Vaughn Body Arts - Monterey, California

Sarah Rick

We had a truly wonderful experience here. My 8 year old daughter was very excited to get her earlobes pierced, finally. She was feeling very nervous and excited. Everyone in the shop was welcoming and kind. The whole process set her at ease and she felt special and comfortable. After selecting her jewelry and completing the home care tutorial Cody took her into a private room for her procedure. He explained and showed her his process, which included his sanitation system. He excels in bedside manners for children. Even helping guide her through the second piercing when she was feeling anxious. I highly recommend coming here for children’s piercings or any others. Professional, kind, and patience definitely shows here. All businesses should strive for this excellence. Thank you!

euclidshel

I got an anti-eyebrow surface piercing here in January. The place is super chill, and the staff are great. Super clean environment and my piercing healed like a dream!! It causes no issues. I’m super happy with my experience, the apprentice Shay who did my piercing did awesome.

Christine McGee

Vaughn’s is top-tier and the absolute best of the best! Nothing but great things to say! They have pierced me, and my teenage daughter close to a dozen times and each experience is consistent and amazing. Their cleanliness is next-level. The aftercare is explained thoroughly each and every time. They aren’t afraid to tell you “no” to a piercing if it won’t work for you based on your anatomy. Also - their jewelry selection is nothing short of perfection. I would drive hours to get pierced here. Thankfully, since we are local - we don’t have to! 🫶

Elizabeth Rodriguez

All staff are very professional, the shop is clean, their jewelery selection is a very good mix, and scheduling appointments is super easy. I have now had 6 piercings from them, and I felt very informed and educated in how to maintain my piercings clean and healthy.

Andrea Snellen

Absolute best piercer I’ve ever had in my life. I highly recommend this spot. I came in for a dermal re-piercing and I was so impressed with how meticulous he was with sanitation and thoroughly explaining every step of the process. What a true professional! Thank you!

John -n- Tialisa Lente

Vaughn Body Arts is my go to for all my piercings. Cody and the staff are professional, polite, and very hygienic. Their space is relaxing and comfortable with many beautiful pieces in many price ranges for whatever piercing you may have.

Belle Roberts

Clear communication, friendly staff, emphasis on client safety, and beautiful jewelry with lifetime warranties. I've gotten about six piercings from Cody in the last nine years, as well as seven others from four different piercing salons (in Monterey, Portland, Santa Cruz, and London), and honestly...Cody is the GOAT. Regardless of where I may be living, I will always come back to Cody and his team for a piercing.

I made an appointment online, which has a very simple and easy-to-navigate UI as well as very clear information about safety procedures and cancellation policies. I also spoke with Theresa on the phone the day before my appointment to ask a quick question. She was so sweet and eager to please, and made me feel so excited to get back in there. She has a kind of contagious happiness about her.

Carter assisted me at the jewelry counter--he was proactive and cheerful about helping me brainstorm what type of piece would work best for each piercing location and was communicative about all pricing. Once I had chosen all my jewelry, he made sure to add up the entire cost of my visit to give me a quote before I made any final decisions. They know people come in with budgets and are fully aware that lots of high quality piercing jewelry is an investment, and they communicate pricing and warranty policies accordingly.

As shown in my photos: Carter helped me pick out the yellow gold pave ring (daith), 2 mm titanium CZ (cartilage), and 4 mm titanium CZ (conch), and Theresa pointed out the yellow gold "seed" stud (third lobe).

Cody is efficient and professional with a calm, healing presence. He always pierces with client safety in mind, and consistently provides clear instructions and information throughout the appointment. I've taken my bra off in front of him twice (nipple piercings and then subsequent repiercings years later), and I'm still happy and comfortable being alone in the piercing room with him and looking him in the eye.

The vast majority of the 1- and 2-star reviews of VBA from the last few years fall into two categories: 1) the reviewer is upset that there are consequences for not following directions, and 2) the reviewer is feeling reactionary to COVID safety measures.

Can you read and follow simple directions? Great, you'll love this place. Do you like feeling safe and helping ensure the safety of those around you? Great.

You'll love this place!

T Kauer

I brought my 8 year old daughter in for her first ear love piercings and the staff was so nurturing and kind. I would definitely go here again!!!
They are an appointment-only establishment and it was really comforting to be the only clients in the shop. When my daughter picked out her earrings, they asked if I was okay with the cost. We were given thorough after care instructions before the piercings, just to make sure that the after care requirements were manageable.

Most importantly, the piercer was super patient and welcoming with my daughter. She had the demeanor of a kindergarten teacher and a pediatrician. She told my daughter that all of her emotional and physical feelings were totally acceptable, she explained the science behind sterilization, she pierced only when my daughter was ready, and she placed the piercings so perfectly!

Sorry for the super long post! Thanks for giving our daughter such an amazing experience!