Tattoos & Face Painting

Pintados henna tattoos & face painting: Filipino stories painted on your skin

Pintados brings the rich pre-colonial Filipino traditions to life in a visual and accessible way. The name refers to the Visayan Pintados, indigenous communities from the central Philippines who, centuries ago, covered their bodies with meaningful tattoos. These patterns were far more than decoration—they formed a visual language of identity, courage, and connection. They told stories about a person’s life, status, journeys, and relationship to nature and ancestors.

Through organic henna tattoos, Pintados translates this ancient tradition into temporary, wearable designs. Each motif is inspired by original Visayan patterns and carries symbolism of strength, protection, nature, and community. In this way, you don’t just wear a beautiful design, but also a story rooted in heritage and meaning.

In addition, Pintados creates face paintings that express Filipino culture through vibrant and playful imagery from flowers such as sampaguita and gumamela, to animals like the Philippine eagle and the carabao, and figures from pre-colonial mythology.