Sure, that “I love (insert name here)” tattoo seemed like a good idea at the time, but what happens when the matching couples tattoo outlasts the relationship? This is all too often the case these days with tattoo-addicted pop stars and other celebrities who change partners as often as they change their underwear. Universally accepted as the relationship kiss of death, matching couples tattoos are for some reason becoming more and more popular, even among young pop stars like Zayn Malik and his girlfriend, Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards. We’re just sayin’, think before you ink, people! And just to prove our point, here are a few examples of pop stars who are probably regretting that matching tattoo right about now…
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez
Oh, Justin Bieber…you’re so young and naïve. Unlike most celebrities who get matching tats with their partner and then regret the ink after they break up, the Biebs got a little confused and had a tribute tattoo to Selena Gomez inked on his wrist after the couple broke it off. Justin Bieber’s wrist tattoo isn’t even going to be easy to pass off as something else; it is very clearly a portrait of Selena Gomez taken from a recent photo shoot she did, complete with angel’s wings and some serious cleavage. Like Rihanna and Chris Brown, Biebs and his leading lady can’t seem to make up their minds about being together, so maybe one day down the road, Justin’s wrist tattoo will make sense again.
Rihanna and Chris Brown
Star-crossed lovers Rihanna and Chris Brown cemented their relationship in the form of matching stars neck tattoos back in 2008, and then again that same year with matching tribal tattoos on their hands. So cute! Unfortunately, the matchy-matchy ink became sorta awkward when Breezy was arrested for physically abusing RiRi the following year. Then it made sense again when they got back together. Then it was weird when they broke up again, and so on and so forth. Following Chris Brown’s arrest in 2009, Rihanna added to her stars tattoo so it was more her own and less a symbol of their relationship. Judging by their track record, we think that was a smart move!
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth
If the rumors are true and Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth are no longer an item, the singer and actor aren’t the only ones who will be incomplete; their arm tattoos will be too! Back in July 2012, Miley debuted a tattoo of a Teddy Roosevelt quote on the inside of her left forearm that reads “so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Not three months later, fiancé Liam Hemsworth got a tattoo in the exact same spot, and his ink completes the quote, reading “if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly.” Although Miley Cyrus’ arm tattoo doesn’t exactly say “I love Liam,” the matching ink just won’t be the same if the couple breaks it off!
Katy Perry and Russell Brand
There’s nothing worse than breaking up with someone after getting matching tattoos, but at least Katy Perry and Russell Brand were smart enough to keep their tattoos kind of generic. 
On the inside of her right bicep, Katy has a Sanskrit saying that translates to “Go with the flow,” a tattoo that Russell Brand got in the exact same spot when the former couple got engaged. Just one month after their divorce was finalized in 2012, however, Brand hit up a tattoo parlor in Hollywood and had his matching tattoo with Katy removed. Even worse…he took the trip with his new girlfriend! Despite the fact that their marriage is way over, Katy Perry still has the “Go with the flow” tat inked on her arm, and she doesn’t seem pressed to have it removed anytime soon.
Cheryl Cole and Ashley Cole
When Cheryl Cole (born Tweedy) married British soccer player Ashley Cole in July 2006, she couldn’t have guessed that their relationship would end a short four years later with a divorce. 
So who can blame her for getting a stylized “Mrs C.” tattoo inked on the back of her neck? After her husband cheated on her though, the couple called it off and Cheryl was left with a permanent mark of their failed marriage. Cheryl seems to view her relationship tattoo in a positive light though, despite her heartbreak, and she doesn’t plan on removing the ink. “I’m not ashamed of my marriage, it’s a period in my life. And I am Cheryl Cole. That’s how I feel.” We say good for her!
Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez
During their high-profile marriage, Marc Anthony got a tattoo on his wrist in honor of his loving wife, Jennifer Lopez. Unfortunately, when the couple called it quits in July 2011, after seven years of marriage, the wrist tattoo became a reminder that they couldn’t make it work. 
The “Jennifer” wrist tattoo just kind of sat there until 2012, when Marc Anthony finally covered up the tribute tat with another tattoo – this time as a tribute to his girlfriend, Venezuelan model Shannon de Lima. That guy will never learn! In the meantime, Jennifer Lopez better thank her lucky stars she never got a tattoo tribute to Marc Anthony. Or first husband Ojani Noa, or second husband Cris Judd, or almost-husband Ben Affleck…
