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Go edgy or elegant at these piercing shops in Los Angeles, where all your body modification dreams can come true
Body piercing shops are packed these days as the multi-hole look has swung majorly back into fashion. When we recently talked to one of L.A.'s most popular piercers, Brian Keith Thompson, at Body Electric in West Hollywood, he told us that he's as busy as he's ever been with A-listers and it girls alike—so if you're trying to find out where to see celebrities, you might want to try his shop. While a face or body full of percings might seem edgy to some, these days it's right on-trend, but if you need a little liquid courage before your appointment, we suggest heading to one of L.A.'s cocktail bars for a few drinks!
Brian Keith Thompson, the expert piercer who owns Body Electric, has been known to boast that he has pierced every nipple in L.A. While that may not techincally be true just yet, at his current rate of about six a day, he's certainly making progress. Nipples may be a speciality, but he'll happily pierce anything you desire, and approaches each piece with an artist's careful eye for placement and proportion.
With locations in West Hollywood and near the UCLA campus in Westwood, Ancient Adornments is one of L.A.'s true piercing specialist shops. You won't find a tattoo gun anywhere on site, but you will find experienced piercers comfortable with even more exotic options (subdermal silicone implants, anyone?) and an extensive array of body jewelry from high-end lines.
Fashion girls flock to Oak and Poppy, where piercer Sean David Roth has given celebs like Kylie Jenner, Chrissy Teigen and Emily Ratajkowski their signature piercings. The setting is a bit more refined than the average shop, too, with a decor of reclaimed wood panelling, exposed brick and Edison bulb light fixtures that make it look like a trendy cafe. Suiting the clientele, the jewelry on offer here skews hip and chic over hippie or rocker, and, yes, you can get everything in rose gold.
The staff at JuL Head refers to themselves as "people pokers and hole pluggers," but despite the silly tagline, they've got a reputation for serious professionalism when it comes to piercing. This boutique, piercing-only studio offers both female and male practioners, and stocks jewerly from edgy to elegant, including ranges made with precious metals and gems. Stop by for a dainty nostril, bold navel or anything in between.
Open since 1992, Studio City Tattoo and Piercing is considered by many to be among the region's best studios. One thing is for certain, it's certainly the most pirate-themed. Don't let that deter you, though. Even if you don't sail the high seas, this welcoming spot will set you up with the piercing of your choice (or tattoo, if you're in the market for one of those, too). The retail assortment of jewelry, both piercing-specific and standard, has been known to attract tastemakers like actress Chloë Grace Moretz.
Timeless distinguishes itself as the home base of celebrity piercer Chris Saint, familiar to fans of reality television (he's a regular on Tattoos After Dark, among his other appearances) and his own popular podcast. Even Forbes describes him as Hollywood's "body piercer to the stars." He'll adorne you with anything from a simple nipple or navel jewel to an elaborate custom job that will turn your skin into a lace-up corset.
The all-female staff of Long Beach's highly-regarded Somatic is known for its patience and meticiulous work. Even the 'basic' menu of piercing services probably includes a handful of holes you've never considered before—but that's just a jumping off point, as they are also happy to perform complicated or custom work.
Whether you're looking for neo-traditional Japanese designs or a classic black-and-grey portrait, these shops are the real deal, and are staffed with true artists.
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