Inked
by Her: Women Behind the Needle

Siningtinta—Maginhawa's Blooming Studio

Located in Maginhawa, Quezon City, Siningtinta started as Eloise’s personal, budget-conscious experiment in 2019 — “an impulsive idea” born from student stress and a low-cost tattoo machine. That impulse became a mission: to make tattooing accessible and affirming. Now, Siningtinta isn’t just a studio; it's a creative hub.

Eloise remains the "studio mamma," joined by women artists like Mia (surrealist), Bianca (floral botanicals), Ally (delicate lines), and Allex (piercings). The studio doubles as an art space—featuring local artworks, flash designs, writings, and handcrafted goods by women creatives.

Crimson River Tattoo—Quezon City’s All-Female Powerhouse

Crimson River Tattoo, born in 2018 in Quezon City, is a rarity: an all-women studio. Its founder, Gigie “Gigie Bear” Santiago, began tattooing thanks to a friend’s kit in 2015. In the pandemic’s uncertainty, she offered her space to female artist friends who couldn’t tattoo from home. Slowly, an all-female collective formed—one studio where creative sisterhood arrived organically.

The roster is impressive: from fine-lines to handpoke, watercolor to blackwork, Crimson River’s artists include names like The Uncannie, Curious Wiji, Drew Cortez, and more. “It’s fun that we’re all girls,” Gigie says, softening the stereotype of tattoo shops as aggressive or macho.

Why These Studios Matter

I didn’t realize how tense I was until I stepped into a women-owned studio. Years of feeling out of place in male-heavy shops had made me guarded. But here, in a warmly lit room with an artist who asked about my comfort first, I felt as if my shoulders dropped. It wasn’t just about getting tattooed—it was also about being seen, being safe.

These places matter because they remind me that tattoo culture can be fierce without losing its tenderness, that it can carry both the sting of the needle and the warmth of being understood. That balance is rare, and I will carry it with me long after the ink has healed.

The rise of women-led studios is still in its early stages but the more they grow, the more they challenge the idea of what a tattoo shop should be. Maybe one day, their presence won’t be a headline or a surprise, it will just be the way things are—as natural as feeling at home in your own skin.