Last time we spoke about ankles, feet, hips and lower backs. This time round its the turn of necks, arms and wrists, shoulders and shoulder blades and breasts. The main subject is still women’s tattoo tastes as demonstrated by our most celebrated sisters; actresses, models, singers and even princesses.

In the last issue we carried out a survey of the most famous, admired women in the world, with tattoos obviously. The first thing we noticed was that, fame aside, there is no difference between well known and ordinary women. The choice of design and body position for the tattoo follow a taste and instinct which are common to all, and a strategic logic to be found in everyday life. So, just like any supermodel, our best friend or work-mate chooses to get a tattoo in a hidden area such as the lower back or lower abdomen or an area which can be concealed and revealed easily according to the situation, such as the ankle, wrist or arm. We have seen that the majority of women (celebrities and mere mortals) prefer small tattoos in a sexy spot and usually in one colour only (black above all), although over time, many develop a taste for them and get lots, perhaps even large and multicoloured ones.

Stomach and lower abdomen tattoos
This is a particularly sexy place for a tattoo, but it is also delicate and sensitive; furthermore many women only choose it after their pregnancies. Examples range from Asia Argento’s angel to the roses (no fewer than four) gracing the Dutch actress Fajah Lourens, the tribal rose of model (and former pole vaulting champion) Tatiana Grigorieva, actress Jessica Biel’s small dove tattoo, supermodel Sara Spraker’s butterfly just above her bikini area, Christina Applegate’s swallow and the little dragon of Tara Moss always above bikini line. As well as tattoos on the stomach and lower abdomen, many women also have a pierced belly button.

Neck tattoos
The neck is an exposed area, which is always visible, meaning that until relatively recently neck tattoos were not recommended (and were even frowned upon). Now things have changed and tattoos in this area are more and more common. While men prefer a tribal or “nasty” design such as a spider tattooed on the side of their neck, women tend to choose a small tattoo positioned on the back of their neck, either at the base or nape. Famous beauties like Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Jaime King, Alyssa Milano and Angelina Jolie sport tattoos on their neck. Another favourite among women is an ear tattoo.

Wrist tattoos
This is a very popular body position for female celebrities. Wrist tattoos form a precious, everlasting armband, which cannot be lost or stolen but can easily be hidden underneath a watch or wide bracelet. The chosen design is always elegant and discreet, typically featuring flowers, a fine tribal design or a Japanese character. Devotees of the wrist tattoo include Avril Lavigne, Gisele Bündchen, Mary J. Blige, Tila Tequila, Carmen Electra, Gillian Anderson, Alison Eastwood, and Christina Aguilera, Alyssa Milano, Jessica Alba, Sara Spraker once again and Princess Caroline of Monaco.

Arm and shoulder tattoos
By “arm” we mean the upper arm. Arm tattoos are mostly tribal designs, such as Michelle Hunziker’s classic tribal armband. Melanie Chisholm (a.k.a. Mel C of the Spice Girls) has a northern European tribal tattoo: a Celtic armband. Some say that it was Pamela Anderson who helped to trigger a trend with her barbed wire armband a few years ago, but these days there are many other designs. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Tila Tequila and Melanie Griffith have a heart tattoo on their arm, while, Kate Moss has a crown tattoo and Lisa Seiffert a tribal sun positioned between her deltoid and breast bone, Italian singer Irene Grandi has a tattoo with a swirling design, Melanie Griffith an heart containing the name of her belve Antonio, Amy Winehouse has some pin up girls.

On the edge – breast tattoos
This is another popular tattoo but we should make the distinction between the breast and chest. Tattoos on the actual breast are only for those with extreme tastes (it is also extremely painful to get) while the most inked area is either just above or below the bust, or to one side. Women with such tattoos include the English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, American singer-songwriter Ani Di Franco, guitarist Joan Jett, rapper Eve, supermodel Lisa Seiffert and actress Christina Ricci.

Shoulder blade tattoos
Celebrity women choose small tattoos for this part of the body too, often for professional reasons (see model Greta Cavazzoni’s shoulder blade crown). Angel wings are a popular design, small ones for Kelly Osbourne and Nicole Richie, although many women (no famous ones however) get large ones which go beyond the shoulder blades to cover half or even the whole back. The singer Anastacia has a large design with wings between her shoulder blades, Pink has a shooting star and an angel on left shoulder.

All-over tattoos
What about tattoos covering the body from head to toe? The greatest “tattoo icons” are industry insiders, male and female tattoo artists whose tattoos are their career, their passion and an indication of who they are. A female tattoo artist is currently the hottest woman in America (and elsewhere): the gorgeous Kat Von D, star of reality TV shows Miami Ink and LA Ink, known for her skills (she started tattooing at 16) and the many tattoos which adorn her body, including several portraits.

Read Beautiful, famous, tattooed – part 1