Choosing to get a tattoo is a deeply personal experience, making the selection of the right artist and shop crucial. For novices, knowing where to start can be daunting. While some rely on search engines, experienced customers and artists often use social media to share insights on what to look for.
Jessica Horne, an artist and customer at Dallas’s Lilac Tattoo Studio, shared her concerns in a TikTok video after a disappointing visit. “It’s been a bad day, my event got rescheduled, so I’m in Dallas. Why not go to a super cute, LGBTQ-safe, comfortable, fun tattoo studio called Lilac Tattoo Studio,” Horne captioned her video. “My day just got worse after visiting them. I didn’t get a tattoo that day. Be careful and don’t trust what you see online.”
Horne was particularly troubled by the practice of placing a tattoo stencil while both the artist and client were seated. She emphasized that standing ensures better placement accuracy. “Whenever you put a stencil on somebody, you want to make sure your client is standing up, straight, and relaxed,” Horne explained. “Not sitting down in a chair. Because that stencil, when they stand up, is going to look different.”
Additionally, Horne noted that an artist’s interaction with clients should reflect a willingness to be there. Her visit was marred by being marked as a “no show” after signing in as a walk-in, despite not being called. When she brought this to the receptionist’s attention, she did not receive an apology.
Due to these concerns, Horne left without getting a tattoo. The Daily Dot reached out to Lilac Tattoo Studio and Horne for comments but received no immediate response.
Horne’s experience highlights several red flags potential clients should watch for, including shop cleanliness, artist communication, and the handling of appointments. Cleanliness is vital as improperly executed tattoos can lead to infections. Researching an artist’s style and past work is also crucial. Moreover, artists should provide comprehensive pre- and post-tattoo information.
Comments on Horne’s video revealed others had similar experiences at the same shop. One commenter mentioned a scheduled three-hour session extending to six hours due to the artist’s frequent absences. Another reported an artist failing to show up for a scheduled consultation. A third recounted being laughed at for their inspiration when they returned the next day after being told the shop was booked.
In response to Horne’s video, Lilac Tattoo Studio’s owner addressed the situation in a TikTok post, expressing regret and offering a credit for a future visit. “I understand there are good days and bad days,” the owner said. “I don’t have an excuse for it. All I can say is I’m really sorry.”
The owner did not dismiss Horne’s claims, despite some artists disputing them, and invited clients with negative experiences to reach out directly. “I have a lot of passion for what I do,” she said. “I genuinely am very sorry for anyone’s past bad experience. I am so accessible to you.”