I think I knew the moment I walked into Light Heart Tattoo that I was going to trust these people with something permanent. And that kind of surprised me—because I’m not usually that chill about big decisions, especially the kind that get etched into your skin.
To be fair, I had done my homework. I’d been bouncing around Google reviews late at night, scanning for any red flags, and Light Heart had over 100 five-star ratings, which felt… unreal. Like, who actually gets that kind of love?
Then I peeked at Yelp—same story. People raving about how clean it was, how the artists actually listen. Even Facebook comments were full of those “you have to go here” kind of messages that sound like your friends yelling in text form. So yeah, I got curious.
Still, reading about a place is one thing. Walking in and feeling it is another.
It smelled clean, but not sterile. That matters. It felt like a studio, not a clinic. There was this big wall covered in art—some finished, some just beginnings—and it hit me that I was in a space that was alive with creativity, not just some tattoo factory churning out infinity signs and tribal armbands. (No judgment if that’s your thing.)
I came in for a consult, because honestly, I wasn’t totally sure what I wanted. I had this half-formed idea, kind of rooted in something personal, but vague. I met with Andrew, who a friend had told me about—she said he was “insanely good at turning feelings into lines.”
And he was. We didn’t even start drawing right away. He just asked questions, listened, and let the idea breathe a little. That part felt really human, which isn’t always the vibe in shops.
I remember while we were talking, someone at the front desk was laughing about how someone on Yelp called Light Heart their “second home.” And then another person chimed in like, “That’s not even dramatic—this place is homey.” That stuck with me. I liked that it wasn’t just my first impression—it was a thing people felt over and over again.
Anyway, I ended up going back a few days later for the actual tattoo. I was nervous, which surprised me because I already have a couple. But there was something more personal about this one. Maybe because of the story behind it. Or maybe because I’d built it with someone instead of just handing over a Pinterest pic and saying “this one.”
The whole process was smoother than I expected. Clean setup. No rush. Andrew kept checking in—not just like “you good?” but real check-ins. The kind where you know he actually cares about how it’s going. I caught a glimpse of another artist across the room doing this massive black-and-grey piece, and I just remember thinking how focused everyone looked. Like they weren’t just tattooing—they were in it.
Afterward, they didn’t just shove a paper in my hand and say “good luck healing.” Andrew actually walked me through the aftercare, explained why certain things mattered, and even emailed me a detailed guide later (seriously, who does that?). Felt like I had a tattoo doula or something.
Oh, and something kind of helpful if you’re still in the “how much is this gonna cost me” stage—there’s this Tattoo Cost Calculator that gives you a ballpark idea based on what you want. It helped me set expectations before the consult so I didn’t walk in blind.
I don’t think I realized how emotional getting this tattoo would be. It wasn’t dramatic or teary or anything—it was just… grounding. A weird mix of pain and calm and “okay, this is mine now.” I walked out with more than just ink. I walked out kind of settled.
Would I go back? Yeah, 100 times. And not just because the work is beautiful (it is), or because the shop is clean and well-run (it’s that too). I’d go back because it felt like being seen. And that’s rare.
—Natalie M., Glendale, AZ
Contact Information
Shop Name: Light Heart Tattoo
Address: 5540 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301
Website: facebook.com/lighthearttattoo
Phone: +1 623-217-2505
Email: lighthearttattoo@gmail.com
