Justin Bieber face tattoo: 7 of the most questionable high-profile inkings in recent history

From Dappy's hashtag tattoo to the prominent figures who have got their former partner's names permanently inscribed on their body

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Justin Bieber might be no stranger to body art but the 22-year-old Canadian singer has taken his zeal for ink to a new level. He has opted for the most visible, least discrete place on the body: the face.

As with most things Bieber does, the new tattoo has garnered its fair share of attention. But it’s not just “Bielebers” talking about it – those aficionados who dedicate many of their waking hours to worshipping their diety – there have also been myriad news reports speculating about the meaning behind the tattoo.

While some have dismissed this as yet another ploy to enhance his loveable rogue bad-boy image (facial tattoos are traditionally common in prison), it is, in fact, a choice driven by religious observance.

“Justin came in last night and decided on a small cross near the corner of his eye,” his tattoo artist Jonathan “Johnboy” Valena told US Magazine. “It represents his journey in finding purpose with God.” His close friend Joe Termini apparently got a matching tattoo too.

Of course, this is not Bieber’s first tat. The illustrated singer is reported to have a grand total of 52. He has often been vocal about the philosophical meanings behind his skin inkings. And they’re as deeply profound and intellectually lofty as you’d imagine. “It’s about this seagull who wanted to be more than just a seagull,” he explained in a GQ video which recounts the stories behind his various ink marks.

He also did the unspeakable and got an image of his girlfriend, and as is often the case, the tattoo has outlasted the relationship. ““Uh, this is my ex-girlfriend,” he awkwardly said. “So I kind of tried to cover her face up with some shading but people still know”, brazenly implying that it is was a tribute to Selena Gomez.

Watch this video on The Scene.

But Bieber is not the only high-profile figure to have opted for a dodgy tattoo. The list is seemingly endless. Here is a selection of some of the highlights:

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini’s gigantic rose tattoo covering her entire lower back and beyond is about as beyond subtle as it gets.

Like Bieber, Zayn Malik made the textbook mistake of getting his then-fiance permanently inked on his skin. Regardless of his updated relationship status, Perrie Edwards remains on his (literal) arm. He also got a “m.o.m” tattoo on his face but it turned out to be fake.

Also like Bieber, Dappy opted for a facial tattoo under his eye. But rather than choosing a cross, he went for a Twitter hashtag symbol.

Harry Styles’ tattoos are so questionable that the One Direction star has also said he regrets them. “There are some that my friends have done and some that are just awful,” Styles told We Love Pop. “I regret this one on my wrist here,’ he added, gesturing towards a padlock design scribbled on his left wrist by fellow pop star Ed Sheeran.

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Fans were outraged when Sheeran posted a photo of a gigantic brightly coloured lion splayed across his chest citing it as inspired by his English heritage. However it turned out to be a carefully planned hoax, with Sheeran later posting a photo of him with a bare chest to the relief of many.

Miley Cyrus’s yellow sad kitty tattoo looks like something a child would draw with a marker pen. Except it is of course permanently imprinted on the inside of her lip.

Former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson (Getty Images)

Mike Tyson’s facial tattoo is so iconic it is almost a part of him. You could say the swirling Celtic-style tattoo is the original face tattoo.