Hand Tattoos are commonly called “Job Stoppers” in my industry, and it’s fairly difficult to get your hands tattooed in a professional shop.
The only exception is if you are already heavily and visibly tattooed, a chef/hairdresser/tattooer, or an older client.
Recently visible tattoos have been more accepted in the workplace, so naturally, we are seeing more hand tattoos for women being done.
If you’ve thought long and hard and are ready to get your hand tattooed, this is the list for you:
1. Luna Moth hand tattoo
Starting off strong, we have a beautiful Luna moth hand tattoo. Moths and butterflies are quite commonly done as hand tattoos for both men and women and I can see why.
If you’re a fan of this tattoo, I highly recommend checking out our list of 22 Moth Tattoos to Admire
The shape fits the hand perfectly, and you can manipulate the wings to work with any existing tattoos around it. This tattoo is so striking because of the heavy contrast between the bright colors in the moth and the beautiful black shading in the background.
I especially like the addition of the moon and the leaves around it. A bold tattoo!
2. Traditional Mandala
This tattoo stood out for me immediately because of how dark and bold it is while still having a lot of open skin for it to breathe. As a huge fan of American Traditional tattooing, I really enjoy the thick line work and the heavy use of black shading.
The artist worked extremely well with the existing tattoos, making the stem fit into the little gap. I especially like how the leaves go onto the fingers. A perfect spot for a perfect tattoo!
3. Ornamental
This artist definitely took the shape of the hand into consideration when designing this tattoo. It’s symmetrical, concise, and beautiful. I especially like the different textures with the dot work in the leaves and twirls, the solid black in the petals, and the different line weights.
Our hands are always exposed to the sun, harsh chemicals, and dishwashing so the skin sheds a lot quicker. It was really wise for the artist to leave a lot of open skin which helps the tattoo age with time.
4. Open Book
This tattoo speaks to my inner bookworm and I love it. The color is perfectly saturated which is quite difficult to achieve on the hand due to the nature of the skin.
The color palette is also beautiful, with good contrast between the greens and the oranges. The tiny details in the center of the flowers, the little sparkles around in the background, and the script on the book give this tattoo a magical feel.
5. Line Work
I especially like these tattoos because they are not extremely feminine and they are identical, making them something a little bit different. Even though it is just line work, it still flows with the shape of the hand. If you like this style of tattooing, check out our 21 Stunning Blackout Tattoos
The lines are extremely straight and all of the dots are the same size. I know firsthand how hard it is to pull a straight line, let alone on the hand so well done to this artist! I’m sure the tattoo is packed with a lot of meaning for the client and they must be so happy with the result.
6. Plant
Plant tattoos work perfectly for any part of the body, and this is a great example of that.
I love how the vines flow with the curves of the arm and the hand. The artist chose a delicate line weight that speaks to the soft nature of these leaves. I like the whip shading, and how it ends just on the finger. If you like this tattoo, I highly recommend reading our 22 Beautiful Plant Tattoos
7. Medusa
Medusa hand tattoos are popping up all over the show, especially as a more visible tattoo. Check out our list of 26 Bold Medusa Tattoos to see why this might be.
My favorite part of this tattoo is the amount of open skin the artist chose to have on the design. The portrait is very well stylized, and I especially love the shading on the lips and the blank eyes. This tattoo ends really well with the addition of the gem and the strands of hair
8. Traditional Lady
What a gorgeous, cheeky devil-lady. Traditional lady-heads always look like they’re very easy to draw, but in reality, there is such an art to simplifying a face. They date back to the 20s when sailors would get ladies tattooed on them to remember their loved ones while away at sea.
I especially like the colors chosen for this tattoo. The little red cheeks and the bright golden eyes are such a nice touch. The hair curls beautifully, and the addition of the devil horns gives her a bit of an edge. It is clean, bold and fits the hand perfectly!
9. Minimal Woman Hand Tattoo
There is something for everyone when it comes to hand tattoos. If you like something a bit more subtle, this one is for you!
I love this tattoo because it looks just like a dainty bracelet. The line work is extremely clean and it is perfectly symmetrical. I like how it gently comes onto the top of the band with a beading-like pattern.
10. Ornamental Hand Tattoo
Ornamental tattoos are simple and feminine but still make such a bold statement. They mimic beautiful, intricate pieces of jewelry which makes them the perfect tattoo to get on your hand.
I love the focal point of the two dot work moons, and the dots ending on the fingers. This tattoo is extremely well executed with almost perfect symmetry and delicate line work.
11. Rosebud Hand Tattoo
Single-needle tattoos are making a comeback in the world of tattooing. They take meticulous precision to execute well, and this is a perfect example of that.
What stood out for me with this one was the placement – it’s something a bit different for sure. Technically speaking, it is upside down, but it works so well for this design. I like the addition of the line going in between the fingers – that must have hurt a lot! An elegant and dynamic tattoo for someone looking for something more subtle.
12. Magnolia Hand Tattoo
Magnolia flowers grow all over my suburb and whenever they are in bloom I rush out to take reference images because they are just so damn gorgeous! They represent nobility, endurance, and a love for nature which this tattoo captures perfectly.
I especially like the soft pinks in the petals and the hints of yellow on the bee and in the center of the flower. The whole design flows with the arm, and I love the solid black leaves contrasting against the flower. A bold, yet feminine tattoo that will stand the test of time.
13. Floral hand tattoo
A dainty, elegant, and soft example of a hand tattoo. This tattoo stood out to me because I haven’t seen anything like it before.
I love the flow that this design has. It’s a great addition to what the client already has on her arm, and I believe the same artist did the other tattoo. I like the subtle use of color and the thin line work. It suits the client perfectly!
14. Rabbit hand tattoo
During my years at university, I had two pet bunnies that I loved with all of my heart. They kept me company during my darkest days and really became members of my little family. So I understand firsthand how important these little critters can be, enough so that you may opt for their portrait to be on your hand forever!
This tattoo is beautifully made. I love the vibrant colors and the dynamic blue flower ending it off along the side of the hand. The line work is clean and the heavy use of black really brings the color to life.
15. Script hand tattoo
When I first saw these simple script tattoos on the hand I thought they were a waste of space. But they have really grown on me. They are feminine and gentle while still making a statement.
I like that the artist chose to use both red and black ink for these tattoos. These tattoos must have a lot of meaning to the client and have been carefully planned out. They are clean and the script is consistent.
16. Snake hand tattoo
It’s quite a feat to make a delicate tattoo look bold, and this artist executed that balance perfectly.
I especially like all of the movement in the snake’s body, with flowing curls and belly scales that make sense throughout. I like the little tongue creeping onto the side of the finger. A timeless symbol of power, fertility, and protection.
17. Grim Reaper
I am a huge fan of this tattoo because I also have a heavily black hand tattoo with a string of barbed wire across my knuckles. My mom thinks it’s far too masculine, but I like to think that women can have badass tattoos too!
This tattoo is extremely well executed. I like the clean, bold lines and the large areas of well-saturated black. A Grim Reaper is a timeless traditional tattoo and fits so well on the hand.
18. Passion
Script tattoos are timeless and packed with meaning. I’m seeing calligraphy being done more and more in the tattoo world because it is dynamic and interesting.
This tattoo is beautifully executed. I like how bold it is while still having fine lines which give it a feminine edge. It flows extremely well along the side of the thumb and will stand the test of time.
19. Bird
This is such a unique tattoo that I just had to add it to the list! It’s becoming increasingly popular to line tattoos with color ink as opposed to black, especially in Korean tattooing with tattooers like PittaKKM having almost 500k followers.
I love the texture and the solid black areas in the waves. The turquoise is so striking and contrasts beautifully with the big red sun. I especially like the symbolism of the crane and the waves – success, loyalty, and unwavering love.
20. Delicate
Another beautiful, delicate, and hand tattoo perfectly suited for this woman. This style is becoming increasingly popular in my country, with clients bringing an amalgamation of elements that they’d like incorporated into their tattoos.
I’m not sure about the longevity of this style on the hand, but it really is beautiful when it is fresh. I like the addition of the sparkles on the fingers, and the mandala pattern ending on the top of the wrist. The little bird is soft, and the line work is thin and clean.
21. Hand portrait
The composition of this piece is what grabs me the most. Not only is it a great looking portrait, but it almost looks like she’s wearing a mask of butterflies.
22. Delicate Flowers
I like how this design doesn’t just stop at the top of the hand like most, instead, it flows all the way to the ends of the fingers.
