Post Malone, the genre-bending artist, has become as well-known for his extensive tattoo collection as he is for his chart-topping hits. While his body is a canvas of diverse designs, it’s his face tattoos that have sparked the most conversation and curiosity. Since his rise to fame in 2015, Post Malone has steadily adorned his face with ink, creating a distinctive and instantly recognizable look. This article delves into the world of Post Malone’s face tattoos, exploring each prominent piece, its potential meaning, and the impact they’ve had on his public persona.
The Philosophy Behind the Facial Ink
Post Malone’s decision to get face tattoos is rooted in personal expression and a touch of defiance against conventional norms. In a candid 2020 interview with GQ, he openly discussed the insecurities that played a role in his choices. “I’m a ugly-ass motherf—–,” he stated, explaining that the tattoos are a way to boost his self-confidence. He sees them as “something cool” that allows him to look in the mirror and feel a sense of self-acceptance. This vulnerability and honesty about his motivations have resonated with many, adding another layer to his complex public image.
Despite the permanent nature of face tattoos, Post Malone has also shown a lighter side to his ink. He playfully acknowledges the shock value and the intrigue they create. For him, the face tattoos are not just about masking insecurity; they are also about making a statement, pushing boundaries, and ultimately, doing what makes him feel comfortable in his own skin.
Decoding Post Malone’s Face Tattoos: A Detailed Guide
From sentimental tributes to bold artistic statements, each tattoo on Post Malone’s face tells a part of his story. Here’s a breakdown of his most prominent facial ink:
Daughter’s Initials
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A touching display of fatherly love, Post Malone has his daughter’s initials, DDP, tattooed in large gothic letters on his forehead. This prominent tattoo, inked in 2022, serves as a constant reminder of his child while he’s touring and away from home. He expressed in an interview with GQ the difficulty of being apart from his daughter, making this tattoo a deeply personal and meaningful tribute. The gothic style adds an artistic flair to this sentimental piece.
Blackjack Playing Cards
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Located near his right temple, the blackjack playing cards tattoo is a playful nod to Post Malone’s love for the game. He revealed in a 2016 GQ interview that he got this tattoo “for fun” while in Montreal. This tattoo showcases a more lighthearted side to his facial ink, reflecting his personal interests and spontaneity.
Barbed Wire
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A line of barbed wire encircles Post Malone’s hairline, a tattoo that embodies a raw and edgy aesthetic. While sometimes hidden by his hair, this tattoo adds to the overall tough image he often projects. He humorously mentioned to GQ the potential regret he might face as he gets older and potentially loses hair, showing his self-deprecating humor even about his permanent body art.
Medieval Gauntlet and Flail
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Adding a touch of medieval weaponry to his face, Post Malone sports a gauntlet and flail tattoo, inked in 2019 by artist Kyle Hediger. This bold piece, placed prominently on his face, was notably done just before his Times Square New Year’s Eve performance. The gauntlet, holding a spiked flail, extends down his cheekbone, making a strong visual statement.
Bloody Buzzsaw
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The bloody buzzsaw tattoo on his cheek, added in 2020, is one of Post Malone’s more graphic face tattoos. He even shared the tattooing process with fans on Instagram, offering a glimpse into his commitment to body art. This design, captured by photographer Adam DeGross, further solidifies his inclination towards bold and unconventional imagery.
Snake-Tongued Woman
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Visible when he sports a shaved head, the snake-tongued woman tattoo is Post Malone’s rendition of Medusa. This mythological figure, known for her snake hair and ability to turn people to stone, is inked on the left side of his head. This tattoo adds a layer of mythical and artistic depth to his collection.
Skull
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In 2020, alongside a buzz cut, Post Malone revealed a large skull tattoo covering a significant portion of his scalp. This skeletal head design stretches from the top of his head down to his ear. In an Instagram post showcasing the tattoo, he mentioned, “skeletons are cool. Spread your heart as much as you can,” linking the image to themes of mortality and love.
“Always Tired”
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Perhaps his most iconic face tattoos, the “Always Tired” cursive script under his eyes was added in 2018. These words resonate with a relatable feeling of exhaustion and have become synonymous with Post Malone’s image. He jokingly commented that these tattoos make him “interesting to look at,” compensating for perceived lack of conventional handsomeness. He described the pain of getting these under-eye tattoos to GQ as intensely uncomfortable.
Red Heart
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A vibrant splash of color amidst his predominantly black ink, the red heart tattoo near his left temple adds a touch of whimsy. The exact meaning remains unconfirmed, but it serves as a striking and contrasting element in his facial tattoo arrangement.
Waves
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Japanese-inspired wave designs flow across one side of Post Malone’s head, bringing an element of artistic grace to his collection of weapon and skull tattoos. Inked by artist Ganji in Tokyo, these wave tattoos introduce a different cultural and aesthetic influence to his overall look.
“Stoney”
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Paying homage to his debut album, “Stoney,” Post Malone has the album title tattooed under his chin. While often obscured by his beard, this tattoo is a permanent reminder of his breakthrough into the music industry and the project that launched his career.
“Stay Away”
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One of his earlier face tattoos, “Stay Away” is written above his right eyebrow in a flowing script. He cited Lil Peep’s “Cry Baby” tattoo and his fondness for a Nirvana song as inspiration for this piece. This tattoo reflects his musical influences and a sentiment of wanting to be left alone, possibly resonating with his personality.
Skull with Horns
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Located on the lower part of his face, near his ear and below the Medusa tattoo, is a skull with horns. This tattoo further emphasizes the skull motif prevalent in his body art, adding a demonic or edgy twist with the horns.
Hammer, Heart, Playboy Bunny, “DDP” and Smiley Face
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Beneath his right eye, a cluster of smaller tattoos adds detail to his face. This collection includes a tiny Playboy Bunny, a heart, his daughter’s initials “DDP” (also tattooed on his forehead), and a smiley face with X’s for eyes. The smiley face, an early tattoo, was unintentionally reminiscent of Marshmello’s logo. A bloody hammer tattoo is also part of this grouping, continuing the weapon theme.
Sword
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A long sword tattoo runs down the right side of his face, starting at his temple and ending near his jawline. Post Malone expressed his childhood fascination with swords to GQ, stating it was a way to perhaps provoke his mother with a large and permanent piece of art.
7
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Almost hidden in plain sight, a tiny number “7” is tattooed at the top of his nose. This minuscule tattoo is easily missed, demonstrating that not all of Post Malone’s face tattoos are large and attention-grabbing.
Texas Outline
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A subtle tribute to his upbringing, Post Malone has a faint outline of the state of Texas behind his left ear. Having been raised in Texas, this tattoo is a quiet nod to his roots and home state pride.
New York State
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Balancing his Texas tribute, Post Malone also has a small outline of New York State behind his right ear, acknowledging his birthplace of Syracuse, New York. This dual state representation showcases both his origins and where he spent his formative years.
The Enduring Impact of Post Malone’s Face Tattoos
Post Malone’s face tattoos have undeniably become a defining aspect of his persona. They sparked conversations about beauty standards, self-expression, and the evolving landscape of tattoo culture. While some may see them as unconventional, they are a powerful statement of individuality and artistic freedom. Beyond mere aesthetics, Post Malone’s face tattoos are deeply intertwined with his personal journey, insecurities, and triumphs, making them a fascinating and integral part of his story as an artist. They have solidified his place as a modern icon who dares to challenge norms and redefine celebrity image in the 21st century.
