Celebs with Heavy Tattoo Cover-Ups for Roles

Stars often incorporate tattoos into their personal style, but for consistency within a story’s world, cameras require characters with distinct features. When an actor’s actual tattoos don’t align with the character they play, makeup artists use multiple layers of color correction, high-coverage creams, airbrushed paint (often alcohol-based), and clever costume decisions to ensure that the appearance remains consistent from scene to scene, maintaining narrative continuity.

The work is meticulous and organized, involving several steps. Artists balance out dark tones using orange or red touch-ups, craft a seamless complexion using silicone or light-sensitive palettes, and finally seal it with protective coatings that ward off sweat, water, and friction. For areas often exposed such as hands or neck, regular care, waterproofing, and frequent checks under varying lighting conditions help maintain the appearance’s integrity even during extended shooting periods.

Angelina Jolie

In simpler terms, Angelina Jolie has numerous tattoos on her arms, back, and midriff which sometimes don’t suit modern or historical roles she plays. For movies such as ‘Salt’, ‘A Mighty Heart’, and ‘Changeling’, her skin had to be kept free from noticeable tattoos where they would otherwise be visible due to script or gridwork.

In my experience working with makeup teams, we usually start by correcting any darker ink first, then apply delicate, uniform layers to match my skin tone under both studio and natural daylight. Lengthy costume days require several coats of sealing and frequent touch-ups, particularly on sensitive areas like shoulders and upper arms that might rub against costumes.

Dwayne Johnson

In Dwayne Johnson’s professional persona, his distinctive Samoan pe’a tattoo and muscular physique are key elements. However, for certain roles like those in ‘San Andreas’ or ‘Skyscraper’, a more blank slate was needed in terms of appearance. To achieve this specific look, makeup departments focused on selectively concealing areas such as the deltoids, biceps, and chest with targeted coverings.

Artists frequently begin by applying opaque creams to cover dark patterns initially, followed by multiple airbrush sessions with alcohol for a lifelike skin appearance. Tight-fitting clothes and multi-layered costumes help minimize wear and tear during action sequences and harness work, preventing the covered areas from deteriorating.

Jason Momoa

Jason Momoa’s distinctive shark tooth design on his forearm is recognizable, but for his roles as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones and characters in Dune, he either needed extra body art or no visible modern tattoos. This implies that when creating character designs, his real tattoos must first be digitally altered or concealed.

Workers trace the boundaries of every tattoo, soften them, and afterward, they may either leave unmarked skin or add distinctive symbols appropriate for the character. Since Momoa participates in strenuous scenes, waterproof coatings and periodic rest breaks are incorporated into the work schedule to avoid cracking or unwanted transfers.

Pete Davidson

As a movie reviewer, I found myself captivated by Pete Davidson’s transformative performances in films like ‘The Suicide Squad’ and ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’. However, to maintain the authenticity of his on-screen characters, extensive measures were taken to conceal his distinctive tattoos that adorn his arms, chest, and neck. This process often involved thorough neutralization of his arms and neck before applying base makeup. It’s fascinating to witness such dedication to the craft from our talented actors!

The departments arrange for additional chair time for him since high-contrast ink requires multiple applications to blend in seamlessly under the camera. Liquid palettes activated by alcohol and airbrush systems help apply thin layers that appear as natural skin under close observation. Meanwhile, matte finish sealers and powdered setting agents are used to minimize shine during intense lighting conditions.

Harry Styles

To ensure authenticity in the World War II setting of ‘Dunkirk’, all tattoos on Harry Styles’ chest, arms, and torso were required to be concealed completely. This was crucial for close combat scenes taking place on ships and beaches, where displaying clean skin was essential to maintain period accuracy.

In simpler terms, the team employed orange-tinted correction tools to neutralize the intense blue-black ink, and subsequently created a lifelike tan effect on the characters’ chests and shoulders that mimicked sun exposure for outdoor shots. The saltwater and sandy environment required extra sealing and regular checks between scenes to maintain consistency and prevent any instability in the results.

Kristen Stewart

In the movie ‘Spencer’, where Kristen Stewart portrayed Princess Diana, her numerous small tattoos on her arms and hands proved to be a challenge as they didn’t fit with many of the biographical or period roles she had previously played. To ensure clear skin was visible for frequent close-ups on her wrists and hands, these tattoos needed to be concealed or digitally removed during filming.

In a more natural and easy-to-understand way: The makeup artists utilized high-precision concealers and delicate airbrush techniques to keep the appearance lifelike in areas prone to flexing or creasing. Gloves and appropriate clothing were used whenever possible, but some scenes – like dinner or ballroom sequences – required exposed skin that could endure intense practical lighting.

Megan Fox

To maintain consistency in films such as ‘Transformers’ and ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, Megan Fox frequently had to cover her tattoos, including the prominent forearm portrait which she eventually removed, due to the need for clean, neutral arms and shoulders during action and stunt sequences.

Artists blended long-lasting creams with silicone airbrush layers for flexibility in wirework and stage combat scenes. To ensure the makeup remained undisturbed even when dealing with sweat or rain simulations, they used waterproof sealers and protective barriers to prevent smudging in filming.

Colin Farrell

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve always admired Colin Farrell’s on-screen transformations. However, it’s worth noting that many of the characters he portrays don’t share his personal tattoos. For instance, in ‘The Batman’, extensive prosthetics were used to alter his appearance, concealing his real ink and adding a texture that didn’t quite align with his actual tattoos. Moreover, films set in different periods often require actors like him to have clean, unadorned forearms and hands to maintain authenticity.

In simple terms, prosthesis teams collaborate with makeup artists to conceal tattoos prior to attaching prosthetics. This is because if the tattoo ink bleeds through, it can cause edges of the prosthetic to lift. To ensure a seamless blend between skin and artificial surfaces, alcohol-based paint is carefully dotted over protective films. Then, everything is smoothed out with powdering and setting sprays, which maintain consistency during extended prosthesis applications.

Tom Hardy

In many of Tom Hardy’s roles, his numerous tattoos are often concealed to avoid drawing attention away from the character’s design. For instance, in films like ‘Inception’ and ‘The Revenant’, his clean forearms and neckline were essential, while for ‘Warrior’, his character-specific body art was strategically placed over unmarked skin.

Since Hardy’s roles often involve strenuous physical acts, it’s crucial to keep the coverage adaptable and breathable. The crew uses light, flexible airbrush layers that adjust with the body, further fortified by setting sprays designed for perspiration and temperature fluctuations on outdoor sets.

Lady Gaga

In the films ‘A Star Is Born’ and ‘House of Gucci’, Lady Gaga altered or concealed her tattoos to suit the distinct character styles required for each role. Specifically, certain tattoos were made less visible during performance scenes in ‘A Star Is Born’, while some tattoos were covered up in ‘House of Gucci’ to better match Patrizia Reggiani’s appearance.

Applying bold tattoos on fair complexions necessitates meticulous consideration of skin tones to prevent visibility issues under various lights (flash or daylight). Prior to main filming, teams conduct tests across different color temperatures and finalize the formula. They then document the positions for potential reshoots in continuity books.

Chris Evans

Chris Evans, who is known for his roles in Marvel movies such as ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’, often keeps his chest and torso free of tattoos because productions like these require an unadorned upper body to maintain the authenticity of the superhero or period characters. When scenes involve removing shirts or lowering collars, a clean torso is essential.

Cosmeticians balanced out the ink using correctors, followed by airbrush applications that preserved muscle definition yet didn’t expose the concealment. Since actions were filmed in an unordered manner, consistency pictures of light and gloss intensity guaranteed that hidden regions matched consistently across scenes.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande typically sports numerous tiny tattoos across her hands, arms, and torso, but for the role of Glinda in “Wicked”, the creative team opted for a more classical aesthetic, featuring clean, unadorned skin on her hands and neckline during performance scenes to maintain a pristine look.

To achieve a smooth finish in artwork, artists often apply multiple layers of paint, allowing each one to partially dry before adding another. This gradual buildup ensures tiny details don’t stand out too much when only a single layer is used. Artists also pay attention to their choice of gloves and jewelry during the painting process, as these can leave unwanted marks. A final check under strong stage lighting helps confirm that no minuscule lines are visible on camera.

Mark Wahlberg

In his earlier acting roles that required a pristine appearance, Mark Wahlberg frequently concealed several tattoos he had. Before their eventual removal, film productions managed to camouflage them in his shoulder and ankle areas, as clothing couldn’t completely obscure the body art in those locations.

Team members applied thick lotions to cover the darker spots initially, followed by delicately airbrushing lighter details like veins and freckles to restore a more authentic appearance. For water-based settings, they applied an alcohol-infused sealant and swiftly touched up any changes to prevent color fading during multiple filming sessions.

Scarlett Johansson

In many roles portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, such as in the ‘Avengers’ series and ‘Black Widow’, her tattoos on her back and arms are not required, allowing her to often wear dresses with open backs or sleeveless costumes. These projects demanded a particular figure without visible contemporary ink designs.

Artists strive to maintain a fluid, organic appearance in their work by applying thin layers instead of thick ones over joints, and using multiple light airbrush passes that seamlessly merge with the surrounding skin tones. For setups involving red lights and blue lights, tests are conducted to ensure that the covered areas do not emit an unusual glow or change color under specialized lighting fixtures.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz, in her role as Selina Kyle in ‘The Batman’, needed to keep her numerous tattoos on her arms and torso hidden for continuity purposes, so the movie’s production team had to carefully minimize or digitally remove her personal tattoos from scenes after filming. This was necessary because only appropriate markings were acceptable for the character.

As a makeup enthusiast, I ensure my makeup designs cater to stunt doubles and secondary filming units, ensuring consistency in appearance among performers. I apply a neutral base, followed by transparent setting layers that give a natural skin-like finish yet withstand friction from leather costumes and harness points in my wardrobe.

Cara Delevingne

In the world of fashion, Cara Delevingne’s tattoos play a significant role in defining her identity. However, when it comes to portraying historical or fantasy characters, a clean slate is usually preferred before any character-specific designs are applied. For instance, in ‘Carnival Row’, her personal ink was toned down to allow the era-specific styling to appear uncluttered and clear.

In simpler terms, each department carefully covers the tattoos while preparing for work using a mix of cream concealers and alcohol-based paints to create thin, long-lasting layers. Since she often works on scenes involving rain and fog, sealants and barrier sprays are crucial to prevent unwanted streaks during extended night shoots.

Ruby Rose

As a cinephile, I always need to consider the intricate tattoo artistry adorning Ruby Rose’s arms when a role demands diverse designs or none at all. In films like ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’, and other projects, only tattoos that align with the character’s identity can be visible on-screen.

Efficiently completing full-sleeve tattoos involves carefully selecting an appropriate color scheme and texture blend, and working on different areas or zones at a time to minimize sitting time in the chair. Under costumes, utilizing compression layers can prevent fabric rubbing, while regular inspections ensure that edges of the tattoo design do not lift during fight scenes.

Dave Bautista

Dave Bautista’s body is extensively tattooed on the upper part, often posing challenges for adhering to specific character styles. For films like ‘Blade Runner 2049’ and ‘Dune’, makeup teams either concealed his real tattoos or applied character-specific tattoos over a toned-down base to ensure design consistency.

As a devoted fan, I’ve noticed that Bautista’s scenes are usually filled with intense heat and dynamic action. To ensure his makeup can withstand such conditions, makeup artists cleverly opt for alcohol-based products that have a strong bond and can withstand sweat. The textured makeup they apply mimics the appearance of pores and subtle mottling, making the covered areas appear authentic even under high-resolution cameras.

Machine Gun Kelly

In simpler terms, Machine Gun Kelly, known as Colson Baker in certain movies, frequently sports extensive tattoos on his torso and arms that often don’t match the era or realistic nature of the characters he portrays. For example, in films like ‘The Dirt’, his tattoos were incorporated into his character, whereas other productions necessitated covering all his tattoos before dressing him.

Artists frequently begin painting as soon as their subject is seated to meet deadlines, working from the core area outwards using fast-drying coats. In scenes where performers have physical contact, extra sealants and breathable barriers are applied to prevent paint from adhering to costumes and set props.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra Jonas has a wrist tattoo that doesn’t align with all of her character’s profiles. On television series such as ‘Quantico’, her visible tattoo was frequently downplayed to emphasize the storyline and environment of her character.

To ensure a flawless look even as makeup fades, the artists carefully touch up edges using delicate brushes and apply micro-powdering to prevent excess buildup. The positioning of watches and arm lengths on costumes are meticulously planned in accordance with costume design, minimizing friction and ensuring durability during intense action scenes.

Please feel free to post additional instances you’ve noticed on your screen within the comments section, allowing us all to cross-examine and discuss the strategies that seem most effective.

2025-09-12 20:19