Melissa Sloan, a British mom known for her extensive collection of over 800 tattoos—including many on her face—recently surprised fans by covering up her ink in a viral photo, looking almost unrecognizable. Known for her passion for body art, Sloan describes herself as a “tattoo enthusiast” and has dedicated nearly a decade to creating her unique look.
Sloan reportedly receives around three new tattoos a week, often done at home or in her van. The photo showcasing her temporary transformation has captivated audiences online, highlighting the stark contrast between her everyday tattooed appearance and her rarely seen, ink-free look.
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Melissa Sloan’s commitment to body modification has affected various aspects of her life, including her relationships with her children. While five of her seven children reportedly no longer maintain contact with her, her two youngest, who still live with her, are said to be fans of her unique appearance.
However, Sloan’s distinctive look has posed challenges in other areas, particularly in her search for employment. The 46-year-old shared with the Daily Star her difficulties finding work, explaining, “I can’t get a job. They won’t hire me. I even applied for a cleaning job locally, but was turned down because of my tattoos.” She recalled her past work experience, noting, “The first job I had was cleaning toilets a long time ago, but it didn’t last. If someone offered me work tomorrow, I’d gladly accept.”
Sloan also described feeling excluded in social settings, sharing that she’s often left out of community events. She added, “I’m not invited to Christmas parties, and when I go to my child’s school, they once told me to stay in the back garden and look through the window.”
Melissa Sloan recently experimented with covering her tattoos for a photograph, revealing a side of herself her children and even her dogs were not used to—and they weren’t fans of the new look. In her first attempt at concealing her tattoos, Sloan explained in an interview with the *Daily Star*, “It took me ages. I bought a foundation for £3 and thought I’d give it a try.”
After spending about half an hour applying the makeup, she went downstairs to see her children’s reactions, only to find them visibly unsettled. “The kids freaked out because they didn’t like it,” she shared, highlighting just how much her tattooed look has become part of her identity at home.
Melissa Sloan’s recent experiment with covering her tattoos brought unexpected reactions from her family. She shared that even her partner did a double-take, telling her, “No, it doesn’t suit you. Get your tattoos back, it looks weird.” The change unsettled her family, with her youngest child getting emotional, saying she preferred her mom’s familiar look. “It even scared her,” Sloan added, noting that her dog seemed confused by the transformation too.
Sloan described the experience as a personal challenge, but it ended up surprising her as much as her family. Removing the thick, long-lasting foundation turned out to be another ordeal, taking a full 24 hours to get back to her tattooed self.
Melissa Sloan addressed critics who suggest her children might be frightened by her tattoos, explaining that it’s actually her makeup-covered look that unsettles them. “These trolls say my kids are scared, but they’re scared of me *with* foundation on,” she told the *Daily Star*, adding, “People don’t realize—they’re being small-minded.”
Despite the initial reactions, Sloan decided to try covering her tattoos again, keeping her children at a distance this time to avoid surprising them. She shared, “They told me, ‘Go back to your craziness, Mom.’ None of them spoke to me—it felt like they were seeing a stranger.” But once the makeup was removed, her children immediately returned to their usual selves, a reaction Sloan found amusingly ironic.
To achieve her “natural” look, Sloan used a professional tattoo foundation, applying it in thick layers. “I used half a tub; it was like thick cement,” she said. While the makeup look was well-received online, with some viewers saying she looked better, Sloan isn’t swayed. “At the end of the day, it’s my life. I like it crazy,” she affirmed, preferring her unique style over a more conventional appearance.
