EXCLUSIVE: 5 Female Tattoo Artists to Visit When You’re Feeling Scared

Getting a tattoo doesn’t have to be scary. Let these women tattoo artists provide you a comfortable and safe space

Getting a tattoo is one of those experiences that need your full commitment and your most comfortable self. Whether you’re getting a massive tattoo or a dainty one, it’s important that you feel safe in their space, especially as getting a tattoo is a vulnerable and intimate process. MEGA Style talked to five tattoo artists about their tattoo styles, their experience as a woman artist in a male-dominated industry, and what they think 2025’s popular tattoo design will be.

^{Tattoos inked by women from women-led studios}

RELATED: The Truth About Lip Tattoos: What Filipino Beauty Influencers Want You to Know

Nor Ink

Founder of Tusok Studios and a regular tattoo artist at Crimson River Tattoo, Noreen started practicing in 2020, but professionally in 2022. Throughout her time practicing the art of tattoos, the artist found that she resonated with weird, creepy, and odd designs. Despite being in an industry mostly dominated by men, Noreen surrounded herself with mostly queer and female artists, which was why she doesn’t feel different in the industry. “It just feels like I am hanging out with amazing artists who share advice and help if I’m struggling with certain designs or clients,” Noreen said nonchalantly. “It does feel different when I get mixed up with male tattoo artists. In terms of art style, how they navigate their career, and mainly just their presence feels different.”

Noreen was simply more comfortable being around women. With the many unfortunate experiences women have to go through every day, which causes anxiousness and trauma, it’s not a surprise that women opt to work with another woman when looking for a tattoo artist.

^{Noreen founded Tusok Studios, a tattoo, piercing, and nail shop for the women, queers, and the disabled}

The tattoo artist shared a memorable session she had with a gay client with muscular dystrophy. When Noreen was still tattooing in her apartment on the third floor, the client’s brother had to carry her up to her studio. “The whole experience was so wholesome and she complimented how much she felt safe being with me and how I accommodated her,” the artist said, heartfelt.

^{Fond of creepy and weird tattoo styles, Noreen can be found in Tusok Studios in Manila and Crimson River Tattoo at Proj. 4, Quezon City.}

This year, Noreen noticed a surge in coquette-style and cybersigilism tattoos, which featured sharp, gothic, and space-age linework. With this rise in these tattoo styles, she predicted that these two styles would still surge, but more complex or interactive in a way that the tattoo moves along with the body part.

Eloise

Since starting in 2019, Eloise’s tattoo style has progressed from minimalist black works to whimsical colors that suited well with floral subjects. Fond of contrasts, Siningtinta’s founder explained, “I try to be more flexible with the art style, trying to mix a bit of everything in one piece; sometimes I do designs that are a mix of realistic blackwork and detailed full color.”

^{Eloise founded and grew Siningtina, from a single tattoo artist with dreams to a studio that houses other women artists to hone their craft}

“It is empowering in every sense to reclaim spaces that are male-dominated especially with art that was once discriminating against women,” Eloise provided thoughtfully. “As women, we share the same struggles in a society that’s structurally misogynistic. In the context of body art, women are both sexualized and vilified for getting, having, and doing tattoos.”

As a tattoo artist, Eloise loved the intention that comes with getting tattoos. With clients who came with clear visions, a full peg board of inspiration, and a very expressive description, she loved and appreciated clients who are also involved in the artistic process of tattooing.

^{Eloise’s flexible tattoo style is a mix of whimsical colors, detailed blackwork, and an intricate combination of both. Her tattoo studio Siningtinta can be found in Maginhawa, Quezon City}

While the tattoo artist noticed a variety of tattoos, Eloise didn’t notice a particular subject or style that dominated this 2024. However, she predicts that dainty, stylized colorwork will shine in 2025, much like the tattoos that Korean tattoo artists specialize in.

Aly Inks

As for Aly, she began her journey as a tattoo artist right after college with silicone skins in late 2016, which allowed her to build her confidence before she worked on actual skin in 2017, transitioning from small and easy pieces to large, complex tattoos. With eight years of experience and now a frequent tattoo artist at 55 Tinta, Creature Comfort Studio, and Bad Eye Deli, Aly enjoys the variety of approaches she can do, which range from delicate to detailed, illustrative designs. However, she admitted to having a passion for detailed botanicals, pet portraits, and customized designs.

^{With a passion for botanicals and pet portraits, Aly is an artist who also loves custom-made, meaningful designs}

Entering the industry was smooth for Aly. “I was lucky to have the support of some of my male co-artists, who not only welcomed me but also played a role in helping me sharpen my skills,” the artist expressed gratefully, adding that her supportive male friends volunteered to be her practice canvases. However, Aly acknowledged that not all women have the same experience as her. “Many of my female clients have also shared stories about uncomfortable and negative encounters with male artists, which clearly highlights the importance of creating a safe space for clients- especially women,” the artist said honestly.

“The most rewarding experiences come from creating customized, meaningful pieces for clients,” Aly shared passionately. Whether they were portraits of their pets or loved ones, or a tattoo that represented her client’s passion, she enjoyed the artist-client collaboration that came with tattooing, bringing both of their ideas to life on their skin.

^{Aly mostly tattoos at 55 Tinta, Creature Comfort Studio in Mandaluyong, and Bad Eye Deli’s Tattoo Pop-Ups in Makati and Mandaluyong}

To Aly, 2024 was filled with cat portraits, and she had a handful of creating these custom portraits for her client. For next year, the artist predicted that there would be more small, ornamental tattoos, including delicate, intricate designs of flowers and botanicals—timeless tattoos!

Bianca Duran

Now in her third year of tattooing, Bianca is also an artist who has more to explore, however, she focuses more on fine line, illustrative, and botanical tattoo designs. In her time in the tattoo industry—a male-dominated one, at that—she thought it would be intimidating. Duran works in an all-women studio Studiotinta, which she described as a safe, empowering, and supportive space. “I’m lucky to be surrounded by driven, like-minded women who share the same passion and hustle as me,” the artist said earnestly.

^{While still exploring as a tattoo artist, Bianca has made an interesting mark with her fine line, illustrative, and botanical styles}

“It’s really about trust,” Bianca replied when asked why women felt more comfortable with women tattoo artists. “Women just feel safer and more comfortable, especially if it’s their first tattoo or if it’s in a more private spot. Having a woman tattoo artist makes them feel seen and heard like their concerns really matter.”

Being a tattoo artist, she has met a lot of people, and what she loved most about her job was the people who turned into friends. From art, fitness, and fur parenthood, Bianca bonded with her clients over their shared interests, forming meaningful friendships beyond the tattoo studio and the client-artist relationship.

^{Aside from having a home studio in Marikina, Bianca Duran is also one of Siningtinta’s house artists}

In 2024, Bianca noticed many tattoo designs like bows, lockets, and charms. More than these, however, was how thoughtful each tattoo was. “It was about creating pieces that really resonated with each client, whether it was something tiny or a bigger statement,” the tattoo artist shared passionately. For next year, she thinks that there will be more romantic designs like dainty florals and delicate emblems. However, these trends are unpredictable and always changing.

Ink to the Woods

Nicole has been practicing on and off since 2020 and eventually became a full-time tattoo artist earlier this year, frequenting Tusok Studios and Plyful Inks. She specialized in the handpoke method—which didn’t use the usual tattoo machine and instead utilized a sterilized needle. When asked about her method, Nicole described it as “a manual labor of love” and how being on the receiving end of it became meditative for her. “Handpoking is a craft that incorporates all three: meditation, art, and inviting good energy into our bodies,” Nicole explained. As for her art style, she loves to explore but enjoys abstract ornamental designs the most.

To the artist, she admitted that entering the industry was at first intimidating, but due to the rising number of female artists and female-led studios today, it was easy for her to ease into the world of tattooing. “I think the hurdles I had to overcome were more from not learning to tattoo the ‘usual’ way,” Nicole explained. Mostly self-taught, she didn’t undergo an apprenticeship as she learned during the pandemic. Additionally, many handpoke tattoo artists that she knew were also still practicing, so none were able to mentor her.

^{Nicole is a self-taught handpoke tattoo artist who practiced on everyone at her home, including herself}

Nicole’s clients directly expressed that they were more comfortable with her and other women and queer artists because of the continuous presence of consent throughout the entire session: from the placement of the design, stencil application, documentation during the session, and the actual tattoo process itself. “Some women getting tattoos are exposing skin for the first time so it also makes sense they would prefer to have another woman look at their body,” the artist offered thoughtfully.

And speaking of her clients, there was a lot to love: the clients who shared their stories from the moment they came into the studio to the wrapping of their tattoo, which meant that they were comfortable enough to open up to Nicole, even while they sat through the pain of getting tattooed; the quiet clients who occasionally stole a glance at the process and smiled at the artists. “The kilig comes when they either tell me after that they love their tattoo or come back for another after some time,” the handpoke artist gushed. Finally, there were the clients who were a little bit of both: they didn’t share a lot but asked a few questions, made a few jokes, and nodded to the studio playlist. “There’ve been lots of fun sessions that varied in energy, but most have been positive, and I’m pretty grateful for that.”

^{If you’re looking for her unique tattoo method and style, Nicole is a regular artist at Tusok Studios and Plyful Inks in Makati}

So far, Nicole thought that the 2024 tattoos were both dragons and tigers, which she has done a lot. For next year, she doesn’t think that florals will ever go out of style, and will always have a hefty variety of requests for these.

---

Featured Image and Photos: NORINK, ELOISE INK, ALY INKS, BIANCAYSA.INK, & INK TO THE WOODS (via Instagram)

The post EXCLUSIVE: 5 Female Tattoo Artists to Visit When You’re Feeling Scared appeared first on MEGA.

EXCLUSIVE: 5 Female Tattoo Artists to Visit When You’re Feeling Scared
Trending Updates Central