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It's hard to remember a time when Austin Post didn't have a giant claymore sword slicing down his right cheek. Back in 2015, when "White Iverson" was blowing up, he was relatively fresh-faced. Now? He’s basically a living, breathing sketchbook.
People love to judge. You’ve seen the comments. They call it "mumble rap decor" or assume he was just trashed one night and let a buddy go to town with a needle. But if you actually listen to the man talk, the reality of the Post Malone face tat collection is way more human and, honestly, a little bit heartbreaking.
Why He Actually Did It
We’ve all had those mornings where we look in the mirror and just... ugh. Most of us just buy a new hat or try a different skincare routine. Post Malone took it to the extreme.
In a very raw interview with GQ, he admitted that he thinks he's an "ugly-ass motherf**ker." Those were his exact words. He explained that the tattoos come from a place of deep insecurity. By putting something "cool" on his face, he feels like he can look at his reflection and actually like what he sees. It's a layer of armor. It’s a way to manufacture self-confidence when you don't have any naturally.
It wasn't about being a rebel. Not really. It was about being comfortable in his own skin by changing the skin itself.
The "Always Tired" Mystery
The most famous ones are the words "Always Tired" etched right under his eyes. Some fans thought it was a tribute to his work ethic—the guy tours like a machine—but it’s more literal than that.
He's tired. He’s been open about his struggles with mental health and crying himself to sleep back in middle school and high school. Putting those words there was a way to lean into the fatigue instead of fighting it. It’s like a permanent "do not disturb" sign for his soul.
Breaking Down the Most Iconic Pieces
If you're trying to count them all, good luck. He adds new ones so fast it's hard to keep a running tally, but a few stand out as the pillars of his look.
- The Barbed Wire: This runs right along his hairline. He once joked that he’s going to regret it when he starts balding, but for now, it frames his face like a crown of thorns.
- The Gauntlet and Flail: This is a big one. It’s a medieval spiked ball on a chain. Post has a weird obsession with "knights and medieval sh*t," and this piece, done by artist Kyle Hediger, took things to a whole new level of "don't mess with me."
- DDP: These initials on his forehead aren't for the wrestler Diamond Dallas Page (though he’s a fan). They are for his daughter. This marked a huge shift in his ink—moving from aggressive imagery to something deeply personal and soft.
- The Bloody Buzzsaw: Added in early 2020, this one sits on his left cheekbone. It’s graphic. It’s loud. It was done backstage in Kansas City by Ruben Reza.
He’s got a heart, a Playboy bunny, a smiley face with crossed-out eyes, and even a little "7" on his nose. It’s a chaotic mix of high-stakes imagery and "why not?" doodles.
The Artist Behind the Ink
You can't talk about a Post Malone face tat without mentioning the people holding the gun. He doesn't just go to any random shop.
Kyle Hediger has become his go-to guy. They’ve even tattooed each other—Post once gave Kyle a tattoo of a rival football team because they lost a bet. That’s the kind of relationship they have. JonBoy is another name that pops up often; he’s the king of those tiny, "micro" tattoos that celebrities love.
Interestingly, Post has also let his friends do some of the work. It makes the tattoos feel less like "fine art" and more like memories. Every time he looks in the mirror, he doesn't just see a drawing; he sees the night he spent with his buds, the pain of the needle, and the laughs they had.
Does it Hurt?
He’s not a tough guy about it. He’s admitted that the gauntlet on his cheek "hurt like a motherf**ker." Getting tattooed on the face is a different beast than the arm or chest. There’s no fat there. It’s just needle against bone.
The 2026 Perspective: Is He Done?
Lately, people have been asking if he's slowing down or even getting them removed. You might see some photos where the ink looks a bit lighter.
Don't buy the removal rumors. Tattoos on the face fade faster than anywhere else because of sun exposure and how often we wash our faces. Unless he starts showing up with heavy bandages and laser scars, those tats are here to stay.
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Actually, as he's moved more into the country music scene and focused on fatherhood, the tattoos have almost become "invisible" to the general public. We're so used to seeing them that we've stopped seeing them, if that makes sense. He's just Austin now. The tattoos are just his face.
What You Can Learn From Posty's Ink
If you're thinking about following in his footsteps and getting a Post Malone face tat of your own, take a second to breathe.
- Understand the "Why": Post did it because of a specific relationship with his own reflection. Are you doing it for you, or for a trend that might be dead in two years?
- Career Check: He’s a multi-platinum artist. He doesn't have to worry about a "traditional" job. Most of us do. Even in 2026, face ink is a heavy lift in a corporate environment.
- Start Small: Notice how his earliest ones were small? The "Stay Away" and the tiny heart? He didn't start with the buzzsaw.
- Find Your "Kyle": Don't let a random person touch your face. Find an artist you trust, someone whose style matches your vibe.
At the end of the day, Austin Post used his body to tell a story of insecurity, fatherhood, and a love for medieval weaponry. It’s weird, it’s messy, and it’s completely authentic to who he is.
To keep track of his newest additions, your best bet is following his official Instagram or the accounts of his main artists like Kyle Hediger. They usually post the fresh work before the tabloids even get a blurry paparazzi shot. If you're serious about the culture, look into the history of "prison-style" vs. "fine line" facial tattooing to see where his specific aesthetic fits in.