Inside: 137+ Behind the Ear Tattoos for Women.
Tattoo placement is one of the most important decisions when it comes to planning your next tat. Placement can hold special meaning, it could be necessary for covering purposes, or just because it’s a cool spot.
Not only can behind-the-ear tattoos be absolutely stunning, but they are also a discreet way to let a little of your personality shine. If you have longer hair, hiding your new tattoo is as easy as letting your hair down. On the other hand, when you’re ready to show off your ink just style your hair accordingly.
While the little area of skin behind your ear might not be the first place that comes to mind, there are some definite perks to this flattering and unusual area. This is likely why behind-the-ear tattoos have been consistently gaining steam amongst the tattoo community in recent years.
Check out some of the coolest behind-the-ear tattoos inspiration.
Do Behind-the-Ear Tattoos Hurt?
Like any tattoo, there will be some pain with this type of ink placement. Behind the ear is not an especially painful except when it comes to the vibrations while you are getting the ink done. The machine vibrations will have no fat absorbing them, so you will feel it somewhat in your head and even your skull, which can be a strange sensation and will most likely have you leaving with a headache afterwards.
The good news is that these tattoos are most often very small, so the discomfort will be short lived for a piece of art you’ll value for the rest of your life.
Behind the Ear Tattoo Ideas
Here are some of my favorite ideas for these types of tattoos. They are great because the small nature of the tattoo allows it not to be quite so obvious as say a full sleeve and the part of the body means normally your hair could cover it if needed. Also the ear is a fun placement idea because you can do use the curve of your lobe to create fun graphic designs like you’ll see in the butterfly wing tattoo idea below.
1. Moon Phases
6. Thin Line Heart Tattoo Behind Ear
7. Cute Flowers Behind Ear Design
9. Cute Little Fuzzy Bumblebee Tattoo
11. Flying Birds with Sparkles
12. Black and White Flower Bouquet
16. Moon & Stars
17. Sun & Moon
18.Cute Leaves
19. Chakra Symbols
20. Red Heart
21. Crying Eye
23. Semi Colon Tattoo with Wings
25. Purple Mandala
Small Tattoo Ideas Behind Ear
Just because behind the ear tattoos are usually small doesn’t mean they are boring. Here are some of the best pretty tiny tattoos that are unique, stunning, and fit the area behind your ear perfectly.
26. Small Outlined Butterflies
29. Small Galaxy Inspired Design
30. Little Shooting Star Tattoo
34. Simple Stars
35. Make a Wish
36. Black Stars
38. Cute Butterfly
39. Lavender
40. Smiley Face
41. Rose in Red
42. Zodiac Sign
43. Red Butterflies
45. Fairy Wing
47. Trio of Stars
48. Bumble Bee
49. Leo Symbol
50. Airplane
Small Quote Tattoo Placement Ideas
Getting a word tattoo that has a quote of something you love placed behind your ear can be a great way to show the importance of the phrase throughout your life.
52. Free Spirit
55. ‘Hope’
56. Be Still with Little Cross
58. Small ‘G’
62.Kanji Tattoo
63. C U R S E D
64. 4 4 4
66. P in cursive
67. Old English
68. September
69. R in Font
70. Fierce
71. Birth Year
72. Patience
73. Patience is Key
74. B L E S S E D
Behind The Ear Designs
Behind your ear is a great spot for a cute and feminine tattoo that symbolizes the important things in your personal life. Whether you like ink with meaning or just want a pretty piece with creative artwork, there are several amazing ear tattoo ideas to discuss with your artist.
76. Edgy Scorpion Tattoo Design
78. Realistic Monarch Butterflies
79. Howling Woof Profile Design
81. Four-Leaf Clover Tattoo Outline
82. Half of a Mandala Behind the Ear
84. Realistic Hummingbird Tattoo
86. Mandala
89. Detailed Roses
90. Music Note
92. Bee with Flower
94. Dotted Mandala
97. Large Flower with Vine Growing Towards Ear
98. Triple Crosses
99. Sea Horse
100. Purple Heart
Cute Behind the Ear Tattoos
101. Plant Stem Tattoo
102. Colorful Flower Stem Tattoo
103. Wheres Waldo!
104. Comet Tattoo
105. Little Trio of Butterflies
106. Little Angel Wing
107. Green Gemstone
108. Soot Sprites
110. Eye Tattoo
111. Flower Bouquet
112. Red Cardinal Bird
113. Little Piggy Face
114. Bird In Flight
115. Dandelion Seeds
116. Clean Diamond
117. Moon Symbols
118. Mango with a Face
119. WildFlowers
120. Single Wing
123. Hummingbird in B & W
124. Detailed Feather
125. Tiny Red Hummingbird
126. Origami Tattoo
127. Red Simple Scorpion
128. 4 Leaf Clover
129. Realistic Flower
131.Harry Potter Golden Snitch
133. Little Sun
134. Mandala Flower
135. Cat with Heart
137. Rose with Red Ink
More Cool Tattoo Ideas You’ll Love
If you like these cute behind the ear tattoos then check out a few more of our favorite tattoo inspiration ideas.
- Small Tattoo Ideas for Women – If you have been on the fence and are becoming interested in committing to getting inked but don’t want anything big, these small tattoos for women might be the answer. They are all dainty and can be put pretty much anywhere you want. It’s easy to hide these small tattoos when needed and show them off when you want as well. Check out these cute small tattoo design ideas.
- Our Favorite Freckle Tattoo Ideas – Consider cosmetic tattooing to add permanent eyeliner, faux freckles and give your lips the perfect color. Head out the door without having to spend time adding makeup or worrying about it melting away as the day goes on. While the prices vary, it’s not much more expensive than a typical tattoo. Considering how much money you spend on makeup in a year, you’ll see that it’s worth the upfront costs. Plus, can you imagine heading out the door with flawless makeup every day without all the effort?
- Peace Tattoo – It’s not necessary to be an old hippy to appreciate the love of a peace sign! These creative peace sign tattoo designs will get you excited and ready to make a commitment. They are a symbol for love, peace, being calm, and loving life. If this sounds like you, then don’t miss out! They look groovy in black and gray as well as colored, so you have to decide which you like the best.
I'm Victoria Hudgins founder of Tattoo Glee and managing editor. I'm a Tattoo Stylist and love helping others find the best way to express all the fun and joy that is within them! Follow along with my posts for all the celebratory style your next ink design is needing.