Blue Star Tattoos

I have been to Blue Star Tattoo to see Nicole for multiple tattoos. She is a ridiculously talented woman who is extremely wonderful to chat with. She is so professional and I adore all the work she has done for me. I get stopped frequently by people who see her work on me and I refer people all the time. I cannot say enough positive things about her and her work. Thank you Nicole. You are nothing short of awesome:)
I have also had a nose piercing and nipple piercing done by Pat and they both were painless and east. Great aftercare advice and love the free consults. Great team!

I got my septum pierced by Pat yesterday and it was a wonderful experience. It was my first piercing other than my lobes so I was super anxious but Pat made it super easy and fun.

Okay so I LOVE this place. I get my tattoos done by Dante and we always have the best times. His tattoos are sooo beautiful and about as painless as a tattoo can get. Theres always something to talk about and all the staff gets involved in the convo. Definitely the cleanest, most efficient place to get tattoos or piercings!

I wanted my nose pierced again. I had done it before at Zebra Berkeley. But the aftercare information was not good and my nose got swollen and the nose stud popped out in a few days.
Pat here was comforting and very knowledgeable throughout the process. He was honest about picking the smallest jewelry for better healing even though bigger ones would have been a lot more expensive.
Inside the piercing room, he explained what I would feel as we went along. The piercing itself felt just like a pinch — like when you get your blood drawn. It was so quick too.
The aftercare instructions were clear and easy to remember — a 5 min warm water run every night plus motrin for a few days.
Its been an hour since and I feel only a low level pain just around the piercing. Nothing a motrin cant get rid off.
Oh plus… the fee was among the lowest I have seen anywhere around.
Overall an excellent experience. Looking forward to good healing.

I’ve been going to Blue Star for a while. I’ve gotten a couple of tattoos from Darrin. My wife has been tattooed by Darrin and Nicole. We’ve had great experiences every time we have gone there. Darrin and Nicole are both very knowledgeable and professional. Their art is incredible. All of my work has been tattoo black with shading and has been incredible. My wife has gotten a lot of color work from Nicole and Nicole’s color work is phenomenal.
There is definitely a reason they have so many 5 star reviews, they’ve earned it. One thing to know in advance, because of high fees associated with credit card payments, Nicole will give a pretty good discount if you pay cash so make sure to bring some ahead of time. I’m not sure if Darrin does the same thing but it couldn’t hurt to try. With that said, keep in mind that you are putting something on your body that is going to be there forever, good work isn’t cheap and cheap work isn’t good so keep that in mind when getting a quote.

I walked in around 1pm today, and was pleasantly surprised that Pat was able to assist me with answering my questions regarding a daith piercing. I wanted to get it done so that I could have the benefits of the migraine relief, and it looks awesome to boot.
There were 2 other ladies who were getting the same piercing before me, and I was able to watch and see how sterile, professional, kind, talented, etc. Pat is as a piercer.
Not only was the pain from the piercing minimal, but he made me feel safe and like I was in the best hands possible. I felt an immediate headache relief. It took my constant daily headache and cut it to 25% of normal.
I cannot recommend Pat more. He walked me through some of his sterilization techniques (as I have a background from working in an oral surgeons’ back office), and needless to say he goes above and beyond what is necessary/​required.
As a final testament to his talents, he informed me that he just returned from Italy where he was training new piercers. I will definitely be going back for more piercings from this talented artist.

About 3 years ago i went to get my septum pierced by Pat and it was quick and painless and it healed great. I went back about a week ago to get my nose pierced by him and it was also quick and painless and it is also healing great. They are a bit pricey but you get what you paid for and i will be returning for future piercings.

I came to see Pat to have my daith done. He was wonderful. So calming and understanding. He made me feel comfortable with a giant needle going through my flesh. I can’t wait to come back and get more work done here. Very clean. Very professional yet down to earth and very relatable. I totally recommend coming to Blue Star and seeing Pat to have any kind of piercing done. AWESOME

This shop is GREAT I will only go here for my piercings. The shop is extremely well keep. Now the piercer his name is pat he is such a sweet heart and knows his stuff I instantly felt like he new what he was doing and wasn’t scared at all, also a great feeling when you no the piercer isn’t in it for just money and really took time too talk to you the good and the bad and the annoying and answer every question you had I went some were first and they turned me down so I was very worried that I was going to leave with out my vhp but pat made my birthday and I was able to get it. He talks to you with respect so you really aren’t embarrassed with getting anything done. He is such a nice man and you can tell he knows his shit too I really did my research about this vhp and I didn’t want to get it with some one who could mess me up but I’m so glad I went to this shop pat is the greatest and their was little pain with that piercing he knows what he’s doing. I’m extremely happy with the service I received from this establishment they are by far top notch.

Pat is incredible. I went in to get my nose repierced with no appointment and he immediately made me feel at ease. Legalities were quick and painless; as was the piercing. I barely felt it. He is a master at his craft, and I’ll be a repeat customer for sure.

Got my tattoo done by Dante and he is just amazing guy. He made me feel comfortable through or our session. Love the staff here.

Been coming here for years. Always great work and awesome customer service. Now my daughter comes here for her piercings. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my baby girl.

First dermal peircing and expected pain, but Pat was great and I didn’t feel anything! I recommend him to anyone looking for a piercing.

I went to see Pat and he seriously was the perfect guy to see! He reassured me that it wasn’t going to hurt and that he was going to make it quick in painless.
He was so friendly and relaxed it wasn’t even uncomfortable being half naked around him, which I thought it would be. Literally it was so quick, he took a longer time cleaning and making sure they’re straight then piercing and putting in the piercings.
It didn’t hurt hardly at all, no bleeding and not a lot of swelling or pain following the days.

I went to Pat today to get my nose pierced. I walked in (no appointment) and met Pat who immediately put me at ease with his great personality. He gave me his expert opinion on what would look best for my needs and which side of my nose to put the piercing. I then filled out some paperwork (on the computer) and off we went.
There is a private room for piercings which was extremely clean and comfortable. I laid down and Pat and I chatted as he sterilized my nose. We continued our chatting and he had me laughing. Before I knew it, the darn piercing was done. Just like that, no pain. He gave me my cleaning instructions and I was done.
Pat is extremely professional and he is a master at what he does, and on top of that, he is a very sweet guy.

Pat Tidwell is the best piercer in the world. He did my Prince Albert early in 2014, my nipples early 2015, and my Apadravya late 2015. While these piercings aren’t painless, Pat’s fast and easy freehand technique make them much less difficult to endure.
Before meeting Pat, I spoke with other piercers both in SF and Walnut Creek, only to be disappointed by emotionless, blasé personalities. Piercing is an art form, not a drive-​thru with the intention of profit.
Pat’s enthusiasm prevents him from missing a single detail, and his charm leaves you feeling like you’ve made a life-​long friend – I know I certainly I’ll definitely be back in the future, as my piercing needs are far from met and I know just who can help. Thanks Pat!

Getting a tattoo is much more than just getting a piece of art etched onto your body. It’s a very personal and intimate experience between the one giving the tattoo and the one receiving it.
My best friend has been coming to Darren for 20+ years, and there’s a reason for that. Not only is he an amazing artist, but he’s very knowledgeable about his craft, and he’s extremely friendly. All three of us never stopped talking during the entire visit. We explained our design idea and he had it drawn up within a couple of days.
He is very immaculate in his process of setting up; making sure to take one thing out at a time, and get it all neat and in its place before he starts. He finished tattooing and touching up previous tattoos on us both in about two hours. He added small touches to the tattoo that he knew we would like. Small things like a bit of colorful shading around it that makes it pop. Before getting off the chair he made sure we both loved it, which we did.
There are pamphlets from the shop on both tattoo and piercing after care. There is also a chicken out fee of $ 50; for those who change their mind after the supplies have already been opened. I would recommend Darren to anyone for his amount of artistic creativity and his very personable nature.
The shop as a whole is very clean. The jewelry case is set up to highlight every little piece they have. Like Darren, Pat who works at a piercer is also very knowledgeable and friendly.
The people who work here are very professional and take immense pride in what they do. I take the same pride in the work they did on me.

Tiana is so rad. I’m an impulsive person, and today I decided to get some new holes poked in me. I’ve gotten pierced many, many times over the past 10 years (sorry mom). I’ve gone to several different places and have a high standard. Tiana was up there with one of the best piercers I’ve ever come across. She’s super knowledgeable and honest about the whole process so there are no surprises. After adding my medusa (which I’m obsessed with) she looked at a couple of my other piercings that I don’t have jewelry in to see if they have closed up/​healed for no extra cost. She uses the best jewelry out there, which is reflected in the cost, but if you want your piercing done correctly then you should be willing to pay more. I’m going back in a few weeks to get a smaller bar for when the swelling does down and she’s going to put my smiley back in. I’m looking forward to going back to hang out with her again and for future piercings.
I’ve also been tattooed here, but it was on a very small scale. I went in on Friday the 13^th and got a Darth Vader tattoo from Darren. My girlfriend has also gotten tattooed by him. Both times we had no issues with the tattoos or the healing process. I’m keeping them in mind when I look to get a new, larger piece in the future.
Great local shop. You get what you pay for, and if you aren’t willing to fork over the cash then you will see it in the results.

I wish I got all my piercings done by Pat. I learned the hard way that places lile Zebra (who are focused on quantity of people that come in and making any dollar they can off you than quality of service and product).
Pat is also the Jedi of piercing,… No pain on my two piercings he did for me. My nostril, amd my septum. I breathed in, breathed out and needle was already pierced through. He’s quick like that. (I heard that zebra offers numbing cream for $ 6 or something. Numbing cream. Seriously tho? A good piercer, won’t let u feel pain, cus they know how to do it quick and efficiently.)
I liked that he was honest and didn’t try to sell you unnecessary aftercare or cleaning products/​solutions/​oils. Yes I heard that some other shop also pushes about $ 6-​$ 15 worth of aftercare and/​or cleaning products for ur new hole (s).
Pat’s aftercare method is legit. Don’t touch it or move it around basically, and just shower as normal (which will clean it). The more stuff you put on it… Sea salt etc. Is just gonna dry and irritate the new piercing. Let it heal naturally by just leaving it alone. (You wouldn’t put salt on a wound or cut would you?)
In all, Pat is a genuine, down to earth, easy to talk to piercer, that you can count on for advice and suggestions. He’s been doing body piercing for about two decades? Can you say experienced.
Also, trust that they use for your piercing, only yhe highest quality internally threaded body jewelry. If you don’t know the difference between external or internally threaded, go google it. If a shop carries externally threaded jewelry, proceed with caution. Find out how many years experience the piercer has. To me it’s worth going to a place that will give you peace of mind, that you’re getting the real deal in product and honest, experienced service, without the upsell.
My one tip though for ladies, go for a 16 gauge horseshoe for septum. Pat may push u to go for a 14 gauge, but because other pretty septum jewelry they carry are all 14s. Online there are sooo many 16s or 18s anyways and not super pricey as the shops. 14g horseshoe made me look like a bull. I ended up getting a 16 gauge internally threaded horseshoe online for like $ 6, and changing it the second week. 16 is a good happy medium. I can switch from daintier 18 gauge hoops to a 16g horseshoe to hide piercing no prob.

Came in for a spectum piercing. Pat was very friendly, caring and he knew his stuff. The piercing was a struggle. The 1^st time he peirced my nose it came out crooked, 2^nd time it was ok it’s still a bit uneven. I wish it was perfect but I guess it will do for now.
I will probably get it redone.

Just got a Friday the 13^th tattoo done. Not quite so happy about the finished product. I’m pretty much embarrassed to even show anyone the tattoo I just got. I didn’t quite get the chance to look at it til I got home since its behind my ear. I thought it would of been cute since it was my first Friday the 13^th tattoo. but the line work looks like crap and not to mention Its crooked! I’ve had the artist before and I loved his work. Though I understand it’s been a long day since he’s been tattooing non stop— but seriously he should have taken a little more time or a break if he couldn’t come out with a great product. Clean shop tho, love the location! Friendly staff. Just wished that the tattoo came out better man.
Definitely would Have paid more for something better!

Pat was amazing and made everything a breeze. Will not go to any other piercer again. Thank you so much!