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    Sacred Mandala Studio

    4.0 (16 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 7:00 PM

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    Services - Sacred Mandala Studio

    Tattooing

    Sacred Mandala Studio Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Sacred Mandala Studio

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    This was my first tattoo ever, so I did some research, and a friend of my sons sent me several recommendations, one of whom was Lita Almodovar, who works at Sacred Mandala Studio. I couldn't have had a better artist! She takes her work seriously and is very attentive to detail. I had told her I wanted a picture of an octopus, and she drew a beautiful one. I have had so many people admire her work! I have been told numerous times that it is the most beautiful tattoo they have ever seen. Aside from the beautiful art, the place was clean and she made sure to keep everything that way to reduce any chance of infection. She gave me detailed instructions of how to care for it afterwards, and I had no problems with it getting infected. I plan to go back to her but first have to come up with an idea for the next one. Lita's instagram is: @lita.almodovar.art Gracias, Lita, for your wonderful work!

    Jonathan M.

    Todd did my tattoo and I could not be more proud of it. So many people have praised the dotwork and crisp lines that I have lost count. You may have to wait for the artists in this studio but they are professionals and so passionate about their work. Commit to greatness and wait for your ink day with these guys, you won't be disappointed. This is just part of the piece that Todd is working on for me, but he's gonna be my artist for life. Everything was smooth and painless as far as scheduling and making the process happen. I am so thankful for how much this team worked with this old ER nurse and tried their absolute hardest to make things happen for me. I highly recommend Sacred Mandala and have nothing but praises for them and their whole staff.

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    4 months ago

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    1 year ago

    The best tattoo studio in Durham NC, clean, friendly, and just all around a great vibe.

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    Ask the Community - Sacred Mandala Studio

    Review Highlights - Sacred Mandala Studio

    Absolutely loved my experience here, I saw Britney's nostalgia flash on instagram (wicked_catz_tattoo) and immediately snatched one up.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Dogstar Tattoo Company

    Dogstar Tattoo Company

    4.5
    (148 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    I have used Dogstar exclusively for piercings for the last 2-3 years!…read more Sam is fantastic they give you all the information you need to make the best decision. Sam has pierced my kiddos and makes them feel comfortable and speaks the truth to them about future piercings they want! I love the cleanliness of this shop and the jewelry they offer giving you lots of options that are great quality! I also like the esthetic of the shop with the exposed ceiling and brightness inside!

    Zach did my tattoo, it was a great experience and he had a light hand so it didn't hurt (almost…read morefell asleep ), everything autoclaved and gloves to ensure it's perfectly safe/clean. It feels like the lines and shading will be exactly as expected once healed, this was my 8th tattoo and had bad experiences elsewhere, so happy with this one! In addition on day two, it's not red as others I've had previously that had issues, which means it's healing nicely. I highly recommend him. I also want to recommend the piercer (I don't remember her name ) I got lucky she was available each time I was there and was able to get amazing earrings for my previous piercings... she was knowledgeable and very professional as well as put them in without any problems. Also, they followed up to get me scheduled when I asked, I always remember things later than when places are open so it was a blessing to have them call me! Highly recommend them! My second tattoo was also done by Dogstar in 1998, they were great then and even better now!

    Photos
    Emperor gum moth by Michael Beckwith.
    Emperor gum moth by Michael Beckwith.
    Piercing by Shea Collins.
    Piercing by Shea Collins.
    Dino by Megan Chuntz.

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    Dino by Megan Chuntz.
    Three Kings Tattoo - Durham

    Three Kings Tattoo - Durham

    3.4
    (5 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    My grandma and I got our first tattoo here. We had Matt T as our artist and we couldn't be happier!…read moreI walked in excited and nervous at the same time and all of the staff did an amazing job easing my nerves. The facility was very clean and I felt comfortable there. I was nervous at first to see that there wasn't a private room with another client sitting a few feet away from us, but I quickly became comfortable. We all ended up chatting and I never felt exposed or uncomfortable near anybody. They offered us water, gave us proper cleaning instructions, and truly cared about how we felt while on their facility. Matt T did an amazing job explaining everything step-by-step to both me and my grandma for each turn. The tattoo itself turned out amazing and his design was way better than either of us could have ever imagined. I will definitely be coming back here for more tattoos in the future!

    C- at best, for the overall experience. A bit too cool for school. Went it for a simple and small…read moretattoo, with a clear vision, examples and colors. Jason was who I was assigned. But I did not feel like part of the process despite the preparation and vision, and the heartfelt meaningfulness behind the work. Color was off from the start and the back-and-forth was a bit condescending. It was tiring and did not feel supported so it was discouraging to keep trying to talk with him. The return to update the color was a major fail. The color is improved but getting agreement on it was taxing. And what is most disappointing is that the shape is off now. Instead of soft curves that are critical to the message of the tattoo, it has hard edges. I was very hopeful this second time. But I'm pretty disappointed and hope to find another place that will listen better, and know how to control their line drawings. Maybe it is just a simple line tattoo that meant less interest and commitment. I don't know. But I made it clear how meaningful it was to me and that didn't get me the respect and appropriate attention I deserved. He showed up late, there was no apology, and after he cleaned and prepped my skin, he got into a conversation with another artist while I was sitting there, completely ignoring my presence. I should have trusted my gut and left on the first day, and certainly at the return appt. I met with another artist at a different parlor who confirmed the terrible shape. And he made some suggestions and I felt very heard and understood. I'm looking forward to getting this fixed once it heals enough to do. I recommend you go elsewhere, or at least not go to Jason.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Interior
    Interior
    Interior

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    Interior
    Skin City Body Art

    Skin City Body Art

    3.0
    (22 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    - Cold (no heat on), uninviting shop - Homophobic and…read moreunprofessional piercer refused to stretch a P/A because he doesn't want to touch another man's genitals. You're a piercer. Its part of the job. Be a professional and get over it.

    I recently had 4 piercings done at this location during the current Coronavirus time. The piercer…read moredid not wear a mask and suggested that I take off my mask which I didn't do because there's a pandemic and virus still going on. The location is kind of sketchy. The inside isn't the cleanest. My gauges of my piercings spacing wasn't super even. There was definitely ca difference on both sides.After almost a week past by I noticed that something was going on with my new piercing so I can't act and made an appointment. The front staff had no clue that I was coming in which gives me knowledge of a lack communication takes place here. When I went in during this 2nd visit staff weren't wearing masks, I didn't receive a temp. check and the staff were not social distancing. As I made it to my piercer and waiting in the hallways he was finishing up with a client's tattoo. The guest did not have a mask on and the piercer did not have a mask on. The piercer did not wipe down the chair that I was sitting on and did not wash his hands after servicing me. Instead he just put on a new pair of gloves. The day after this situation I noticed that my other ear started swelling up and puss started squeezing out as time went on. I have experience with piercings and this was my first really bad experience. Now there's a part of my ear that is blackish/purplish with a bump. I'm not sure if this experience is because of sanitation. I contacted management which was helpful the first time and wasn't that helpful this most recent time. Instead the manager said that they only charged me for 2 piercings which isn't my fault because I called in advance and was told when to come in for my 4 requested piercings. If you care about your safety, health, the environment and respect do not go there. The piercer Spade is actually a nice guy minus him not being health conscious about COVID-19. When I left during my first visit I asked the staff if there's anything else needed and that this was my first time here and they said no and I said okay have a good day. Hey maybe I shouldn't have risked it by getting a piercing during these different timings and by seeing how the atmosphere is, but I didn't want to judge a book by its cover. I wouldn't recommend anyone to get any services there. I also asked the owner about a refund which I still have not received a response about. Unprofessional servicing and a lack of cleanliness ------------ More photos added - ended up taking out my ear piercings a little after a week of getting them done. I called other shops for advice. The owner isn't responding to me. I also have no received a refund and reported to the Health Department. I hope no one has to go through this.

    Photos
    Skin City Body Art
    Red dragon tattoo
    Red dragon tattoo
    Momma's boy tattoo With Jason voorhees.

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    Momma's boy tattoo With Jason voorhees.

    Sacred Mandala Studio - tattoo - Updated June 2026

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