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Helix Tattoo Trend Has People Inking Delicate Images Along the Sides of Their Ears

Many people love the idea of a tattoo but don’t want a statement-making piece of body art. Rather, they prefer something small and subtle that most folks wouldn’t even notice. If you’re one of these types of tattoo fans, we’ve got a trend for you. Known as ear tattoos, the designs are inked onto the cartilage and lobe. The best part? They’re often inconspicuous when covered by hair.

These trendy tattoos have another name. If inked along the outer ridge of the ear, they’re also called helix tattoos—thanks to their placement along its helix. This gives the look of a decorative cuff, like the kind typically you'd see as jewelry.

The tiny canvas and odd shape of the ear requires some creative problem solving, but it's a challenge that many artists gladly meet. Korean tattooist Zihee, for instance, has created two stunning iterations of the helix tattoo. Each features a thin vine that wraps from the bottom of the ear to the top. In one, Zihee has punctuated the tattoo with two flowers on the lobe, like a permanent earring. But florals aren’t the only option when it comes to tattoos on the ear. Text, along with simple lines and shapes, are also playful ways to sport ink without the time commitment that comes with larger pieces.

One of the latest body art trends popping up on Instagram is getting tattoos on ear.

Helix Tattoo on Ear

Photo credit: @zihee_tattoo

Tattoo on Ear

Photo credit: Kyle Berg

Ear Tattoo

Photo credit: @fran.vagabond

Ear Tattoo

Photo credit: @fran.vagabond

Ear Tattoo

Photo credit: @indyvoet

Behind Ear Tattoos

Photo credit: @_ch11388

These small ear tattoos, also called helix tattoos, favor a minimalist aesthetic. They often take the form of simple blooms or geometric shapes.

Ear Tattoo

Photo credit: @tattoo_geomi

Ear Tattoo

Photo credit: @bzinktattoo

Behind Ear Tattoos

Photo credit: @formytattoo

No matter the subject, they are a beautifully subtle way to sport body ink.

Behind Ear Tattoos

Photo credit: @wittybutton_tattooo

Behind Ear Tattoos

Photo credit: @tattoo_geomi

Tattoos on Ear

Photo credit: @zihee_tattoo

h/t: [Cosmopolitan]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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