InkCraftBehind the Ear Tattoo Designs for Women, Hair Up
20 women's behind the ear tattoos photographed on skin for InkCraftBy Uladzimir TumanauUpdated
For women with long hair, behind the ear is a spot revealed with one small gesture: tucking the hair back. These behind the ear tattoos for women are set beside their flat designs, to judge how each works alongside earrings and the curve of the ear.
- new school · colourTry it on — Color new school elephant tattoo behind a woman's ear
- linework · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white linework angel tattoo behind a woman's ear
- neo traditional · colourTry it on — Color neo traditional tattoo behind a woman's ear
- biomechanical · colourTry it on — Color biomechanical tattoo behind a woman's ear
- tribal · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white tribal tattoo behind a woman's ear
- new school · colourTry it on — Color new school moon tattoo behind a woman's ear
- blackwork · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white blackwork tattoo behind a woman's ear
- dotwork · black and greyTry it on — Black and grey dotwork tattoo behind a woman's ear
- neo traditional · colourTry it on — Color neo traditional butterfly tattoo behind a woman's ear
- fine line · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white fine line tiger tattoo behind a woman's ear
- blackwork · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white blackwork cherry blossom tattoo behind a woman's ear
- biomechanical · colourTry it on — Color biomechanical moth tattoo behind a woman's ear
- illustrative · black and greyTry it on — Black and grey illustrative elephant tattoo behind a woman's ear
- tribal · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white tribal flower tattoo behind a woman's ear
- dotwork · black and greyTry it on — Black and grey dotwork tattoo behind a woman's ear
- geometric · colourTry it on — Color geometric tattoo behind a woman's ear
- illustrative · black and greyTry it on — Black and grey illustrative tattoo behind a woman's ear
- new school · colourTry it on — Color new school tattoo behind a woman's ear
- linework · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white linework shark tattoo behind a woman's ear
- ornamental · black and greyTry it on — Black and grey ornamental lily tattoo behind a woman's ear
Every pair is one tattoo: the design as it was drawn, and a photograph of that same design on the body.
These 20 tattoos behind women's ears, in numbers
- Body parts
- 1
- Black and grey
- 12
- Colour
- 8
- Most common style
- new-school
Tucked behind, or hidden under
Worn loose, long or shoulder-length hair covers this spot completely. Tucked behind the ear, tied back or pinned up, it leaves it on show from the side. That makes it a tattoo with two states, and the design should suit both: small enough to disappear under the hair, clear enough to read in the moment it is seen.
Short cuts change that. With a pixie cut, a bob above the ear or a shaved section at the side, the piece is visible all the time and the hairline becomes its border, so detail near the hair is the first part to be covered as it grows between cuts.
Earrings, piercings and the curve of the ear
Lobe piercings, a helix or a stack of studs sit right beside this spot, with earrings hanging in front of it. Designs that curve alongside the back of the ear, a small vine, a line of stars, a crescent, a tiny snake, continue the line of the piercings; heavy blocks of ink compete with them. Look at the stencil with your usual earrings in.
Hair clips, headbands and ponytail elastics do not reach this spot, but the arms of glasses do, resting along the top of the ear; keep the design below that line. How the spot feels, and aftercare with hair around it, are on the behind the ear page.
Common questions
- Can long hair hide a behind the ear tattoo completely?
- Yes, when it is worn down and not tucked back. Shoulder-length hair or longer covers the spot from every angle. It shows when hair is tied up, pinned or tucked behind the ear, which suits anyone who wants a tattoo seen only when they choose.
- Do earrings get in the way of a behind the ear tattoo?
- Not physically, since they hang from the lobe in front and the tattoo sits behind. Visually they belong to the same view, so a design that echoes the curve of your piercings looks planned with them. Large drop earrings can cover the lower edge of a piece that sits low, seen from the side.
- Does a behind the ear tattoo go with an undercut?
- Very well. An undercut at the side or back leaves the skin around the ear bare, so the tattoo shows when the longer hair is pulled up and hides when it falls. Shape the shaved area and the tattoo together, so the hairline frames the piece instead of crossing it.
- Which styles suit a small tattoo behind a woman's ear?
- Linework and dotwork suit the curve behind the ear, where a crescent moon, a butterfly or a sprig of cherry blossom can follow the line of your piercings. New-school and neo-traditional pieces bring colour to a compact subject such as a small elephant or a flower head. If you pair it with an inner ear tattoo, keep both in one line weight so they read together.
See it on your own skin first
InkCraft places a design on a photo of you — scaled, wrapped and shaded to the spot you pick, so you can judge the size against your own body before it is permanent.