Even if you have Hide Helmet checked in the Gameplay options when trying to preview the Facial Tattoo's the characters Helmet or Monster Helm will appear blocking viewing the tattoo.
Yeah, it sucks. You need to remove the helmet to preview it properly
Or wear a costume that doesn't have a hat.
Just so that everyone knows, my Altmer still can't have black hair. About a dozen of Altmer NPCs in the game have black hair. Just saying.
Meet my characters:
Command: Do the thing.
Zadarri, Khajiit Fist of Thalmor: The thing was done, as commanded. Durza gra-Maghul, Orc blacksmith: The thing was done perfectly, in the most efficient way. Tegwen, Bosmer troublemaker: You can't prove I didn't do the thing. Sings-Many-Songs, Argonian fisher: Sure, I'll do the thing... Eventually. Maybe. Aerindel, Altmer stormcaller: After extensive research, I've come to the conclusion that doing the thing would be a waste of resources. Liliel, Dunmer pyromancer: Aerindel said I shouldn't do the thing. Something about "resources". Gyda Snowcaller, Nord cryomancer: I will find a way to do it that won't waste resources and make Aerindel proud of me. Beatrice Leoriane, Breton vampire: I persuaded someone else into doing the thing. You are welcome, dear. Sahima, Redguard performer: Doing the thing sounds awfully unpleasant and really not my problem. Ellaria Valerius, Imperial priestess: I'll pray to the Eight for the thing to be done, if it is Their will.
You can not preview the circlets as well. Tried it on my Altmer and only her hood shows (btw I have helm hidden in game setting but it pops up everytime you try to preview). Tried it on my Khajiit and while the circlet shows up her hood shows up as well.
As to tattoo...didn't show up on my Khajiit at all. She is a vampire and everytime I try to preview the tattoo all her normal markings just goes away and she is just ashen grey (with hood up). The tattoo does show up on the Altmer but her hood gets in the way.