My favorite part was when another artist said "think of bob ross!! Happy little accident!" as I'm…read moreliterally sobbing on the table

when i go to graffiti ink, i always have and always will go to ed. hes done 5/6 of my tattoos and i…read morelove each one of them. the shop is clean and has music playing, the atmosphere is just nice overall.

This place is awesome! I got my first tattoo here and the artist was understanding and also very…read morehelpful in letting me know the process! He also followed up after the tattoo was completed to ensure healing was going well! Highly recommend this place! Very talented

Preface: whenever I'm unhappy enough with service to leave a less than stellar review, I take a day…read moreor two to figure out if I'm just frustrated, or the service/experience was legitimately bad enough to warrant that review. I'm super glad I did in this case, since a friend pointed out something I hadn't realized. I came in based on excessive amazing reviews of both tattoos and piercings. I went in initially on Saturday evening spur of the moment, but was told the piercer had just left for the night and wouldn't be back till Tuesday. That's what I get for not making an appointment or calling ahead, but like I said, spur of the moment. They told me she'd (Karina) be back Tuesday. I figured if they're referring to a single piercer, then she presumably has experience with this piecing and decided to come back Tuesday. So I went back on Tuesday. I called ahead but didn't get a response. To their credit, I got a call back after I went in 20-30 minutes later and they had been packed when I came in. I guess Karina is the only piercer that does the bridge piercing, so after she cleaned up, I came back and she prepped my face for the piercing. Maybe she could tell by looking that I had the anatomy for the bridge? Idk. Then she put the marker on my face and let me check the placement and had me lay back. She didn't even offer to let me see the piercing first, I had to ask. She was intending to use a curved barbell, despite many other piercers advocating the straight one to avoid changes in tension, to prevent gravity from pulling the curve downward and making the claim of reduced tension redundant, and mitigating rejection risk. I believe the piercers that I've followed online, blogs, Instagram, and tiktok. I don't think I can do research and know more than a trained professional, so I read what the professionals said. When I asked for a straight barbell, she seemed frustrated and claimed she didn't even have any straight barbell options despite having a full container of barbells labeled as such and insisted that she's been piercing for 19 years. (Idk their gauges but it was definitely unbelievable considering the boxes were labeled "straight barbells") I'm not trying to negate her experience, but I felt very judged for both wanting to know and having an opinion on what went into my body. If I want to mitigate rejection risk, why should that option be judged? This is a piercing I'd like to keep. It wasn't until I called my second option for the piercing and was asked a few questions and told the pricing that I realized none of that had been discussed at West End Tattoo & Piercing. I even had to volunteer my medication list as described in the paperwork, since no one asked. I wasn't told their pricing before she intended to pierce me. I don't know what the tattoo process is like here, since I've never been for that, and I definitely verified the other location pierces with straight barbells. Lesson learned. I will say everyone was friendly and welcoming until I questioned the piercing jewellery, and the decorations are awesome, but I won't be back, even for a tattoo. Added after reflection: omg, no one spoke to me before any expected piercing about after care, possible migration/rejection, other risks like scaring, etc. I hadn't initially recognized that lack due to my own research following other piercers, but recognizing it now is terrifying. 2* because they were very welcoming when I walked in, and willing to squeeze me in without an appointment.

I have been looking for a fine line tattoo artist for several years in Richmond and finally found…read more one. And I'm SO happy. Babbit was great to work with - through his Instagram page, I was able to secure a date but before doing so, he answered all my questions (and super quickly) and created the most beautiful small fine line tattoo. I've gotten a couple micro tattoos at popular/trendy studios in NYC and this is by far my favorite experience. You could tell Babbit really cares about his craft, he took the time to make sure the tattoos were exactly what we wanted and the attention to detail is outstanding. I absolutely loved the studio, it felt so welcoming and had a great vibe. 1000/10 recommend.

Service and hospitality was so great I got tattooed by three artist! Babbit has done several…read moreFineline tattoos on my body and it still looks as if I got it yesterday! It was fun talking to him and coming up with tattoo ideas while having him understand my vision (even when I had no idea!) very clean and sanitary station and made sure I was comfortable throughout our session. He made sure each detail was perfected! Keith has done the largest piece on my leg close to my shin, I brought an idea and he completely executed the drawing to something even better. It was so good that even my fiance decided to get it as well! Really easy to talk to! Summer is great, her station is so cute! I got a flash from her calico critter series and we had a great time communicating that I even forgot I was getting tattooed haha. Would definitely come back!

From the moment you walk in until the moment you leave, everyone in the shop welcomes you like a…read morewarm embrace. My artist was Papi who was not only open and friendly, but VERY professional instilling confidence I was in the right place. Located on Belmont near Carytown, this is a woman owned local business with true artists working there. Pricing is comparable. Highly recommend for your next inking.

Truly, the best tattoo experience I've had. Ian is super collaborative very experienced and just…read moregenerally a great guy to spend time with. He interprets your ideas clearly and with passion and works super efficiently. I'll be going back for my next three tattoos. I cannot recommend this place enough.

Had an idea for a long time of something I wanted, and David helped make that into a beautiful…read moretattoo! It is the perfect size and font. Planning on my next one soon!

A total gem in the Richmond area: took my wife and I in same day, a full sleeve consult for myself…read moreand a small cat outline tattoo same day for my wife. Genie did an amazing job communicating availability as we had to drive an hour to come. Had a warm welcome when we arrived, David also greeted us and did a super thorough job explaining all the details of what a full sleeve will entail and also providing flexibility in his schedule. I've had work done by multiple artists in the past and can say he's the most professional out of all of them. He did the cat tattoo (on her scar where one of our cats scratched her). Line work was on point, had a blast talking about the show Ink Master with him, and it's clear his passion for tattooing exudes in his stories. He is now commissioned to do my sleeve and excited to share the incredible work soon! Don't hesitate to consult with him before you settle on an artist!

constance was amazing!! me and my friend came in and both got a helix piercing and she was super…read moresmooth and quick but didn't feel rushed! she explained after care very well and helped us a ton!!! 10/10! vibe was super inviting and friendly and we felt very welcomed! jewelry pieces were super cute and wide variety! very patient and would def recommend to others!

Did a walk in, to get a rib tattoo done. Ash was quick with it and was extremely easy to work with…read more Very happy with how the tattoo came out with. Everyone at Enigma was very nice and quick to help you. The shop had a good vibe.

So, we were in Richmond and we figured, hey, let's get tattoos. Let's get the Social Distortion…read moreskeleton tattooed somewhere on our bodies. Sounds great. So we showed up at Tattoo 702 based on a recommendation we had a while back from someone we sorta know. First impressions: clean, friendly, comfortable, casual. Second impressions: Whose book am I looking at and why haven't I been tattooed by him already? It turned out the guy who was available and chatted us up, Don, was the guy with the amazing book. I felt kinda sad inside that all we were getting was the Social D skeleton. But that's okay because we ran out of time before we had to leave for early dinner (6:00, wtf?) so I didn't get to get my tattoo. But, yeah. I will SO be back. I want me some Don tattoos.

I love Tattoo 702…read more Most of the work I have gotten so far has been done by Don Sellers. From what I hear, everyone here does a great job. Don is super friendly and accommodating. He is easy to talk to about just about anything. Not only does he do a fantastic job, but he is super easy to get along with. I would definitely recommend him for someone getting a tattoo for the first time because he is a sweetheart. I tend to get very large portions of myself tattooed at once, and he is always really cool. He takes reign of the conversation when I get quiet from the pain which tends to bring me out of the whole seeing white sensation and lets me take as many breaks as I need during a session. The shop is really comforting inside. The staff seems like they are all really good friends versus just being coworkers, and joke among themselves. The shop is open and airy which is nice because getting tattooed seems to make me claustrophobic.

Got tattooed by Tom Strom. Great experience, clean and comfortable shop…read more Street parking was pretty easy on a Sunday too.

Fantastic experience - the final product was true to the design I proposed, and they worked with me…read moreto make it possible. First tattoo; Matt was professional in all aspects, and had a zen-like vibe. Highly recommended. The tattoo meant allot to me, to honor my son who passed away last year (no pressure). ‍