Kehlani’s tattoos cover the face, neck, hands, arms, torso and legs, and the designs have changed as their life and style have changed. Teen Vogue documented the collection by body area in 2020, while later reporting added an important update: Kehlani has discussed removing some face tattoos because they no longer fit how they want to look. The result is a tattoo history that needs dates, source context and careful language about work that has been covered or removed.

Face tattoos

Kehlani’s face designs include a queen of hearts symbol near the left temple, the Spanish phrase Espíritu Libre on the right temple, four small dots beneath the eyes and a paper plane under the left eye. Teen Vogue reported that Kehlani had described the face tattoos as less painful than many people might expect in a 2015 interview.

The face is also the area most affected by later changes. In a 2026 interview covered by VICE, Kehlani said they were considering removing the face tattoos to feel fresher and have more freedom with their appearance. The report quoted their concern that face ink can make a person look fixed in one style. Older photographs should therefore be labeled by date rather than treated as a picture of the current face.

Perdida y encontrada on the neck

In 2016, Kehlani added the phrase perdida y encontrada to the neck. Teen Vogue reported that the Spanish translates as “lost and found” and that Kehlani connected it with recovery after a major heartbreak. They described the tattoo as therapeutic and explained that it could serve as a reminder that getting lost did not mean they could not find themselves again.

The left side of the neck also carries a Japanese-style cloud. On the throat, Teen Vogue documented a large Om symbol with the word fluid beneath it. The article connected fluid with Kehlani’s discussion of sexual orientation. These pieces occupy a highly visible area, so changes in hairstyle or clothing can make them more or less prominent in photographs.

The WOKE hand tattoo and lotus cover-up

Kehlani’s hand tattoos include a well-known cover-up story. In 2018, BET reported that the word WOKE, which had originally been tattooed across the hand, was covered by a double lotus design. Kehlani explained that at the time of the original tattoo they felt highly confident in their own knowledge, but later decided that the word had become too fixed a statement.

The new lotus was not a random replacement. BET quoted Kehlani describing it as a design that wrapped or internalized the idea behind the earlier word. Teen Vogue identified Dillon Forte with the cover-up. This is a documented example of a tattoo changing meaning through a cover-up, rather than a simple addition to a static collection.

First hand tattoos and messages

Kehlani told The Fader, as reported by Teen Vogue, that their first tattoo placement was the words HAVE HOPE across the knuckles. They said the tattoos were connected to a best friend who was moving away and whom they called a sister. The hands later gained additional small symbols, including an arrow, anchor, Venus sign and the number 510.

Other hand pieces include a peace sign, triangle, Mickey Mouse rendition, heart, paisley work and the phrase La Dreamer. Teen Vogue reported that La Dreamer referred to the nickname of a girl Kehlani met in a foster care placement. The story gives the phrase a specific human connection, but it should not be generalized into an explanation for every hand tattoo.

The Maori family tattoo

During a 2017 trip to Australia, Kehlani flew in a New Zealand tattoo artist to create a traditional Maori tattoo. Teen Vogue reported that the design represented whānau, or family, and that six koru referred to four siblings living on earth and two who had died. Two mangopare, or hammerhead sharks, represented guidance and strength through adversity.

This piece should be described with cultural care. The source documents Kehlani’s explanation and the artist’s connection, but a general article should not reduce Maori tattooing to a decorative trend. The family meaning comes from Kehlani’s own account. The design’s cultural context deserves to remain visible in the wording.

Arm portraits and music influences

Kehlani’s arms include a sunflower on the left shoulder, a portrait of Lauryn Hill with the words Come As You Are, and a portrait of Frida Kahlo. Teen Vogue reported that Kehlani chose Frida because she influenced their personality, strength and artistic side. The Lauryn Hill image, taken from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album cover, was described as a reminder to stay focused and try to make a great album.

The right arm has a colorful sleeve with peacock feathers and roses. The sunflower was later enlarged and made more vibrant in work with Los Angeles artist Miryam Lumpini, according to Teen Vogue. The same source noted that Kehlani had not supplied a specific meaning for the sunflower or the peacock and rose fillers. A visual inventory can name the designs while keeping their private meanings unconfirmed.

Torso and leg tattoos

Across the torso, Kehlani has a large Tsunami tattoo connected with their nickname Lani Tsunami. Other reported designs include marine animals and Arabic lettering translating as forgive yourself. Between the shoulder blades is a quote about surviving hardship. Teen Vogue also documented the phrase Today Is the Best Day Ever beside a portrait whose identity Kehlani had not revealed.

The legs contain larger pop-culture pieces. Kehlani has a Pulp Fiction reference showing Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega dancing, a longboard with a palm tree and waves, and Reggie Rocket from Rocket Power. They explained that Reggie resonated with their tomboy childhood and reminded them to ignore other people’s judgments. Betty Boop, a portrait, and a spider and rose pierced by a dagger complete some of the reported leg work.

How the collection has changed

Kehlani’s tattoo history is not a fixed list. The WOKE design was covered, the face tattoos are being considered for removal, and several designs have been expanded or reworked. A current article should therefore distinguish an older tattoo from a current visible tattoo and should avoid promising that every piece in a 2020 gallery remains unchanged.

The collection also shows different kinds of tattoo decisions: short phrases, portraits of artists, family symbols, pop-culture characters, culturally specific work and designs that respond to personal changes. The variety is visible, but a source is still needed before assigning a meaning.

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Kehlani’s WOKE tattoo?

Kehlani covered the hand tattoo with a double lotus in 2018 and explained that their view of the original word had changed. Dillon Forte was associated with the cover-up.

What does Kehlani’s Maori tattoo mean?

Kehlani said the design represents whānau and includes koru for siblings and mangopare for guidance and strength.

What does perdida y encontrada mean?

The Spanish phrase means “lost and found.” Kehlani described it as a therapeutic reminder connected with recovery.

Are Kehlani’s face tattoos being removed?

VICE reported in 2026 that Kehlani discussed removing the face tattoos to feel softer and have more freedom with their appearance.

Kehlani tattoos are best understood as a changing archive of friends, family, music, culture and personal growth. The face and hands have changed most visibly, while the documented meanings remain strongest for the neck phrase, Maori family piece, portraits and cover-up. Where the source shows only a design, the guide should describe what is visible and leave the private reason open.