The Body Gallery — Local services in Benton Harbor

Absolutely SHOCKING NON-service! I am from England, the one in the United Kingdom, and while yes, I flew out to spend time with my family, I booked in with Emily, as I always tried to, due to her being REALLY GREAT at her tattoo/artist work. She has done over half of my piece's, over a number of years, and I LOVED her skill at what she does. Contact with her, was always a nightmare, she's very much so, a non-responsive artist, but she always, always came through and turned up when we were to meet, wherever she was working . Drove in the snow, to get to The body Gallery in time for my 1pm appointment. I WAS booked in for BOTH Tuesdays of my trip out to USA, from 1pm to 8pm closing. Finally arrived after a long drive, and It WAS LOCKED UP tight, despite it saying it was open at 12, as normal, online when I checked. Phoned....there was no reply. Deciding maybe Emily had the first appointment, so was gonna open up, I decided to wait a little. This has happened before at other places, with her running a little late, and due to now having a daughter, I was giving her extra time, to allow for maybe having to re-organise child care or something. I jumped onto messenger to make the owner aware I was waiting outside. NO reply, other than the normal auto-send response. (They were on a day off, at least the owner explained) I MESSAGED Emily, to let her know I was waiting outside too. SHE READ THE MESSAGE....(messenger lets you know when others read your messages.) NO reply..so I figured, maybe she was driving.....so waited some more. Eventually gave up after 1.30pm, and left.....HALF AN HOUR after my appointment time.. With still NO MESSAGES letting me know what was happening, from Emily. IF they had decided to NOT OPEN, cos of some snow, the VERY LEAST she could have done was MESSAGE ME AND LET ME KNOW! HAD I BEEN TOLD not to drive out, as they were NOT opening, I wouldn't have had to waste time, in the snow. Will I go ever here again....or even work with Emily. NEVER. I am...

My Honest Take: Piercing = Yes, Tattoos = No

Title: Go Here for a Piercing, Go Elsewhere for a Tattoo

Alright, here's the real deal for anyone looking at Body Gallery. I'm a guy who's been in both chairs—for a tattoo and for piercings—so I feel like I can give a balanced take.

Let's start with the good, because James deserves credit where it's due: the man knows his piercings. I've had two done by him and he's a pro. He's calm, explains everything clearly, and most importantly, he's sterile and precise. It's over before you know it and heals perfectly. For that, I'd give him 5 stars all day.

Now, for the tattoos. I have to be straight with you, because ink is permanent and it's a different ballgame. My experience, and what I've seen on others, is just too hit-or-miss to recommend. My piece came out okay, but you can tell parts were rushed—the lines aren't as crisp as they should be, and the shading is a little uneven. It's not terrible, but it's not great, and "not terrible" isn't a standard you want for something on your skin forever.

I like James, he's a nice guy, and his prices are fair. But nice and cheap doesn't fix a mediocre tattoo. I'm giving 2 stars because the piercing service is genuinely excellent and brings the average up, but I can't, in good conscience, give a higher rating knowing someone might see that and get a permanent piece they're not thrilled with.

Final verdict: Need a piercing? 100% come here. Thinking about a tattoo? Keep looking. Your future self will thank you for spending a little more for a sure thing.! I wish the best for you bud ! Bud my conscious won’t...

⭐☆☆☆☆ (1 Star) - You Get What You Pay For, and That's a Problem on Skin

Title: Permanent Work with Impermanent Effort

I am writing this review with a heavy dose of transparency because a tattoo is not a temporary purchase; it's a permanent decision. Unfortunately, my experience and observations at Body Gallery with James, the owner, have led me to give a 1-star rating.

While James's prices are affordable and he may be one of the few options in the area, this is a classic case of "you get what you pay for." And when the product is a permanent mark on your body, that adage is terrifying.

The core issue is a lack of pride and patience. You can tell James tends to rush his work. I've seen multiple tattoos from him, and the flaws are consistent: shaky lines, inconsistent shading, and a overall lack of meticulousness. In any other profession, you might extend the benefit of the doubt, but not here. This is not a haircut that will grow out. This is forever.

A true artist proud of their craft would meticulously document their work for their portfolio. The lack of this speaks volumes. The five-star reviews likely stem from a lack of local competition and a lower price point, not from exceptional quality.

My intention isn't be malicious. I genuinely wish James the best and hope he finds the patience his profession demands. But at the end of the day, just because it's not his body doesn't mean the client—or everyone who sees it—won't have to live with and notice the flaws. In this profession, "close to perfect" is the bare minimum, and that standard is not being met here. I cannot recommend...