Chameleon Tattoo & Body Piercing

Category:	Tattoo Shop
Address:	36 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Phone:	+1 617-876-0412
Site:	chameleonbodyarts.com
Rating:	4.2
Working:	12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–10PM 12–7PM

Location

Photos 39

Reviews 9

Meka Mek

Went to here to get my ear pierced some months ago. The shop is setup as a two piece. One side is straight tattoos which is the main shop. Outside of the shop is the piercing place where you chat to some blond chick with some tats and glasses, and she shows you the jewelry and does a fairly decent job answering your questions. Then you pay her and go into the main part of the shop. There was a bit of a wait but it wasnt so bad I assume its because one of the piercers (the one who did me) Owen is highly professional, takes his time, and will explain everything that you want to you. Once I got done. He gave me an aftercare sheet and explained it one more time. I cant recommend him more. Been some months now and Ive had no problems with the piercing, I wish I wouldve got my clavs (which rejected) done by him as well as he seems very thorough. On a side note. I ended up going here finally because after trying to go to Pinot Bros twice. The piercer was never there. Though, apparently he works between this shop, Pinot Bros, and New Hampshire. I dont know how good he is, but Owen is great.

A Private User

I got my first tattoo there when I was 18, and I had an awful experience. I talked to one artist who would not help me or work with me, and quoted $250 (which I would later learn was EXORBITANTLY high for that design). I talked to another artist who wouldnt work with the design either, and was very rude. When I went back to artist #1, he decided it was actually worth $300. He was rude and hostile the entire time I got the tattoo. I went back at 22 for another tattoo, thinking that it was just that artist and that all these reviews couldnt be wrong... Well another crop of artists who would not take any time to look over my design, showed absolute rudeness and indifference, and tried to overcharge me again. Needless to say, I walked right out with my lesson learned. Whether your artist is courteous or not, whether you are overcharged or not, let me say that I have had really very positive experiences at a number of other Boston area shops like Stingray...even route 9 tattoo in Framingham was more professional! Dont waste your money, time, and especially skin.

Andrew Hinds

Very nice store, friendly people. Clean and well-set up, too. Unfortunately, however, rife with ineptitude. I went in for a lip piercing. Everything went well until I got into the parlour proper. I explained what I wanted, and the piercer instead marked for a labret piercing. I explained that the placement seemed improper, re-explained that I wanted a lip piercing, and they assured me that this was the correct placement for one. I unfortunately allowed myself to be cowed into conceding to what I thought was expert advice. The piercing I received is not only incorrect for what I wanted, but also slightly crooked. To add to my dismay, I very nearly cracked a tooth when the cheap jewelry put in broke into several pieces whilst I was eating. In conclusion; its a serviceable place, as long as you babysit your technician the whole way.

Sydney Montgomery

The way they conduct business in regards to piercings just doesnt make any sense. Theyre first come first serve and the wait time is always roughly 2 hours. The first time I went was a Friday evening so thats really understandable. The second time was a Tuesday evening and the guy told me that evenings were always busy and to come back another day at noon. I tried that and the next available time was still 2p. They dont let you call to put your name down either, you have to physically go there (leave and then come back at your time). When asked the reason behind this policy I was told it was because having appointments is stressful for them. What about the stress of the customers? Some people actually like to have a schedule / dont have hours to kill and not everyone lives around the corner.

Emma Jupiter

Always the perfect balance of professional and laid back! Owen is the absolute best piercer on the planet- his favourite clients are when parents bring their kids in since it means they wont be getting pierced with guns, and it shows with how calming and encouraging he is when he pierces! The staff is fantastic at answering any and all questions without being condescending. They do go by a walk-in basis and fill up quickly after 12, but thats only because they dont want to rush the piercers, which I appreciate, it also gives more time for the client to learn about their piercing and have any and every question answered! All in all, amazing place. I got my ear lobe piercings fixed after they were botched in a mall when I was 12, and Ive gotten other piercings from there ever since.

kurt adams.

I really wanted to get a tattoo, and I really liked one piece of flash at the shop, so I did a walk in and I got what I first thought to be a quality black and grey traditional tattoo by Rueben "Horikei" Kayden for $150. However, after unwrapping my tattoo at home and cleaning it off, I noticed that Rueben went out of the lines with his shading needle. With his liner needle, one particular curve of my tattoo was very shaky and not clean. These details perhaps are not noticeable to the average passerby, but this is on my body forever and I was very disappointed to discover these mistakes. I can not speak for the rest of the shop, and I hear their piercing is really well done, but as for their tattoos I would be weary. Do your research, and look elsewhere before you get a tattoo here.

Kaitlin Mahar

Ive now gotten seven piercings at Chameleon (five by Owen, and two by apprentice Darcy) and all of them have healed up very nicely. Owen and Darcy are both super friendly and knowledgeable, and do a great job of explaining what they are doing and what to expect throughout the process of actually getting the piercing and then while healing it afterward. Yes, I know people say the prices are expensive, but for the great quality jewelry and selection and the extremely professional, talented piercers it is definitely worth the price! I would suggest trying to go on a week day as there can be quite a wait on weekends. If you must go on the weekend, be prepared to go wander around Harvard Square for a while before returning for your appointment.

Jess Garafola

Im not exaggerating when I say dont go to any other piercing shop but this one. You will be let down. I have gotten eight piercings at four different piercing places. This one is beyond the stars in my opinion. This place used betadine as if it were a real surgery. Other places use alcohol wipes to make big margins. Im not dumb--I know the price of betadine and the price of an alcohol wipe. The wipes dont cost more than four pennies. I wish I got more questions answered on how to clean but with great service comes many customers. Either way, this is the absolute ONLY place I will ever go again. I suggest if you actually want your money to pay for what you bought, you should do the same.

Nicholas Demarcus

Ive never gotten a tattoo at Chameleon, but theyve done all seven of my piercings. Owen, their head piercing artist, is one of the coolest people youll ever meet and will walk you through the entire process from consultation to the actual needle and aftercare. Owen has done my industrial, lip ring, and gauges from piercing to 0 gauge. The process is clean, professional, sterile, and reassuring. I tell everyone to see him and Id never dream of going anywhere else. The jewelry itself is a little on the expensive side, but the prices are *inclusive* of the piercing, so youre not paying twice for anything. Do make sure you tip your artist though, its just polite.