Anomaly Studios

Hair- Anne is great...she takes her time and is actually fun to talk to (I usually hate talking to stylists).

Piercing - got my ears ( first time believe it or not)... Very professional, safe, and clean.  They never got infected. Would definitely use them again for any future piercings

I made an appointment for one nipple piercing. I came in on time but I had to wait an entire hour (even though I was the only person in there) before I was told that they were out of stock of the right bar I needed.  Absolutely outrageous!! Not a happy experience.

So, I made a foolish mistake.

I got my tragus pierced (both) on Venice Beach while I was in California for a month. It was done on a whim, which is SO not like me.  It will be the FIRST and LAST time I do any body modification without doing my research. I paid for it dearly. I am done beating myself about it.

House of Ink (1313 Ocean Front Walk Venice, CA) basically overcharged me, used cheap jewelry- with a butterfly backing, and no instructions on how to care for the piercings. When I walked out I knew I was in trouble. Did I mention the backing of the earring popped out while I was on my way out of Venice?

Ugh... I had to call someone for help (later I learned the extent of the physical damage).

Initially, I contacted Red Hot Tattoo & Piercing in Arcadia about  two days later. They said that their Piercer would not me in for several days. They said I should immediately call Anomaly Body Piercing Studio in Pasadena.

I did. It was my saving grace.

I spoke to Senior Piercer Richard Ivey on the phone. He was so professional, and advise that I come in ASAP. I got there about an hour before they closed.

Richard was AWESOME.

He was very friendly, and personable. I was so at ease.  After some small talk, Richard gave me the name of a piercer named Lou, that he trusted in Hawthorn, NJ  (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pleasurable.com%2F&s=386bfc50aa42b6842406bb32c48d6fc67620ef7fb5e554f0388af27ed241cb80" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.pleasurable.c…</a>) for additional care, questions, and possible future piercings. Richard knew him from the APP (Association of Professional Piercers) Conference that is held yearly in Las Vegas, NV.

I told him of my previous horrid piercing experience. He spent a good amount of time informing me about the proper way a tragus piercing should proceed, and proper jewelry. Richard was compassionate about how I felt, and was determined to help me, and make certain that I have a "positive" experience.

As Richard guided me to choose and appropriate piece of jewelry, he also shared about their ample selection, what materials it is made out of, how the jewelry is sterilized, and inserted. Some of the jewelry is made on the premises, they can also customize items.

I was extremely pleased with my purchase; a black onyx stud, and another stud that looks like mystic topaz.

The part where he had to switch out my jewelry was extremely painful because the area was already swollen and tender. Omgoodness... it hurt SO much, but I felt no anxiety because I knew I was in good hands. Richard talked to me through the entire process, explaining exactly what was going on, and repeatedly asking me how I was feeling.

Richard also informed me that the jewelry HOI used was inexpensive and mass produced. And, of course a butterfly backing was less than ideal. They also were "off" on the angle of the piercing. He said that it was one of the worst cases he had seen from Venice Beach. He was genuinely sympathetic, and expressed that he did not want THAT experience to ruin any other future ones.

I was in incredible discomfort when it was over, but I was VERY glad I contacted and met Richard. So professional, and knowledgeable. I will be back at Anomaly during my next trip to the west coast. I also will definitely be seeing Lou at Pleasurable in a few months for new jewelry and additional piercings.