The night before Eid, plastic chairs line the pavements of busy British high streets from London to Bradford. Women sit elbow-to-elbow beneath shopfronts, hands outstretched as artists swirl cones of henna into intricate curls. For 5, you can walk away with both palms blooming. Once confined to weddings and living rooms, this centuries-old ritual has spilled out into public spaces and today, it's being reimagined entirely.
Despite how visibly common or acceptable tattoos may have become, they are still a target for quick judgment by others. People often make quick assumptions based on a single image or style, or about what someone's tattoo may say about their personality. It's not just the presence of a tattoo that prompts assumptions, but also the kind of tattoo. From the design and size to the placement or style, people often form quick opinions about someone based on the body art they've chosen.