7 Shocking Ways Post Malone Looked Before Tattoos Changed His Life Forever

For fans of the heavily-inked global superstar Post Malone, it’s almost impossible to picture him without his signature collection of face and body tattoos. Yet, there was a distinct, "fresh-faced" era of Austin Richard Post before the ink became an integral part of his identity. As of December 12, 2025, Post Malone has amassed over 70 tattoos, completely transforming his appearance from his early days in the music industry.

This article dives deep into the fascinating transformation of Post Malone, tracing his journey from a clean-cut artist during his breakthrough moment to the heavily decorated icon he is today. We explore the specific details of his look, his style, and the exact moment he decided to get his very first tattoo, forever changing his public persona.

Austin Richard Post: The Early Life and Pre-Fame Profile

Before he was the global phenomenon known as Post Malone, he was Austin Richard Post, a young musician with a passion for a wide array of genres, from rock to hip-hop. Understanding his background provides crucial context for his dramatic visual transformation.

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• Full Name: Austin Richard Post
• Date of Birth: July 4, 1995
• Birthplace: Syracuse, New York
• Hometown: Raised in Grapevine, Texas, after moving there at age 10.
• Career Start: He began his musical career around 2011, learning to play guitar at 14.
• Breakthrough Single: "White Iverson" (2015)
• First Album: Stoney (2016)

The "before tattoos" era primarily correlates with his breakout year of 2015, when his single "White Iverson" launched him into mainstream recognition. During this time, he was a relatively unknown artist, and his appearance was drastically different from his current look, lacking the facial and neck ink that is now his trademark.

7 Shocking Ways Post Malone Looked Before the Ink

The visual transformation of Post Malone is one of the most significant in modern music history. His pre-tattoo look was a stark contrast to the aesthetic that defines him today. Here are the most striking differences from the "White Iverson" era (2015) to his current image:

1. The Clean-Shaven, Fresh Face

The most obvious difference is the absence of facial tattoos. Before 2016, Post Malone was completely "fresh-faced." His forehead, cheeks, and temples were bare, giving him a much younger, cleaner appearance that is almost unrecognizable to new fans. This was the face of Austin Richard Post before the global fame of his debut album, Stoney.

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2. The Absence of the Iconic Face Tattoos

His face is now covered in numerous pieces of ink, but back then, none of them existed. Key tattoos absent in this era included:

• "Stay Away" (his first face tattoo, placed above his right eyebrow)
• "Always Tired" (under his eyes)
• The barbed wire across his forehead
• The sword on his cheek

These pieces, which now define his brand and topical authority in the culture of face tattoos, were non-existent, making his overall look far less intimidating and more mainstream.

3. The Simple, Clean Neck and Torso

Today, Post Malone’s neck and chest are heavily covered with large, intricate designs, including a massive skull and various symbols. Before his transformation, his neck was entirely clear. This lack of visible neck and chest ink contributed significantly to his "boy-next-door" aesthetic, a far cry from the rockstar image he cultivated later.

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4. The Early Hair Style: Braids and Shaggy Locks

In the early days of "White Iverson," Post Malone often sported a different hairstyle. While he experimented with shaggy, shoulder-length hair, he was also known for wearing his hair in braids, sometimes paired with gold grills. This look was heavily influenced by the contemporary hip-hop scene and was part of his initial artistic identity before he settled into his current longer, often messier style.

5. The Minimalist Fashion Sense

His early fashion style was less defined than his current eclectic mix of rock, Western wear, and luxury streetwear. The "White Iverson" era saw him wearing more typical streetwear—hoodies, t-shirts, and sneakers—fitting the cloud rap genre he was initially associated with. It wasn't until later that he fully embraced the distinctive, often Western-inspired, bespoke clothing that is now his signature look, including custom suits and cowboy boots.

6. The Lack of Confident Self-Expression

In a 2020 interview, Post Malone explained that he got his tattoos, particularly the face tattoos, because he was "ugly" and wanted a way to feel more confident and express himself. The "before tattoos" era was a time when he was reportedly more self-conscious about his appearance. The dramatic shift in his look directly correlates with an increase in his public confidence and a willingness to push boundaries in his self-expression.

7. The Origin Story: Justin Bieber's Influence

The "before tattoos" period ended abruptly in 2016. Post Malone revealed that his first-ever tattoo—a playboy bunny on his arm—was inspired by his friend, pop star Justin Bieber. The moment he got that first piece of ink was the true turning point. The tattoo was reportedly botched by an annoyed Bieber, which Post Malone found hilarious, and the experience opened the floodgates for the rest of his body art. His first face tattoo, "Stay Away," was inspired by rapper Lil Wayne, confirming his immersion into a culture where body art is a form of personal and artistic statement.

The Cultural Impact of Post Malone's Transformation

Post Malone's evolution from a fresh-faced artist to a tattoo enthusiast with over 70 pieces of ink has had a profound impact on popular culture. His decision to heavily ink his face, following in the footsteps of artists like Lil Wayne and Mike Tyson, normalized face tattoos in the mainstream to an unprecedented degree.

His pre-tattoo look serves as a powerful reminder of the dramatic transformation that accompanies superstardom. The "before" photos are not just historical snapshots; they represent the last moments of Austin Richard Post’s anonymity before his artistic identity solidified into the Post Malone we know today—a figure whose body art is as famous as his multi-platinum hits like "Circles," "Rockstar," and "Sunflower."

The contrast between the clean-cut Texas transplant and the current global icon highlights a core theme in his music and persona: authenticity and the freedom to change. While his music continues to evolve, his iconic, heavily-tattooed image remains a constant, symbolizing his journey from a young hopeful to one of the most influential and recognizable artists of his generation.