I'm writing this review to share my experience getting two tattoos from Zezi. To start, Zezi is undeniably a talented artist, and I do like the aesthetic of the first tattoo I received from her. However, the overall experience was challenging and unlike any other I've had with a tattoo artist.
My first appointment was in December. As this wasn't my first tattoo, I expected a collaborative discussion about the design and placement, especially since I had questions about the longevity of my desired location for the tree design I wanted. Unfortunately, Zezi seemed resistant to discussing the design and my questions, giving the impression of being inflexible and even becoming visibly frustrated. This lack of open communication was quite upsetting during what should be an exciting process. I did take a break during this appointment to re-set emotionally. Ultimately, we proceeded with my original tree idea, and I'm glad we did as I love the final piece.
Despite the difficult interaction, I decided to book a second appointment in February because I genuinely admired Zezi's artistic style, hoping that knowing what to expect of her demeanor would help. This appointment, however, was largely a repeat of the first in terms of communication issues, and ultimately more problematic. I had requested a chamomile flower and provided inspiration images beforehand. Upon arrival, Zezi had designed a flower, but it wasn't chamomile. Despite my efforts to communicate what I was looking for and find common ground, working with Zezi on the design was very difficult. I essentially had to re-design the tattoo myself during the appointment to get it closer to what I had initially requested. Honestly, I regret getting this second tattoo done by Zezi; I have since had it reworked by another artist.
Based on my experiences, it seems Zezi's process works best if you either give her complete artistic freedom or come with an extremely precise, non-negotiable design. She appears to be quite rigid and the collaborative design process I've experienced with other artists was absent.
Beyond the design challenges, I also found the pricing structure confusing. Zezi states her pricing is clear and transparent, but I did not find this to be the case. Charging hourly for what felt like very short, rushed appointments was unexpected. For the chamomile tattoo, having to redesign during the appointment led to increased costs, even though the final design reflected my initial request. Additionally, there was a separate $200 "design fee" which I've never encountered before; typically, design work is included within the overall tattoo price.
For contrast, I've since been getting tattooed at Fine Studio in Seattle, and the experience has been wonderful. They are highly collaborative, completely transparent about pricing, and allocate ample time for design discussion and adjustments. They foster an environment where you feel comfortable discussing your ideas and making changes without feeling like a burden.
In summary, while Zezi is a skilled artist, be prepared for a potentially difficult and non-collaborative design process and ensure you fully understand the pricing breakdown beforehand. If you value open communication and collaboration in your tattoo experience, you might want to consider other artists.
Updated June 2025: Zezi called me after I posted a Google review to ask me what she could do to make it better. I followed up a few weeks later to ask for a refund for the design fee and additional time spent (not the base price), since I ended up having to redesign the tattoo to be a chamomile. My request was declined. It's very difficult to raise a complaint during an appointment like this, especially after the experience I had with my first appointment (feeling like I was being yelled at, and needing to take a break when I started to cry). Moved review to one star for the customer service. read more