Ferrugem’s clearest documented tattoo is a tiny face with Xs for eyes and a curved smile. In 2021, his wife, Thaís Vasconcellos, gave him the arm tattoo during her first time using a tattoo machine. Quem covered the studio session and shared photos of the design taking shape.

The report doesn’t attach a grand meaning to it, so there’s no need to invent one. The story is about a couple trying something together, and a small, slightly wonky face that kept the memory of that night.

The tattoo his wife made

Quem reported that Thaís practiced with the machine and drew lines on foam before tattooing Ferrugem’s arm. He joked about having a beginner do the work and asked whether it might “go wrong.” The risk was part of the fun, but the setting and practice were part of the story too.

The result is a simple face: crossed-out eyes and a smile. There’s no reported secret code or formal tribute behind it. It can read as a private joke, but what’s clear from the account is that it marks a shared experience: Thaís’s first go with the machine and Ferrugem’s decision to let her try.

The design gets its character from a few bold marks. The X eyes give the face a mischievous look, while the curved mouth keeps it light. It doesn’t need shading or extra detail to read clearly. Its appeal is as much in the story of the appointment as in the drawing itself.

Why a tiny face works as a tattoo idea

A small face can feel funny, sweet or deadpan with only a few changes to the eyes and mouth. Ferrugem’s is legible because its features are uncomplicated. That matters at a small size: fine details can blur as a tattoo heals and ages, while a clear expression is easier to recognize.

If you like the idea, choose an expression tied to something in your own life: a family joke, a pet’s look or a moment from a trip. You can keep the drawing minimal without copying Ferrugem’s design. Placement is part of that choice too. The forearm is easy to show or cover; near the wrist, a small face is more noticeable; higher on the arm, it can stay more private. Think about how visible you want it and how the area fits your daily life.

The personal part is the appointment

The story’s personal detail is the session with Thaís. She was his wife, trying something new, and he agreed to be her first tattoo client. The image itself doesn’t have to carry both their names or initials for the memory to matter.

For couples, siblings or friends, that can be a useful idea: share the appointment or help shape a design without choosing matching tattoos. A small sketch, odd character or intentionally uneven line may feel more personal than a polished symbol picked just because it looks good.

There’s a difference between keeping that handmade feel and copying the risky part of the story. Ferrugem’s session took place at a studio, with practice on foam first. For your own tattoo, choose a qualified professional who can talk through hygiene, placement, aftercare and how the design may age. A sentimental idea doesn’t replace training.

What the photos show, and what they don’t

Quem’s studio photos connect the tattoo to a particular session and show the face being worked onto Ferrugem’s arm. They give the story a date and setting, rather than leaving readers to guess from a cropped photo of an older piece.

The images don’t establish the meaning or full history of every tattoo he has. Ferrugem has talked about liking tattoos, but that doesn’t tell us what each visible design represents. The article sticks to the arm tattoo that was documented and leaves the rest open.

That’s a useful way to look at celebrity tattoo photos in general. Notice the scale, placement or linework that catches your eye, then adapt those choices to something personal. A photo can offer a starting point without serving as a complete design brief.

Ferrugem’s style beyond the studio

Ferrugem is known for pagode and samba. In a 2022 interview with A Tribuna, he also spoke about enjoying clothes, changing his hair and getting tattoos. That gives some context for the session with Thaís: he has described body art as one part of his wider style, not as a statement that has to be solemn.

A tattoo can be playful and still matter. Ferrugem’s tiny face may be a joke, a shared memory or simply a design he likes. Those reasons can sit together without needing a deeper explanation.

Ideas to take to an appointment

If the tiny face appeals to you, tell your artist what you like about it: the compact size, clear expression or loose, hand-drawn feel. Bring a few examples of linework, then explain the person, memory or joke you want the design to suggest. Let the artist simplify it while keeping that detail.

Be realistic about scale. Eyes, teeth and lettering need room; packed into a very small space, they can blur over time. A slightly larger design with clean, confident lines may stay easier to read than a miniature portrait.

You can ask for a professional finish that still feels casual, with a little wobble or sketchbook quality. There’s no need for an untrained friend to use a tattoo machine to get that effect. Give the image its own reference, too: a family expression, a pet or a moment you want to remember will make the design yours.

Why this story sticks

Ferrugem’s documented tattoo is memorable for its small scale and straightforward story. Thaís was trying the machine for the first time, Ferrugem let her tattoo his arm, and the session left him with a simple smiling face. That’s enough to make the piece specific without assigning it a meaning he hasn’t shared.

For inspiration, take the idea of pairing a clear design with a memory of your own. Keep the expression readable, choose a placement that suits you and leave the tattooing to a trained artist. The point isn’t to copy Ferrugem’s arm; it’s to come away with something that recalls your own story.

For a bit of Ferrugem’s musical world, watch the official lyric video for Eu Juro below.