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.
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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.
Mandalas galore
This geometric mandala-filled tattoo sleeve is absolutely gorgeous, and the patterns are so mesmerizing.
Peonies
We're obsessed with this half-sleeve of colorful peonies, which are eye-catching, yet still subtle.
Flower Child
We adore this tattoo sleeve of a woman holding up a flower, especially the other flowers, which accent the entire piece.
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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.
Tiger
We can't get over how realistic the tiger's face is, and the detail in its eye makes it look alive.
Nature
This half-sleeve is making us one with Mother Earth — just look at these gorgeous silhouettes.
Henna-inspired
This henna-inspired tattoo is absolutely beautiful, and is like having an arm of jewelry.
Flowers and Dragonflies
We love how the peonies travel up and down this sleeve, and the spacing between all the tats is perfect.
Art Deco
This art deco-inspired sleeve is eye-catching but delicate at the same time.
Octopus
We love how this octopus wraps around this woman's upper forearm, not to mention the bright and lively colors of it.
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Coffee-inspired
This colorful sleeve is totally inspired by coffee, and looks like an old-school scientific illustration.
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.
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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.
Skull
This realistic clock and skull almost look like a painting.
Disney Classics
This sleeve combines characters from classic Disney movies, like Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Wendy from Peter Pan.
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.
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.
Nature Scene
This colorful nature scene is beautiful, thanks to its vivid depictions of birds, flowers, and ladybugs.
Watercolor
This watercolor tattoo sleeve has all the colors of the rainbow arranged in delicate splashes and abstract shapes.
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Colored Mandalas
We love how these geometric mandalas are accented with splashes of bright color.
Bright Flowers
I'm getting serious Georgia O'Keeffe vibes with this sleeve.
Veggies and Fruit
This produce-inspired tattoo sleeve must be the one that vegans (and others) dream of.
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Wanderlust
This map tattoo, complete with a compass, is perfect for anyone with a bad case of wanderlust.
Neotraditional Tiger
This neotraditional tiger, accented with pink flowers, is also reminiscent of the Japanese tattoo style. And yep, we're obsessed.
Traditional
Any fan of old-school traditional tattoos will love this sleeve, which is made cohesive by the stars and dot-work.
Disney and Pixar
This tattoo sleeve unites all of our favorite childhood Pixar and Disney characters.
Polynesian
Polynesian tattoos are rooted in cultural tradition, and this one is a prime example of how beautiful they can be.
Sunflowers
This black half-sleeve of sunflowers and lilies is stunning and feminine.
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Koi
We're really into this colorful koi, which is done in a Japanese style.
Black Flowers
This half sleeve is accented with colored flowers over black ink, and looks super cool.
Delicate Outlines
Who says a tattoo sleeve can't be delicate and feminine?
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.
Line Work
The line work on this tattoo is so stunning, we can't take our eyes away from it.
On the Road
This landscape tattoo sleeve will ignite wanderlust in anyone.
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Colorful Flower
This mandala tattoo sleeve is given a burst of color with a pink flower.
Vibrant Florals
We love how the deep red contrasts with the golden yellow with this half sleeve.
Mother Nature
We really get the sense of just how beautiful mother nature is with this delicate tattoo sleeve.
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.
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.
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.
Light as a Feather
This half sleeve tattoo of feathers emanates a free-spirited bird.
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Butterflies
This feminine tattoo sleeve is giving us butterflies in our stomachs!
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.
Splendid Sparrows
The flying sparrows and the red carnations take this tattoo sleeve to another of elegance.
Red Roses
This beautiful tattoo sleeve of red roses going up and down the owner's arm belongs in a museum.
Fit for a Queen
The gorgeous pink rose and the iridescent jewel makes this tattoo fit for a queen.
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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.
Deep Forest
The deep hues of this nature-inspired tattoo sleeve are making us feel extra zen.
Black and Pink
This blackout tattoo sleeve is highlighted with light pink flowers, making it more feminine.
Inverse
This inverse tattoo sleeve is totally trippy — and totally beautiful.
