Famous People with Face Tattoos: Why the Ink Is Moving North

Ever seen someone in a grocery store with a dagger under their eye and done a double-take? It’s okay. Most of us have. But if that person is Post Malone, you probably just ask for a selfie. Honestly, the world of famous people with face tattoos has shifted from "scary outsider" to "standard Tuesday." What used to be the mark of a social outlaw is now just part of a brand.

It's weird. Ten years ago, a face tat was a career-killer. Now? It might be the reason you get a record deal or a reality show. But let's be real—not all face ink is created equal. Some are tributes. Some are insecurities. And some, well, they're just mistakes that people eventually pay thousands of dollars to laser off.

The Pioneers of the Facial Ink Movement

Before every SoundCloud rapper had "Xanarchy" written on their forehead, there was Mike Tyson. Back in 2003, Tyson walked into Victor Whitmill’s shop in Las Vegas. He actually wanted hearts on his face. Seriously. Whitmill, thank goodness, said no. He spent a few days designing the iconic Māori-inspired tribal swirl we see today.

Tyson calls it his "warrior tattoo." It wasn’t just a fashion choice; it was a psychological shield. When he stepped into the ring for his final fights, that ink was meant to intimidate. It worked. It became so famous that Warner Bros. got sued because they put a replica of it on Ed Helms’ face in The Hangover Part II.

Then you have Lil Wayne. Weezy is basically the godfather of the modern face tat. He’s got "Fear God" on his eyelids. Think about that for a second. The pain of a needle on your eyelid is something most of us can’t even fathom. He also has teardrops, which in the street usually mean something very specific (and dark), but Wayne has always kept it vague. He says they represent people he’s lost. For him, his face is a map of his life in New Orleans.

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Why Post Malone and Justin Bieber Joined In

If you ask Post Malone why he started inking his face, his answer is surprisingly vulnerable. He told GQ a while back that he thinks he’s an "ugly-ass motherf**ker." His words, not mine. He uses the tattoos to build confidence. If he puts something cool on his face, he feels cool when he looks in the mirror.

His "Always Tired" script under his eyes isn't just a vibe. It's a literal description of his life on the road. He’s also got a medieval gauntlet holding a flail and some barbed wire along his hairline. It’s chaotic, but it fits the "rockstar" persona perfectly.

Justin Bieber took a much more subtle route. You might not even notice his unless you’re looking at a high-res paparazzi shot. He has a tiny cross right at the corner of his eye. His artist, JonBoy, says it represents his faith. It’s dainty. It’s quiet. It’s a "safe" face tattoo, if there is such a thing. It shows that even the cleanest pop stars can’t resist the pull of the needle.

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The "Mama's Boy" and Tribute Inks

Not every face tattoo is meant to look tough. A lot of famous people with face tattoos use the space for family tributes. Take Drake, for example. He has his mother’s initials, "SG," right under his eye. It’s a tiny, elegant nod to Sandi Graham.

Amber Rose went much bigger. She has "Bash" and "Slash" across her forehead in beautiful script. Those are her sons' names. When people told her she was "too pretty" for a forehead tattoo, she basically told them to mind their own business. She actually cited Kobe Bryant's death as the reason she finally did it. It made her realize life is short, so why wait to do what you want?

Speaking of Kobe, The Game also used his face to honor the Lakers legend. He has a sideways "8" (the infinity symbol) above his eyebrow, blended with Kobe’s signature. It’s a permanent piece of Los Angeles history sitting right on his brow.

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The Regret Factor: When the Ink Fades (Or Gets Zapped)

It’s not all "living my best life." Sometimes, the ink doesn't age well. Or the person outgrows the rebellion.

• Presley Gerber: Cindy Crawford’s son made huge waves when he got "MISUNDERSTOOD" tattooed on his cheek. The backlash was brutal. People called him a privileged kid acting out. He defended it for a while, but by 2021, the tattoo started looking suspiciously light. Eventually, it was gone.
• Halsey: She once had a queen of diamonds card symbol in front of her ear. She called it her "first and hopefully only" face tattoo. These days, you rarely see it. Whether it’s heavy makeup or laser removal, she seems to have moved on from that look.

What You Should Know Before Thinking About Face Ink

If you're looking at these celebrities and thinking about booking an appointment, hold on. There’s a reason artists call these "job stoppers." Unless you’re a multi-platinum recording artist or a world-heavyweight champion, the rules are different for you.

1. Placement is everything. A tiny dot or a cross near the ear is way different than "STAY AWAY" written across your forehead.
2. The pain is real. Eyelids, temples, and the bridge of the nose are some of the most sensitive spots on the human body.
3. Removal is expensive. Laser removal on the face is ten times more painful than the tattoo itself, and it takes months.
4. Societal bias still exists. You might feel like Post Malone, but the HR manager at a corporate bank might not see it that way.

The trend of famous people with face tattoos isn't slowing down. If anything, the "SoundCloud Era" proved that the face is just another canvas. But as we see with people like Presley Gerber, what feels like a profound statement at 21 might feel like a literal scar at 25.

If you’re seriously considering facial ink, start small and hidden. Think about the "why" behind the "what." If it's a tribute like Amber Rose's or a faith-based mark like Bieber's, you're less likely to regret it than if you're just trying to look "edgy" for a music video. Research your artist carefully; face tattoos require a light touch so the ink doesn't "blow out" and look like a blurry smudge under your skin.