Barbie added some filigree, beautiful blue shading, fine detail and improved my blown out ink (from an inexperienced artist at another local place) dramatically. Her business is impeccably clean, she plays great music, has a light touch while inking, a fantastic eye for design. The business is well lit and has a nice design with an intriguing cabinet of curiosities, quite the conversation piece! Fantastic experience with Barbie, I won't go anywhere else, she's got a calming demeanor and a great sense of humor! Highly recommend Out on a Whim, they're the best! I won't go anywhere else, Barbie  turned my average ink into something beyond beautiful. Barbie is a true ink master. Read Less

The tattoos are nice they have some great ink that walks out their doors they are very clean the only complaint I have about it is they could use some better people for the peircings my friend was in there a while back getting a labret and it took the lady 3 different tries meaning she had to stab her several times and they we're not prepared for if the peircings fell out while she was putting it on and had to put a completely different peircing in it good ink but sloppy peircings Read Less

Justin and the crew at Out On a Whim tattoo are truly Masters in their craft!! Highly recommend them to anyone looking for great ink. Cannot say enough about the cover-up Norse sleeve that Justin did. One of a kind!!! Will be back again for the arm. Read Less

Had some new ink retouched/improved that I was unhappy with - after the owner of another local place - tried to fix blow out with a beige ink, it seems his apprentice was an inexperienced artist. GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH BARBIE and her staff. The overhead LED lighting is exceptional and bright. Clean, sterile, organized station, and shop, open seating area, decent intelligable music. BARBIE is hands down the best ink master I've ever met. Highly recommend. She's humorous, has a calm demeanor about her and ten plus years experience inking. A true talent!! The before and after pictures are exemplary of her talent in both coloring and delicate ink design, not heavy handed at all!! Thrilled to pieces, cannot wait to return for my next addition. Had a second tattoo improved by Barbie. Her creativity, and tattooing style are both exemplary as well as delicate. Read Less

Barbie is so amazing!! She’s so flexible with times and dates! Atmosphere is super cool!! So chill inside!! The tattoo artists are super nice and welcoming!! Super friendly place to be!! I will always come here!!! The best tattoo parlor around!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️💉💉💉💉 Read Less

I got tattooed by Barbie she was amazing and knew exactly what I wanted! Her work was amazing and she asked me for my price range unlike other Places who just over price everything. She took her time and even would rub ointment on to sooth my skin from burning which I love no one has ever done that for me and she did that from the kindness of her heart. She told me they got a new owner than before which I can tell from the other google reviews aren't so acurrate about the place now. I DEFINITELY HAVE MY NEW TATTOO PLACE THANK YOU BARBIE FOR THE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE! Read Less

I literally came in "on a whim" last week for a tattoo. I didn't know if anyone would be available for a tattoo in such little time. The staff that greeted me were so friendly and definitely went above and beyond to make me feel at ease. Chuckie was very quick with his other two customers and in no time I was in the chair!Read Less

My sister and I got work done by Chuckie yesterday and we both love them! I had work added to my already started sleeve and Chuckie was amazing at matching the backgrounds to blend the tattoos together and giving me the realistic spin I wanted with my vision of my completed sleeve. The whole staff was awesome and inviting! They made us feel important and took care of us and everyone else that we saw come in! I definitely recommend Out on a Whim to anyone looking for quality work from great people! I am returning to Chuckie for him to finish my sleeve! Read Less

Had a tattoo here from my main boy Chuckie, great work as always. The shop was very friendly and chill, the people greeted me professionally and promptly, everything was clean and well lit. 5/5 couldn't recommend it more. Read Less

I had a coverup done by Barbie and I'm absolutely in love with it! I had a very poor experience at another shop in DeKalb and was extremely unhappy with the results for months. I got Barbies name from a friend and booked and appointment with her. All the staff is extremely professional and friendly, Barbie made my idea come alive better than I could have ever imagined and I'm so happy with the results! 5/5 will go there again! Read Less

This was my 1st tattoo ever. I was nervous but Barbie made me feel at ease and did a phenomenal job. Showed my friend who is planning on getting anoter tattoo loved it and said she will be going there now for her next one Read Less

Randi is definitely one of the best up and coming artists in the area. I would never know she was working on her apprenticeship if I wasn't already told. I can't say enough wonderful things about her friendly attitude and the great skills she holds. I will definitely be going back to see her for my ink therapy. I am going to be referring friends and family to see her. Read Less

Attentive staff - helpful and welcoming! From the time I walked in, to the consult and my appointment...I felt comfortable. Justin did an awesome job and helped me pick and create a design. This shop is doing it right! Walk in and you'll see what I'm talking about � Read Less

Attentive staff - helpful and welcoming! From the time I walked in, to the consult and my appointment...I felt comfortable. Justin did an awesome job and helped me pick and create a design. This shop is doing it right! Walk in and you'll see what I'm talking about 😁 Read Less

Justin did a amazing job. My tattoo was custom. I had a few different pictures and details from each picture that I wanted combined to make the tattoo that i wanted. Within a very short time of showing Justin what I wanted to do and how all the pictures put together would look he drew up the tattoo and it looked great. Justin is a very professional tattooist very clean environment in the shop. The new look inside the shop is amazing. Total remodel from the way the shop used to look. Very open and welcoming spacious and organized. Thanks for a great tattoo Justin. I would recommend this shop to my friends definitely will be returning here for my next tattoo.Read Less

Barbie was amazing. She did a tattoo for my friend and I. We both came in knowing what we wanted but not where we wanted it. Barbie was super patient in hearing all of our ideas. She left the choice up to us but gave us tips on what would like best. She is knowledge and knows what she is talking about. Loved the atmosphere of the shop and my tattoo. I would come back in a heartbeat. Read Less

Barbie was amazing as always. This was my third tattoo with her and I love it as much as I do my others! She dealt with my annoying inability to decide where to put my new ink professionally and with amazing compassion. She gave honest advice on where she thought it would look best. This is my first time seeing her at out on a whim and I was pleasantly surprised to see how much the shop has grown and changed for the better since going under new management. Amazing work, amazing artist, amazing location! � Read Less

I went to Barbie after she did an amazing job on my friend's tat. I showed her pictures similar to the idea I had for my sleeve piece and what she drew up was so incredible, I never could have created it with my own mind!! Read Less

I've had Barbie tattoo me a couple times, and I won't go anywhere else! I gave her an idea of what I wanted, and she drew up something beautiful. She knew me, and what i was looking for in the tattoo. Not only is she a great artist, but she is a warm and caring person. I came in the shop in a wheelchair, and she and her staff were very patient and accommodating with me. You should stop in and check it out. I guarantee you'll be happy with your results! Read Less

Justin and Barbie are the only two people who I have let tattoo me and I'm sticking with them because their work is amazing! They super friendly and are willing to work with you and your tattoo design. I'm kinda picky and they didn't get annoyed with me when I asked them to change my design they understand that it's your tattoo and you're going to have it forever and they want you to love it. I've gotten 3 so far and I'm always getting compliments on their work and recommending them to people! Read Less

NEVER GET A PIERCING FROM HERE! Not only does Kenny do a terrible job with piercings, he also hits on any girl that walks in! My piercing is so messed up and when I went to have it looked at by a PROFESSIONAL, they said Kenny has a bad reputation for not piercing correctly and told me that I am going to lose my piercing that was OVERPRICED! Also, navel piercings are not supposed to be done with a hoop because they wont heal properly, it was just him being CHEAP! I should've done my research before having to deal with all the pain that comes with an improperly done piercing. I would give this place ZERO stars if it would let me. Read Less

I didn't realize my earlier review had been nuked. I did slice and dice a non Daily Chronicle reporter for a very biased review on Dekalb Tattoo busynesses. Didn't they used to let you know when they were nuking your reviews? Anyway, Kenny is now a 15 year institution in Dekalb and has been having a 15 year sale with 15% off. A great place to reload your incense, or mystery jewelry. Clean and who wouldn't want their tattoos or piercings from a 15 year old busyness run by a nurse?Some of you who didn't like a shop with a gorgeous Macaw character in addition to all the other characters who would pass through, should know that Marie has left the building.The Balloons are fun. Out on a Whim is fun. Be there.RIP Marie, and everyone who has gone before us. Read Less

The piercing man was very knowledgeable and gave good advice on aftercare. I had a botched piercing from another place he gave advice on and it healed a bit better with his help. 10/10, i recommend for piercings. They also have a wide selection of jewlery and replacement pieces, from regular quality to high quality. Read Less

Amazing location and friendly staff. Not only does Kenny do piercings but he does amazing decoration balloon work for events and designed a massive balloon arch to cover the front of my store for it's grand opening. I highly recommend this business! Read Less

Ugh. I should have run out the door the moment I stepped in. Gross main room (I mean, I don't want to have a bird in a place where I'm buying piercings) and the guy seriously rubbed me the wrong way. Definitely will never come back here even to buy replacement piercings. Avoid if you can. Read Less

I met Kenny when I had my tongue pierced and a lower back tat done in Rockford at JG's. Then was surprised when he showed up in DeKalb with Out On A Whim. My husband had his tongue done. Friendly fast and efficient. Good price on jewelry. Also my father-in-law installed his direct ty years ago and he made a good impression on him. Kenny's cool... I'd use him for any other piercing I may get. Read Less

If you want to get a piercing get it here! The owner/piercer is very knowleable and easy to talk to. Years ago i got my lip done and had a great experiance! My bf got his nipples pierced and they both are straight he also go his septum done recently; that looks good too! They have a huge selection of jewerly something for every taste.  I gave this place a 4 because of all the hippy crap you have to waste your vision on when you go here. Other than that clean piercing rooms, nice people, a new hunk of metal in your body what more could you want? Read Less