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Lake Forest, CA

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Vatican Studios

4.8 (153 reviews)
PriceyTattoo, Piercing
Closed • 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

By appointment only

Services - Vatican Studios

Tattooing

Gauging or stretching

Vatican Studios Photos

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Recommended Reviews - Vatican Studios

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Reviews With Photos

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Dyquan M.

My grandmother passed away four years ago, I wanted to get a tattoo that embodied her soul and passion. I've reached out to many artist some who never responded and some who just didn't see my vision. The moment I sat with Emily she listened and understood. She even had a vision of a bird in the tattoo that I hadn't mentioned but a bird has been in my dreams for a while and no clue what it meant. I allowed her to have full creative control over this peace and I instantly fell in love she made the six hours feel like a breeze. I can't wait for future work to be created. I can't thank you enough Emily!!!

Second

Hands down the best tattoo experience I could've asked for. Zero is an insanely talented artist, and him and his wife are genuinely amazing people who make you feel comfortable right away. I got my first tattoo on my inner forearm at 19, and only 8 months later I was back for my outer forearm because I trusted them completely. The atmosphere is always welcoming with great energy, and I'm already planning to come back in the summer to finish everything up. I wouldn't go anywhere else for my tattoos.

The only place I'll get my tattoos ! Been coming here for years to get tattooed by amazing artist Devin Mena. The studio itself is relaxing and private which is great compared to "ping pong" style shops (which is cool too just a little overstimulating). Everyone at Vatican Studios is so nice and welcoming ! Highly recommend :)

Alex M.

Zero did a really great job with my tattoo and gave me exactly what I was looking for. Together with Emily, they make a great team! Very professional and knowledgeable. Made me feel comfortable and confident in my tattoo. Also love the studio and great vibes/conversations. I already had a tattoo on my tricep that he was able to work around. I need to schedule a follow up to finish the shading but so far looks great! Highly recommend!

Kristen B.

My daughters and I got matching tattoos. We are beyond happy with our tattoos. Zero and Emily are absolutely amazing. Professional, talented, creative and great to talk with. There is no where else we will ever go for our future tattoos. The entire experience was positive. From the moment we walked in we felt at home. I will be referring everyone looking for a tattoo to Zero and Emily. Thank you, truly, for a wonderful experience and for our amazingly beautiful tattoos. Already planning the next one!

Gorilla playing chess

Man, this was my first tattoo and I absolutely love it! I had Zero as my artist, but both Zero and Emily are really welcoming which made me very comfortable. Zero's work is insane, I can see every little detail. I am for sure going to go back when I get my 2nd tattoo.

Tattoo shop

Emily was really amazing to work with. She took me fairly last minute and helped me design my vision. She gave me a few different options and talked through each of them. She was very careful and patient, and is an incredible artist! Definitely recommend if you're looking for a delicate, fine line tattoo

Grayson S.

ZERO IS THE KING!!!!! MY TATTOO EXPERIENCE WAS UNBELIEVABLE!!! Zero is professional and very knowledgeable of art, the skin and everything in between. He's versed on all color shades of skin. Vatican studio is an art studio in every sense. On an artistic level I see something different in my arm everyday. The shading, the background, the contrast. Granted I am still in the healing stages, I couldn't be more happy. I'm overjoyed. Can't wait to get back on the table!

tatto by Emily Klinger

Recently went to their fundraising event when they were doing $100 tattoos and I was so happy to get Emily Klinger as my artist! Her instagram is emi_klinger and she is insanely talented. Her room has such a calm chill vibe definitely safe for anyone with sensory overload issues and Emily was a complete sweetheart the whole time and we had great conversation. I would recommend anyone to Emily Klinger!

My new tattoo!

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Reviews are largely positive. Clients praise the talented artists, welcoming staff, and a clean, relaxing studio.

Read the full review summary in the app

13 years ago

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10 years ago

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12 years ago

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9 years ago

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9 years ago

Nose pierced here by RON! He's awesome! Super knowledgeable and experienced professional piercer. He teaches classes also.

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10 years ago

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13 years ago

Loved London!! He did an AWESOME job on my first tattoo! I am going to see him again for my second!

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12 years ago

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12 years ago

Hands down the greatest Tattoo studio I have ever been in. The artists have amazing talent and the whole place has a great positive vibe.

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11 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

Tried to make an appointment with Zero and was completely ignored. Terrible customer service. I'll take my $5K elsewhere.

Business owner information

Photo of Franco V.

Franco V.

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8 years ago

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11 years ago

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11 years ago

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10 years ago

By far,one of the best tattoo shops ive ever been in, it's extremely elegant. The customer service, phenomenal.

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Page 4 of 4

Ask the Community - Vatican Studios

Hi do you offer vegan ink?

Yes both Nocturnal and Eternal ink which we carry in the studio are Vegan

Does Franco still tattoo?

Yes, with limited booking

Do you have the Friday 13th discount?

There are no discounts for Friday the 13th.

What's Alexis' day rate?

Please contact Alexis' manager at alexisvaateteart@gmail.com and she can provide his pricing breakdown. Thank you

What is the shop minimum?

$200. Some artists require a minimum of hours as well. Please contact your artist of choice directly for a quote.

Is this place good with nose piercings?

Absolutely! Piercer Ron Garza has over 25 years experience. Check out his Yelp page 'Sacrament Body Piercing' to hear reviews of his clients' awesome experiences.

View All 8 Questions

Review Highlights - Vatican Studios

“My husband also got a tattoo from Emily, who was just as warm and outgoing and clearly cares about her clients.”

Mentioned in 24 reviews

Read more highlights

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Get My Point - Flat piercing by Ryan

Get My Point

4.7(201 reviews)
2.4 mi
•$$$

I went here about a week ago due to having earring that was getting embedded. It was done and…read moredownsized elsewhere, but this was the closest location to my work so I rushed here after I was and got here not too far away from their closing time. Karla was able to help me right away, she got the earring out and put a longer post in without it hurting too much! She was super helpful and friendly I will be going here for any future piercings and to down size when it is time. A week later my ear is doing so much better!

I was in South Orange County for business and decided to stop in because the shop's reviews were so…read morestrong. That's unfortunately part of why this experience was especially disappointing. I was considering getting a piercing here today, but I left without getting pierced because the consultation made me feel unheard, pressured, and uncomfortable. I think it's fair to come in expecting a conversation where I could show a reference photo, explain my placement preference, hear the piercer's professional opinion, and then decide whether to move forward. Instead, while I was trying to pull up the reference image, I was repeatedly interrupted. I asked several times for a moment to finish finding the photo and explaining what I meant, but the piercer kept making remarks and insisting that she already understood. She told me the piercing wouldn't look right on me before I'd even been able to fully explain what I was asking for. To be clear, the issue wasn't that she had a professional opinion. I respect the expertise of piercers and understand that they may need to advise against a placement for anatomical, safety, or aesthetic reasons. They're the professionals, and I'm open to being guided by that expertise, of course! However, I've already had a number of piercings and have never felt as disregarded during a consultation as I did today. A piercing decision should be a collaborative conversation. The piercer should be able to share their professional assessment, while the client should be given the space to explain their priorities, ask questions, and decide whether they feel comfortable moving forward. I should feel respected the same way I show respect to professionals. And I would've welcomed a respectful explanation or alternatives. But what really upset me was being discouraged and spoken over before I was given a real opportunity to clarify what mattered to me, and as a result I did not feel respected in the slightest. We also clearly weren't on the same page, despite her repeatedly saying that she understood what I wanted because she kept focusing on the lower crystal not being visible. The thing is I already understood that and wasn't concerned about it. My priority is on the placement and being able to see the top of the vertical helix. I tried to explain that distinction, but I wasn't given enough space to do so before more assumptions were made. I've also consulted multiple other professional piercers who've said the piercing is possible, so I was hoping for an actual discussion of options rather than having my request dismissed from the start like that. She also spoke to me as if I didn't understand ear anatomy, even though I have multiple piercings and was simply trying to communicate my own preference. She referred to my ear ridge as a "speedbump" and commented that my existing helix piercing wasn't very visible because of it. That wording may have been meant as humor, but it didn't feel professional or reassuring in the context of an already tense consultation. Visibility wasn't my goal with that piercing either, since I got it with the intention of wearing a hoop there once it healed. Comments like that made me feel like assumptions were being made about my anatomy and choices without first asking what I actually wanted. Because placement was my main concern, the way the consultation was handled affected my confidence in moving forward. If I couldn't get my preferences understood before the procedure, I didn't feel comfortable trusting that they'd be understood during it. The interruptions, assumptions, and overall attitude left me increasingly overwhelmed, and I ultimately had a panic attack. I left feeling talked down to rather than treated with patience or respect. Regardless of intent, the interaction made me feel unsafe, disrespected, and unable to trust the process. And honestly I really am especially disappointed because this shop has such strong reviews, and I understand my experience may be dismissed as a one-off because of that. Still, I don't think that means it should be brushed aside. I'd strongly urge anyone who is naturally anxious, needs time to communicate clearly, or is very specific about placement to consider whether they'd feel comfortable in this kind of consultation. A client should be able to ask questions, show a reference, and explain their priorities without feeling rushed, spoken over, or made to feel difficult. At the end, I told her I didn't appreciate the attitude I was receiving and that I was no longer interested in continuing the consultation. She didn't respond, and I left. I hope the shop takes this feedback seriously, because technical skill matters in piercing, but so does listening, respectful communication, informed consent, and making clients feel safe enough to ask questions before someone performs a procedure on their body.

Photos
Get My Point - EDDIE THE MAN

EDDIE THE MAN

Get My Point - Septum and labret piercing

Septum and labret piercing

Get My Point - Forward helix piercing

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Forward helix piercing

True At Heart Tattoo

True At Heart Tattoo

4.6(347 reviews)
0.7 mi
•$$

Very personable and professional service. Jordan goes above and beyond. I highly recommend if you…read moreare looking for ideas, recommendations for someone looking into inspiration

I'm very disappointed with how my appointment was handled…read more I scheduled a consultation before getting a tattoo cover-up. After submitting photos and discussing the project over the phone, I was quoted around $3,500. It's a big project and definitely not cheap, but I was told they could do what I wanted, so I decided to move forward. I wanted to have a proper consultation in person to discuss the design, ideas, expectations, and final pricing, so I rearranged my work schedule around their availability. The appointment was originally scheduled for the afternoon, but then it was changed to the morning. I drove to the studio in the morning, only to be told that the appointment was actually in the afternoon. So I went back to work and then came back again in the afternoon. When I arrived for the afternoon appointment, I was then told that the artist was busy and asked if I could come back in another hour. At this point, I had already driven back and forth multiple times, dealt with traffic, and rearranged my work schedule, only to still not have my consultation. A simple text or phone call saying, "Can you come later? The artist is busy," would have saved me a lot of unnecessary driving and disruption to my workday. They may do great tattoos, but I'm very frustrated with how the appointment was handled. After this experience, I'm going to look at other studios. There are plenty of options around.

Photos
True At Heart Tattoo
True At Heart Tattoo
True At Heart Tattoo - Anatomical heart tattoo with blooming flowers , first tat experience!

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Anatomical heart tattoo with blooming flowers , first tat experience!

White Lotus Tattoo

White Lotus Tattoo

4.6(290 reviews)
2.4 mi
•$$

I can't even explain how much I love Irene the new piercer there. I went in today to get a rather…read moreintimidating piercing even as someone with LOTS of them, and Irene immediately made sure I knew I was in good hands. She has decades of experience with all kinds of piercings, jewelry, and anatomy, as well as some crazier stuff like body mods. Beforehand, she spent at least 10 minutes just marking where the piercings would go so that I'd walk out with even, level piercings. She also keeps her area EXTREMELY sterile and clean and always has hair ties or clips for the gals with longer hair. I've never been a fainter when it comes to piercings or tats but today was a first. She made sure I knew it was completely common and put cold compresses on the back of my neck and got me candy and let me take as long of a break as I needed. I walked out of there with the finished products, but she was so patient and the most thorough piercer I have ever gone to and she will be the one I continue going to. If you want to get a piercing or even just know more insight into something you're thinking of getting, Irene is the woman you gotta see. Saying she's knowledgeable is an understatement. Will be coming back to her for every single piercing I need. Irene you are a godsend

My wife wanted a second piercing in one ear. We came in and Irene explained everything clearly,…read morehelped her pick out the jewelry and did the piercing. She was friendly, nice and patient with my wife's questions. We'll be back, if she wants a third.

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White Lotus Tattoo
White Lotus Tattoo
White Lotus Tattoo - My secret and it's MY BODY!

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Alyssa's Beauty Bar - Stacked Lobe Piercing

Alyssa's Beauty Bar

5.0(47 reviews)
28.0 mi

Highly, highly recommend Alyssa's Beauty Bar! I've been researching for months on semi permanent…read moremakeup for my brows when someone referred me to Alyssa. She was raving about Alyssa and her work with nano brows, which she said is far better than microblading. Then I read all her highly rated reviews and followed her instagram for months before finally making the decision to do it. I cannot say enough good things about my experience. Alyssa is an absolute gem and amazing at what she does. She felt that I was nervous being its my first time and she immediately put my mind at ease. It never seemed like she was rushing through the appointment. She was very thorough in explaining each step in the process and answering all the questions I had. From the moment I walked in, I loved how clean and comfortable her place was. She makes you feel very relaxed by putting a wedge pillow under your legs and providing a warm blanket. She was so patient with me during the outlining in making sure I loved the shape and look. Alyssa is very skilled at her craft, she studies the shape of your brows, how it fits your face, works with you every step of the way to perfect the look, and then delivers the final result even better than you could've imagined. I am so pleased with how they came out I couldnt stop staring since they looked so natural. I've recommended all my girls to Alyssa and confident that she'll take care of them. The process was seamless and she walked me through the phases of recovery that I would go through as they heal so I knew exactly what to expect. Now makeup in the morning is a breeze and I have brows that slay all day. Thank you Alyssa xoxo

Alyssa is amazing!!! I cannot express how happy I am with my powder brows. Alyssa has an amazing…read moreeye for detail, shape and color. She is phenomenal. I wish I had done this years ago! If you're looking for a permanent make up artist and beautiful brows, look no further!! Alyssa is second to none! Thank you, Alyssa, I love my brows!

Photos
Alyssa's Beauty Bar - Nose Piercing

Nose Piercing

Alyssa's Beauty Bar - Tragus Tiny Tat & Piercing

Tragus Tiny Tat & Piercing

Alyssa's Beauty Bar - Nose Piercing

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Nose Piercing

Vatican Studios - tattoo - Updated October 2026

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