People lost their minds when Amber Rose stepped out with "Bash" and "Slash" inked across her forehead. Total meltdown. The internet was flooded with opinions from folks who’ve never even met her, mostly saying she was "too pretty" to "ruin" her face like that.
But honestly? Amber didn't care. Not even a little bit.
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The amber rose face tattoo isn't just some impulsive decision made in a dark studio on a whim. It’s actually a pretty heavy tribute to her two sons, Sebastian (nicknamed Bash) and Slash. She debuted the look back in early 2020, and the backlash was immediate. Wendy Williams even went on her show and asked why she’d "ruin" her forehead. Amber’s response was basically the ultimate shrug. She told everyone that if she’s too pretty for a face tat, then the people saying it are the same ones who’d find something else to complain about anyway.
The Tragic Inspiration Behind the Ink
You might wonder why someone wakes up and decides the forehead is the spot. For Amber, it came down to a moment of clarity following a massive tragedy.
She later opened up about how the death of Kobe Bryant really shook her. It made her realize how short life is. You’re here one second and gone the next. She’d been thinking about getting a face tattoo for a long time but kept holding back because of what people might think. When Kobe passed, she basically decided to stop living for other people's approval.
She also thought about her dad. He’d battled cancer when he was 40. Seeing him almost die made her realize that at 36, she didn't want to have any regrets. If she wanted her kids' names on her face, she was going to get them.
What the Bash Slash Tattoo Actually Says
If you look closely at the amber rose face tattoo, it’s written in a very specific, delicate cursive right under her hairline.
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- Bash: This is for her first son, Sebastian Taylor Thomaz, whom she shares with rapper Wiz Khalifa.
- Slash: This is for her second son, Slash Electric Alexander Edwards, her child with Alexander "AE" Edwards.
It’s a permanent nod to her role as a mother. Interestingly, AE actually got matching tattoos. He had the birth dates of both boys inked on his own forehead to match her vibe. Talk about commitment to the aesthetic.
Why the Backlash Missed the Mark
Critics kept saying she was "too old" or "too famous" for this kind of body art. In the tattoo world, face pieces used to be "job stoppers." But Amber Rose is her own boss. She’s built a brand on being "Muva"—the unapologetic, buzz-cut-rocking activist who doesn't follow the rules.
She pointed out a pretty funny irony, too. People told her she was ruining her beauty, but these are often the same people who tore her down for her looks in the past. To her, beauty is an internal thing. She famously captioned one of her reveal photos saying beauty is what’s on the inside—literally inside her heart and her body.
The tattoo artist behind the piece is Jacob Ramirez. He’s a well-known name in the LA scene, and he’s the one who executed the fine-line script that Amber rocks today. It wasn't some basement job; it was a professional piece of art.
Living Without Regrets in 2026
Fast forward to now, and the shock has mostly worn off. We’ve seen other celebs like Post Malone and Presley Gerber follow suit with prominent facial ink. It’s becoming more normalized, even if it still makes some people do a double-take.
Amber has stayed firm. She hasn't rushed to get it lasered off, despite the constant rumors every time she wears heavy makeup that might dull the ink for a photoshoot. She’s even mentioned she might want to add more later, specifically portraits of her sons.
If there’s one thing to take away from the whole amber rose face tattoo saga, it’s her "do whatever you want" philosophy. She’s living proof that you can be a devoted mom, a business mogul, and a political voice while looking exactly how you want to look.
If you're thinking about getting your own tribute ink, take a page out of Amber’s book: make sure it’s for you, not for the "likes" or the approval of strangers. Life is short, and your skin is your own canvas.
Next Steps for Tattoo Enthusiasts:
Check out the work of fine-line artists like Jacob Ramirez if you’re into the script style Amber chose. If you’re worried about the permanence of a face piece, try "testing" the placement with long-wear temporary ink first to see how it affects your daily life before committing to the needle.