Tattoo designs are as permanent as permanent gets—while a hair colour job is temporary and even a cut gone wrong can grow out, a tattoo, once on your body, will be there for good. Until and unless you want to go in for pricey and painful removal surgery, that is—which is why you should really think hard before getting your current lover's name plastered on your arm. If you've been holding back on account of pain, trust us, it won't kill you. If you're still unconvinced or just prefer a tiny, minimal tattoo design over a full sleeve or arm, we've compiled 30 that are simple but meaningful all the same.
For the traveller Find yourself plastering decals saying ‘Wanderlust' all around you? We don't blame you. Take your travel-loving heart and paste it onto your sleeve, literally. Whether you want to get an outline of a plane, a black, coloured-in one or one intertwined in the infinity sign or with the Earth, all these tattoo designs look as good as the other.
For the arty dreamer Your spectrum of tattoo designs is so wide, you could have your entire body painted in different ones and still not be able to have everything that you'd want. For something extremely tiny, pick a small heart outline or one in an infinity sign. Tattoo designs like the band-aid with music notes on it, talking about the healing power of your favourite artists and sounds will appeal to those who are emotional about their music. Stargazer? Get a strip of twinkling cosmic bodies across your wrist. Laurel wreath-inspired dream catchers make for delicate tattoos too. Want to get a design on your body to simply check it off your bucket list? There's nothing like a cutesy bow or even a tiny behind-the-ear lightning bolt.
For the fiction lover If you're a Potterhead, Star Wars fan or a Disney-maniac, there's no better way to solidify that love than by getting a popular fandom phrase or an icon like Minnie Mouse or Darth Vader as a tattoo design. In fact, it'll even serve as an ice-breaker in case you were to bump into a certain someone you find attractive, who might share the same interests as you.
For the romantic Don't want to plaster your SO's name but want a tattoo design that still speaks of your love? You could always get an imprint of both your hands holding each other, or one of two hands drawing closer towards the other. Love your pet dog more than anything else in the world? Get a tattoo of his/her face on your arm.
For the nature-lover Floral tattoo designs always make for a pretty visual. Get yourself a rose tattoo or a tinted maple leaf tattoo design. Tiny roses and palm trees even make for beautiful designs for finger tattoos.
The best tattoo for you is out there—you just need to stumble upon it. Flip through the gallery above for our favourite minimal tattoo designs that will serve as inspiration for your first or next time under the needle.
