Blue Valentine, a Melbourne-based content creator, has gone viral for her striking full-body tattoo collection — a bold transformation that’s taken five years, over 250 individual tattoos, and more than $33,000 USD to complete.
“I always knew I wanted tattoos,” says the 28-year-old, who now sports an elaborate tattoo “bodysuit” stretching from her chest to her toes — including her butt — all themed and thoughtfully designed. But her journey didn’t start with that level of intensity.
Her first ink, a small flower on her ribs, was meant to test her pain tolerance. “I was scared of needles and just wanted something I could hide if I tapped out,” she admits. But the moment she left the studio, she was hooked. “A week later, I booked my first sleeve.”
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Now, nearly her entire body is covered in tattoos reflecting carefully curated themes: Diner, Military, Circus, Sailor, Garage, Western, and Vintage — all inspired by 1950s pin-up culture, which also influences her personal style.
“I like the organization of themes,” she explains. “I picked the ones with the most images I loved and gave them the biggest areas on my body.”
Among her favorites is her throat tattoo that reads “Not Your Valentine” — a clever nod to her last name and independent spirit. Others carry deep personal meaning, such as illustrations of her parents (as circus-themed “conjoined twins”), her brother, grandparents, and pets. A bold chest tattoo reads: “All Bark, All Bite.”
To bring her vision to life, Valentine collaborates with three Australian tattoo artists — Ben Tuckey, Ben Koopman, and Allegra Maeva. She first sketches her concepts on an iPad before handing them over to her artists. Sessions last six to seven hours and cost about $522 USD each. Sometimes she visits the shop weekly or bi-weekly to complete a sleeve or theme, with breaks in between to prepare new designs.
Despite the meticulous planning and expense, the social toll has been real.
“People stare. Men make inappropriate comments, especially when I’m working at the bar,” she says. “But I don’t let it get to me. I’m proud of how far I’ve come — physically and mentally. I feel more confident in my skin than I ever have.”
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She credits much of that confidence to being intentional with every tattoo. “I’m so glad I waited until I was 23. If I had started younger, I would’ve made choices I’d regret. But everything worked out exactly how I envisioned.”
Though she’s nearly out of blank canvas — “Just the bottoms of my feet, ears, and face left” — she plans to tattoo her ears next. One place she’s leaving untouched? “My face. I want to keep that area bare.”
Supported by a loving partner and fueled by a clear vision, Valentine says her ink isn’t just art — it’s self-expression. And she wouldn’t change a thing.
