It was the ink that launched a thousand think pieces. Back in February 2020, Amber Rose stepped out with cursive script trailing across the very top of her forehead, just below the hairline. People lost it. The internet, predictably, had a collective meltdown, questioning why a famous model would "ruin" her face. But for Amber, the amber rose forehead tattoo meaning isn't about rebellion or a mid-life crisis; it’s a permanent, public declaration of a mother's devotion.
She got the names of her two sons, Slash and Bash, tattooed in a delicate but undeniable font.
The timing wasn't random.
It came shortly after the passing of Kobe Bryant. Seeing a legend vanish in an instant changed her perspective on "waiting" for the right time to do things. Life is short. She wanted to honor her kids while she was still here to see it. It’s heavy, honestly. We often think of celebrity tattoos as purely aesthetic choices—accessories to go with a new outfit or a rebrand—but this one felt raw.
Why the Forehead? Understanding the Placement
Placement matters. If she wanted something subtle, she could have put their names on her wrist or her ribs. By choosing her forehead, Amber Rose basically ensured that every person she looks at, and every camera that flashes in her direction, sees her children first. It’s a shield.
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Amber has been open about the fact that she doesn't care about traditional beauty standards. She’s the woman who made the buzzcut iconic for a generation of women who felt trapped by long hair. For her, the face is just another canvas. She told reporters and fans on social media that if she could get a giant tattoo on her face and still look fly, she was going to do it.
Critics were harsh. They called it "tacky." They said she’d regret it when she got older.
But here’s the thing: Amber Rose has been in the public eye for over a decade. She’s weathered scandals, high-profile breakups with Kanye West and Wiz Khalifa, and the constant scrutiny of the "SlutWalk" movement she championed. A little bit of ink isn't going to shake her. The amber rose forehead tattoo meaning is rooted in the idea that her identity as a mother eclipses her identity as a sex symbol or a celebrity.
The Names: Sebastian and Slash
To understand the tattoo, you have to know the boys.
Bash is Sebastian Taylor Thomaz, her son with rapper Wiz Khalifa. Born in 2013, he’s been a fixture on her social media since day one. They have a famously healthy co-parenting relationship, often seen together at birthday parties or school events.
Slash is Slash Electric Alexander Edwards, her son with AE (Alexander Edwards). He was just a baby when she got the ink.
By putting "Slash" and "Bash" together on her brow, she unified her family tree. It doesn’t matter that they have different fathers. In her eyes, and on her skin, they are the twin pillars of her life. It’s a bold way to say that her legacy isn't her career—it's them.
The Kobe Bryant Influence
You can't talk about this tattoo without talking about grief.
The death of Kobe Bryant in January 2020 sent shockwaves through Los Angeles. Amber lived in that world. She saw how a man who seemed invincible was gone in a heartbeat. It triggered a "live for now" mentality.
She actually spoke about this on One on One with Keyshia Cole. She mentioned that after Kobe passed, she reflected on her own life. She had wanted the tattoo for a while but hesitated because of the "face tattoo" stigma. After the crash, that hesitation evaporated. Why wait for a "someday" that might never come? If you love something, you put it front and center.
It’s a vibe a lot of people started feeling around that time. The world felt unstable. Permanent ink feels like a way to grab onto something real.
Addressing the "Career Suicide" Myth
People love to say that face tattoos are career killers. For a suburban office worker? Maybe. For Amber Rose? It actually solidified her brand. She has always been the "Muva" of the "Rosebuds." Her brand is built on radical self-acceptance and challenging what "respectable" women are supposed to look like.
If anything, the tattoo made her more relatable to a certain demographic. It signaled that she wasn't trying to pivot into a corporate, "sanitized" version of herself. She’s still the girl from Philly who does what she wants.
The Artistry of the Ink
Let’s look at the technical side. The tattoo wasn’t done by some random shop on the strip. She went to Cool 28, a celebrity-favored artist known for clean, fine-line work.
- The font is a stylized, gothic-leaning script.
- It follows the natural curve of her hairline.
- The ink is black, but it’s settled into a softer charcoal tone over the years.
Because she keeps her hair buzzed or wears wigs that sit further back, the tattoo is almost always visible. It’s not a "sometimes" accessory. It’s a part of her silhouette now.
The Cultural Shift in Face Tattoos
Amber isn't alone, obviously. Post Malone, 21 Savage, and even Justin Bieber have facial ink. But for a woman in Hollywood, the stakes are different. Women are expected to maintain a "pristine" face to remain marketable for beauty brands.
Amber flipped the script.
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She showed that you can have "Slash" and "Bash" written on your forehead and still land brand deals, still walk red carpets, and still be a mogul. It’s a middle finger to the patriarchy’s obsession with female facial "purity."
Interestingly, since she got hers, we've seen a slight uptick in parents getting more visible tattoos for their children. Maybe not on the forehead, but certainly on the neck and hands. She normalized a level of extreme devotion that transcends traditional jewelry or "mom" charms on a necklace.
Common Misconceptions
One big mistake people make is thinking she got the tattoo while she was "going through something."
There was no mental health crisis. There was no breakdown. By all accounts from those close to her at the time, she was the happiest she’d been in years. She was enjoying new motherhood with Slash and a stable friendship with Wiz.
Another misconception? That it's her only tattoo.
Amber is covered. She has a full portrait of Slash on her arm, roses everywhere, and various other pieces. The forehead tattoo is just the most "in your face." If you saw her without the face ink, she’d still be a heavily tattooed woman. This was just the final frontier.
Actionable Takeaways for Thinking About Facial Ink
If you're looking at Amber Rose and thinking about doing something similar for your own kids or a personal passion, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, consider the "Kobe Effect." Are you doing this because of a temporary emotional surge, or is this a long-term desire? Amber wanted this for years before she pulled the trigger.
Second, the artist is everything. Fine-line work on the forehead can blur easily because the skin is thin and moves constantly with your expressions. You need someone who understands depth and needle pressure.
Third, be ready for the questions. Amber gets asked about her tattoo in almost every interview. If you aren't prepared to explain the meaning over and over—or to ignore the stares at the grocery store—the forehead might not be the spot for you.
Ultimately, the amber rose forehead tattoo meaning is a story of motherhood, mortality, and moxie. It’s a reminder that our bodies belong to us, not the public that consumes our images. Whether you love the look or hate it, you have to respect the conviction. She loves those boys enough to wear their names where she can never hide them.
Moving Forward with Your Own Ink
Before booking a session for a visible tattoo, do the "six-month test." Print out the design, tape it to your mirror, and look at it every single morning. If you still love it after 180 days of seeing it first thing when you wake up, you're probably ready.
Check out the portfolios of artists who specialize in script specifically. Script is harder than portraits because there’s nowhere to hide a mistake. A shaky "S" or a lopsided "B" will haunt you.
Lastly, think about your skincare. Tattoos on the forehead are exposed to the sun more than almost any other part of the body. You’ll need to be religious about SPF 50 if you want the names of your loved ones to stay crisp and legible for the next twenty years.
Quick Summary of Facts:
- Tattoo Names: Slash and Bash (her sons).
- Artist: Cool 28.
- Inspiration: The sudden death of Kobe Bryant and a desire to live without regret.
- Date: February 2020.
- Philosophy: Motherhood is her primary identity.
The narrative of Amber Rose's ink is a case study in modern celebrity branding. It’s bold, it’s polarizing, and it’s deeply personal. In a world where everything is curated and filtered, there’s something refreshing about a woman who decides to wear her heart—and her kids' names—right on her brow. It’s not just a tattoo; it’s a lifestyle choice.
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For those planning their next piece, remember that the most meaningful tattoos are the ones that serve an audience of one. Amber didn't get "Slash" and "Bash" for the paparazzi; she got them for her sons. That’s why, despite the critics, she still wears them with pride today.
To dive deeper into the world of celebrity ink, you can research the history of fine-line tattooing in Los Angeles or look into the evolving workplace standards regarding facial tattoos in 2026. The landscape is changing, and icons like Amber Rose are the ones holding the map.