Tattoo, permanent makeup & piercing

Tattoo, permanent makeup, piercing: how to find an artist and compare prices

Updated 20 October 2026

These are three different services

Artists from different fields work under one category. A tattoo is an artistic design made for life, or covered up or removed with a laser. Permanent makeup is pigment in the upper layers of skin for brows, lips or eyelids that fades over time and needs touch-ups. Piercing is a puncture fitted with jewellery. Artists in these fields train differently, so first write exactly what you need. Brow and lash care is a separate topic, see lashes and brows.

Tattoo: the artist and the sketch decide everything

The price of a tattoo depends not only on the size but also on the complexity: black-and-grey realism with fine detail takes more hours than a simple line drawing. So look at a portfolio in the exact style you want: realism, old school, dotwork, minimalism. You can bring your own sketch, but the artist will often adapt it to the area and size. Covering an old tattoo is separate work, because the new design must be darker and larger. The place on the body matters too: on the ribs or the foot the pain and difficulty are higher than on the forearm.

Hygiene and safety

• Single-use needles and cartridges, opened in front of you.
• Gloves, protective film on work surfaces, a clean work area.
• The artist asks about allergies, chronic illnesses and medicines.
• Aftercare instructions given in writing or in a message.

If you have diabetes, blood-clotting problems, an allergy or are pregnant, check with a doctor before the procedure.

What to put in your request

• service — tattoo, permanent makeup, piercing, cover-up, touch-up;
• area — for example the forearm or the lips;
• size in centimetres;
• style — realism, line work, minimalism, colour;
• sketch — your own or the artist's, attach an image;
• new or touch-up — a new tattoo or a cover-up of an old one;
• date and area;
• artist's experience — a portfolio in the style you want;
• budget, if you want to share it.

Example: “I want a black-and-grey realism tattoo on the forearm, about 15×10 cm, I have my own sketch. It's a cover-up of an old tattoo. Dubai, Saturday at 12:00. I need a realism portfolio. Budget up to AED 260.”

How to compare offers

The price may be per hour or for the whole piece, so ask what is fixed. Ask about advance payment and what happens if you reschedule, and whether a touch-up and aftercare are included. Don't choose the cheapest if the portfolio has no similar work: a fresh tattoo in a photo and a healed one look different.

How it works on BlaBlaPrice

You describe what you want once in a request, and artists reply in the chat with a price, a date and examples of work. The platform shows the best-value offer first, with reviews beside each. Artists see their place among the others and often improve their terms. Your phone number stays hidden until you choose an artist. Read more on the “How it works” page.