Hailey Baldwin attends the 2023 Baby2Baby Gala Presented By Paul Mitchell at Pacific Design Center on November 11, 2023 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

15 small and discreet tattoo ideas with big meanings to inspire you

The most important part of choosing a tattoo is not just the design but also the placement

Senior WriterLos Angeles

DECEMBER 3, 2024 5:06 PM ESTDEC 3, 2024, 5:06 PM EST

With so many styles of tattoo, we understand how difficult it is to decide what your first or next design is going to be, especially if you are leaning towards a discreet yet meaningful tattoo.

Whether it has to do with your professional path, preference, or simply aesthetics, we decided to put together a list of some of the most beautiful and dainty tattoos if you want to get into the minimalist style.

The most important part of choosing a tattoo is not just the design but also the placement, which is why we included some of our favorite celebrities on the list. Check out the full list for inspiration!

Camila Mendes' inner arm tattoo

The actress celebrated the success of the popular show ‘Riverdale’ with her co-stars.

The star chose a very delicate design that is now located on her inner arm. “New tat to celebrate the end of an era,” Camila wrote.

Fans of the series know that she shares her birthstone with her character Veronica Lodge, which is the pearl, representing the month of June.

Hailey Bieber's neck tattoo

Hailey has a small heart on her collarbone and a neck tattoo that reads “lover,” underneath a tiny cross tattoo. This is not her only neck tattoo, as she has a tiny diamond on the other side.

Kendall Jenner's ankle tattoo

“Teeniest cowgirl boot for Kendall,” tattoo artist Kate McDuffie wrote on Instagram, sharing the delicate design done on the inside of Kendall’s left ankle.

Ester Exposito's back tattoo

The 'Elite' star has a fine-line moon tattoo on her back. This was her first tattoo, and the actress is always showing it off by wearing backless and strapless dresses.

Kim Kardashian's lip tattoo:

“It’s an infinity sign,” she revealed during an episode of Hulu's 'The Kardashians.'

“The night of SNL, when I hosted SNL, me and all my friends got matching tattoos, and everyone got them on their hands, and I was like, ‘There is not a shot that I will get a tattoo,'" she said, explaining the placement.

Miley Cyrus' matching wave tattoo

The singer decided to get a minimalistic wave tattoo with her sister-in-law, Elsa Pataky, at the time.

Kaia Gerber and Cara Delevingne’s tattoo

Kaia Gerber and Cara Delevingne’s matching tattoos

Kaia Gerber and Cara Delevingne are great friends. The pair decided to celebrate their bond with matching tattoos on their feet that say “solemate.”

Shay Mitchell’s hand tattoo

Shay Mitchell marked her attendance at Coachella in 2019 with a small hand tattoo.

Bella Thorne’s shoulder tattoo

Bella Thorne has multiple tiny tattoos. Her tiny heart tattoo is the perfect example of a fine-line discreet tattoo yet still visible on her shoulder.

Hilary Duff’s forearm tattoo

Hilary Duff got a special design above her son's name. The actress had a sun tattoo done on her arm. "She’s a bright addition," she shared on social media.

Ashley Benson’s hip tattoo

Ashley Benson seemed to be a tribute to a childhood nickname for her friend Cara Delevingne: Squish. “Once a squish, always a squish," she wrote.

Miley Cyrus' dog tattoo

The singer celebrated her love for her dog Emu with another fine-line tattoo.

Hailey Bieber's hand tattoos

We are not saying you should get your entire hand tattooed. But there is no denying that Hailey has some stunning tattoo designs on her fingers.

Dakota Johnson’s forearm tattoo

Dakota Johnson has a delicate flower design on her forearm. The semi-crumpled flower is a tribute to the artist Egon Schiele.

Pretty Little Liars' matching finger tattoos

The cast of Pretty Little Liars celebrated the ending of the series with the first initial of their characters’ names on their finger.