Why a Tattoo Is Worth More Than a Designer Purse or a Mani-Pedi

Let’s get this out of the way: we’re not here to knock your love of Louis Vuitton or that gel manicure that lasts a few weeks. We get it—self-care takes many forms. But if you’re looking at where your money actually goes the distance, tattoos deserve a top spot. If you’re comparing something disposable to something permanent, it’s not even close.

Purses wear out. They scuff, go out of style, or get pushed to the back of your closet when the next trend rolls in. Manicures? Great for a minute. But they chip, fade, and disappear faster than your next vacation. A tattoo, though? That’s custom art that stays with you through every version of yourself. It doesn’t wear out, and it doesn’t need replacing. You don’t set it down. You live in it.

What sets a tattoo apart is that it’s personal. It’s not off the shelf. You’re not one of a hundred women carrying the same brand-name bag. That design you wear is yours. It might honor a loved one, mark a moment, or just reflect your personality better than anything you can buy at a mall. It’s expression, not decoration.

There’s also this idea that tattoos are “too expensive.” That somehow they should be cheaper than things we’re used to replacing every season. But you’re not just paying for ink. You’re paying for years of training, for technical precision, for sterile equipment, for time, for skill, and for something that doesn’t come with a return policy. You’re trusting someone with your skin—if there was ever a time to invest in quality, this is it.

It’s easy to drop hundreds of dollars on things that barely make it to the next season. But when you put that same money into a tattoo, you’re getting something that’s uniquely yours, crafted by a professional, and built to last. And you’re not just walking out with a purchase—you’re walking out with part of your story.

So sure, treat yourself. But maybe treat yourself to something you’ll never need to upgrade. Something real. Something permanent. Your skin deserves better than fast fashion.