101 Best Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo Ideas You Have To See To Believe!

by Jamie Wilson
Laugh Now Cry Later Skull Tattoo

Reviewed & updated: December 30, 2022 by Jamie Wilson BA

Are you looking for inspiration for a “laugh now cry later tattoo”? Here are 10 awesome laugh now cry later tattoo designs that you need to check out!

Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo
@unnecessairie via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

What is the meaning of the laugh now, cry later tattoo?

It symbolizes a philosophical fact. ‘Do what you need to do now and enjoy your life because you never know what tomorrow may bring’.

These laugh now cry later and smile now cry later tattoos have recently become very popular among the youth.

The term ‘laugh now cry later’ was made popular by Rapper Ice Cube but the drama mask design or the ”the comedy and tragedy masks” were popular before that too. The tattoos are a representation of both these ideas. The origin for the laugh now cry later masks could be from the Greek mythology where the tragic face is a muse for Melpomene’s and happy face is for Thalia. The drama maks could also be about the transitionary phase of life, where is nothing is permanent.

Earlier these tattoos were related to gangs and meant that you can enjoy life now but will have to pay for it, later. These tattoos basically include a pair of theatrical masks, faces, or skulls smiling and crying simultaneously. In various styles and designs, they portray comedy and tragedy together. If you are interested, we have got the best of the laugh now cry later tattoo designs for you to choose from.

The Kuro-Melo Themed Smile Now Cry Later Tattoo Design

The Kuro-Melo Themed Smile Now Cry Later Tattoo Design
@harajukutattoo via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

This adorable ‘laugh now cry later’ design depicts two cartoon characters, Kuromi and My Melody. My Melody’s cute, laughing face is inked in bright purple, with a pink ribbon at the top. A sad, crying Kuromi, completely in her signature black, is depicted right below. Comedy and Tragedy, the opposite sides of a coin are shown here through two opposite characters in contrasting colours. How simple yet brilliant!

Smile Now Cry Later Floral Tattoo Ideas

Smile Now Cry Later Floral Tattoo Ideas
@rachaelaliceink via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

This smile now cry later tattoo is beautifully composed of 2 theatrical masks with flowers and leaves above and around them. The tattoo consists of a crying face with tears running down and below it is a smiling face. A red ribbon is surrounding the masks. The masks are done in elegant black and white shading, while soothing colours highlight the ribbon and flowers. This elegant design would look lovely on the arm or wrist.

Hold The Crying Faces Tattoo Designs

Hold The Crying Faces Tattoo Designs
@fabrizio_sassarini via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

This is one of the most unique designs depicting the ‘laugh now cry later’ meaning. It has a beautiful, blonde girl smiling and her hair covering half her face. She is holding a mask, or maybe a crying face itself. The terrifying face looks like a mask and has tears on it. The crying clown mask is done entirely in white with dark detail around the eyes that give it a harrowing look. You can get it inked on your shoulders or thighs as an exceptional show-off! The cry later masks are an amazing idea to turn into a cry drama mask tattoo.

The Theatrical Touch Tattoo Designs

The Theatrical Touch Tattoo Designs
@chubbanator_tatt2_ via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

This laugh now cry later tattoo has a pair of theatre masks. The first face is smiling, while the second phase which is below it is crying. Black ink has been used wonderfully to provide the dark themes and the details. If you want a simple laugh now cry later tattoo on the arm, you may want to check this out. The comedy tragedy theme of theatre can be excellent for drama mask tattoo designs.

The Broken Clown Tattoo Designs

The Broken Clown Tattoo Designs
@ct_ta2 via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

If you are in search of a laugh now cry later clown tattoo design, take a look at this masterpiece! The complete tattoo is distributed between both arms. Half of the laughing clown mask in one hand and a sad, crying clown in the other, with ‘smile now, cry later’ split and written around the respective clown. The detail around the eyes and mouth on each of the clown faces emphasizes their misery and bliss.

The Tiny Smile Now Cry Later Tattoo Design

The Tiny Smile Now Cry Later Tattoo Design
@mokoetattoo via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

If you are looking for a small laugh now cry later mask tattoo, this one is definitely for you! The design portrays the theme with the help of two Chinese theatrical masks each of which is just the size of a coin. With dark black ink and fine detailing, you are bound to love this tattoo design! The smiling evil face above and the innocent sad face below it crying with tears in the eye. This design fits well on any small canvas, as shown here on the hand.

Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo Design

Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo Design
@ct_ta2 via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

This uniquely designed smile now cry later tattoo will be a masterpiece on your biceps if you’re looking for such a tattoo to show off your living philosophy. The face of an innocent clown is sadly crying wearing a hat, while the Clown face below has evil laughter. Smoke coming out of its mouth adds extra glamour to this wonderful work of art.

The Clown Twins Faces Tattoo Design

The Clown Twins Faces Tattoo Design
@fresco_inchiostro_tattooer via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Here is another dark themed tattoo made of just black ink and accurate detailing. This full arm ‘laugh now cry later’ tattoo shows two clown faces with elongated, sharp features. A crying clown mask with tears below and a smiling clown mask with tears above it. The design is quite unique, delivering a strong message in a very elegant manner. With sharp noses, wide mouths and hollow eyes, this tattoo style is great for dramatic designs.

The Face Behind The Smile Tattoo

The Face Behind The Smile Tattoo
@aaron___garcia via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

This smile now cry later tattoo is another fine piece of art with a name written on the top of it. Here is the face of an innocent clown girl, with a sad face and teary eyes, holding a smiling mask in her hand. The whole design has a textured shading done in black ink, making it look like a sketch. However, the teardrops and eyes seem to have a glint of light. This tattoo illustrates a simple message that not every smiling face you see is happy!

The Cutest Smile Now Cry Later Tattoo

The Cutest Smile Now Cry Later Tattoo
@yherarte via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

And lastly, here is a sparkling smile now cry later tattoo design. Composed of clown masks decorated with twinkling stars. The cute face above is smiling innocently while the sad is below it, crying. The message of ‘smile now’ is written above, while ‘cry later’ is written at the bottom of the tattoo. This tattoo is simple and elegant and will be best to get inked on your arms.

You can also choose from the following suggestions

Meaning Of Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo

Meaning Of Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo
via Pinterest – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo Stencil

Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo Stencil
via Pinterest – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo Skulls

Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo Skulls
via Pinterest – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo Ideas

Laugh Now Cry Later Tattoo Ideas
via Pinterest – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Laugh Now Cry Later Skull Tattoo

Laugh Now Cry Later Skull Tattoo
via Pinterest – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

feature image from Pinterest

What is the meaning of a laugh now cry later tattoo?

There is no one definitive meaning of a laugh now cry later tattoo. Some people interpret the tattoo as a reminder to live in the present and enjoy life, even when challenges arise. Others may see it as a symbol of strength and resilience, indicating that no matter how tough things get, they will ultimately prevail. Whatever the specific interpretation, laugh now cry later tattoos are generally seen as positive and uplifting.

What are some popular designs for laugh now cry later tattoos?

Some popular designs for laugh now cry later tattoos include skulls, clowns, and tears. These elements can be combined in a variety of ways to create unique and personal tattoo designs. Other common motifs include dice, playing cards, and roses. Whatever the design, laugh now cry later tattoos are often colorful and eye-catching.

How long does it take to get a laugh now cry later tattoo?

The size and complexity of the tattoo will affect how long it takes to complete. A small, simple laugh now cry later tattoo may only take a few minutes, while a larger, more detailed design could take several hours.

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