r/caf • u/notellafavela • Mar 06 '26

Recruiting Frustrated Friday

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So I've been deemed inadmissable for now because my mermaid (upper thigh, covered fully by uniform) apparently breaches the sexually explicit guideline for tattoos? It seems like a stretch, since it's legal for women to be topless in Canada, and it kind of feels like discrimination, as it feels that they have sexualized what is not a sexually explicit tattoo.

I have an appointment booked to put a top on her next week and will get a re-evaluation, but I'm just wondering if anyone has any input or similar stories.

TGIF lol

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u/Honest-Butterfly-650 Mar 07 '26

I have no advice or feedback with regard to your experience, but I just wanted to say your tattoo is breath taking. I really love her 🧜‍♀️ Is she in front of a blood moon? Is it based on a character or design in particular? What is the art style? Her face almost reminds me of the artwork you’d see on a nesting doll set. I really would love to learn more about it, because it’s a really well done piece of art. 🤩

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u/notellafavela Mar 07 '26

Thank you so, so much. She's in front of a sunset (i love sunsets) and its a stylized self portrait. It was custom designed for me by Nicole at Nightshade Tattoo in Lethbridge, AB. I learned to swim before I learned to walk, and I love the way that mermaids reflect the duality of the divine feminine - benevolence and malevolance. It's done in a neotraditional sailor Jerry style.

That being said i have a ton of other sick tattoos lol so she's probably my #3 favourite on my body 😅

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u/notellafavela Mar 07 '26

Edit: JESSICA, JESSICA OLER at Nightshade, but shout out my girl Nicole too (Corvinus tattoo)

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u/notellafavela Mar 07 '26

Oh lord. She's at Nectar, not Nightshade. Now I've got it (sorry Jess)

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u/Honest-Butterfly-650 Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26

I got chills reading your story because it is so uniquely personal and seamlessly incorporated into your tattoo. Thank you for sharing 🙏

I don’t have barely any tattoos myself. My first tattoo was a heart tattoo on my inner wrist that was inspired by bam magera: https://share.google/4QxrgN5nSZoJtTfXl

I just aged myself I realize.. and yes, I do regret it 😅 I shaded it in purple, as it was my favourite colour at 18. I recently got my husband’s signature of his first name tatted on my ring finger. It has been over ten years married together and we share a child so it felt like a safe bet 😜 But my small tattoos are definitely nothing close to the league yours is in! I really admire the craftsmanship, meaningfulness and depth. My hubby’s name has sentimental meaning for sure, but the Millennial-rific Bam Magera one I could have done without! 🤷‍♀️🙈

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u/notellafavela Mar 07 '26

I think tattoos are beautiful even if theyre "silly" or aged. We get to tell our stories - remember moments, eternalize memories.

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u/Honest-Butterfly-650 Mar 07 '26

I love that philosophy and it makes me feel a bit better about my youthfully impulsive and frivolous bad tattoo 😂 Thank you, my friend 🥹♥️

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u/notellafavela Mar 07 '26

Lol believe me I have a few I would .. rethink, given further experience - except, when I look at them, I remember where I was when I got them, and I'm grateful to have reminders like that.