Connelly's Tattooing — Local services in Colonial Heights

⚠️ Please don’t book with Jason. I left this shop feeling absolutely devastated.

I came in excited and trusting—this tattoo was supposed to be special. I’m an artist myself, and I was adding a meaningful piece to my hand, something I’d see every day. Instead, Jason went way too dark, way too heavy, and completely ignored the sensitivity of the placement. He tattooed over my knuckle like it was a patch of thigh, and what I was left with looked like a matchstick, a candle, or a Q-tip—anything but what I asked for.

I was so upset I cried. This is my hand. This is part of my body I use to create. And instead of feeling empowered, I felt embarrassed and heartbroken.

Thankfully, Samantha came in to rework it and did what she could to soften the damage. I genuinely appreciate her stepping in when I was visibly upset. Her technique was more careful, and she at least helped reshape and balance the design. But let me be clear—I’m still not completely thrilled with the final result. The original damage was that bad.

I’ll be posting before-and-after pictures so people can see the difference. This wasn’t a small fixable mistake—it was a moment that really shook my trust. I don’t take leaving reviews like this lightly, but I don’t want anyone else to walk away with a permanent reminder of someone’s careless hand. Especially not on a part of your body that’s always visible.

I wanted to feel more beautiful. Instead, I felt like I had to fix someone else’s mistake.

I left overall still...

If you want to have an appointment set up a month prior, and then the artist not be there because they were on a planned vacation then this is the place for you!

I understand mistakes happen, and although disappointed, I would not have been angry that my artist was not there. It was about how the entitled woman, Samantha, over the counter handled the situation.

Long story short, I was literally yelled at over the counter in front of room of people waiting because of THEIR mistake..mind you this was preCOVID but what left me to leave this review now was my friend telling me about her most recent experience...of being blantly ignored and also treated poorly by the lovely Samantha.

This place does not value new clientele nor have any professionalism at all. 10/10 do...

A year and a half ago, I would have rated them a 5 star as at that time I received a tattoo from samantha. She has amazing talent and is super sweet. A friend of mine got her ink the same day from JW and again, amazing talent and very nice. That was October 2019. I have attempted to get 2 tattoos from them since then, one for myself and one for my husband. I have only been ignored. Im a very patient person and have waited weeks even over a month and i got nothing. Even after sending a follow up email. Their talent is great but their business side needs work. Maybe they only care about regulars. Who knows! It saddens me to even write this but I feel that they need to hear it. Maybe they will be more responsive for the...