11 Behind-the-Ear Tattoos That Are Too Cute to Hide
Tiny tattoos tucked behind the ear are a fantastic option for a tattoo first-timer, since they're discreet and easy to conceal if you need to. Plus, a little-known bonus: Contrary to popular thought, getting them doesn't hurt that much. Still need some convincing? Click through for our favorite behind-the-ear ideas.
Courtesy of Hector Daniels1/11Little Initial
A lone initial in a feminine font has just the right amount of detail. "I’ve always been a big fan of script—but it has to look clean and be easy on the eyes," says tattoo artist Hector Daniels of NYC's Bang Bang. "I’d never want to put something on a client if it's going to get muddled or not look good in 10 years."
Courtesy of JonBoy2/11Eye Spy
If this isn't your first time at the tattoo rodeo, you might recognize this symbol. "The imagery of the little birds, the little eye, and the little skulls—it's traditional tattoo design that's micro," explains celebrity tattoo artist JonBoy of New York's West 4 Tattoo.
Courtesy of Balazs Bercsenyi3/11Abstract Shadow
"This design is actually my own creation. She’s deaf in one ear, the one she got the tattoo behind," says tattoo artist Balazs Bercsenyi, also of Bang Bang in New York City. "Obviously, she can’t hear from that ear. So she wanted something to symbolize sound waves."
Courtesy of Seoeon4/11Rainbow Riff
It seems like every other day, we're singing the praises of everything Korean. Same holds for Seoul-based tattoo artist Seoeon, who's known for her small, colorful tattoos. (Don't worry, she travels around the world fairly often to ink her many fans.)
Courtesy of JonBoy5/11Greek Speak
A tattoo in a foreign language adds another layer of intimacy, since unless the person who notices it is also multilingual, it's your secret to keep. The most popular language? "Farsi or Arabic, because the writing is just so sleek that it’s easy to turn it into a tattoo," says JonBoy. "If you don’t read it, it still looks like cool lines."
Courtesy of JonBoy6/11Roman Numeral
With tiny tattoos, symbols are pretty common. JonBoy usually lets the client decide whether or not they want to tell him the meaning behind it. "It’s nice to talk about why people are getting these tattoos," he explains. "I’m interested. I want to know you want to get something permanent on your body."
Courtesy of Hector Daniels7/11L.A. Love
Getting a behind-the-ear tattoo right is kind of a Goldilocks situation. "Behind the ear is a tricky spot, since everyone’s head is different," explains Daniels. "You want to make sure the tattoo is not too big, not too small." He's had to preemptively move tattoos that are just too big for the area to a different spot.
Courtesy of Seoeon8/11Tiny Tears
If "Brand New" and "Taking Back Sunday" mean anything to you, consider this the perfect homage to your emo, ninth-grade self. The minimalist work from Seoeon is the 2016 way to wear your heart on your sleeve.
Courtesy of JonBoy9/11Lucky Seven
"Behind the ear is the least painful. The myth that the bony area hurts more is total B.S.," says JonBoy, giving hope to needle-phobes everywhere. "I used to think that as well, but it has nothing to do with bone. It has to do with nerve endings." Phew.
Courtesy of Hector Daniels10/11Small Symbol
Daniels likes to use the phrase "tattoo therapy." "You can’t change your face and you can’t change your body, but you can get an image that empowers you," he explains. "It’s so small, but it changes you." This client, says Daniels, had lost a loved one and imagined them whispering in her ear by putting the tattoo here.
Courtesy of Balazs Bercsenyi11/11Flower Power
Bercsenyi (who actually created this for an ex) literally just imagined this design and made it happen. That's kind of his specialty. "My clients give me a lot of freedom," he adds. "They tell me, 'Do whatever you want to do' because they trust my taste."
