I got my second tattoo here and the artist did a great job (sorry can't remember his name). However, he made me feel like an idiot for trying to figure out how exactly I wanted my tattoo to look. I don't know if this is just how things are because of the area, but my tattoo is 10 short words ("if you try you might if you don't you won't") on my back and I felt it was way over priced.... I payed $240.
Also, I got my nose pierced here and they were rude when I asked if I could bring my friend back with me... excuse me for being nervous about a needle going through my nose.
There is (figuratively) no other tattoo studio in DC. Â It's that good. Â The management is professional, friendly, and proud to have you as a customer. Â I've had over thirty hours of work done here and I completely trust the extensive experience of the artists. Â The shop is clean and swanky. Â It's on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for: Class A work. Â As far as the bad reviews go, they all read like customers who didn't follow instructions to a "t" and are blaming the shop for how their work turned out. Â There are few businesses I could recommend any more highly than Jinx Proof. Â Check out Eric or Susan!
Review Source:This review is long overdue-
I've had mixed experiences here over the years.
I've been going here since I was 15 (!!!) for body jewelry, Provon, and advice from the very gentle and kind piercers who took pity on me. Though they never charged me, they took the time to give me great advice on how to heal the icky piercings I'd gotten from a friend of a friend, nodding understandingly and never pointing out that I was, in fact, deeply stupid for allowing a stranger to pierce various parts of my body with a safety pin.
I went here for my first tattoo when I was 18, and it still looks great. My artist was nice and didn't price gouge me, though it would've been pretty easy to do so. That same year, I started getting my piercings there- and shocker! No more problems! Everything healed beautifully.
In 2005, I got a small tattoo on my arm and my tattoo artist was a total d-bag. Seriously, just a miserable experience. However, nearly a decade later, and my tattoo looks as fresh as the day I got it.
In 2008, I called for an appointment around noon and they were able to squeeze me in at 6. They were incredibly nice and helpful, and my artist (Tim? I think?) seriously went above and beyond to help me get the exact tattoo that I wanted, but wasn't shy about pointing out what would look good and what wouldn't. The result? I got script on my feet, and I get compliments on these tattoos every single day- they are phenomenally well done and perfectly placed. I'm looking at them right now and the lines are still crisp and clean, no bleeding or blurring- which tends to happen on foot tattoos since they're constantly rubbing against your shoes. Plus he was a total doll and really pleasant to chat with for the 2 or 3 hours it took to get the work done.
His incredible skill and easygoing temperament even lead my friend and I to dub him "Captain Awesome."
Yes, they're a bit more expensive than some of the other shops in the city. I've only seen work from a handful of other places, and always direct my friends here for anything intricate.
You get what you pay for, and tattoos are not something you want to shop for bargains on!
"You want me to go to Georgetown during rush hour to get a tattoo?"
"Are you crazy?!" Might just be the follow up sentence, but we are when it comes to tattoos. Â
Yes, there is no parking; you are in Washington, D.C. and in Georgetown no less. Â This is the only thing I hate about the location, but that's not why we're going there, right?
After 2 botched tattoos at another place, my girlfriends recommended I come here and see Dave W. Â I mean, for something that's going to be permanently inked on your body for say I don't know, The Rest of Your Life, does it really hurt to bite the bullet once or twice? Â Dave does ask that you come in for a consultation appointment (no, you cannot just walk in and have him slap something on you), but it will be well worth the extra trip. Â I covered up my old tattoo with no design in mind (yes, I got one of those regrettable tattoos I just had to fix and no it was not a tramp stamp thank you very much). Â My tattoo didn't scab and peel all gross like my previous tattoo and they still look great even with all the tanning and swimming I do (I do use sun screen though). Â I hate needles and can't deal with pain (yes, I know, why am I getting a tattoo then you ask? Because I'm crazy) Â BUT, Dave keeps it light-hearted and jokes around so it was not nearly as bad as it as the first time I had it done.
I would def recommend that if you are a first-timer or a long-timing tattoo-er, you go see Dave!
I got 11 piercings here over the years. Its the only place I would go for sanitary piercing. It feels great to know that you won't get an infection just sitting in the piercing room. They always make me feel comfortable even if I'm getting a piercing in a very unusual place. They also give me any important information about my piercings aftercare. Would def recommend this place!
Review Source:Some of my well-inked friends recommended Jinx Proof to me for my third tattoo, which I needed help custom designing based on a statuette i picked up in Athens, Greece. One look at Susan's portfolio and i was sold.
i came in for a consultation and brought a lot of reference imagery, along with the statue i wanted translated. she really listened, took notes, and made me feel totally confident in the design she would come up with. compared to the larger tattoos she does, this probably seems like nothing. but it was important to me because i was getting it on very visible spot (my forearm). the inspiration was something that had come to mean a lot to me, and well, like any tattoo, it's permanent. and she treated it as such.
when i went back a few days later to get it, her design was better than i could have imagined. she had listened to everything i said. of course, there were the minor tweaks (making a line longer, repositioning, etc.) and the stencil was redone a few times to make sure i was 100% happy. but she was totally professional and did not act annoyed by it, like i have heard happen with other tattoo artists in other shops.
that really sets a good tone.
the actual tattoo process was easy, and while my tattoo was on the smaller side, it was all line work. she really took her time to make sure the lines were clean and perfect. she wasn't chit-chatting the whole time, but checked in to make sure i was doing ok and such. and when it came time to add the tiny pop of color i requested, we talked it through to make sure the ink color was exactly what i wanted. she also made a simple suggestion that while small, really made a difference to make it exactly what i had envisioned.
the result is a flawless tattoo that means a lot to me and i am so proud of. the healing was fast and hardly scabbed over. almost everywhere i go, i get compliments on it (especially the linework) and i always name drop Susan & Jinx Proof for how awesome it turned out.
the only downside is the price, but you pay for the work that you get. while i love all of my tattoos, this one is by far the best quality. for as long as i live in DC i will go back to Jinx Proof & Susan.
so bottom line: Jinx Proof is clean and the second you walk in, you can tell they are at the top of their game in this city. and go to Susan. she is incredibly talented and professional, and it is worth every penny for something that will be with you for the rest of your life.
Great shop one of the best in DC. After looking through portfolios I decided on Eric Doyle, i preferred his style over the other artists. I got an appt in 2 weeks which is pretty quick and they do take in walk ins certain days but I prefer appointments. I wanted a simple tattoo below my belly button of Japanese katakana in all red. I talked to the front test and he advised me to get a black outline, as that holds the color in place better over time. He even showed me examples on his skin of good/bad tattoo choices. I really appreciated him trying to guide me in the right direction. But when I finally had my appt I talked to artist Eric and told him I wasn't truly in love with the black outline idea so we compromised and he suggested I only have black outlines that look like drop shadows. That's what we went with and I'm very happy with the results. Side note as we were discussing tattoos lasting overtime I mentioned that I needed my forearm tattoo touched up and he immediately said "Did you get that done here? We'll touch that up free of charge!" Great customer service because real artists and shops stand behind their work and take care of clients. I had friends bargain bin for tattoos that faded after only a year and the shops they went to wanted to charge them again. I got my forearm tattoo touched up free of charge by Cynthia Rudzis at Brtish Ink, who is now at Cirque Du Rouge also in DC. Can't stress enough researching your artists, good tattoos hurt for a little bit, bad tattoos hurt for years. The pricing was very reasonable for the quality of work they do and Eric was fast, placement seemed to take forever though, as we had to get it centered.
As for the bad reviews below... This isn't a tattoo "parlor." If you come with a crowd, get out! No artist likes having a crowd of your idiot friends hanging out, maybe just one for "moral" support. The pricing isn't overpriced, quality tattoo art costs money. And the $150, per hour rate mentioned is probably something used for huge pieces not something that takes an hour. I paid just over $200 for my belly tattoo and it took no longer than an hour. Also, many shops have a minimum charge despite how "tiny" you want your tattoo.
I walked into Jinx Proof on a Sunday without an appointment in order to get a tattoo consultation. Â I had never gotten a tattoo before, so I didn't have any idea what to expect going into it. Â The two artists manning the front desk were both friendly and informative in answering my questions. Â They let me know they had an artist (Dave Waugh) who had experience doing pieces in the style I was looking for, so they booked me for the following Sunday and gave me a quote based on how much it should cost. Â Obviously having no tattoos, I had little expectations for the cost, but understood that Jinx Proof had a reputation of being on the higher-end do to it's location, artist quality and cleanliness/professionalism. Â To me, these factors were important, so I decided the price was right and made my deposit.
Fast-forward to next Sunday, Dave was ready for me early/on time, and we briefly discussed what I had in mind and he sketched something out. Â Once we settled on a final design, he let me know it would be (rather significantly) less expensive than quoted, which I respected considering I made it clear price was a non-issue and that it was my first time. Â The experience was easier and more painless than I could have hoped and he made me feel really comfortable. Â Would definitely use Dave and Jinx Proof again.
I can only speak for Dave (the tattoo artist) and the front desk guy, because they're the only two I've ever dealt with.
My husband had his first tattoo with Dave about a decade ago and loved it. He's since returned over the years and now has a full sleeve, a neck piece, chest piece, side, and hip. Obviously, he's happy with Dave's work. But he also has no basis of comparison, so his opinion isn't all-together informed.
Before meeting him though, I did have a number of tattoos from various shops around the area (none from Jinx Proof). One was so bad, it infected and scarred, leaving a semi-circle shape of indistinguishable color. People are constantly asking what it is. Other artists have varied between okay and good. But now that I've been to Jinx Proof and had Dave do the last three, I know I won't try anyone else again. Â His work is super clean, he's sanitary, and he has no attitude (Wait, that's a lie. He has plenty of attitude. But it's the kind that's funny. Nothing compared to the typical condescension you encounter in most tattoo places). Â
The guy at the desk (can't remember his name - dark haired, skinny) is incredibly nice if you know anything about tattoo receptionists (he'd probably cringe at being called a receptionist. Lol). You walk in most shops and typically suffer the punishment of every moronic question they've ever faced. It's like you want to yell at them, "I'm an astrophysicist!" (I'm not) so they'll stop treating you like you're a fool. Well Skinny-Dark-Haired Guy never does that. No matter how many fool girlfriends I bring in ;-)
It takes a little getting used to because Dave isn't a "walk-in and request him" kind of guy. You generally make an appt to consult then come back another time to execute. If you can be a little patient (for that tattoo you'll wear for all eternity), it's worth it.
Jinx does a really good job, and the only reason I'm not rating them higher is their outrageous pricing. Â Rent in Georgetown is expensive, but they really take advantage of Georgetown students, particularly those new freshman that can't wait to get something pierced or tattooed now that they don't live at home anymore.
I went to Jinx for a body piercing, one that I had already had but that I'd had to take out for surgery. Â I'd heard good things about Jinx and when it comes to body piercing you want to go somewhere you can trust. Â The place I went to the first time in NY charged $45, Jinx charged $60. Â That markup isn't that bad, but I was still disappointed. Â The piercer did a really good job, was patient as my nerves got worked up, and it didn't hurt nearly as much as the first time, so maybe the $15 was worth less pain.
I was with a friend who wanted to get her ears pierced and she figured she might as well get hers done while I got mine done. Â They wanted to charged her $60 PER EAR. $120 TO PIERCE SECOND HOLES IN TWO EARLOBES. Â That's outrageous. Â (We went to Claire's a few days later and got her ears pierced for free with the purchase of the earrings).
A few months later I went as a walk in for a tattoo. Â They were really great with changing the size of my image, but told me it would be $300 for the placement and another $100 for white ink, just as a base price. Â They also tried to talk me out of getting white ink for a solid 10 minutes, even after I told them I knew the drawbacks of white ink because I already had one and that I had personal reasons for wanting white. Â I thought it was extremely unprofessional for them to continue to talk me into getting a different tattoo when I wasn't a first-timer and it just would have been easier for them to have someone ink me that day because not all artists work with all white.
Deciding against $400 as a base price for a tattoo, I asked how much to touch a different tattoo where two lines were fading. Â I was told $60 which is as much as I paid for the tattoo in the first place.
As good as Jinx is I don't think I'll go back to them except for another body piercing, which I don't anticipate getting.
I came here to get my first ever tattoo. I was really nervous, not for the tattoo itself, but more for the idea of going somewhere new. All tattoos are walk-in only which I really liked and found more convenient than an appointment. I was greeted when I walked in and the guy at the front desk was really very helpful. I described what I wanted and they perfected it to beyond my expectations. It was in and out in about 50 minutes. It was expensive but I was happy to pay for it. The tattoo artist changed his gloves and needles several times, which made me feel so much better. I will definitely be going here for my next tattoo and plan on recommending it to all of my friends.
Review Source:This place is awesome! I got my second tattoo here, done by Susan. In October I walked in on a Thursday and they were able to make me an appointment for the next day. The guy at the front desk was really nice and gave me time to pick out exactly what script I wanted and the size. He gave me great pointers and suggestions for the particular tattoo I was getting. I had script put on my ribs, not the most pleasant place to get a tattoo as people have said, but she did an awesome job and it barely hurt! A couple places were a little more intense then others but she let me take a couple seconds to breathe for those harder areas. The final result was more than I could have asked for and I couldn't be happier with it. The tattoo means a lot to me and she did exatcly what I had pictured and more. I highly recommend this shop to other people; it was clean, organized, professional, and all around a great experience for me. My sister and her husband have also had sseveral tattoos done here and they couldn't be happier! Im about to make my next appointment to get my third tattoo! Love this shop
Review Source:DC isn't the ideal market for tattoo parlors to begin with, but I think Jinx Proof has been around for a while, and I presume the location in Georgetown with all its tourists and college students, keeps this place running.
So my take on this place is they're not the brightest folks, or highly creative - but they do a very good job with the actual inking. Also they're topnotch when it comes to scheduling appointments and hygiene (why is this so underrated when you're dealing with needles?)
I got my first tattoo here a few years ago and clearly remember them having better reviews back then. The tattoo itself happens to be one of my favorites, and I had it designed by someone else.
Go here if you have a pretty clear idea of what you want, and it's even better if you come in with your own design. I wouldn't rely on them to actually come up with the artwork though. At the end of the day, this is a decent place - but since then I've been to parlors which turned out to be so much better.
I had a super great experience with Susan and Jinx Proof in general. Susan was very cool and nice. If/when I get more work done, I will definitely go to her. She isn't very responsive by email, as stated on her website, but in person, she is awesome.
After she finished the tattoo I went in for (a lady extending from my shoulder to elbow) she offered to touch up a piece on my wrist that definitely needed it.
Anyway, good stuff. I'm happy.
I was strutting my stuff around Georgetown and felt a jonesin' for a piercin'. This happens every once in a while so I swaggered into Jinx Proof. The gentleman at the desk was swift with his paperwork production and explanation. I signed the appropriate forms, had my ID scanned and was promptly whisked back by the gracious piercer. He was very professional and a fellow healthcare provider. I was all a-flutter but his calm voice kept me relatively grounded. Before I knew it, I was flat on my back with a needle through my nose. What a magician. Done!
Review Source:Susan did a half sleeve for me about a year ago and I get compliments on it daily. Every time I enter a tattoo parlor, the other artists want to know who did it. Â Her attention to detail and skill at line and color has made my sleeve a true work of art. Also, the front desk staff are friendly and remember my name and keep a clean shop. A+ work.
Review Source:Could not have been happier with my first tattoo experience. Walked in without an appointment and was almost immediately accommodated. Eric made sure to walk me through the process step by step, and did so with a great sense of humor that put me at ease. The work itself was flawless. Wouldn't go anywhere else.
Review Source:HORRIBLE customer service. This is ESPECIALLY important when getting something permanent put on your body.
Came in with a group of five friends. We were all looking to get something very small and not intricate (something quick; more so for the experience). Guy at the front desk said that they had slots open and could get us in until 8 otherwise it would have to be after that (we got there a few minutes to 5). Cool. Once we decide what we want and are ready to go, he states, "You all smell like alcohol, I'll have to ask the artist if they will take you". Here's the kicker....We hadn't been drinking...He comes back and says, "I asked them and they won't take you."
I will NEVER go somewhere where my business is not welcome or wanted. There are other/better shops in the city.
Perfect & exactly what I was looking for! Â Short, CLEAN, and professional experience.
I popped in Sunday afternoon w/o an appt to have a piercing removed. Â Jinx was clean and sanitary. Â A gentlemen at the counter rang me right up, only $20 + tip, another gentleman walked me to the back, removed my piercing and I was on my merry way! Â
Within 15 mins of arriving I was out the door less one piercing!
I have gotten my tragus and belly button pierced here, as well as a small tattoo. The tragus and belly button were $50 and $70, respectively, and were quick, as painless as can be, and well done.
The tattoo took about 20 minutes to do and cost $150. You can certainly find someone to do it for less, but this is something you want to ensure it's done well--and it was done very well.
My friend and I came in for piercings with Cheyne this week.
Pros:
-Good receptionist both on the phone and in person
-Very reasonable pricing compared to shops in Foggy Bottom
-No appointment necessary
-Private piercing room
-Very quick (if a little hasty) piercing job
-The piercing seems to have come out well
Cons:
-Sparse jewelry selection (but good quality Neometal etc.)
-Piercer only changed gloves once, no covering was used on the piercing table
-Slightly dismissive attitude from the staff (we're tattooless college girls)
-Aftercare instructions and communication about the piercing were brief
-While I specifically sought out Jinx Proof to do a nostril piercing with a CBR as initial jewelry, the piercer did not inform me of the risks of using a ring rather than a stud. I studied the risks myself, and would caution others to read up on appropriate jewelry as the studio is unlikely to inform you otherwise.
Have I had better experiences getting pierced before? Definitely. This place isn't APP certified, and I've been pierced in studios that were more cautious about their sterilization than a doctor's office. Jinx Proof isn't unsanitary by any means, but a little more effort would have put my mind at ease.
That being said, would I come back? Maybe. The price is definitely right, and I have no glaring complaints. But I might be more likely to spend the extra cash to go elsewhere if it means I get a piercer and environment that are a step above "just okay".
Went in for a walk-in on a Saturday around 1 with a friend. First time getting a tattoo and between that and not looking like the typical customer, I was worried about attitude but we were treated very well.
We had designs that the person at the front helped us completely transform into great tattoos. I brought in three words in a typewriter font that wasn't going to work very well so he typed it up in their house font, slightly altered to make it more my style (offset and grungier). He consulted with the artist and shrank it down as far as they could make it while keeping the integrity of the lettering.
Susan was my artist and she took her time applying and reapplying the stencil to my skin to get the placement absolutely perfect. She asked my opinion but I mostly let her work. She was friendly and answered all my questions fully. She worked fast and it didn't hurt very much (inner upper arm). The care instructions were very clear and I was given plenty of ointment.
I am very pleased with the experience. It looks fantastic and is healing perfectly. Yes, it's pricey but the place is immaculate, the staff is professional, the artists are experienced, talented and pleasant.
Karl gave me 2 tattoos, one each on each upper thigh. Tattoos hurt... A lot... And Karl talked and joked with me through it all. Â I cannot stress enough how amazing his bedside manner is! At the end of it all, I felt like a brave girl who may have called him a jerkface because of the pain. He laughed and said I'm doing great which helped me forge ahead. Karl was very professional, a perfectionist and did a great job on my tattoos. The staff in the front were very receptive and helpful as well.
Great staff, great artist...great place.
I will not go anywhere else to get a tattoo and I would strongly suggest the same to others. Those that don't like this place must have stinky attitudes. You can't please everyone, but I'm sure Jinx pleases most.
two thumbs up
After reading other reviews I'm a little disappointed they're getting a bad rap for charging higher prices and asshole employees. . .
My husband and I are both loyal clients of Jinx proof. We have never been disappointed. Â I've seen Tim, Eric and Matthew. The shop is always very accommodating as far as scheduling goes and in very clean condition.
I am looking to have a cover up done in the coming months-i will update after.
let's begin this with one word summary : DISAPPOINTED
disappointed in what:
disappointed in the fact that a business owner would hire that "manager" to "manage" a "business" with his lack of interest in my issue or the fact that some of their employees are sexually advancing their patrons, Â showing them pictures of their wife spread eagle, on her back, naked with another woman on top of her putting her fingers where the sun doesn't shine, making me 30-45 minutes late on multiple occasions because he is flirting with every skirt that comes in contact with him. Â
this person is displeased i asked for another artist to fix his work and the other artist accepted the challenge but asked me to come on the other days he's not working. Â so much for that, huh? Â your fragile ego was bruised a little? Â
i am not so sure the owner would be happy to know about this stuff and all the other treasures i've got on my multiple visits to this tattoo shop because i've got a list. Â i'm also sure the owner would not like the fact that the "manager" allowed a couple thousand dollars walk out the front door because of someone's douchebaggery attitude.
that's just it...... i come across many people in my line of work that constantly ask me about my tattoos and i have for a couple of years sent them to this shop. Â i, now, only have negative feelings towards this place and can not, in good conscience, send my clients to these people who want to get tattooed. Â this is not the only game in town...
i just don't understand why some tattoo artists are so egomaniacal, rude, and very UNbusiness-like. Â yes, it is not a cubicle in an office but some rules of professionalism still apply. Â as a business owner myself i am honestly appalled at how this business is run. Â honestly, you've lost a great client and a great reference!
I had my nose ring done there. I have a phobia of needles and it was quick and painless. Anyone thinking about it I would suggest going. I was in and out within the 30minutes and the tech was great! Cheynee Truitt was my tech and he was great. Thanks Jinx Proof. I will be back for a tattoo. I just have to get my courage up for that one. LOL
Review Source:I got my first tattoo here and I doubt I could have picked a better place. Sharon was very nice and made the entire process a breeze. I got an inscription on my chest and she really did an awesome job with it. From the looks of the place, the shop is very clean and professional and makes for a comfortable experience. Also, she was nice enough to give me a starters kit for the after care.
Review Source:What can be said in a SHORT summery about Jinx Proof that hasn't been said before? Â Everyone has a different experience based on their own tattoo or piercing so writing a review based on one ultra bad piercing or super awesome tattoo seems lame to me... BUT, I am going to give it a try and try not to base it on the tattoo that I got.
First, How did I hear about JINX PROOF - WORD OF MOUTH, so they must be pretty good... Â But I did not hear so much about JINX PROOF as I heard about Susan & Eric at Jinx Proof. Â Their work speaks for itself...
Next, I did some Internet research (as all people should do before getting a tattoo) and then I did the shop inspection to make an appointment. Â I had seen the work of Susan & Eric in person so I made an appointment with Susan. Â She had a cancellation so I was able to get in within a week - THIS IS RARE, usually they are booked for a specific person for 3-4 weeks out. Â I talked with the shop manager about what I wanted, and he also gave me the shop's email address if I wanted to make any changes or if I wanted to get in touch with Susan... All is good up until this point. Â
I did email the shop a few days later with some changes (i.e. making the tattoo smaller) and did not hear back from them. Â When I went in for my appointment, Susan had not seen my email and did not know of the changes. Â This made the appointment longer and just got the day off to a bad start. Â Susan did a GREAT job and I am VERY SATISFIED with the work that she did.
With that being said, Â the shop did quote me a price when i went in for the visit. Â I ended up getting a smaller tattoo than I originally set out for and was charged the same price. Â I was getting inked for approximately 60 mins (single color - black only) and was charged $350!!!! Â This is INCREDIBLY HIGH PRICED. Â I know DC is expensive but this is outrageous.
The GOOD: Â The Shop is clean and Susan was a GREAT! Â She made me feel very comfortable and did a great job understanding exactly what my vision was for the tattoo.
The BAD: The shop seems a bit disorganized - they did not respond to email
The UGLY: Â The PRICE!!! Â The Average Price (of course depending on detail, etc...) should be $150/hour... Jinx Proof is WELL Above this... Â
OVERALL: Â The TATTOO is great and I will be living with that for the rest of my life but I will NOT be headed back to Jinx Proof for another ink job b/c of the disorganization & the PRICE! Â If Susan went somewhere else (and was a reasonable price) I would DEFINITELY see her again.
I got my nose pierced here this summer, and it was such a professional, pain-free experience. Â My piercer was serious about his work, but he also didn't come across as pretentious. Â I have a pretty intense needle phobia, but I felt really relaxed and as if I was in good hands. Â The pricing is totally reasonable, and I was in and out of there in no time! Thinking about going back for a tattoo...
Review Source:Came to Jinxproof recently after doing a bit of research into tattoo shops in DC, and found the experience professional and pleasant enough. The shop itself is what you would expect in Georgetown, clean and well set-up (I've definitely been to grittier). The semi-private workstations are a nice touch. The charge for my piece seemed to be slightly higher than other places, but good artists charge a fair price for their work and I didn't mind this in the least (I also suspect the commercial rent on M street may also have something to do with this, but the location is good).
This was not my first tat, and I brought in a few designs already drawn for me that I was considering. The gentleman at the front counter was kind enough to bring my designs down to the right size so I could decide on exactly what I wanted before I paid my deposit (the full charge) for the tattoo up front. I went on a Sunday, and while it was busy, I was able to schedule my tattoo to be done later that afternoon and entertained myself in the Georgetown area until then.
One my return, I was promptly taken back by Susan, who was friendly and professional. She made sure the tat was where and how I wanted it, that I was positioned comfortably, offered me some advice on an older tat of mine, and the tat itself went off without a hitch. I wouldn't describe her as a hand-holder, so if you think you need that, you may prefer someone else, but I found her to be just fine. She didn't have a heavy hand with the needle, and I am VERY happy with the tat itself. It's healing well, looks beautiful, and I would (and likely will) go back to Jinxproof for a tattoo again. Definitely a fan!
I got my tragus pierced here by Cheyne and he did it flawlessly. I was really nervous about the pain and, in retrospect, I'm embarrassed by how much of a weenie I was! The people here were chill and Cheyne made conversation while doing my piercing so that I was distracted. He's done thousands of tragus piercings so just imagine how many piercings in general he's done. By all means, I'm DEFINITELY coming here for additional piercings and I can't wait!!
Review Source:I am terrified of needles, so in an attempt to face that fear I decided to get a tattoo.
I heard great things about Jinx Proof while I went to school in DC. The artist who did my tattoo (Tad) made me feel comfortable from the beginning through his professionalism and his friendly demeanor. The tattoo came out perfectly! Afterwards, he gave me a kit and instructions on how to take care of the tattoo while it was healing. It was a great experience and I can't wait to go back!
Before a week ago I did not have a tattoo. Actually if you ask most people who know me I did not seem like someone who would have a tattoo or get one.
I wanted to get a certain design on my leg to celebrate an achievement and I brought in a design. TJ was the first face I saw and he was extremely helpful. He told me some of the problems with the design and how we could address them as well as helped me choose an artist that could help me.
When I returned to get my tattoo done I chose to get it done by Tim who was a complete professional. Being my first tattoo I asked a lot of questions and Tim put me at complete ease by answering each one and being an utmost professional.
The tattoo ended up being beautiful. If you are looking for a tattoo in the DMV area this is the place to go.
Thanks Tim!
Jinx Proof is pretty legit. They do good work (I've gotten my first 2/3 tattoos done here).
They're professional, the shop is clean, and you definitely pay for it. I'd suggest them for extremely intricate/detailed work only. If you just need something simple, there's other places that won't break the bank and will do a quality job.
let me start by saying that i have had three tattoo sessions here, with one artist only......
This is where you go and get a tattoo if you don't know where to go get a tattoo. by that i mean if it is your first tattoo or don't know or have not seen other artist's works go here because you will not be disappointed.
Its a bit pricey though......the quality is 9/10.......you get what you pay for.....and tattoos are one of those things you can be cheap on.....
Shop around and see other artists work.....but definitely check this place out......
I decided to get my first tattoo about a month ago. After some research (thanks yelp!), my friend and I decided to give Jinx Proof in Georgetown a shot.
As a hater of most (all) things Georgetown, I was pleasantly surprised by this little shop. My friend and I stopped by around 3pm on a Saturday for walk-in appts. We had to wait about 3.5 hours for our appointments, but we came expecting a wait so it was fine.
This being my first time, I didnt really know what to expect as far as the process or how it would feel. My artist was Eric and he was absolutely fantastic! He took my generic google image and made it gorgeous and perfect. Eric also walked me through the whole procedure and was very patient with me being a big baby about it. Getting the tattoo did not hurt nearly as bad as I had thought it would (but I definitely have a new found respect for people with extensive tattooing).
My poppy tattoo on my hip took about 40 minutes to complete and cost $220. My friend only had a word written on her wrist and that cost her $100. Friends have said that Jinx Proof is a little on the spendy side but for great service and a wonderful product, I am more than happy to pay a little extra.
I highly recommend Jinx Proof and Eric - I know I will be going back!
If you call tattoos "Tats", or "Ink" and/or watch LA Ink, or any of those other retarded shows on TLC this shop is probably not the place for you.
However if you want to be tattooed by actual artists, with knowledge and respect for the craft of tattooing then you have come to the right place. I defy you to find another shop in DC that has a staff of artists with this much experience , expertise, and artistic skill. Not to mention a constant rotation of world renowned guest artist. With that said, getting a tattoo is not like bargain hunting for a new shirt. Let the portfolio dictate who does the tattoo not the price. If you are looking for the cheapest tattoo for the cheapest price you probably should not get a tattoo in the first place, and maybe should stick to henna or getting airbrushed the next time you go to Ocean City.
If you are still hellbent on bargain hunting for a tattoo...Take note; Jinx Proof does laser tattoo removal. You will definitely need that, especially if you go somewhere else in DC to get tattoo.
I'm not the type of person you'd find rating a tattoo place. Â I came for a ear piercing (which apparently is the best place), and though I ultimately didn't get it done, I'm rating them for excellent service!
I'm one of those people that never got my ears pierced (like the normal stuff you get at Claire's when you're 12), so thought about doing it before my wedding. Â It turns out that you should wait 3 months before removing the sterile studs, not enough time for me to put in some prettier earings as I wanted.
The receptionist was helpful, but not only that, he called the piercer from inside and she also walked me through my options. Â They were great about not pressuring me to do it and said "just come back after your wedding." Â For that, I'm a fan.
Expensive but worth it. I went here for my first tattoo, not really sure where else to go. I knew it was very clean, which is all I cared about. But once there, I saw how professional and friendly everyone was. Plus, they're very good. The design is exactly what I wanted. The tattoo artist also had an incredibly steady hand. Would go again.
Review Source:quite possibly the most professional, helpful, friendly, efficient, and reasonably priced tattoo shop experience of my life... even though i was going for removal and not at tattoo. Â
living in philly, there aren't many options for tattoo removal beyond going to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon... all of which charge for a consultation, take weeks to get an appointment, have a generally bitchy staff, and are priced at at minimum of $300 per session. Â so, after getting some tattoo rehab on my 10-year-old chest pieces, my well-educated, highly experienced, and incredibly helpful tattoo artist recommended Jinx Proof in DC. Â i looked them up online and read karl's bio. Â his resume of experience as a tattoo artist and laser tattoo remover convinced me that this is the time, place, and person i need.
i called to make an appointment. Â the helpful and super nice staff explained that karl does walk-ins starting at 1:30 on saturdays. but could schedule an appointment for me considering i was coming from out of town. Â how nice! Â i showed up 30 minutes late due to traffic and when i called to say i was late, i was assured it would not be a problem. Â when we arrived at the shop nuzzled right on the main strip of georgetown, the lobby was clean, open, and hip. Â the desk guy got me processed and before i knew it i was taken back to the laser room with karl himself.
he set me up in the table, examined my tramp stamp punk band tattoos, and quoted me a price of $150 for the session. Â $150!!! Â for two three-inch back tattoos. Â amazing. Â Â
now, i'm rating this business based on my experience and service. Â but if i had to rate getting laser tattoo removal alone, i'd have to give it negative 1,000,000,000 ... stars. Â this procedure was by far the most painful experience of my life. Â i have never had natural drug-free childbirth, but i wonder if it rivals that level of pain. Â it felt like knives were being carved into my back. Â i'm not typically a crier from pain, but i sobbed, i moaned, i sweated, i convulsed. Â kids, think about your tattoos before you get them.... seriously.... you don't want this.
anyway, poor karl had to deal with my wuss ass for the next five minutes of the procedure.  yeah, i said five minutes.  i thought it would take at least a half hour.  the laser hits a large area for about 10 seconds at a time, or for however long he thinks you can take it.  and for my tattoo size, i was hit about 10 times each.  he let me breathe and collect myself between each blast.  when it was over i cried in his face for a good 5 additional minutes, which he sweetly listened too and gave my kind words of sympathy.  he gave me care instructions and led me through the shop out to the front.  he brought out a little care package with bandages and ointment.  he gave me his card  and insisted i call if i have any questions.  i wanted to give him a hug, but refrained. Â
the desk guy saw how upset i was and compassionately compared notes on the experience; he was in the process of having his neck and arm tattoos removed. Â in retrospect, i should have tipped more than i did. Â till next time.. Â i need 2 - 3 more treatments... ugh...
First I want to say, after being in Jinx many times, and after reading some negative reviews: Don't confuse matter-of-factness or wanting to get things done with rudeness. I don't believe the staff is rude at all. If you want someone to hold your hand through the process, you might want to check out another shop. If cleanliness, experience and professionalism are important to you, choose Jinx.
I got double conch piercing with John. I have no complaints except I wish they had more of a jewelry selection. John was kind, patient and efficient and everything healed nicely. I'd recommend the place as it was very clean, the staff knowledgeable, and the prices aren't bad.
Easily the best shop in the D.C area. Â The staff of the shop is very professional and attentive to any concerns you might have. Â You can tell that everyone in the shop takes great pride in their work and it shows with all of the amazing work that the shop turns out. Â
Jinx Proof is the most well known shop in the area so they don't need my review but reading over some of these reviews I have a few gripes with how people view the shop and tattoo shops in general......
Some friendly reminders
If you walk into a tattoo shop and feel the people working there are rude or you don't get a good vibe from them DON'T GET TATTOOED OR PIERCED THERE! Â If you don't follow that advice and go through with your tattoo or piercing things aren't going to magically improve for you and you will log onto Yelp and cry about it. Â
Bad service and bad food is one thing but you are making an "adult" decision to permanently scar your body. Â Get your head in the game and be a little more level headed. Â You are getting a tattoo not buying cupcakes. Â There are plenty of other tattoo shops in the area that may work out better for you.
I have tattoos done with them, and they look good. But total rip off. I didn't know how much I had been ripped off--but I took a friend to the Baltimore Tattoo Museum today. My friend is working on a half sleeve, and got half the work done today for $500--two colors, a lot of intricate art and shading,
I got two tattoos with Jinx Proof two weeks ago---my tattoos are symbols/iconography--very small and simple, and I paid $300.
I feel if I had gone to BTM, I would've paid $100-$150. BTM is really clean, and extremely professional--so if I get another tattoo, that's where I am going.
I won't be going back to Jinx Proof  ever again. Plus, parking in Georgetown is a $20 nightmare.
Jinx Proof is clean and conveniently located. Those are the only positive aspects of my experiences there.
I received an eyebrow piercing at Jinx on my 18th birthday. The woman at the door was awesome-- she was friendlier than anyone else I've encountered in there. The entire process was fast, easy, and reasonably priced. Uneducated as I was, however, I did not know that Jinx Proof pierced me with a straight barbell, which is more likely to be rejected by the body. After 2 months my piercing pushed itself out and left me with a lovely pearly-white scar.
This was not the most horrendous experience of my life though I decided to never return there. Unfortunately, my resolve wavered when my best friend convinced me to return to the shop to get my back piece done. He was good friends with the guy who ran the shop and promised they'd help me find someone who'd do a phenomenal job converting my drawing to ink. I returned hopeful to work with someone who does a baller job with color.
The day of my appointment, the artist and I start late because he kept picking up work with walk-in clients even though I arrived at the store on time. First, it was a girl who wanted a sparrow on her wrist. Then her 3 friends wanted to get the exact same thing right there and then. After all 4 had their sparrows, one girl decides she wants a little heart and (you guessed it) her friends follow suit. At first I didn't mind the wait, but it became one among many issues with the process.
As I had hoped, the tattoo I have has vibrant color that has not faded over time. Unfortunately, the color does not always meet the black outlines of the tattoo. On top of that, I noticed immediately when he showed me the tattoo in the mirror that there were many spots in the wings where he overextended the lines. All from a guy whose portfolio says he's been at this a while.
Finally, to sweeten the deal, as I signed the credit card slip to pay the $200 bill that the artist and I agreed upon before he touched my skin, the owner (yes, the very same one who set me up with that gem of an artist in the first place) decided my tattoo was $225 worth of work. Even though I explained I was paying full price despite the mistakes in execution, he tried to make me pay additional money for work that was clearly sub par. Though I won the 10-minute argument that ensued, I still feel like I lost as I had to return home to have the garbage done to me cleaned up.
Love this shop. I was introduced to Karl and the rest of the bunch through another friend. Â I just moseyed on into the shop one day and introduced myself to Karl and dropped our mutual friend's name. We talked for a bit, and I've been considering getting some work done.
I already have a lot so the question isn't why, or by who. It's WHERE THE HECK am I going to put it!
Having said that - I've been in a LOT of shops. Â some I wouldn't sit down in for fear of Hep. Â You can practically eat off the floors in this shop. Not only that but the custom work is pretty freakin sick....lot's of flash to look at too if you're into that.
The piercing info they have is great, along with the piercer there. Â Jewelry is a bit pricey but usually is everywhere.
I give this 5 stars up. Â =)
Not really an expert on piercing, and I haven't been to other piercing/tattoo places in DC, so I can't compare. I came here to get my belly pierced ($50) and they got the job done. It was clean, professional, and quick. I was happy with the job and would recommend it to all my fellow Yelpers!
Review Source:This was my first tattoo, so I'm no expert, but I can't imagine my experience going any better.
I arrived shortly after they opened on Saturday (it's walk-in day). There was already a line of about 6 people ahead of me - with a few already checked in and waiting to be called. When I finally got to the counter the guy (wish I had gotten his name) was really nice and super helpful. We talked about the tattoo I wanted and he told me the cost (a bit pricier than I was expecting - but I'd rather pay a bit extra to have an awesome tattoo/experience). I paid, filled out the paperwork and he told me to come back at 2:45.
Came back at 2:45 (even though the U.S. v. England game was on) and ended up having to wait until about 3:15 to see Eric. Eric was awesome. He talked to me about the design I wanted (I came in with a few ideas/pictures but nothing he could just copy), sketched up a version, talked to me some more and sketched up a second version. I ended up liking the second version, so we went with that. I went back to the booth and told him it was my first tattoo. He made me totally comfortable, told me to relax and talked to me through the whole thing, telling me to let him know if it was getting to be too painful. He did great work. I couldn't be happier with it. And he really cared whether I was happy. I would recommend him to anyone - he was really great.
The place is clean and bright. Eric put all the needles/etc. together while I was sitting with him, so I knew they were sterile.
Everyone that I interacted with was really friendly. No looking down their noses as some have mentioned - and definitely not assholes. In fact, I forgot to tip Eric (so excited about my new tattoo, I guess) and when I called to make sure he was working the next day, the guy who answered laughed and assured me I wasn't an asshole. When I went in the next day, the guy smiled really big and told me he'd give my note to Eric himself.
My whole experience was great. I'm definitely going back to Eric for my future tattoo needs.
I've been getting tattoos for almost 20 years (yikes, I'm dating myself here), though none of them have been performed at Jinx Proof. Maybe one day, but for now I have an artist, even if he unfortunately lives 250 miles away.
At any rate, my first few tattoos were not the best thought out in terms of design or placement, and one or two of them were done poorly to boot. Now that I'm older and have much better tattoos, I am getting some of the old, unwanted ones removed by Karl Hedgepath to make room for better art.
Let's just preface this with getting laser removal is not pleasant. In fact, I'd use a string of expletives to describe it. It sucks, plain and simple. Karl is really reassuring, helpful, and professional. I hate the process, but I really enjoy going to him because he knows what he's doing, and he's willing to answer whatever questions are thrown at him. The prices for the services are great (especially compared to a doctor's office), too.
If you're looking to get some removal done, I have to give a huge recommendation for Karl. He is only there a few days a week (and not by appointment), so call ahead to check the schedule and get your ass down there.
Jinx Proof is the gold standard of tattoo parlors in DC, as far as I'm concerned. Since I'd only gotten one tattoo before (and that was 15 years ago), I asked several people for their recommendations. A good friend of mine told me Jinx Proof was the place to go, and I couldn't be happier with their work! They were fast, professional and friendly. The best part was it didn't hurt at all - in fact the whole process was kind of relaxing.
Jinx Proof doesn't make appointments during weekends, so you basically walk in and talk to them about what you're looking for, and they tell you how long it will be until they can see you. This means you have to be a bit flexible, but since it's located in the heart of Georgetown, you can walk around and do some shopping while you wait.
I will say that the staff there is pretty strict about not letting anyone else in the room with you while you're getting your tattoo, so if it's your first time or you need moral support, I'd recommend going elsewhere for that reason alone. But otherwise, I'm not sure you can go wrong with Jinx Proof!
When I usually request a tattoo, I think of it at a moment's notice, and in the case of my calculator tattoo, I thought of it two days before I wanted to get it. This was in 2004.
The lady who helped me out, though, was forgiving of my hurried nature, and pumped out an excellent sketch based on my thoughts. Her line work, to this day, is still prominent. Not only this, but since this was my first tattoo with fill-in and on a sensitive part of my arm, she guided me through the process step by step. Helped out a lot with the pain as at the time I was a wimp.
Due to my own tattoo negligence, it needs touch-up work after I picked at it. Bad me! :( I'd go back again, really. But the entire experience was a blur in my mind as I had requested the tattoo so fast.
I got my nose pierced with John, who is a consummate professional. Â He was confident, quick, and explained every step of the way. Â He was really nice and made me feel at ease and in good hands.
The facility was clean, and everyone was friendly and pleasant. Â I would recommend John to anyone for piercings!
I've wanted an industrial piercing for as long as I can remember, but since I had a cartilage ring put in my freshman year of college (see Zebra Tattoo Review, December 2007) I never got around to seriously considering it. But when my jewelry fell out a few weeks ago, I figured that after almost 8 years with a discrete, "I did this at Claire's" piercing it was time for something new and a little bit bolder. So after years of mulling it over, I decided to go for it.
I did a little research and John seemed to have the most experience and best word-of-mouth recommendations of anyone in the area. And he checks out- I tried my best to finagle a smaller piece of initial jewelry (something in a 16 gauge), but he echoed what I found out online about how the piercing does better when you starting out with a larger, 14 gauge piece.
The actual process itself was both much more and much less painful than I thought it'd be. I remember my first cartilage piercing as over in a snap, but I also heard the horror stories about how painful the industrial piercing is. John knew all the right things to say/do to quickly get the jewelry in (take a deep breath during the actual piercing) without it being all that bad. Sure it was pretty sore for a day or so after, but at a week out the piercing is doing pretty well. The whole thing took about 5 minutes, plus some extra time to clean the piercing.
The store itself is a very clean, nice, brightly-lit tattoo parlor. My tattoo newbie friend was a little startled by all the flash on the walls, but I thought it was pretty par for course. On a Sunday afternoon, there were about 3-4 people waiting for tattoos and one girl ahead of me to be pierced.
** Note: One important thing to keep in mind is that Jinx Proof does not allow anyone other than the person getting work done to go into the back where the stations are set up. I'm torn on what to think about this. On one hand, I've had friends accompany me and I've accompanied friends when getting stuff done and there's something to be said about the experience of doing something like this with someone meaningful. On the other hand, there could be health reasons or just pure distraction for the artists. Plus, some people might want a more quiet environment without girls chit-chatting about other girls in their sorority.
My friend and I got tattoos less than a week ago and I'm not crazy about the place or the artists, although my friend LOVED the ink she got. The prices are a bit higher than the other places we checked out (Fatty's, Tattoo Paradise), but since we figured our ink would be on us forever (and they were the only ones who could take us) we decided to go with them since we wanted quality tats.
The guy behind the desk reminded us of Johnny Depp in "Edward Scissorhands" and he was nice and knowledgable. He's also the only person who prices the tattoos, to keep prices fair and even. My beef is with my artist, Tony, whose demeanor is off-putting and sort of pressures you into doing what he wants. My tattoo came out pretty good - lines and color were great - but he didn't listen to me about placement, size, or which photo I wanted my art worked off of. He's a great artist as evidenced by the artwork on his walls, but I wish I had a different artist, one who would have listened to what I wanted.
I don't know if this is generally what they do with walk-ins, but they didn't let us choose our artist, nor do they allow even one person back there. Even though it wasn't crowded and both of us were getting inked, my friend and I couldn't be there to offer moral support. I completely understand if it was crowded or the artist didn't want a bunch of distracting people, but we were both back there anyway and the policy just doesn't make sense.
However, I do believe it's a DC thing. Tattoo Paradise doesn't allow anyone else back there either, but Fatty's does! If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't let Tony ink me and I don't know if I'd ever go back to Jinxproof again. Getting inked is permanent and when you're in a vulnerable position you want someone you feel comfortable with, not someone who's not willing to listen to you. You don't want to be afraid he/she will screw up your tat since you disagree with them.
Other than that, I'd say Jinxproof is a good shop. It's clean, bright (sort of sterile looking) and the artists and front desk seem knowledgable. Just don't go see Tony, unless you don't mind being condescended to!
I got my nose pierced in September 2008 on a whim at a shop in Arlington. Nearly a week later, it came out. Â I went back to that shop for a repiercing. I think it became infected in the interim. Â Two weeks later, it came out again while I was out of town. No more, no more...[cue the sad violins]...
I missed that diamond! I heard good things about Jinx, so I walked in on a Saturday afternoon in February for a redux. Â I am so glad I did!
All the staff were very friendly. The shop was packed, but I waited only 15 minutes and browsed at tattoos and talked to other shop patrons in the meantime.
John Mutchler, master piercer, was very friendly and put me at ease. I was ready to roll less than 5 minutes after hitting the piercing deck. He gave me a handout detailing the post-piercing care and offered to answer any questions I had.
I have had the piercing from Jinx for 5.5 months now and I've experienced no problems. Â I'm a very satisfied customer.
I would give it a 5 but I haven't used them to much yet... so ill update once my tattoo is done. I got my 2nd ear piercing and one other thing pierced, i really like this shop. It cleans, upbeat, not sketchy either! Which is always a plus.
The staff is super friendly and came highly recommended by friends and fam who have gotten things pierced at Jinx proof. There quick and efficient too. Which I like! So ill be back forsure for my 2nd tattoo!
I got my first four tattoos here, and each time has been a very pleasant experience in a positively sterile environment. My very first time was definitely the best, with Susan. It was like a visit to the dentist as a child, she sat me down and told me everything she would do and the importance of each step. She let my friend hold my hand. And I even got a lollipop.
This first design was very basic (three red stars on my wrist... yes, for DC), so I can't comment on her work, although her personal botanical tats were gorgeous. By the time I was ready to get fancier with tats #3 and #4, Tony did a wonderful job on both. They weren't custom pieces, but he captured both really well (Haida art by Moy Sutherland and a decorative scroll lifted from a historical design book). The artists are very professional in both their demeanors and attitudes toward their work, and are receptive to your ideas and concerns.
I have also gotten a tragus piercing here, which was quick and painless.
A warning on the flash: If you decide to go with a Chinese character, make sure you do your research, instead of trusting that the flash on the wall is correct. I remember seeing the same character for "father" and "rat," so know your Chinese before you go!
I'd been looking for a place out here to get some work done. I'd heard of multiple little hole in the wall sounding shops, but Jinx Proof was the name repeated more than a couple of times.
As a tester, I went and got something un-huge done. Not bad. The price was alright. A little more spendy than some places I've been to, but that's just d.c. for you.
The guy working the appointment desk was very nice and made you feel comfortable. (You know... as opposed to those rude asses who basically think that everyone who walks through the door is unworthy or something.) My tattoo artist was a pretty good guy too.
Shortly after my visit there, my girlfriend went and got her first tattoos ever, actually. They turned out very good. The guy (older guy. forget his name) who worked on her took his time to draw and re-draw the design to her liking. He was patient, non-condescending toward her questions and gave her just what she was looking for. We both had good experiences and we'll certainly be back.
i've been getting my half sleeve done here for the past few months, and my artist has been tony morrell, who is awwweeessooome. Â he's been very sweet, and has been doing a kick ass job on my tat. Â haven't really had the experience of the guys that work there being assholes. Â i've always had fun when i'm there.
all the artists are definitely damn good at their job. Â i've seen others' getting their tats done, and everyone is really amazing at tattooing.
i don't know if it has anything to do with me knowing exactly what i want tattooed and all that kind of stuff, but i've had good experiences here. Â i'll def be going back for more...
I had my lip pierced there. The piercer was a pleasant, alright guy. Nothing really special about him. I believe his name was John. Either way, the piercing was amazing, perfect place and well done. The receptionist, perhaps he's an artist was alright. Overall, I'm not impressed with the lack of effort to make a connection with customer. Nothing's wrong with the location, the floors/walls/counters were very clean, the piercing room was clean as well. But to get me to become a regular not only with piercings but perhaps with tattoos, I'm going to need a bigger smile, more talking and a better attitude.
I am a tattoo/piercing shop's best client. I will buy recommended products, I will buy better, more expensive jewelry and i will certainly spend more money on body art if I am convinced to do so. I did not walk out of Jinx Proof convinced.
Again, the piercing I had done was fantastic but I will not be returning for any other services.
A-OK sounds about right. Â I've had 3 tattoos done at Jinx's because previously, I hadn't really known where to go. Â The people that work here are ASSHOLES. Â That's what I'll say first, because that is what sticks in my mind. Â Just because I'm a young, borderline preppy woman, they've always looked down their noses at me even though I have 6 tattoos. Â The tattooists I've been with have been perfectly nice, but the people that work the desk just look like they can't be bothered.
The tattoos I've gotten have been good. Â Two of them have had to be retouched, but luckily they offer retouching free if you get your tat there. Â The third has not needed retouching. Â Colby was the best guy I've had tattoo me (the only one that didn't need retouching). Â He didn't really talk too much, but then again that means he wasn't snarky. Â I don't know if he's still there, but I like him.
The price is fairly standard for DC - pretty expensive, but not terribly out of touch with DC prices. Â I've since discovered Fatty's (see my review) which has great people, so I probably wouldn't go back to Jinx's, but they don't do a terrible job of tattooing.
Absolutely horrible customer service. Â Truly the worst I have experienced in D.C.
I had my tongue pierced and when I arrived in D.C. for an internship in the summer of 2004, I decided to take out my tongue ring for my internship. Â Fast forward a few days. Â The nonprofit I worked at was pretty laidback so I decided I'd get a less conspicuous piece of jewelry and put it back in. Â Walked past Jinx one afternoon and decided I'd take a look.
I walked in, went to the counter and started to look at the jewelry.  The guy who was supposed to be manning the counter and assisting customers, ignored me and kept chatting with this girl who was around the corner in an area in the back of the store.  "Excuse me," I said politely after a few minutes, (There was no one else in the store) "Can I have some help?"  Begrudgingly, he came over and was like "What?"  As I asked to see different pieces, he continuously sighed and acted like I was bothering him - hello! this is your job!!  Then when I found one I liked, he was like what size gauge?  And I had to admit I had no idea.  He was like then I can't help you and walked away.  This is when I decided not to be so polite anymore.  "Wow, thank you soooooo much for your help.  That was fantastic."  And he was like "Whatever."  I walked out  fuming.  It feels pretty horrible to be dismissed so blatantly.  It was unbelievably rude. Â
Outside, my friends were saying, "Don't worry about that guy. Â He's a jerk, and really how cool can he be - he works at a tattoo shop on M Street - he's not exactly as hardcore as he thinks." Â They were right - I calmed down and had a great afternoon. Â But to this day, I refuse to set foot in Jinx. Â Life's too short to subject yourself to their negative energy.
Jinx Proof is a great place to get a tattoo! They just changed locations (a few doors down) and the new studio is very clean and one of the nicest tattoo places I have been to,
I highly reccommend Tim. I liked his work so much, I have been to him twice. He was very friendly and professional. I was a little nervous the first time, and he was great at calminig me down and talking me through all of the things he was going to do. He also uses a quiet tattooing machine that helped ease my tensions.
Went here for my first piercing and they treated me like I was on an assembly line. I even got dizzy after the piercing and they sent me on the street before I was feeling better because they had to turn to their next customer, dollar-signs gleaming in their eyes.
Shortly after, I went with a friend who wanted to get a tattoo. When she expressed hesitance after the transfer was put on, the guy snapped at her and asked if she was going to just waste his time. She was put off by his attitude, decided not to get the tattoo, and he charged her $40 anyway. That was in 1999 and we never went back. I can't say whether things are better today, but Jinx Proof to me has always seemed to have an undeservedly good reputation simply because it's in Georgetown.
I've been pierced 11 times and inked twice at a few different shops on the east coast, but my experiences at Jinx were the best by far.
First experience: Rook piercing, by Brian (who no longer works here, sadly). Â Very quick, professional, and clean
Second: Tongue piercing, by John. Â Gave me tips on how to not get food caught underneath--even though he's never been pierced himself. Â Also, tongue piercings do not hurt AT ALL.
Third: Nose piercing, by John again. Â Same wonderful experience as before!
Fourth: Wrist tattoo, by either Tim or Dave. Â Simple tattoo, but it was very quick, and he talked me through my first ink. Â I've had it for over a year and it hasn't faded at all; my friends who've gotten tattooed elsewhere are amazed at how well the color is holding up. Â Kudos, Tim or Dave.
Fifth: Back-of-neck tattoo, by Susan. Â Took about 5 minutes; Susan's book is full of Asian-inspired designs. Â I'm definitely coming back to her to get my cherry blossoms.
Jinxproof does not disappoint. Â The prices hurt more than the procedures themselves (my back-of-neck tattoo is a simple outline of Africa that cost $120...ouch), but the quality is completely worth it. Â I need to save up some money and get back there ASAP, before I chicken out on my next tattoo!
I think I am in love with Jinx. Â And Karl. Â I have been wanting a tattoo for YEARS AND YEARS. Â And finally this weekend, I decided to go and get one. Â It was SUPER clean and everyone was friendly. Â There was a line [I went on Saturday], I told them what I wanted [an OM tattoo on my wrist], I paid and was given a time to come back. Â Karl was GREAT. Â He knew it was my first tattoo and made me feel comfortable and talked to me as he was tattooing me so it would take my mind off the pain. Â I was out of there in 15 minutes!!! Â I was bummed when they wouldn't let my friend come in with me, but it really didn't bother me THAT much to knock a star off. Â TO anyone who is considering getting a tattoo, go there! Â
As for price: Â mine was small so it wasn't that bad... Â But as others mentioned, would you really want a CHEAP tattoo?? Â
A very good experience!
I want another one now! Â ;-)
June 11, 2001: This will not be my longest-overdue review, but it's close. Â I got tatted at Jinx Proof the day after I graduated high school, and it was a totally professional, clean, exhilarating experience.
I started my day a few miles away at a place called Black Dragon or something like that, right on the strip in Adams Morgan. Â I brought with me my design, drawn by my good friend Bean, and also I brought with me my good friend Bean. Â I showed the design to the guy at Black Dragon or something like that, and after an hour of attempting to get it down on the transfer paper (several cigarettes and a protractor and compass later), he finally threw up his hands and announced he couldn't do it. Â I happily went along my way to Jinx Proof.
Jinx was like a whole other world. Â Well-lit, clean, professional. Â Nobody smoking cigarettes into freshly inked arms. Â I showed the guy my design and he easily inked it, even providing artistic input (beforehand) that really made it perfect. Â It's a small piece, I paid $90 for it, but that's like $1.20/yr for my expected lifespan, so I'm hardly concerned.
Great!
The ink is not even dry on my first tattoo from Jinx Proof (second tattoo ever). Â Tim Corun is a great artist and the shop is extremely professional. Â He made sure I was comfortable and told me to speak up if I needed a break (my tattoo only took about 45 minutes, so no big deal) and he made me feel comfortable and relaxed while I waited for the endorphins to kick in!
I can't say much that hasn't already been said here before, but when I was researching places to go in DC for my new ink, I trusted the reviews on Yelp! and am not disappointed. Â Based on all the flash on the wall, there is a lot of experience in this shop and between all of the artists working there, you should be able to find someone with talents in whatever style of tattoo you're looking for. Â (Tim did a Sailor Jerry-ish row of hearts for me, which came out better than I hoped.) Â If you're unsure go in for a consultation with one of the artists- they are very open to helping people make the right decision, so don't be afraid- go get inked!!
p.s. I'm putting this down as "Pricey" but in my opinion, the cost was fair. Â You can certainly go get a cheaper tattoo elsewhere, but do you want to?
so awesome.
my first experience here was a cartilage piercing. very easy and fast. i came with two of my friends that day, who got a nose and tongue piercings. no infections for any of us (hooray!). plus the tongue piercing looked like it barely hurt...crazy
i also got my first tattoo here, a Japanese watercolor tiger on my right side. they were a little skeptical at first because it was my first ink in such a sensitive spot with a rather intricate design, and they prepared me for it to be less elaborate than the picture, with a pricetag of 370 (fairly large, and a difficult spot). well the warnings were unnecessary! My tiger is EXACTLY how I imagined him. Plus, they cut 70 bucks off the price because it took shorter than expected, and they didn't have to hold me down to do it. They are absolutely capable of amazing work, assuming the client doesn't try to run away from the needle. as a plus they were all super friendly, and Eric has hilarious (and strange) stories to share. I will never get tattooed at any other parlor in DC.
I can only review their piercing services, but I've had a very positive experience the 2 times I've gone (once for my belly button and once to have my nostril re-pierced).
First, everything was very clean, from the waiting room to the bathroom to the piercing room itself. Â All needles were brand-new and disposed of afterwards. Â
The staff was very professional and kind, both the piercer himself as well as the staff at the front desk. Â The piercer took the time to explain the aftercare instructions as well as giving me a written copy of them. Â The breathing techniques he told me to use minimized the pain. Â
As for the piercing themselves, the nostril piercing looks great, he put it in exactly the same place as the original. Â The belly button piercing looks ok...I swear it's a little crooked, but everyone else assures me I'm crazy. Â I have not had any problems with infection.
One drawback to the Georgetown location is that when you walk out, you might have a crowd of drunken assholes screaming at you. Â Having a bunch of Abercrombie-clad frat boys slurring "hey, did you get you clit pierced? Â will you show it to me?" when you walk out of the shop doesn't exactly make the nicest cap to the experience.
Jinx Proof is the best!
I got my first tat done there in 2001 and the guy talked me thru the experience as if I were having a baby. LOL
My tat is so small that my 16 year old calls it a "bug bite".
My 2nd tat was done in Smithfield, NC and I regret not getting it done at Jinx Proof - Â it's not as cute as it could be
I hate this place. Staph infection anyone?
I know good tat places are rare in DC, but they have some of the most heavy handed talentless artists, these guys need to apprentice a little longer. I've only had piercings done there, tats done in Cali. For piercings I have to say they're good. Quick, easy and they give you very good directions for after care, but let's talk about tats...
After work one day, my friend decided to get a barricuda tattoo. We went in without an appt, got an artist with the heaviest hand for a simple black tattoo. 1 week later, her tat starts itching and is infected. Then the fin is missing off the barricuda. Even though this guy had the heaviest hand, he didn't quite get the ink down enough. We went to another artist in Dupont Circle, got a special cream, and had the fin redone.
This guy who fixed the tattoo was in tight with the people at Jinxproof so we had to lie an say she got the tat at the Jersey shore at some boardwalk joint. He said "you can never trust those beach tat places, so unsanitary". Whatever..
Jinx Proof is the place to go if you do not want to risk a sloppy piercing. While I have never had a tattoo, I can definitely vouch for their piercing professionalism.
I was pierced by Brian (aka DJ Dirty B). He carefully explained how to care for the piercing and let us know to call him if we have any questions. He also gave us sheets with care instructions and a list of cleaning items we would need to purchase. The piercing was done beautifully. I had experienced a poor piercing job before and I would not risk my body for a cheaper price now that I've seen both sides. Ninety dollars at Jinx Proof was well worth the great job done by Brian.
Considered one of the East Coast's premier tattoo parlors, this place is popular with both residents and tourists. It's very modern inside, really clean, and there are six artists to choose from, each having a different specialty. It's open 7 days a week, but it's best to bring a design in beforehand and then make an appointment for later. Everybody there is really good at what they do, and is a really good artist. A lot of people I know use Dave Waugh here. He can really do anything, he's not limited to tribals or sailor tattoos. New school, old school, new school traditional, they can do anything. When you're done with the pain, walk a couple doors down to Harmony Cafe and experience heaven.
Review Source:If you're thinking about getting a tattoo, this is a great place in the area to get it done. It's right in the heart of georgetown on M street next to Fetoosh/Modern/Kinkos.
If you have something in mind...bring the picture in and make an apointment. If it's fairly small and easy, you can walk in. If it's not, they'll have to take a look at it and you'll have to make an appointment.
They don't have internet or a fax so your have to come in person. Prices vary of size and difficulty.
The guys that work there are really nice. I know of 4 happy customers.
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