9 Lives Tattoo — Attraction in Ferndale

Pandemic info: The shop is always very clean and sterile, pandemic or otherwise. They require masks for everyone, and are very thorough with cleaning and sanitizing after every client (and changing out equipment, which is standard procedure). You can feel confident about being tattooed safely there any time. Do not (seriously don't) bring anyone else to your appointment right now. I totally get wanting a friend with you for your first tattoo, but we are still in a pandemic, and they won't have anywhere to sit anyway. Make sure you make an appointment!

I've been trying to figure out how to start this dang review for ages now, so I figure I might as well just jump right in: I wandered into 9 Lives a few years ago knowing what design I wanted on my skin, and that was about it. I had no real plan for any other details. I did check out reviews here before I went in, but that's as far as I got. I met Kristian briefly, chatted with him, set up an appointment, and the rest is history. He's been my go-to artist since that day. Honestly can't say enough good things about him or the shop. We hit it off, and it's been really awesome ever since. He's very talented, but also the kind of humble where he doesn't think he's as skilled as he is (which is goofy and endearing). He is my tattoo partner in crime, and he is really fantastic at taking my crazy, half-arsed schemes/ideas, and turning them into seriously awesome tattoos. I don't always have a clear idea of what I want to do, and he takes what I talk about and runs with it. I have loved every single tattoo he's done for me. Every time he does a new one for me, I walk away going 'this one's my favorite!!!' (They're all my favorite haha)

One of the best things about him is that he is up for doing whatever tattoo I come up with. He has never once said that my ideas are silly (even when some of them are obviously goofy) or refused to do any because they're not his style. At this point, I have a few tattoos that were his idea (by which I mean I asked him to pick something cool to put on my body, and he came up with something awesome). I trust him implicitly, and it has paid off every single time. He is a really amazing dude who is fantastically talented. I view it as an honor to have tattoos that he came up with on my body.

I also want to add that I have a full body tremor (it's not nearly as bad as someone with Parkinson's though, to give you an idea). I can't imagine having to tattoo someone like me (my body isn't the best at being still), but he never complains or gives any indication that it's in any way more difficult to tattoo me than someone who doesn't shake all the time. He's not heavy handed, and for me, I can usually sit for a few hours without needing a break (I have a decent pain threshold though).

Tattoo life pro-tips: Tip your artists, people! I always tip generously because Kristian is awesome, but also because he puts up with my aforementioned goofy schemes and wonky body. If you are newer to being tattooed, I recommend having more of an idea of what you want. Not because he can't do it, but because we have built up trust and I have enough tattoos that I've lost count of the exact number. Yes, your tattoo is going to hurt. No two ways around it. He will tell you when a specific body part is definitely going to hurt more than the average tattoo, but everybody's pain threshold is different. Ribs are the most painful tattoos I have ever gotten (thought I was fleshy enough there, I was not and needed several breaks), and I have actively avoided having any done on my feet because feet are a notoriously painful spot to put a tattoo. Don't go to an appointment if you aren't sober, be respectful of your artist and the shop in general. Don't try to haggle on the price- not only is that rude, but ink is permanent. You get what you pay for, so don't try to cheap out. 9 lives is very...

I got my industrial pierced at a different establishment a couple months ago. Getting it pierced was an okay experience while the after care was not. I was told to do something that isn’t recommended for a new open wounded piercing. Not only was I given misinformation, I wasn’t given specific information. I was clueless with a new piercing. After a couple of weeks passed, I noticed bumps appearing. I dmed my original piercer and informed him about the problem. He told me to come in but he’d be working on a tattoo. When I arrived, a gentleman who was not my original piercer took a look at it, but barely. He looked at it for 5 seconds and told me to clean it .. I kept cleaning it every day, twice a day, as recommended, and no change. I dmed my piercer again and he left me on seen. I originally wanted to go to 9 Lives but I wasn’t able. Yesterday (Friday), I looked up reviews on 9 Lives, and read all of Shawn’s. I emailed him when I was satisfied and he got back to me within the next 20 minutes. I asked if he was available any time next week to take a look, and he asked if I was available to come in Saturday (today). I went in, the place was absolutely gorgeous, nice, and clean. I waited for about 2 minutes (not even) before Shawn came and got me. We went back into a room, which has major privacy, and he gave me so much useful advise that I was not given from my original piercer. He made me feel very comfortable, he answered all of my questions, and I left with more knowledge and feeling confident about what to do. I will definitely be returning to 9 Lives if I want more piercings later on in the future....

Raquel is my freaking girl and I ADORE HER! The shop is clean, dope and inviting. Everyone there is so sweet and has a phenomenal sense of humor. I have never gone there and not laughed. I've been seeing Raquel Ruthless for about a year now and will not ever let another tattoo artist touch me. We have a connection and work really well together, she never disappoints. So far shes done my three fates tattoo and my bees on my knees. I'm going back to see her in March 2022 to begin work on my sleeve. With 9 Lives, you're getting what you pay for. Quality work done by the most talented individuals. Every artist there does insane work, so no matter which artist you choose, you'll leave there happy. They have a little bit of everyone's portfolio posted directly on the 9 Lives website and setting up appointments is a breeze. You will definitely have to wait to get in to see an artist there but I promise, it's...