flower-placeholder
Colorful Flower
Marie-Neige Filion/Pinterest

Colorful Flower

This mandala tattoo sleeve is given a burst of color with a pink flower.

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Vibrant Florals-placeholder
Vibrant Florals
reddit.com/Pinterest

Vibrant Florals

We love how the deep red contrasts with the golden yellow with this half sleeve.

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Mother Nature-placeholder
Mother Nature
Ninja Cosmico/Pinterest

Mother Nature

We really get the sense of just how beautiful mother nature is with this delicate tattoo sleeve.

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Floral Perfection-placeholder
Floral Perfection
nora_ink/Instagram

Floral Perfection

Is it the thin delicate lines or the blush color? We're not sure, but we're smitten with this floral half sleeve.

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Realism-placeholder
Realism
tattooideas247.com/Pinterest

Realism

This tattoo is so realistic-looking, it seems as if there is a woman trapped in the owner's arm! Props to the artist here.

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Cherry Blossoms-placeholder
Cherry Blossoms
Issuu/Pinterest

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms are super gorgeous flowers, thanks to their delicate size and pink color. We love how this branch of cherry blossoms adorns this arm.

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Light as a Feather-placeholder
Light as a Feather
styleglam.com/Pinterest

Light as a Feather

This half sleeve tattoo of feathers emanates a free-spirited bird. 

More from CafeMom: 15 Tattoos Celebs Got in Honor of Their Kids

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Butterflies-placeholder
Butterflies
Cosmopolitan/Pinterest

Butterflies

This feminine tattoo sleeve is giving us butterflies in our stomachs!

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Map It Out-placeholder
Map It Out
mikelamemoirs.com/Pinterest

Map It Out

This upper thigh map tattoo is beautiful and able to be easily hidden -- although we don't know why the owner would ever want to.

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Splendid Sparrows-placeholder
Splendid Sparrows
fullsleevetattoos/Instagram

Splendid Sparrows

The flying sparrows and the red carnations take this tattoo sleeve to another of elegance.

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Red Roses-placeholder
Red Roses
crazyytattoos/Instagram

Red Roses

This beautiful tattoo sleeve of red roses going up and down the owner's arm belongs in a museum.

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Fit for a Queen-placeholder
Fit for a Queen
tattoos/Instagram

Fit for a Queen

The gorgeous pink rose and the iridescent jewel makes this tattoo fit for a queen.

More from CafeMom: 15 Raw Birth Photos That Capture Tattooed Moms in All Their Glory

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Explorer-approved-placeholder
Explorer-approved
BuzzFeed Partner

Explorer-approved

This half sleeve, which features a plane and sailboat among a swirling sky and sea, makes us want to book a trip, stat.

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Deep Forest-placeholder
Deep Forest
kirstenmakestattoos.tumblr.com/Pinterest

Deep Forest

The deep hues of this nature-inspired tattoo sleeve are making us feel extra zen.

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Black and Pink-placeholder
Black and Pink
Ninja Cosmico/Pinterestt

Black and Pink

This blackout tattoo sleeve is highlighted with light pink flowers, making it more feminine.

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Inverse-placeholder
Inverse
Cuded Art & Design/Pinterest

Inverse

This inverse tattoo sleeve is totally trippy -- and totally beautiful.

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