Some people regret their tattoos. Very few of those tattoos are on their face. This mom wants others to think before they in since she's been tormented for 14 years by the “smudged eyeliner" she had tattooed on her upper lids as a teenager.
Aimee Marsay spent almost $200 on her eyeliner tattoo.
But, rather than feeling ultra-trendy and looking “ahead of the curve," Marsay felt “instant regret." Now, instead of saving to marry her fiancé Andy Brown the couple's spare money is going towards treatment to remove them.
Aimee and Thomas (PA Real Life/Collect)
“Instead of saving for our wedding, we've been putting any spare cash aside to pay for my tattoos to be removed," Marsay said.
“I couldn't enjoy my big day looking like this. I'd have to have my face caked in make-up, constantly reapplying it, to cover up the biggest mistake of my life."
Aimee and Thomas (PA Real Life/Collect)
There was a growing trend for permanent make-up back in 2006. So, after discussing having some done with a friend, she found a salon and booked an appointment for the next day.
Looking back, she is surprised she was not asked for ID.
“I was 16 years old and permanent make-up was the brand new thing. I looked up to Paris Hilton and the Playboy bunnies. They were role models to me. I really liked their style, all my friends did, too," she said.
Aimee and Thomas (PA Real Life/Collect)
“I didn't even realize it was illegal to tattoo someone under the age of 18 and when I walked in, they didn't ask me for any ID or anything, they just went ahead," she added.
“I was expecting a consultation, but ended up having the procedure there and then. It was really painful. My eyes were so swollen they looked like golf balls. But I told myself it would look good in the end."
Aimee and her fiancé, Andy (PA Real Life/Collect)
She was told the swelling would go down within a few days, Marsay could not hide her tattoos from her mom and dad.
“I didn't tell my parents beforehand," she said.
“But when they found out they made me feel so silly and stupid, but there was nothing they could do."
“I couldn't hide what I'd done as my eyes were massive. I kept telling my parents it wouldn't last forever and tried to play it down. Little did I know I'd be regretting it 14 years later."
Aimee wearing make-up (PA Real Life/Collect)
It took four weeks before the swelling had reduced enough for Marsay to properly observe her new look.
When she finally saw the results, she “wanted to run for the hills."
She returned to the salon to voice her dissatisfaction, but all she was offered was further tattoo sessions she declined.
Aimee's permanent eyeliner (PA Real Life/Collect)
“I decided not to have a follow-up," Marsay said. “It was beyond being fixed."
“One side of the tattoo wasn't even on the eyelid. It was too high and it flicks down at the end. The other side flicks up – so they're wonky."
Aimee's permanent eyeliner (PA Real Life/Collect)
Marsay hoped the “permanent liner tattoo" would mean she needed to wear less make-up, but instead she caked it on to hide what she considers to be a “botch job."
“My tattoos have ruined my self-esteem, when they were meant to make me feel better about my looks," she said.
“After having them, whenever I went out I felt I had to cover them up and use more make-up than I had before."
Aimee make-up free (PA Real Life/Collect)
“I still use layers and layers of concealer and foundation to this day. I have to wear fake eyelashes and go for the fake look," she said.
“I even wear big thick glasses to cover them up if I don't have time to put my whole face on."
Aimiee and Thomas (PA Real Life/Collect)
It even affected her dating life.
“If things became serious and I woke up wearing a full face of make-up, I didn't know what to say," she confessed.
“I'd either have to admit to how stupid I was as a teenager, or say nothing and look like I was obsessed with make-up."
And she was acutely embarrassed when she went to James Cook University Hospital, to have her wisdom teeth extracted.
Aimee when she was 16 years old (PA Real Life/Collect)
“I was waiting to be seen by the doctor when I was asked to take off all my make-up and was handed a make-up wipe. I told them I already had and they looked at me like I was lying," she said.
“I told them again and, like everybody else, when they realized my liner was permanent, they looked at me as if to say, 'Why on earth would you pay for that?'"
“I can't believe I was so stupid. It's a permanent reminder of how daft I was."
Baby Thomas (PA Real Life/Collect)
Marsay now has a baby, Thomas, and is engaged to be married, after meeting Andy through Tinder.
“We went to a petting zoo for our first date and obviously I had a full face of make-up on. But I felt comfortable with him and the relationship moved very quickly. I told him about the eyeliner and he just laughed," she said.
Moving in together after six months, Andy popped the question during a date at home after a planned romantic getaway to the countryside was cancelled when she broke her knee.
Aimee when she was 16 years old (PA Real Life/Collect)
Initially excited about the prospect of tying the knot.
“That first week after Andy proposed I was in a complete bubble. I couldn't believe how happy I was," she said.
“Then someone talked about booking a dress fitting and all of a sudden I realized I didn't want to go through with it. You want to feel like you look the best you've ever looked on your wedding day and I knew I wouldn't feel like that."
Aimee's permanent eyeliner (PA Real Life/Collect)
So, instead of saving for the best day of their lives, the couple are stockpiling cash to pay for her tattoos to be removed with Lorena Oberg.
And Marsay cannot wait!
Aimee wearing make-up (PA Real Life/Collect)
Hoping to proceed with her removal treatment when lockdown is lifted, she will be only too happy to pose for a family photoshoot and hopes to be walking down the aisle within the year.
“We've been saving for nearly two years now and, hopefully, by the end of lockdown we'll have the money for me to finally say goodbye to the tattoos," she said.
“It will take at least four or five sessions and I know it's going to be painful but it will be so worth it."
Aimee make-up free (PA Real Life/Collect)
“One mistake has affected my whole life. People think I'm shallow but it's because whenever people see it they ask why I'm wearing make-up," she said.
“But this is going to be a fresh start and after the procedure I can finally start saving and planning my wedding. Although the first thing I'll do is take a natural photo with Thomas – make-up free."
Aimee wearing make-up (PA Real Life/Collect)
Lorena Oberg is a top permanent make-up removal expert who runs a specialist skincare clinic and training academy on London's famous Harley Street.
“There are too many salons offering these types of procedures and the practitioners are not trained and do not hold the right qualifications. Not only do you risk infection, an allergic reaction, swelling or blistering but the needle can even scar the skin," Oberg said.
“Always do a test patch with your practitioner before you commit. Ask to see their qualifications and pictures of their recent work. For a renowned practitioner you will be looking to pay around £400 – £1000."
"Don't be tempted by cheap prices or deals. Removal is far more expensive than getting it done right in the first place."
To find out more about the specialist treatment Lorena Oberg has to offer, visit lorenaoberg.co.uk
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