Chameleon Tattoo & Body Piercing

The tattoo artists here are REALLY good. I've gotten A LOT of work done by Bob (who no longer works there) and John, and they are awesome. I've never gotten anything done by Reuben, but his work is TOTALLY amazing. Pros: professional and skilled artists, very clean Cons: too many annoying customers more

I got my first tattoo here about five years ago. I choose it simply because of it's location. I made an appointment and when I arrived the receptionist greeted me and introduced me to the artist. I showed him a bunch of pictures including some images of other people's tattoos of what I desired. I was excited when the artist made the comment: I'll draw you something like this only much better. He was friendly and personable and amused my silly questions such as how many tattoos do you have and how long have you been doing this. Pros: Professional, Talented Cons: In a mall with lots of kids/teens more

Chameleon was is so professional, they schedule consultations before you get your tattoo and are flexible and compatible with changes like where the tattoo is going or if there is something different you want done to the design you have in mind. The artwork and talent of the tattooists is above and beyond what you could expect. When I submitted the design for my family crest, Kelly gave me some recommendations and ideas then took a couple of days to produce his final design. It would be an understatement if I described Kelly's modifications as highly impressive when he showed me what he had come up with. The artists are very personable and helpful. If I ever get another tattoo (and I probably will), I will without a doubt go back to Chameleon. Pros: Easy to get to by public transportation or by personal vehicle Cons: Its better to take the T to get there, its a pain to find parking that isn't restricted to a one hour time limit more

I've gone to Chameleon twice for piercings. The first time was decent. I went on a busy Sat. night and had to wait 2 hrs. for an appt. and an additional half hour too. I understood they were busy so it wasn't a big deal.The piercer was professional but not too friendly. He did a god job and I've had no issues with the piercing. The second time was really great. I went on a Sat. but right when they opened. I got taken immediately and my piercer, Owen, was warm and personable. He explained EVERYTHING and put me at ease. In regard to tattoos I've never gotten one there but the ppl in the waiting room seemed pleased and a few had gone several times.The atmosphere might not be the best but there is privacy. I've also read about rude ppl behind the counter. Each time I went the person behind the counter was fine. Not overly friendly but professional which is all that matters in the end. more

Since i'm from out of town, and have no previous piercings or tattoos, I asked many people from Massachusetts the best place to get my septum done. After hearing about Chameleon three times I decided to check it out. The prices were insane, but because tattoos and piercings haven't been legal for very long in MA and I wanted a reputable and clean place to go to for my first time, I coughed up around 75 bucks and sat around waiting for Owen to call my name. He was very friendly, very understanding that I was extremely nervous, and took the time to explain everything I wanted to know. He was in no rush to just ""get it over with"", and it was virtually painless and very relaxing. I highly reccommend him. However, when I went back a month later to change the jewelry (he had told me a month would be fine as long as I could tell it was healed) the jewelry gallery made me go over and talk to a very snotty woman who told me to wait three months before I should even try to buy another piece of jewelry, let alone change it myself. I believe they're very concerned about thier customers and how the piercing turns out, and I know they know better than I do about these things, but I was very angry that I went all the way to Cambridge just to find out that they're so turned off by the idea of me changing it that they wouldn't let me buy it. Plus, they didn't seem to understand that even if I bought the NON RETURNABLE jewelry and they DID change it, what was I supposed to do if it didn't fit? Pros: Experienced piercers, Clean facility, Good hours Cons: Bitchy customer service more

I have been to Chameleon four times-twice for piercings-one by Owen and one by Erin. Both were really great experiences, and they kept me relaxed and comfortable with them the whole time. I was tattooed twice by Ellen who is a relatively new artist, which made me sort of nervous. She did a great job with my first tattoo that I came back not long after. She was fun and made me relaxed and enjoy the whole process. She's a pretty slow tattooer-but I didn't mind-in the end I'd rather have a good tattoo than a crappy rushed one. She put a lot of detail in the tattoos and I can't wait to go back for more! more

I have had 2 tattoos done before this, one is a cross that's almost six inches on my back that took over an hour. The cross cost me $145 at 13 Roses in Atlanta (amazing place). I went to Chameleon and wanted a small tattoo on my right hip, they made me wait for awhile, the workers ignored me and didn't tell me what was going on. I already didn't like the place that much. THEN he showed me the tattoo, it looked fine and I asked him how much and he told me he would figure it out and come back... so I waited again for what seemed like forever. While I was waiting a girl came in and said she wanted touch ups on a tiny line in her tattoo, and they quoted her $75. I laughed to myself because I thought how badly she was getting ripped off. (Little did I know). So he finally comes back out and says something to the receptionist who goes ""OK, it'll be $175."" And begins to ring me up on the cash register. What tattoo place charges you BEFORE you see the outcome?? I thought that was ridiculous but I was too busy trying to figure out how I was going to pay for it. $175???! The tattoo took 15 minutes, ended up even smaller than I intended and I left with NO money in my wallet. I had brought $200 thinking that I needed about $40 cash in my wallet...and after I paid tip I was left broke. Don't go here... Even if you have to travel a little farther, I'm sure you'll leave happier and be able to pay your bills. Pros: The artist was professional and conversational. Cons: I paid $200 for a $120 tattoo. more

I really can't say enough! From the time I called over to set up my appointment to the time I left the staff was so wonderful, everyone was so friendly and funny! They all new what they were talking about (considering I've been to a view shops where people hadn't) and I felt very reassured getting tattooed there. It wasn't my first tattoo but defiantly my most memorable. I ended up just getting some small text on my wrist, but my artist was totally helpful with making suggestions and it turned out so beautiful, more amazing then I could have imaged. Not to mention how thoroughly the whole process was explained to me, from the really cool girl behind the text, to my artist going over the aftercare process with me. I'm telling everyone about this place.. me and my boyfriend actually are already planning on heading in next weekend to get another!! more

I've been to Chameleon twice. Once for a tattoo, a shamrock on my foot. And it was a positive experience, its a small tattoo but john put alot into it. The second time i went i got both nipples peirced by erin. She was great!!! she made me feel soo comfortable, as she joked with me and made sure i was relaxed. I feel like she tried to make a connection with me, and she told me to stop by in six months to check them out as we used a smaller gauge then normal because thats what was better for my smaller nipples. I would Deffinatly recommend Chameleon for piercings, but i think there is way better places to get tattooed. Not that i dont love my little shamrock, Its just not the right enviorenment for me personally when i'm getting tattooed. And BOTH times i was there the girl at the desk was not ""rude"" she was just in a way ""flighty"" if you know what i mean... and she deffinatly doesnt help you feel comfortable right when you walk in, and are nervous. it takes meeting the artist or piercer for that....which should'nt be, she should deffinatly have better people skills!! Pros: Erin is Awsome! Cons: tattooing there, not so much. i dont like the atmosphere, it feels like ""getting tattooed in a mini mall"" and there a little bit too expensive for what you get in return. more

I've been to Chameleon twice. Once for a tattoo, a shamrock on my foot. And it was a positive experience, its a small tattoo but john put alot into it. The second time i went i got both nipples peirced by erin. She was great!!! she made me feel soo comfortable, as she joked with me and made sure i was relaxed. I feel like she tried to make a connection with me, and she told me to stop by in six months to check them out as we used a smaller gauge then normal because thats what was better for my smaller nipples. I would Deffinatly recommend Chameleon for piercings, but i think there is way better places to get tattooed. Not that i dont love my little shamrock, Its just not the right enviorenment for me personally when i'm getting tattooed. And BOTH times i was there the girl at the desk was not ""rude"" she was just in a way ""flighty"" if you know what i mean... and she deffinatly doesnt help you feel comfortable right when you walk in, and are nervous. it takes meeting the artist or piercer for that....which should'nt be, she should deffinatly have better people skills!! Pros: Erin is awsome! Cons: the atmosphere is off...i couldnt help but feel like i was getting ""tattooed in a mini-mall"" lol more

It's just too bad that, in order to have a tattoo done, you'd have to put up with some front desk girl who seems to believe that she's doing you a favor just by talking to you. This girl should simply be fired (I don't know her name, but it's the one with the wings tattooed on her back). Again, it's too bad because Jonh, the tatoo artist is a really friendly, patient, and talented guy. There is more than one John, but I'm referring to the bearded guy who works in the room at the end of the place, where there is an Einstein Poster on the wall. I strongly reccomend his work. Just do everything to avoid ""Miss Attitude"" at the front desk! more

I agree with the clover woman... wonder if i had the same tattoo artist? although i was led to believe this man was an expert, he wanted to draw the tattoo the way HE wanted it, and was extremely uncooperative an difficult to deal with, resulting in a non feminine unrealistic looking tattoo as oppsed to the realistic looking pastel feminine tattoo i had requested... although i showed photographs he pretended to agree to do what i wanted and then did it his way... maybe someday i'll have someone else attempt to fix it... until then... guess im screwed. Pros: decen looking, good price Cons: not ven remotely close to what i asked for more

in response to the woman who was knocking Chameleons. I have had all 3 of my tattoos there and they are wonderful works of art that I love to show off. The staff were extremely knowledgable, and friendly. Also Im colorblind so the tattooist are extremly helpful in choosing the correct colors. My friends have gone to get their first tatto there after seeing how well mine were done, I have a four leaf clover on my back that looks like you could pick it!!!!!! All in all Id say go to Chameleon's get your ink done there. have your piercings done there they are awesome! more

The people working at the front desk are short with you. They don't ask any questions and then give you a paper to sign. No hello, no overview of health standards, no question to make sure you are fit to get a tattoo--nothing! Pros: It's close to Harvard Cons: Everything--I was so apalled by their behavior I left without getting my tattoo more

I got a horrible tattoo that I desperately wanted fixed and John the artist was knowledgeable and underdstanding and fixed my tattoo perfectly. He also guaranteed his work forever which I think is wonderful. He had a tough tattoo to work with and he was personable, funny and talented. Pros: Talented Staff Cons: Receptionist Rude more

i went for natural looking clovers on my foot, tied with a blue ribbon. i wanted NO black outlining. i've seen it done and i was hoping to have the same. the tattooist gave me a story on why tattoos he couldn't do the tattoo without black outlining. i stupidly believed him (nerves?) and went with him anyway. i asked if he could make it look feminine w/pastels and fine outlining. his answer: yes. the result: an average tattoo, with regular black outlining and badly shaded clovers/ribbon. it's mediocre and not what i wanted. i let my trust in this guy pervade my gut feeling of this not being a good idea. as much as it is my job to interview an artist, until i'm comfortable...it's his job to let me know when he truly can't accomodate what i'm looking for. more

The piercer that I used was excellent. Erin was quick and very friendly. I followed her directions and it nebver became infected. Pros: Friendliness Cons: No parking more

Seemed a little expensive, but on the same level as other tattoo artists in the area. Piercing rates are more realistic. Very popular and always very busy, make an apointment if you want something done. Also, they don't have the best customer service skills. Pros: convenient, lots of selection Cons: no parking, expensive, poor customer service more