Coversations with Raquel Cosmetic Tattoo & Tooth Gems

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Gast. 

Hi Raquel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I got into the idea of cosmetic tattooing during the beginning of the pandemic. I had just lost my job at a restaurant that I hated and decided that working under someone else was something I never wanted to do again. I started looking up artists online and after that I became obsessed. I didn’t really expect it to become my main source of income or anything more than just a hobby, but now I work full-time and have seen and met hundreds of new people. I started taking my first clients – which were mostly family and friends – out in Birmingham, MI before moving to Dharma Tattoo Collective last year. There I’ve expanded my services and grown so much as an artist, it’s truly the greatest job in the world. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting from the complete bottom was rough. I didn’t really have any idea what I was doing as far as marketing and getting my name out there to build clientele. Also, I was broke! I spent my last bit of money learning and gathering supplies to make this work. So, I was all in. The only way was up! They don’t tell you that when you own your own business, it really is a one-man show. I do inventory, scheduling, photography, customer service, social media, graphic design, pricing, the list goes on. And that’s not even including the actual skill of tattooing someone’s face! I am still perfecting techniques and continue to learn every day. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a cosmetic tattoo artist and tooth gem technician. I provide lip, freckle, beauty mark, and corrective tattoos but mostly specialize in tattooing eyebrows. From making subtle enhancements to completely reshaping and giving life back to your face. My goal is to give people cosmetic tattoos that look as natural and fitting to them as possible. I used to think someone saying, “I can’t even tell you got them done” was an insult but now it’s regarded as the highest compliment I can receive about my work. I’d have to say what sets me apart from others in this industry is the level of uniqueness. No eyebrow, lip, or freckle tattoo is the same. I can make brows fluffy, lips rosy, and freckles… freckly. I love new challenges and styles, and collaborations. It’s what drives me. I know picking a favorite child is frowned upon, but I do have a special place in my heart for tooth gems. I’ve only been applying gems for little over a year, but I’ve absolutely fallen in love. Seeing my clients out in the wild with a sparkly smile makes me so insanely happy. Smiles all around. I offer so many deals just so I can do more fun designs! Seeing new gems and ordering new bits of gold makes every day one of a kind. I decided to provide this service, so different from my others because I wanted tooth gems myself! And no one around me was offering them. So, I’m glad other people want them too! 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Starting a business in the midst of a global pandemic was not easy. But it also was the perfect time to break from my regular routine and spice things up. When you see so much tragedy happening around you it makes you realize you really need to be doing something you love, or else what’s the point? I found out that having confidence in yourself and giving other people new-found confidence is so, so rewarding. There’s something about giving people their face back after things like alopecia or cancer treatments that leaves you feeling so fulfilled. My long-term goal is to sharpen up my permanent makeup techniques and move more into restorative tattooing, such as areola tattoos for breast cancer survivors and offer free scar camouflage to self-harm survivors. That’s a ways out but I would really love to do that for people. 

Pricing:

• Swarovski Tooth Gems – $50
• 18k Yellow/White Gold Tooth Gems – $150
• Freckle Tattoo – $150
• Star or Heart Freckle (add-on service) – $50

Contact Info:

• Website: www.raqcosmetictattoo.com
• Instagram: @raqcosmetictattoo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/raqcosmetictattoo 

Image Credits
Daniel Stelly