I've been going to Mac since 2011. Amazing dude and artist. He has given me an upper back piece and two sleeves. Always fun times while I am there. Everyone in the shop is extremely welcoming and easy to get along with. Solid artwork and tattoos all around. My friends have also worked with Jason and feel the same. Hard to imagine going anywhere else in Santa Cruz. Read Less

Every time I look at my tattoo I think "I WISH I WOULD'VE GONE SOMEWHERE ELSE"! I've talked to others artists at different shops who are amazed by the terrible quality and I would trust in the future before ever going back here. Read Less

They were very nice, knowledgeable, and easy going. I enjoyed coming here to get my tattoo they were pretty quick and fairly priced. Will be coming back here again. We also got ours done by Mac and I feel like he did an awesome job, very happy with the outcome. Read Less

My boyfriend and I recently did a walk in here and Jesse did a great job with tattooing! We are both very satisfied and excited over our tattoos and they have been healing very quickly. I recommend going if you're thinking about getting one, they have great designs to choose from on the wall and Jesse was really good to make sure my tattoo was straight and clean on my arm. Very sterile and professional place Read Less

I love this place - I got my first tattoo in two years here and I was nervous about it because my previous tattoo experience (at a different shop) was really bad. Like, healed awfully bad. They helped make sure I was calm and informed every step of the way. I will definitely come back! Read Less

Can't say enough about The Gilded Lily, and Jason in particular.  Selected Jason due to his strong American traditional portfolio, excellent color saturation and clean line work.  That was a few years and 15-20 sessions ago.  Clean, professional, experienced, relaxed and talented.  Tell him what you want and he'll nail it.  Zero drama, chill vibe and funny.  I've seen quite a bit of Mac's and Jesse's work first hand as well.  Excellent work.  Everyone there is a pro. Read Less

Showed up as a walk in and immediately felt welcome. Jason did a great job on a piece of flash painted by Kai the apprentice. The actual tattooing experience was super easy and relatively painless no issues with scars swelling or any signs of abuse. So so so happy and will definitely be returning. Read Less

Wow!! My first time getting a tattoo.  I was kind of nervous when I got there ad the fact I had to wait an hour did not help.   Jason was amazing.  So soothing.  Talked to me thru the whole thing.  He was supportive and funny as hell.  I live 3 hours away,  but I will be making that drive in about 1 month when I get my 2nd one.  You have to ask for Jason,  he is remarkable.  Also look thru his portfolio,  its outstanding!! Thank you Jason for making my first time easy.  You are wonderful!!! See you in about a month!! Read Less

First time ever getting a tattoo and Ian was awesome! The atmosphere was great everyone was having and engaging in good conversation. Relaxing environment and Ian was very patient. I highly recommend both the artist and the shop. Read Less

I recently came in to get a pair of shears tattooed on my arm to celibate 3 years of success in the beauty industry. I came to Jason with a few ideas at our consultation, but trusted him with creating the overall design. He did not disappoint, I was beyond ecstatic upon seeing the artwork. After only 3 1/2 hours we were done (full color!) and it was perfect. The colors are so vibrant, and the line work is unreal... Very clean and friendly shop, I guess you can say I will be back. Read Less

Loved it, Ian did such a great job at covering up my EXS name that was in the middle of a sleeve. It looks like it was never there and flows into the theme. For those that have senstive skin or Fibromyalgia as I do. Ian is light handed and I was able to sit until it was done. Thank you Ian for allowing my passion for Ink to be enjoyed again after 3 yrs without. Ill see you soon. Read Less

I had my first tattoo done by Mac yesterday.  I was of course nervous about having something so permanent on my body and not knowing how it would turn out and hoping that I would like it.  My husband and I lost our son unexpectedly during labor 2 weeks ago and I wanted to get his footprints on the top of my feet.  I had looked online and found that footprints don't always look good, and I scared myself even more that it wouldn't turn out the way I wanted.  Thankfully I have some pretty rad people in my life who happen to have tattoos and Mac has done many of theirs.  Mac was perfectly professional and kind, understood my delicate situation without even having to discuss it.  As a first timer and a nurse practitioner, I was completely comfortable with his excellent sterile technique.  He also worked efficiently on what I am told is  a pretty tender area to get a tattoo.  And the most important thing of all, I think the footprints are better than I ever imagined they would look, his skill is clearly superior.  I hear tattoos can be addicting and I will only go back to Mac if I do decide to get more and I would recommend anyone to go to him as well. Read Less

The tattoo I got on my arm scarred a little funky and had a few spots that weren't colored in all the way, and the tattoo my roommate got on her ankle bled (as in the ink spread out of the range it was supposed to). I've had my fair share of tattoos done at other shops, and many of these artists said these issues were due to the artist pushing too hard. Haven't had a problem like this at any other shop sooooo... Read Less

I went in today to get my first tattoo.  Very simple 'K' on my left ring finger for my fiancé.  I couldn't be happier with how it turned out, and Ian was a great artist and a calming guy.  This place is clean, professional and all around positive.  If you're considering a tattoo and you're in the SC area, this is the spot Read Less

Mac is the most amazing tattoo artist I've ever had the opportunity to work with. I've had three pieces done by him, all amazing. He always manages to take my ideas & come up with a completely original design that I could have never envisioned. I drive all the way from Elk Grove (Sacramento county) just to get tattooed by him. He was recommended by several friends of mine & I am so glad I made that first appointment. Read Less

I walked in finally knowing what I thought I wanted but was given professional advice by a couple of artist. After speaking with Jason and coming up with a plan I am very pleased with my tattoo.  Thank you Jason for a great Prince tattoo I  it!!! Sometimes it snows in April  RIP Beautiful One.. Read Less

I am pretty shocked to see a negative review about this shop. I had a tattoo done a few years ago when the shop was still in Boulder Creek. Ian was my artist and designed a beautiful lotus flower which you can see in the online portfolio. Ian was very pleasant to work with, was very patient with me as my tattoo was in a pretty sensitive area and really took the time to make my tattoo colorful and beautiful. The shop is clean, the artists are professional and the prices are fair. I get compliments all the time on my lotus and I always tell folks where I got it done. Great shop! Read Less

My wife and I stopped by on our anniversary to get some tattoos. Walked in and was greeting by the crew there. Mac did my tattoo and Jesse did my wifes tattoo. This is a top class place with great artists. Will be coming back when we have the funds Read Less

Finding a the right tattoo parlor can sometimes take a while, and anyone that's been to a few is aware of some of the things you might encounter at a typical shop that might dissuade you from revisiting.  Gilded Lily Tattoos has none of those problems, though.  Everyone that works there is very friendly, laid-back, and talented.  The shop is very clean, and well versed in proper hygiene and post-tattoo care.I didn't feel uncomfortable discussing what I wanted done, and they were genuinely excited to bring it to fruition. Jason did my work and did an amazing job, patiently and carefully tattooing a 70 character quote on my arm- something that can be deceptively tricky to have done properly (you want your letters even, consistent and uniform, don't you?). It turned out perfect.You know you found the right place when you're already thinking about what you want next before you're even done getting tattooed with the current one. Read Less

My husband and I decided on a whim to get a couple of small pieces done while on a trip to Santa Cruz. There's no shortage of tattoo parlors to choose from in the area, but I remembered having seen The Gilded Lily during a previous visit, so we stopped in to check it out and see if they could fit us in. I'm so glad we did, because it was a great experience. Ian did my tattoos (second row knuckles and a small piece between my thumb and forefinger) and the line work is clean and crisp. He worked quickly and confidently, and was friendly and easy to talk to. Highly recommended! Read Less

On one fine day, these awesome guys took in a huge group and fit in 8 people for tattoos. They were kind, helpful and funny. They were very patient and gentle and charged a very decent price. Being from LA this was a treasured experience. I would definitely go back. Thanks Mack for the amazing job! Still loving mine. Read Less

Mac does amazing work! I love my Jellyfish and diver girl and get compliments on them all the time. He also did a "Hidden Mickey" logo on my wrist in UV ink. The shop was super clean and so was Mac. He cleaned everything before and after and opened everything with me sitting right there. I have a few tattoo ideas and Mac will be my go to guy. Read Less

I got my very first tattoo here. It was done by Ian and it came out truly amazing. He had an idea of what I wanted and he was able to come up with something that I really liked. He was really good at tweaking whatever I didn't like. I will definitely be coming back here when I get my next one! Read Less

Ian is by far the best tattoo artist is have worked with.  Dynamic and detailed, He listened to me and gave me what I wanted. Besides the fact that his experience shows dramatically in his work.  The best artists have no ego, they let their work speak for itself. Grateful. Read Less

Mac is not just a great Tattoo artist, but an incredibly kind person as well. Mac met me early at his shop to give me a very special tattoo in honor of my brother who passed away. We had to meet early because his wife was giving birth to there first child later that day. Let that sink in, he came in early on the day his child was being born so that I could have my tattoo before my brothers memorial service. He also tried to not charge me for it, he wanted to do it for free. I will never forget that Mac. Read Less

Came over to get a tat from mac who had done some great work with a family member was greeted nicely by the guy up front and talked a little with mackey did a great job on the tat i wanted .next one with be coming back to see mac foresure Read Less

Great artists. I love the tattoo I got from Yeshee Jackson. I described what I wanted and he drew the picture and encouraged my feedback. All the artists were easy to get along with, they are all obviously happy to be working together. Great, comfortable environment to get tattooed with a knowledgeable, talented staff. Read Less

I've been going to the Gilded Lily since they had their little shop in Felton.Mac is an amazing artist! He has done almost all my tattoos. No matter how big or small. He talks it out with you and helps you plan it out so it looks amazing for years and years.Ian is crazy talented! He draws up beautiful pictures available as tattoos. And I was lucky enough to claim one! He will change and tweek it til it's just to your liking. He makes the tattoo look just like the picture. It is art on your body!No matter who you go to at the Gilded Lily, you are in the right hands! Read Less

During an impromptu trip to Santa Cruz with my best friend and kiddos, after a day of many adventures, a spur of the moment decision to get tiny matching heart tattoos took us to The Gilded Lily.  Ian and Jesse were willing to take us in even though it was near closing time.  They were both extremely helpful, professional and kind.  They tattoo'd us simultaneously and made it into a fun "race".  They were done in just a few minutes...(Jesse won) and we couldn't be happier.  I will DEFINITELY be traveling the three and a half hour trip for my next tattoo! Read Less

I first discovered Mac and Gilded Lily when I was looking for an artist to do some ink of my cats.  A friend had two beautiful bears done by Mac, and when I saw how realistic and truly "alive" they looked, I knew I'd found the artist I was seeking.  I had other ink prior to the work I have by Mac, but his puts my other pieces in the shade.Since then, Mac has done other gorgeous work on me, as well as on my daughter and her friend.  He is extremely adept at taking your concept or idea and making it tattoo-ready, working with you every step of the way until you are completely satisfied.  His original pieces are truly breathtaking as well.  He is an all-around tattoo genius, and his work across the board is stunning, compelling, and eye-catching.  I cannot tell you how many compliments I get on my cats.  Mac is also a complete sticker for cleanliness, sterility and professionalism, and never cuts corners where his customers safety is concerned.  I have seen medical doctors take less time with cleaning, draping, and preparing the work area than Mac does.  He also provides informative after-care instructions that ensure a good result during and after the healing.I would not hesitate for a moment to recommend Mac and the Gilded Lily tattoos for anyone looking for a professional, creative, conscientious and gifted tattoo artist, who also happens to be a terrific guy and fun to work with (important when you are sitting with someone for an hour or hours getting inked).  The new shop is quite nice; I liked the old place fine, but the Santa Cruz shop has more space for other artists, a more private room as well as the more open area, and is roomier in general. Read Less