10 Cute, Dainty Tattoo Ideas for the Modern Minimalist

Close up of Hailey Bieber with her hand, covered in small tattoos, on her mouth

@haileybieber

From Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez to Bella Hadid and Zoe Kravitz, it seems like all of our favorite celebrities are obsessed with dainty little tattoos. And for good reason: They might not make much of a statement in isolation, but they add a beautiful finishing touch to—and work with—any outfit. Think of them as jewelry for your skin. (Of course, they look fabulous with your actual jewelry, too.)

Whether you're looking for tiny florals, linework, script, or something else entirely, there's a small tattoo out there we just know you'll adore. Keep reading for 10 dainty and cute tattoos to add to your mood board.

01 of 10

Dots

Close up of a hand with three dot tattoos at the cuticle

@humblebeetattoo

We love the simplicity of these dotted hand tattoos. With tiny dots above each nail bed, this dainty artwork is perfect for someone looking for a barely-there tattoo.

02 of 10

Palm Tree

person with small palm tree tattoo on upper ribcage

@blackninked

You can't trust just any tattoo artist with something as detailed as a palm tree—make sure you find someone known for elaborate work. A palm tree is a great way to show off your love for the coastal life.

03 of 10

Sun and Moon

Close up of sun and moon tattoos on someone's hands

@little.tattoos

Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Chrissy Teigen... the list of celebrities with dainty hand tattoos is seemingly endless. Join the star-studded club by opting for a few delicate tats on your digits, like these sun and moon designs.

04 of 10

Script

Close up of a hand with a script tattoo on the forearm

@blackninked

If you have a word or words that are meaningful to you—whether it's the name of someone you love or a phrase—you should consider getting a script tattoo. It's ideal for someone looking for something that reads feminine and understated.

05 of 10

Heart

Close up of a small open heart tattoo

@little.tattoos

This baby heart might be the most delicate tattoo we've seen yet. We can't get enough of how it looks just below the cuticle, and we appreciate the open design that's not filled in. Just imagine how cute it would look with a stack of rings and bracelets.

06 of 10

Butterfly

Close up of a butterfly tattoo on an ankle

@little.tattoos

Known to represent beauty and transformation, a dainty butterfly tattoo would look gorgeous anywhere on your arm, fingers, neck... honestly, anywhere on the body.

07 of 10

Rose

Close up of a rose back tattoo with lots of shading and details

@joannamroman

When we saw this rose tattoo, we instantly added it to our Pinterest board. With delicate linework, this is a great idea for anyone who wants to project feelings of love and passion into the universe.

08 of 10

Angel Wings

A small tattoo of angel wings on a shoulder blade

@tinytattoos_feathertouch

Whether you have a loved one that's passed on or you want a symbol of protection, you can't go wrong with angel wings. This tiny tattoo is perfectly simple, and we love the small size that would look beautiful anywhere on the body.

09 of 10

Ornamental

Close up of an ornamental tattoo on a shoulder blade

@blackninked

Get a little abstract with a dainty ornamental design. This geometric tattoo looks crazy beautiful on a shoulder, but we also think it could work on the lower back or even between the shoulder blades.

10 of 10

Year

Close up of a year tattoo on someone's ankle

@tinytattooinc

How fun is this pocket-sized year tattoo? The linework is impeccable, and we love how it looks on the foot. Whether you go for your birth year, the year you met your partner, or some other significant date, this idea is worth bookmarking.

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