If you’re the type to hide your tattoos on inconspicuous spots on your body, we’ve got an excellent recommendation for your next ink! The sides of your fingers and inner wrist are popular places to get a dainty minimalist tatt, but have you thought about that nook behind your ears?
Whether you’ve got multiple piercings or simply love to flaunt your ear or neck area, a tattoo behind your lobe might be your most interesting ink yet! It’s such an intimate place for a meaningful design and is an absolute conversation starter once someone spots it! Be wary though since the skin on that area is pretty thin and sensitive! So expect it to be a pretty uncomfortable experience under the needle. No pain no gain, right?
But if you’d like to try something different and would like to spice up your ear area with a permanent accessory, there’s no denying that these chic and dainty behind-the-ear designs would totally do the trick. Below, we round up a list of aesthetic inks that’ll convince you to get this unconventional tattoo!
15 Dainty and Minimalist Tattoo Designs for Behind Your Ears
1. Your Zodiac Sign
Zodiac sign tatts are always to pretty to look at—especially if done as a simple glyph! Opt to ink your star sign in thin delicate lines just a few centimeters away from your lobe so it’ll complement your piercings!
2. Important Initials
You can make your tatt personal and even more discreet if you choose to have an acronym placed behind your ears! The letters may mean nothing for a random person, but they’ll definitely resonate with you! This is also great if you’re not a fan of script or handwritten tatts.
3. A Silhouette of an Animal
This is a cute design to consider if you’re into something playful! A dog or cat are obvious options, but you can even go as far as getting a whale inked if that’s what you fancy!
4. A Heart
Heart tattoos are undeniably universal—you can literally place them anywhere and they’ll look good! Whether you pick a plain black or colored version, make sure that it’s tiny to keep it looking chic and not cheesy.
5. A Constellation
Dainty constellation tattoos are so pretty when drawn with tiny dots or stars and delicate lines! The trick is to have a bit of the tattoo sprawling behind your ears so it looks polished and less cluttered!
6. Something in White Ink
White tattoos are simply pretty. We suggest having simple line art done in white or a graphic silhouette. This will literally look quite invisible on the skin, which is perfect if you’re the type to keep it hidden.
7. A Quote in Script
Engrave an important phrase or word behind your ear that follows the curve of the outer cartilage. This is a pretty ink to get if you’d like to cover more skin in this area!
8. Planets and Stars
If you’re into astrology or heavenly bodies in general, why not have a tiny universe right by your ear? This is a great design to get in all black or with subtle pops of color that could fill in some elements.
9. A Musical Note
If you have a passion for music, a simple musical note is enough to make a statement behind your ears.
10. A Single Stem Flower
A childlike drawing of a flower is actually a really pretty design for a tattoo. A daisy, sunflower, or rose drawn with sparse leaves and a single stem fits perfectly on this spot.
11. A Rose Flower Bud
Roses are undeniably popular as tattoos! That said, don’t pass up the opportunity to get a rose tattoo that’s different from what you commonly see! Pick a simple outline of the flower’s bud rather than one in full color.
12. Simple Symbols
You can always go with really minimalist designs and group them together! Just be sure to pick symbols that can be drawn really small so you can even add on to your tatts in the future!
13. A Flower in Full Color
Colored tattoos don’t have to looks intricate or busy! Just pick a design that’s understated but fun. Buds like daisies, lavenders, and other wildflowers look so pretty when filled in with pastel or bright colors. Up to you how striking you want your tatt to be!
14. Something Cartoon-y
If you’re into graphic design and cartoons, then get a tattoo that reflects those interests! Something reminiscent of '90s cartoon motifs or street art look cool when drawn as a simple line art.
15. A Date
Whether you choose to have your brithday, wedding anniversary, or any other significant day in your life engraved on your skin, it's undeniably a personal and meaningful design to get! Plus, since it's behind your ears, you're not flaunting these numbers too publicly.
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