Trading in needles and ink for clippers and dye, hair tattoo looks set the best badass hair trend to try without the pain and lifetime commitment to the real thing. Ready for any hair length, short coifs show off your design all day, every day, while longer styles have the power to keep them covered when you want. Check out our favorite versions of hair tattoo designs and find out which one you want to try!
What Is a Hair Tattoo?
Hair tattoo is a shaving design, which is incorporated into women’s undercut hairstyles. It is a great alternative to ink head tattoos and looks great with any hair length. It can be geometric, with a flower design, and even with a realistic portrait. Can be done by various techniques, most often with razors or edging clippers.
When choosing your new hair tattoo, think of how it’s going to blend with your chosen hacoolirstyle. Nape tattoos are popular among girls who love to wear updos – ponytails, top knots, buns, etc. Side tattoos are the best for bobs. Have a look through the pictures below.
Long Undercut Hair Tattoos
1. Lotus-Inspired Undercut
Bring a feminine flair to your edgy undercut with this floral design. A mix of soft curves and sharp angles gives it balance. Representing beauty and rebirth, the lotus pattern is a smart pick for a totally new look.
PHOTO: @b.k_bescene
2. Violet Chevron Undercut with Messy Bun
Hitting all the right angles, a simple shaved-in chevron design will add an element of surprise to your everyday updo. With effortlessly cool vibes, your messy bun will be a little lazy and a lot more fab. Plus, a fuchsia dye-job gives this tattooed hair a flirty finish.
PHOTO: @playwithscissors
3. Geometric Undercut with Ombre Top-Knot
Hair tattoos, ombres, hairstyles with braids and buns, oh my! Here’s how to nail all the major hair trends, without going overboard. French braided from the bottom up into a messy top-knot, this style highlights the sexy nape-cut. The auburn-to-blonde palette is key to keeping the look beautifully understated.
PHOTO: @theodoraraptis
4. Pastel Scalloped Mermaid Undercut with Bun
A pastel palette and scalloped undercut are the musts for a cool mermaid-inspired hair cut. A bun dyed to match the tatted nape brings the look together. Whether you wear it up or down, the cotton candy color will always shine through.
PHOTO: @luxehairlounge.kl
5. Double Buns with Shaved Back of Head
If you’re worried about double buns making you seem too young, this grown-up take on the style is one solution. Shaved undercuts alone add a daring finish to updos, but floral hair tattoos can personalize them with a feminine touch. Oh, and don’t forget about a fun part, like zig-zags, for an extra dose of playfulness.
PHOTO: @playwithscissors
6. Dazzling Diamond Undercut with Braid
Here’s a diamond that doesn’t last forever, unless you want it that way. With its vibrant color and irresistible design, we don’t blame you if you do. Strategic shading creates an impressive three-dimensional effect, while a braid neatly frames it. A real hair art, isn’t it?
PHOTO: @bottleblonde76
7. Lovely Heart Shaved Undercut
Finished with a heart design, what’s not to love? You can show off your sweet and sour sides all at once. It’s sleek, clean and has just enough detail to make it a swoon-worthy style. The undercut tattoo pictured here will look good on light hair too. The only difference is that on blonde locks this tattooed design will look softer.
PHOTO: @wester_barber
Medium Hair Tattoo Ideas
8. Star Side-Shave Undercut
Not your average undercut, the galaxy-like star pattern makes this version out of this world. The sophisticated brown hue and long bob cut let your tattooed hair stand out. Although, that’s not to say it works only with tresses of natural shades. Adding a pop of color to the cut can only make its style even cooler.
PHOTO: @edwardklipperhands
9. Blue Glittered Undercut
Trying to find the X-factor to make your undercut pop? Go for hair glitter. Tracing the geometric design of this undercut, the glitter adds extra shine to the hair. Easy to change up, glitter designs are a smart choice for the non-committal. Choose a tonal glitter for a more subtle touch (if you consider glitter subtle), or get something bright to add contrast.
PHOTO: @rebeccataylorhair
10. Rainbow Bob with Geometric Sidecut
A geometric sidecut is an unexpected (but welcome!) complement to any shoulder-length bob. Unicorn-worthy colors are what take these tresses from kind-of-cool to WOW. Far from subtle, it’s certainly the best look for the risk takers.
PHOTO: @pinupjordan
11. Glitter Sunflower Undercut with Braid
Glitter isn’t just for makeup, crafting and fairies anymore; it’s the perfect addition to your hair for an ultra-girly finish. The glitter gives this cool sunflower undercut a dose of color that complements the model’s rainbow locks. A thick braid tones down the bold look, giving it an elegant finish. Too bright for you? Stick with your natural shade and add glitter to locks only when you’re feeling it.
PHOTO: @gitty_und_goeff
12. Electric and Geometric Shaved Side
As if the oceanic-blue wasn’t gorgeous enough, a side-shave with multicolored shapes dials up the cool style of this bob. It’s an example of a bright palette done right and a way to show off your personality, without ever having to say a word. Although, you can’t possibly be shy sporting a whimsical bob like this.
PHOTO: @janine_ker_hair
13. Asymmetrical Tribal Side Shave
Try taking cues from tribal patterns for a new graphic update to your side shave. Want to balance out its bold style? Add a deep pink-tint to enhance its intensity without sacrificing your feminine allure.
PHOTO: @jubei_ma
Undercut Tattoos for Short Hair
14. Asymmetrical Crewcut for Women
Triangular patterns and asymmetrical lines spice up classically boyish styles with a touch of toughness. If you’re already a member of the short-hair-don’t-care club, it’s easy to try out a tattooed look. Start with a clean slate and pick a design when you’re ready for something new. An added bonus— deep blue and violet coloring tops off this crewcut for a super subtle splash of color.
PHOTO: @johnny_spanakos
15. Artsy Butterfly Fade
Hair tattoo designs for women don’t always have to be super edgy. A delicate choice, like a butterfly, will bring life into your tresses. Get creative with highlights at the front and a hair tat at the back of your pixie haircut to ensure you’ll look as good coming as you do going.
PHOTO: @luisatorres.hair
16. Pretty Pink Hair Tattoo
Long and salmon pink on top, uber short and pearl white on the sides, the two-tone style is bold yet classy. A scalloped design wraps around the back of the head to showcase the under-the-sea inspiration behind this mesmerizing look. Clearly, mermaids are real; with this pastel pink hairstyle, you too can channel your inner sea creature.
PHOTO: @fernthebarber
17. Black Hair Fade with Sharp Lines
Sometimes less is more. Want proof? Check out how the clean lines shaved into this dark fade haircut elevate its sophistication. A minimalist approach has the power to amplify the chic factor of any tattooed design. Go for a two-tone palette to satisfy your color-craving while keeping your coif polished.
PHOTO: @starlinerz
18. Short Do in Dusty Blue
Small but mighty, the angled hair tat shaved asymmetrically at the nape of the neck adds just the right amount of edge to balance out the baby blue shade of this fade. Drawing in the eye, short cuts show off your tattoo hair design and real ink with style and ease.
PHOTO: @emilyandersonstyling
19. Checkered Cotton Candy Undercut
Looks so good, you wish you could eat it. The perfectly sweet pink and blue hues are offset by a cheeky checkered design. It’s an adventurous hair tattoo for a girl that wants to live out all of her Candyland dreams.
PHOTO: @hugosalon
20. Colorful Floral Buzz Cut for Women
Borrowed from the boys but distinctively for the ladies (or anyone with a flirty side), this colorful take on the buzz-cut turns your whole head into a work of art. It takes the best of the 80s, with its strategic choppiness and a vibrant floral design. If you already have a buzz cut, this is a great hair tattoo to try while you’re growing your hair out or just to make your short crop even more exciting.
PHOTO: @janine_ker_hair
The hair tattoo look is up there with the boldest of trends. While it has been around for decades, the glitter and vivid colors give its modern resurgence a fresh-as-ever feel. Taking into account the detailed and intricate nature of these shaved styles, be sure to do lots of research on your hair stylist or barber first. When done right, these cool designs have a payoff worth the risk. At the end of the day, they can be incorporated into any hair texture or length, which isn’t the case for every trend. So if you dare, give it a shot!
