250 TATTOOS Changed Her Life — And Everyone Is Shocked

Blue Valentine, a content creator from Melbourne, Australia, has become an internet sensation by sharing her bold tattoo journey. With nearly 250 tattoos and a total price tag of around $50,000 AUD (about $33,000 USD), her body is now a living canvas.

“I always knew I wanted tattoos,” says the 28-year-old, who considers herself “an all-or-nothing kind of person.” Despite that certainty, she took a careful, measured approach when she got her first tattoo five years ago.

“I was initially scared I wouldn’t be able to handle the pain, as I don’t like regular needles or taking blood. I did a small traditional tattoo flower on my ribs, so if I tapped out, I wouldn’t have to look at it too much.” Luckily, that didn’t happen.

Even though that first session came with what she describes as “horrible” pain, it didn’t stop her, “As I left the studio, I got over it and booked in my first sleeve about a week later.”

There’s more depth to what Valentine refers to as her “body suit” than initially meets the eye—most of her lower body, including her chest, stomach, and buttocks, is fully inked. Each sleeve and tattoo collage follows a distinct theme, such as Diner, Sailor, Circus, Garage, Western, and Vintage. What ties them all together? They’re all rooted in the aesthetic of 1950s pin-up culture—a style that also shapes Valentine’s everyday fashion choices.

“I knew I wanted to do themes straight away. I like the organization of it. I picked my top themes, assessed which ones had the most images I wanted, and they got the larger portions of my body,” she reveals.

When asked about her most meaningful tattoos, she highlights one in particular: “My favorite tattoo is my throat tattoo. [It reads] ’Not your Valentine’, Valentine being my last name. I think it’s a bold statement and is a strong representation of my personality.” This piece not only draws attention due to its placement but also because of the message it carries—assertive, playful, and deeply personal.

Her connection to body art goes far beyond aesthetics, extending into expressions of family love. She cherishes the tattoos that pay tribute to her relatives, “My others would be the ones I have representing my family, such as images of my parents [she revealed in a TikTok tattoo tour that she has a depiction of them as ’conjoined twins’ as a part of her circus-themed sleeve], brother, grandparents and dogs.” These images serve as living memorials inked into her skin, telling a story of heritage and emotional closeness.

Another tattoo that stands out for her is one that mirrors her bold and edgy attitude, “’All Bark, All Bite’ across my chest is also another favorite of mine,” she says. It captures the essence of someone who is unafraid to speak loudly and act decisively—true to her outspoken personality.

Valentine’s impressive tattoo collection may seem overwhelming at first glance, but each design is carefully curated with intention. Before any ink touches her skin, she maps out her ideas digitally—starting with sketches she creates on her iPad. These early drafts serve as visual guides that she shares with her trusted tattoo artists, forming the foundation of her evolving body art.

Over time, she’s collaborated with a trio of talented Australian tattooists—Ben Tuckey, Ben Koopman, and Allegra Maeva. Despite her deep involvement in the creative process, Valentine has never actually tattooed herself.

The journey from sketch to skin involves not just creativity, but also serious time and money. “I would book six to seven-hour full-day sessions and go either weekly or bi-weekly until we completed whatever sleeve or themed section we were on. I’d then take a month break or so to draw up the next sleeve if I didn’t already have it ready.
Usually in a full day, you could get two big pieces or three medium pieces [completed]. There would also be full-day sessions just focused on filler pieces to close up any gaps, which were usually just free-handed by the artist.”

This commitment comes with a price tag. She estimates the cost per session to be roughly $800 AUD—or about $522 USD—highlighting both her passion and investment in her tattoo journey.

Valentine’s transformation through body art has come at a cost that goes beyond finances. She reveals that public reactions to her heavily tattooed look aren’t always positive. “Men definitely stare and ask inappropriate questions,” says Valentine.

Despite the unwanted attention, she remains unfazed, “I don’t take anyone’s opinion of it seriously, as my tattoos are everything I planned out and wanted. I’m very proud of what me and my artists have achieved, and I’ve become incredibly confident in my skin because of it.”

Fortunately, she’s not navigating this journey alone. Valentine shares that her partner is not only supportive but equally passionate about tattoos, making the experience even more meaningful as they grow together—both as individuals and as a couple.

For Valentine, every inch of ink tells a story—and she has no regrets about any of it. “I’m so glad I waited until I was 23 to start getting tattooed or, my god, I would have some shockers! Everything was planned and everything worked out the way I envisioned thanks to my artists,” she says, emphasizing how thoughtful planning shaped her body art journey.

So, what’s left to tattoo? Not much, according to her. “I only have the bottoms of my feet, face and ears free,” she says. Still, her plans aren’t quite finished—she notes that tattooing her ears is next on the list.

One area, however, remains untouchable. “I want to keep my face naked,” she declares. Despite the bold, intricate designs covering most of her body, her face will stay a blank canvas by choice—a testament to her clear vision and boundaries when it comes to self-expression.

On Instagram and TikTok, Blue has a lot of followers, and of course, people actively comment on her photos and videos. But as always, opinions differ. Some admire Valentine’s tattoos, while others don’t find them that appealing. Here’s what one user wrote, “That’s some serious self-hate.” Another one added. “I used to decorate my school notebook like that too”

But still, most of the commenters genuinely admire Valentine’s beauty and say she has great taste and that her tattoos are done perfectly. One person wrote, “You’re a literal work of art 😍” Another added, "
Seriously one of the most thought out sleeves I’ve ever seen!" The third person noted, “THE coolest tattooed body i’ve ever seen. everything flows so well🔥🔥”

Here you can see tattoos that help people cover their scars with beautiful designs.