IRIS - a piercing studio — Attraction in New York

Got a couple piercings here 6 months ago and everyone was super nice and helpful. A couple days ago though the cap to my helix piercing popped off and was lost.

I went back to get it replaced and for some reason the vibe was just very different. I brought the post with me and showed it to the person helping me, but I had to tell them multiple times that I just wanted the simplest cap while they kept trying to upsell me on gold/jeweled options (maybe they didn't hear me?). After we sorted it out they took the post to the back to have it machine cleaned. When they came back, they told me it would be $15 for the cap and $25~ for insertion. Obviously, didn't mind paying for the cap, but 25 bucks felt steep just to pop it back in so I said I'd do it myself.

They told one of their coworkers that I'd be inserting it myself and then I guess they were told to cut the machine wash short and gave me an alcohol wipe to go instead. The machine was was only supposed to take 4min, so it was weird/off putting that they'd cut it off because I wasn't paying for insertion...maybe there's some other reason or something I'm not privy to, but it felt really weird and impersonal.

I dropped almost $200 when I first got pierced there and I was hoping they'd be a little more laid back or work with me when it came to the small maintenance stuff. I know they're running a business so I still expect to pay for the pieces, but multiple people I've talked to said that this experience wasn't common. Was just kind of really bummed because everyone there has a queer, punk rock aesthetic, but the whole experience felt very impersonal and corporate.

Still leaving 3 stars because it could've just been an off day or something, but it didn't feel great and I don't think I'd go back :/

EDIT: In response to their response

I get that sometimes you need to clarify what people mean, but that wasn't the case here. They were on autopilot and they weren't listening to me. As for the insertion fee, I've talked to multiple people about it and they've all said $20 is a ripoff for a simple insertion. There's no equipment/knowledge involved if anyone can do it and the time it takes is less than a minute.

With the machine washing of the piece. The person helping me said it would take 4 minutes to machine wash. They started the process and told me it was in the machine and would be done shortly. We then talked about insertion and after hearing the price I said I'd do it myself. They went to the back, talked to someone else and then cut the machine wash short and brought my piece back. Why would you not just do me the solid of letting it run a 4 minute cycle? 4 minutes is not a "lengthy process".

From the moment I made it known that I wasn't spending a lot of money and just needed something basic there was no sense that anyone would be accommodating or chill. I am pretty obviously queer as well and while it's a "safe space" it just felt corpo and super impersonal. Definitely wouldn't go back and I'm knocking off a star for the bs y'all are spinning in your...

I LOVE IRIS AND ALL THE PEOPLE HERE AND CARLY SO MUCH! I stopped in one day to ask for pricing for the piercings I was interested in, and I was immediately greeted by all staff with warmth and welcoming. Carly introduced themself immediately as the person who would do my piercings if I decided to get them, answered all my questions, and gave me their card as well as the invitation to send them any questions I might have while considering/planning. Ro helped me with such sweetness to schedule an appointment time and then later to reschedule it when I made a mistake looking at my calendar. When I came in Ro walked me through possibly jewelry options and pricing while being super welcoming and making sure I was feeling comfortable and also excitement for me and my new piercings! I was never misgendered and I was asked from the beginning if the name on my ID or anything was what my preferred name actually is as well. Carly then did my piercings as they said they would a few weeks before which was great, and the whole experience was really positive and body affirming. I got my nips pierced and was a little worried it could be awkward as it's kind of a personal placement but they were amazing with their professionalism. They were very conscious of personal comfort and boundaries, very welcoming and honored any concerns or placing adjustments I voiced while also providing their professional expertise. They spoke with body neutral language, using words like "anatomy" without positive or negative connotation. When I went to the bathroom there were pamphlets about sexual health, assistance for people experiencing abuse, depression, etc. I felt like I was in a beautiful, safe, queer space the entire time around all the staff. Every part of the process was explained to me beforehand in detail and my consent and comfort were always the priority. Carly was very attentive to make sure I was feeling okay during the piercing experience. Afterwards Carly very clearly answered further questions and was very clear about aftercare processes. I have stayed in contact with Carly online to ask questions and they have always been there to answer my questions! Ro has sent me follow up questions as well to check in on how my healing process is going and if there's anything else I need and it is the most care I have ever received from people in a body mod space! Not to mention the whole time everyone kept affirming that this is how it always should be! I feel lucky to have met everyone there and it's been a pleasure when Ive gone back for more aftercare supplies to be remembered and welcomed back. I love walking by Iris and waving at everyone. Not to mention my piercings are beautiful and perfect and the healing process has been super easy for me! I can't wait to go back to get my jewelry switched out and to get more piercings from them in...

Really wanted to like this place - it’s in the neighborhood, the employees were very nice, etc. But unfortunately they didn’t care enough about my experience to make sure I left the shop satisfied. (or to fix it when I called back later that day)

I’ve had my nose pierced for 10+ years and went in to get a stud changed to a hoop. I explained I wanted a hoop touching the nose - as I’d had it for many years (basically the smallest size). They asked if the piercer in training could do the switch instead which - although not what I booked - I said was fine.

When it came time to put the ring in, she had the right size initially (9/32) - but had such trouble closing it (it makes sense, she’s in training!) that she made my nose swell & bleed. After ~5 mins of her trying, the original piercer (not in training) came back in and determined at that point to take out the correct size and replace it with a bigger sized ring. She said this now bigger ring (5/16) was “as big as I could go.” When she was done and I looked at myself in the mirror I knew right away - this was bigger than I wanted or had previously (for many years!) But she was quite dismissive, insisting that “this was the smallest size possible for my nose.”

I paid, tipped and left - but when I got home and saw what they had done in the mirror I still didn’t like it at all. It was not what I had asked for. When I called back and asked if I could come in for a fix, they again repeated that they wouldn’t change the ring - they were only willing to change it back to a stud. This was nonsensical as I had previously had the smaller 9/32 sized ring for many years. Their claims that “it wouldn’t be good for the health of my piercing” were not true.

Anyways, the next day I went to another studio (which I should have just gone to initially) - and they easily & immediately switched me to a size 9/32 ring. It was literally no problem at all. So not only was what Iris’ staff told me untrue, they also got a very disasstified customer out of all of this. It was a complete...