I've gotten two small tattoos here within the past few years. One was by Natasha (who is at a diff shop now) and one by Mr. Max. I've also had friends that have gotten tattoos here and I've gone with them. Everyone we've come in contact with has been super nice and talented. Everything's clean and the minimum is $55 so if you just want a small tattoo that's pretty cool. Read Less

Craig and everyone that works there are great!! I've been going there for 15 years. Great artists at a great price. I've been happy with every piece I've gotten there. My brother and my niece both get their work done there as well. Read Less

Randomly walked in not even sure what what I wanted yet. Dan was extremely helpful, and patient with me. He also gave me a really good price for a really good tattoo! I was very surprised, I wish my budget was higher so I could have given him a huge tip!! He was great. 10/10 would recommend Read Less

I came with a friend to get tattoos and we both had a wonderful experience. I watched the artist redo the stencil on my friend several times because he wanted to ensure the perfect placement. He was very personable and did a wonderful job. The woman who did my tattoo also did a fantastic job. We talked about cats and she put up with my foot twitching and I ended up with an absolutely amazing tattoo. I would absolutely come back again. Read Less

I've been here numerous times and I'm by far extremely disappointed. Just had work done by Brian today and I was in the chair for less than 5 minutes. He charged me $60 for a "against suicide" symbol. I gave him an extra 10 for tip. I didn't realize how much I paid until after I left. I was estimated $120-$180 for two pieces of work but decided to get the smaller portion done. I've been here plenty times and never paid that much for such a short session. The most I have paid, I sat in the chair for 30 minutes and had a piece about 15 times the size of this and paid the exact price. Not to mention its sorta uneven and for the price and how long I sat in the chair it's sub par for sure. I was suppose to go back, I probably won't. If you do decide go here I'd make sure you are fully satisfied with the work. Also, I didn't fill out any paper work or get to look at the tattoo's until he was placing the design on me. Not to mention I look like I'm 16 years old. So be careful. Read Less

Fantastic service! Had my tattoo done by Craig who was very helpful and friendly. It's first come, first serve so I waited about an hour on a weekday. The staff was professional and really accommodating - it was a hot day and they tried to make sure everyone waiting was comfortable. Definitely would go back. Read Less

Craig is amazing! I told him 3 things I wanted on my forearm and he took it to another level! I told him "have fun with it" and he said "absolutely". He's truly an artists and I had the best time there and the most beautiful memorial piece! Thanks so much to him and the staff. Words can't express what this piece means to me. Love you guys! Love Craig! Read Less

I waited until my tattoo healed before I could write the review. I'm super happy with my artwork. My oldest son is a solider who is being deployed and while home on leave we decided to get tattoos. This was a fairly last minute decision, because of his time constraints. We looked up the reviews and called on a Friday night to get "inked." Mikey, stayed late to make the tattoos possible, late doesn't really cover it...we finished at 3:30 am! Never did he rush to finish and added all the fine details. We wanted something meaningful and different from the usual scriptures soldiers tend to get. Since I'm a "Mama bear" when it comes to my kids, that's what I wanted, and my son has exactly the same tattoo... His Mama, "always has his back." Mikey took our idea and really created a colorful meaningful piece, it healed well and gave this "Mama bear" and her "cub" something special. Read Less

I got my first tattoo here last month when I turned 18, and it was an absolutely amazing experience. The wait was not long, Craig was so friendly and made me comfortable, did magic tricks for me, and it hardly hurt! He also gave me a surprise discount for it being my birthday, which was awesome. If I want another tattoo this will be where I come, and I've already recommended it to several friends. Read Less

Got swords added to my shield. Brian did an awesome job. Proffesional courteous. Brian has 15 years experience and does great job.  The place is well kept. Place has good atmosphere. Owner craig was pretty cool, came to see how things were going. I will return for more tattoos in the future. Read Less

This place is ok if you want to get a quick little one or two hour piece done, but do not and I repeat DO NOT get any work done here that will require multiple sessions. They do not take appointments and the only way to get in with an artist is to show up and get out on a list. They will not even let you phone in the same day to get on a list, you have to actually show up and wait. The past three Saturdays in a row I have showed up to try to get in to see my artist so he could work on the second session of my tattoo with no luck of getting any work done  on a tattoo that I am estimating will take a total of four3-4 hour sessions. Yesterday was the final straw when I showed up at 12:40pm, less than 10 minutes after they opened, they told me there was only one person ahead of me and asked me to come back at around 4:00pm. I showed up at 3:58 and they told me my artist was still busy. He said he would need an additional 45 minutes to an hour, I told him to call my cell phone when he was ready. I didn't end up hearing from him until nearly 8:00pm when he told me that I would once again have to re-schedule again for another day. I am going to have to find another artist and a more reputible studio to complete my work. This makes three Saturdays in a row that I have attempted  to get a second sitting in without any luck. Consider yourself warned, stay away!!!! Don't make the same mistake I made, learn from my mistake and find another studio, there are plenty of others in the area. Read Less

I love this place! Craig Murphy has done 3 of my tattoos and the latest one was in memory of my Mother and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect tattoo! Craig is an incredible artist and he and the staff there are great. I would highly recommend getting a tattoo here! Read Less

I got 2 of my 3 tattoos here. The only one I didn't get was because I didn't know it existed when I got my first one. Craig did my first one and Charlie did my second. Craig was by far my favorite person ever and I would go to him time and time again if I had money to get all the tattoos I want! His price was PHENOMENAL and most people tell me they would charge me like 4 times what Craig did. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life and I will be back as soon as I have enough money saved! Read Less

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!! My tattoo artist was Craig Murphy. His work was spot on! I am absolutly in love with the tattoo he did for me! I was visiting Illinois and when I called around Craig was the only person who was nice, caring and excited to be tattooing. Did I mention that after he was done doing both mine and my sisters tattoos he did magic tricks for my nephews?! I wish I lived closer because I found the best of the best!!!!! Read Less

Did some research and asked around and was told Skin of a Different Color was the place to go to. I must admit, it was great!I just got my first tattoo done there and worked with Dan Nortell the entire time. Although I had my own drawing for him to go off of, his work was great and very down to earth and friendly/experienced. Also, not knowing anyone that works there, I got to see the other artists work a little and they were also very nice and did great work.As nervous as I was for my first tattoo, I would 100% go back to here and would recommend it to anyone! Just do some research on tattoos prior to getting one done and you'll know what you're getting into. Researching will help with your experience with the design, the place, artist and healing process. Read Less

Very disappointed in the tattoo I received along with the price. Originally quoted $150 he then shrunk it twice and charged me $200 when it looked almost nothing like the picture and very little detail almost cartoonish. When a customer is unsatisfied then the manager should step in and try to resolve the issue. Aka fix the tattoo that his employee f*ed up since he over charged me in the first place. This is the second time and second tattoo in the last 4 years it has happened. I would NOT recommend going here unless you are going to Dan. Go in the daytime also before they are baked/high and screw up your tattoo. Read Less

I had a touch up done here.  I have to say the staff is very friendly.  Not your typical hard @ss tattoo shop. I went to a few other places asking for opinions on what they could do to fix my tattoo.  Everyone else gave me attitude and said well I wouldn't have placed it there. Just nothing but  attitude and seemed to be brushed off because it was a small job.My husband and I walked in and Craig the owner was nothing but nice. He was very down to earth and did a awesome job.  I was not over charged either. Great color and had great ideas to fix my tattoo.  I would go back for my next tattoo and not fuss around with other shops. Read Less

I've had 5 of my piercings done here, my nose, monroe, tragus, nipples and clit hood. Kivaka is the nicest and most professional piercer I've been to, I highly recommend him to any person who needs a piercing done. He has an amazing reputation and if you're nervous he makes you feel comfortable. All of his piercings are done very well, you can see a lot of the dif things he's done in the gallery on kivaka.com Read Less

I was referred to Skin of a Different Color by a friend from work. After reading their reviews and researching other places, I decided this was the best place. This was my first tattoo and I was incredibly impressed with the service, the work, and the prices. Craig was my artist and I would highly recommend him!! I brought in a rough sketch and Craig turned it into perfection. He was nice, very professional, and worked very quickly. Several people have told me that my tattoo is the nicest that they've ever seen! I know I'm biassed, but I totally agree.... it is full color and very detailed, and it looks awesome. I will definitely be back. Only note is to make sure that you allow yourself plenty of time because the process does take a while. I requested Craig so I had to wait a little longer, but it was well worth it. Can't wait for my next one! Read Less

Awesome tattoo! So pleased with the professionalism and cleanliness of this tattoo shop.  I felt comfortable from the moment I went in and the owner, Craig made me feel very comfortable and at ease during the entire process.  I will definately go back and look forward to getting my next tattoo! Read Less

first of all to that localguy's review, you are an absolute moron, theyre tattoo artists of course theyre gonna smoke pot, alotta people do its 2010 ! and second of all the reason you waited so long is because its a walk in tattoo shop HELLOOOOOOO of course your gonna wait ! and craig did my tattoo for my 18th birthday and not to be cocky but im a pretty girl and he wasnt hitting on me ! he was very nice and making sure i wasnt in pain. anyways, the place was very clean and everyone who worked there is very nice and helpful. i only waited 25 minutes from when i got there and i was already getting my tattoo. it turned out perfect. people need to learn its a first come first serve shop so dont expect to walk in and get your tattoo.. it takes time, be patient or leave. dont complain then right stupid reviews that are absolute bull when you know damn well there are plenty of other shops that are 10x worse. i will always and ONLY get my tattoo's from skin of a different color and will recommend their shop to anyone ! Read Less

I walked in at 3pm on a Tuesday, scheduled for 5:15, left and came back at 4:45. Then I continued to wait until 7:30pm to get started on my tattoo. The guy had to set up, clean up, take down, set up, check his phone, then when all was ready he had to go out and smoke, set up some more and then start. I am pleased with the work he did, if you are going devote an entire day to waiting. Read Less

Be sure to read the comment under the ""HORRIBLE"" review. Quite simply the best shop around these areas! The only con that I have listed isn't much of a concern. The work that you will be getting done IS worth the wait. I had work done by Craig 15 years ago and most recently 4/9/10. I also had a portrait done of my daughter by Dan Plumley and his work can't be beat. Craig isn't satisfied until you are satisfied. He will do whatever it takes to make sure everyone leaves happy. I cannot get over LocalGuy 71's comments and review! That dude is a joke! You need work done, be sure to stop in to Skin of a Different Color! You won't be disappointed. Read Less

This place gets one star for cleanliness but that's about it. After scouring the area for ""the best"" tattoo shop to get my first tattoo at, all recommendations led me to Skin of a Different Color. Like Shaun said, it is first come first served, so I showed up at 11 with two cars already in the parking lot. By the time I got in there, showed the artist (Craig) what I wanted and he got the sketch ready, it was 1:30. He proceeded to disappear upstairs for another half hour to ""perfect"" the sketch. During this time, there was a very distinct ""herbal"" odor wafting down the stairs. When he came back down, his eyes were glossy and he stunk of skunk. Now, at this point I should have followed my judgment and run, but I stayed, because I have been wanting this tattoo forever. He tried to talk to me about getting tail and how I am lucky that I am young and can still get with young girls, creepy, as this guy is probably 50 years old. Then he brought up a few more very disturbing subjects and some of the other idiots in the shop chimed in. To top it all off, after my tattoo healed, there was a huge white spot in the middle of it that he didn't even fill in! To sum it up: DO NOT GO HERE, THEY ARE ALL HIGH, NARCISSISTIC, IDIOTIC, A-HOLES WHO ONLY CARE ABOUT OVER CHARGING YOU AND TRYING TO GET THE PHONE NUMBER OF EVERY PIECE OF JAILBAIT THAT WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR.Read Less

It was my first tattoo and I was kind of nervous.. I was refered to Craig by a friend and was immedately put at ease py the professionalism and relaxed atmosphere. He took the 3 pictures that I came in with and took aspects from all 3 and created the perfect image that I was looking for . I was completly happy with the entire project and will deffinately go back in the future if I decide to get more work done. As far as price ... I realy dont know , But , You do get what you pay for there. and this is a perm. part of me .. I wamted the best and am very happy with the results. Read Less

I get every tattoo and piercing at Skin. They are the best! The work is amazing and the guys who work there really know what they are doing. And as far as I know, they are the cleanest shop in the area, if not in Illinois. I highly recommend Skin, after seeing the other shops around. Best ever!!! Read Less

i had a appt. at 5:30 and waited for 3 hours, i dont know what the hell he was doing, but i ended up leaving from frustration... if i had been 3 hours late for my appt. there is no way i would have been tattooed, it was insane, the artist didnt even apolgize for the long wait!!!!  worst customer service and experience ever! Read Less

I received a tattoo on 7-29 and am extremely pleased with all aspects of this organization. I would highly recommend this company. Their artistic ability and precision work is outstanding. Arrive early - before opening in order to get an appointment for the same day. It is definitely worth the wait. Read Less

I haven't had a tattoo at Skin yet, but many piercings, and I highly recommend this place. They are safe, clean, and although you can find cheaper prices, the few extra dollars is definitely worth it for the quality. Read Less