Amazing Tribal Face Tattoo Ideas

Tribal style face tattoos are becoming more prevalent as collectors use the previously taboo area for interesting depictions of self-expression.

Previously, only the Maori Ta’Moko and traditional cultural designs from Polynesia were employed for facial art with any degree of community acceptance (and even that was minimal).

Currently though, the stigma of getting a highly visible ‘jobstopper’ tattoo seems to matter less than at any time previously, despite reluctance from a lot of artists to do this type of ink.

Face ink with a focus on traditional culture – from Eastern philosophy, to Polynesia, and Norse/Celtic tattoo – is now a staple of tattoo whether others like it or not.

The following gallery of top 73 tribal face tattoo ideas depict a range of interesting concepts for technique and placement. If you’re considering a face tattoo these images will help you narrow your choice.

1. Cheek Tattoos

Tribal-inspired face tattoos featuring geometric lines and dot patterns around the ear and cheek — Source: @arn_o_ne via Instagram

Tribal-style geometric tattoo on the cheek featuring a triangular design and lines below — Source: @blvck_rune via Instagram

Bold geometric and floral-inspired tribal tattoo covering the cheek, featuring sharp lines and intricate details — Source: @canepazzo_hc via Instagram

Delicate, swirling tribal-style tattoo behind the ear, featuring a dotted line and flowing curves — Source: @collybopink via Instagram

Side view of a person with a geometric floral-patterned tribal tattoo on the side of the face, extending from the ear — Source: @darkspectretattoos via Instagram

Celtic knot tribal tattoo covering the cheek, surrounded by additional tattoos on the head and neck — Source: @eldiablotattoowales via Instagram

Source: @ghostgirltattoo via Instagram

Bold, geometric tribal tattoo on the cheek, featuring a symmetrical, layered pattern extending from the ear — Source: @golden.spiral.lola_ via Instagram

Mandala-inspired tribal tattoo covering the cheek and extending towards the ear, featuring circular and geometric patterns — Source: @impermanence_tatu via Instagram

Geometric mandala-style tribal tattoo on the cheek, featuring layered square and petal-like patterns — Source: @jayw0rk via Instagram

Minimalist floral-inspired tribal tattoo on the cheek, featuring dotted leaf shapes and small accents around the ear — Source: @marieradfordtattoo via Instagram

Bold, petal-shaped tribal tattoo on the cheek, radiating from the ear, with intricate shading and sharp edges — Source: @michellemonster_ via Instagram

Intricate floral and lace-inspired tribal tattoo on the cheek, featuring fine lines and symmetrical patterns extending from the ear — Source: @rayprathertattoo via Instagram

2. Tribal Chin Tattoo Art

Bold, linear tribal tattoo on the chin and an intricate maze-like pattern on the neck — Source: @bluebelle777 via Instagram

Geometric tribal tattoo on the chin, featuring symmetrical lines and patterns, complemented by tattoos on the neck — Source: @jono.harrison via Instagram

Celtic knot tribal tattoo on the chin, extending from the lower lip, paired with additional knotwork tattoos on the neck — Source: @jordantwotone via Instagram

Bold, black tribal tattoo on the chin, featuring geometric shapes and sharp lines extending towards the neck — Source: @sorry_mom via Instagram

Bold, symmetrical tribal tattoo on the chin, featuring curved and flowing lines forming a stylized pattern — Source: @str8blasted951 via Instagram

Minimalist tribal tattoo on the chin, featuring vertical and horizontal lines, complemented by a piercing above the tattoo — Source: @tattoo.aida_ via Instagram

Intricate tribal tattoo covering the chin, extending to the lower lip and neck, featuring bold geometric patterns and symmetrical lines — Source: @thehaletattoo via Instagram

3. Forehead Tattoo Designs

Bold tribal tattoo on the forehead, featuring petal-like geometric shapes, along with floral and geometric designs on the side of the face, neck, and hands — Source: @chlomenzies_ via Instagram

Minimalist tribal tattoo on the forehead, featuring sharp geometric lines forming a chevron shape, along with a vertical row of small dots — Source: @elisartattoo via Instagram

Bold, abstract tribal tattoo on the forehead, featuring intricate black lines and shapes, creating a symmetrical design with shaded elements — Source: @goldleaftattoocollective via Instagram

Geometric tribal tattoo covering the forehead, extending down the nose and chin, featuring symmetrical flower-like patterns and bold black lines — Source: @impermanence_tatu via Instagram

Geometric tribal tattoos on the forehead and face, featuring triangles and dot work — Source: @ladymarion_tattooer via Instagram

Forehead with a small, symmetrical tribal tattoo in the center, featuring intersecting lines and dots, along with a larger faded design at the hairline — Source: @maefloradavies via Instagram

Dotted tribal tattoo on the forehead, featuring intricate patterns and small dot clusters extending towards the center, complemented by a central dot — Source: @mat_le_black via Instagram

Tribal tattoo on the forehead, complemented by floral tattoos on the cheek, small dot accents, and a large intricate tattoo covering the neck and chest. — Source: @tjmarquezphotography via Instagram

Minimalist tribal tattoo on the forehead, featuring simple lines, X-shaped patterns, and swirling curves forming an arched design — Source: @whoisalextattoo via Instagram

4. Tattoo Ideas for Women

Large, intricate mandala-style tribal tattoo on the cheek, extending from the ear towards the face, featuring detailed geometric patterns and dot work — Source: @abbeymanson via Instagram

Geometric tribal tattoo on the cheek, featuring a star-like design with intricate linework and shading extending towards the ear — Source: @chewstattoos via Instagram

Small decorative tribal tattoo on forehead, featuring a simple swirling design — Source: @dreadicationlocs via Instagram

Decorative tribal tattoo behind the ear, featuring a geometric pattern — Source: @maximalabstand via Instagram

A woman with extensive tribal-style facial tattoos — Source: @missssy_g via Instagram

A woman with intricate mandala facial tattoos, rainbow plugs, piercings, bold makeup, and colorful neck tattoos — Source: @raineyxentattoo via Instagram

A woman with intricate facial and forehead tattoos, including a mandala design, heart, and stars — Source: @tattooed_dingus via Instagram

5. Tattoos for Men

A man with tribal-inspired face tattoos, including minimalist line designs — Source: @anita_sinko via Instagram

A man with tribal-style face tattoos featuring symmetrical dot patterns on his forehead, cheeks, and under his eyes, including the number "717" under the left eye — Source: @black_ink_studio24 via Instagram

A person with intricate tribal-style face tattoos, including vertical and geometric patterns on the cheeks and forehead — Source: @daddyvasto via Instagram

A man with bold black tribal-style face tattoos, including cross symbols and lines across his face and neck — Source: @iskald_svart_ulvblod via Instagram

A bald man with intricate black tribal-style tattoos, including a large geometric design on his forehead, decorative symbols on his cheeks, and text on the side of his face — Source: @model_a3 via Instagram
Source: @dinnybacio via Instagram

A person with highly detailed face tattoos, covering nearly their entire face with geometric, script, and symbolic designs — Source: @n_e.r_o_ via Instagram

A man with minimalist tribal face tattoos, including geometric symbols under his eyes and on his chin — Source: @reda_inkmodel via Instagram

Man with multiple piercings and bold tattoos, including teardrop symbols near the eyes and a bold neck tattoo — Source: @shawn.lags_ via Instagram

Man with multiple piercings and geometric face tattoos, including symmetrical lines and bold designs across the forehead and chin — Source: @sojalord via Instagram

Man with a bold tribal-style tattoo on his temple and hand, wearing a hoodie with intricate sleeve tattoos on his arm — Source: @the100namesbeast via Instagram

Black and white portrait of a man with intricate forehead and cheek tattoos, wearing a face mask and earrings — Source: @tonyleebruce via Instagram

6. Nose and Nostrils Tattoos

Small, minimalist tribal tattoo on the underside of the nose, featuring simple horizontal and vertical lines — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Man's nose tattoo featuring a small symmetrical design between the nostrils, with a visible mustache — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Man's nose tattoo featuring a geometric pattern under the nostrils with precise symmetrical lines — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Man's nose with a small triangular tattoo between the nostrils — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Triangle tattoo on the nose between nostrils — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Three lines tattoo between the nostrils — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Man's nose tattoo with a small, intricate symmetrical design beneath the nostrils, featuring clean, thin lines — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Man's nose tattoo featuring a triangle with a double line design between the nostrils — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Woman's nose tattoo with a small curved design between the nostrils, accompanied by a septum ring and lip piercing — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Man's nose tattoo with a small triangular design between the nostrils, showcasing a minimalist look — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Tribal Face Nose Tattoo 12 primo_juan_ — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Man's nose tattoo featuring a bold triangle with three parallel lines above, alongside nose piercings — Source: @bpctattoos via Instagram

Man with a bold swirl tattoo on his nose — Source: @ikal_ink via Instagram

Man's nose tattoo featuring a small geometric square pattern with lines, positioned between the nostrils. — Source: @primo_juan_ via Instagram

Woman with tribal-style facial tattoos, including a spiral design on her nose and dot patterns near the eyes — Source: @tanya_grenier via Instagram

7. Simple Tattoo Ideas

Man with a minimalist triangle tattoo under his eye — Source: @cris.tattoos via Instagram

Man withlinear chin tattoo, and stretched ear lobes, smiling indoors — Source: @dexterkay via Instagram

Woman with a small geometric tattoo near her eye — Source: @electriclinda.life_ via Instagram

Woman with simple decorative face tattoos — Source: @kingraccoon_ via Instagram

Woman's forehead tattoo featuring a detailed flower-like geometric design with small dotted accents around it — Source: @kriyaluna via Instagram

Close-up of a tattooed crescent moon near a hairline — Source: @phoeninkstattoos via Instagram

Three dots tattoo on woman's forehead — Source: @psymara90 via Instagram

Woman's temple tattoo featuring a bold red geometric knot design — Source: @s.dalitattoo via Instagram

Man with a spider web tattoo on his cheek — Source: @smile.inked_ via Instagram

Small geometric tattoo near the temple — Source: @vanaja.traditional.tattoo via Instagram

Male Tribal Face Tattoo — Source: @tenebra94official via Instagram

Man with a small Trishul (trident) symbol tattooed in the center of his forehead — Source: @hawktattoodelhi via Instagram
Source: @deepeshmittal.deep via Instagram

FAQs

What application ideas work for tribal face tattoo art?

With an area like the face, simple is often the best way to go.

Use black ink for the tattoo design, and rely on application technique – strong lines, use of dotwork, negative space, or simple gradient shading – to bring the characteristics of your tattoo to life.

How do I care for a new face tattoo?

Approximately 4-5 hours after you get tattooed, you will want to remove the bandage.

Gently wash the area with antimicrobial soap and lukewarm water then gently pat the skin dry. Refrain from putting on another bandage.

Once clean, apply a thin layer of antibacterial ointment to the tattoo 2-3 times per day. Keep the area clean and dry throughout the day.

Avoid shaving, touching, or picking at the tattooed area, heavy exercise and direct sunlight.

Why are face tattoos called jobstoppers?

Jobstoppers refer to tattoos that are difficult, if not impossible, to hide on places like the face, hands and neck.

In the past, tattoos highly visible ones carried strong associations with criminality.

Because of these ties to criminal elements and societies’ lack of enthusiasm, in the past employers were unlikely to hire someone with visible tattoos: hence, jobstoppers.

Should I get a temporary face tattoo and test the design?

Absolutely. In fact, if you aren’t an experienced tattoo enthusiast with little idea of the reaction a face tattoo will draw from people, I’d highly recommend you try it out before making a permanent decision.

Good quality temporary tattoos can work out issues with size and placement and allow you to get more information together to make an informed tattoo decision.