There's a movement sweeping the nation, a revolution infiltrating our culture. The insurgents aren't protesting in the streets to riot for their cause; instead they're quietly taking ground, slipping in undetected.
Diverse in age, gender and race, they're near-impossible to distinguish. They're your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers and, yes, even your family members.
These rebels are secretly piercing hidden parts of their bodies and getting subtle, tiny tattoos -- sometimes in invisible ink. This group largely consists of goody-two-shoes who want to act on a tiny flame of rebellion, without anyone knowing.
It's a push toward undercover defiance, a desire to be scandalous but only a little bit. Meet the baby badass.
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While hidden piercings and tattoos are nothing new, the trend toward a minimal aesthetic has grown overall, beyond the neighborhood tat parlor. In fashion there is a lean toward simple, clean lines and neutrals, as opposed to flamboyant colors and prints. For multiple seasons simple dressing has saturated the runways and spilled into the streets.
Like a refreshing lemon sorbet between rich pasta courses, creative society is chasing a palate cleanser.
I Somehow managed to keep this all white look all white... But I did have to avoid my morning coffee (thanks @ralphlauren & @altamiranyc loved working with you guys) A photo posted by Chriselle Lim (@chrisellelim) on Sep 18, 2015 at 5:17pm PDT
With piercings it's easy to argue that the septum is the hottest hole of the moment. Most recently championed by brazen rebels such as Rihanna, FKA Twigs and Lady Gaga, it seems everyone from the 50-year-old woman at the Target checkout counter to the handsome guy in your IT department is rocking a ring between their nostrils.
While it might be the most visible, many actually consider this piercing less of a permanent commitment. (When you get tired of the hoop or the trend fades, your septum scar is virtually invisible inside the nose.)
Anyway, a more clandestine piercing is rising to take the septum's place, and the baby badass is all over it.
#rihanna #r8 #newalbum #newlook #shesback #comeback #rihannaseptum #r8experience #africastyle #black #hairstyle #septum #piercing #tattoo #gayicone #gaymusic #gaypeople #gay #straight #music #rnb #dance #rih A photo posted by Alex TIBERIO (@tiberioalexandre) on Jan 30, 2015 at 12:43am PST
After one whole quart of brandy, like a daisy im awake #artravetokyo SHOW 2 Stadium Style A photo posted by The Countess (@ladygaga) on Aug 14, 2014 at 12:02am PDT
"Naval piercings are making a comeback. It's an easy revival, since most people still have the holes from when they pierced it the first time," says J Colby Smith of Manhattan's famous tattoo and piercing shop, New York Adorned.
Smith's international clientele includes celebrities, models, fashion editors and even royalty. As the creator of the septum chain, a delicate row of links that is easily removed or added to the bar that remains in your nose, he has always been a forward thinker in his craft.
"In the past so much has been geared around being extreme and crazy," he says. "Now it's about looking natural, not desperate."
Unlike the septum that sits front and center on your face, a belly button is easily concealed. Hidden under clothing most of the time, it's perfect for lawyers, soccer moms and anyone else who wants to nurture a dirty little secret.
However, like most trends that return for a second round, the navel piercing shouldn't be repeated exactly as before.
"In the past the jewelry has been all wrong." Smith says, "I would never tell anyone to wear those big clunky gemstones. I love two tiny thin rings that sit side by side. I also recommend a delicate cuff that hugs the little dip in the naval."
Even Britney Spears has swapped her gaudy belly button baubles for a more delicate style.
CEO and owner of Los Angeles' Body Electric tattoo parlor, Brian Keith Thompson advocates the belly button piercing for everyone regardless of their age or gender.
He tells Mashable, "Some clients come in and think it’s only for 16-year-olds. I pierce very successful mothers. I’ve pierced men’s navels; I’ve pierced my own. It’s not just for young girls anymore. It’s for anybody — whoever wants it."
As the baby badass gains followers, Thompson expects to pierce a lot more nipples in the future. "I'm doing them sometimes three, four, five times a day. I think they’re becoming so popular because it’s another piercing that no one has to see unless you want them to. It’s something that no one has to know about. I’ve pierced cardiothoracic surgeons from a local hospital, and you would never think when they’re meeting with their patients that they have their nipples pierced. It’s really been taking off."
The key to being a covert rebel is to keep the jewelry minimal and the piercing or tattoo in a place that will only be revealed in your most intimate encounters.
Chelsey Daskalos of Davis, California-based shop, Death or Glory, tells Mashable the increasing demand for concealed piercings is a reflection of the current tattoo trends. "The most popular hidden tattoo spot went from tramp stamp to the ribs and is now moving under the breasts on the sternum...all of which can be easily hidden. Currently, feathers and birds with limited black outlines or white ink are the craze."
Got to do this cute little guy today. #tattoo #unalome #sternumtattoo #Black #tattoos #Apprentice #IronTide #Chest #Linework #pathtoenlightenment A photo posted by Kodi ellis (@isitkodi) on Oct 1, 2015 at 3:55pm PDT
Some baby badasses are teenagers rebelling for the first time but don't want those close to them to find out. At Daskalos' shop, which happens to be in a college town, "We get a lot of young people through our doors asking for these. Most of the time it is something that makes them feel rebellious and yet they can still hide it from mom and dad who happen to be paying their tuition and living expenses."
Others, no matter what their age group, just like the idea of a delicate and meaningful way to express themselves discreetly.
Unlike gateway piercings and tattoos which are innocent means to a habit-forming end of ornate and colorful sleeves, the baby badass is content dipping their toe in the pool of defiance and then resting their feet safely on dry land.
"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place." - Iain Thomas A photo posted by Mikey Joe (@canubian) on Sep 29, 2015 at 9:30am PDT
Daskalos refers to her clients that seek clandestine rebellion as "minimalist millennials" and credits the uprising to an abundance of these images on social media: "Pinterest displays these as acceptable and popular, so it is more digestible to the masses."
Next time you're checking in with your doctor or talking with your father-in-law, just remember you never really know what lies beneath -- and that's the whole point.