First, I absolutely love Morocco. Five years ago, I visited Marrakech & just spent a week in Casablanca. Though I'm from Buffalo, New York, Morocco continues to steal my heart.
As my time here was wrapping up, I wanted to get something meaningful to commemorate this trip – a tattoo that felt both authentic to Morocco & true to myself.
This review is long, but every detail mattered to me, so here it is.
About my tattoo choice:
The meaning behind this tattoo goes back to a phrase that guides my life, everyone always wants to find out "the meaning of life", so I always say: "It’s OUR job to find our OWN meaning. WE have to find simple joys & hold on to them… that’s what fulfills us." So, I decided to get "Simple Joy" translated into Arabic as "Farha Basita/فرحة بسيطة."
About the artist:
My tattoo artist, Reda - @arkay.ink (definitely follow him on IG) was fantastic. His energy & vibe were as unique & creative as his appearance. Reda was warm, welcoming & genuinely passionate about his craft.
Experience from beginning to end:
The night before, I DM’d the shop to ask about pricing & availability as a walk-in the next day. They replied almost instantly, confirming that I could come by. My hotel was about a 10-minute walk away, so I made my way over.
A heads up – the shop isn’t a storefront & doesn’t have a sign outside. It’s located in an apartment on the first floor - don't let the word "apartment" deter you! You ring a buzzer, enter & take the elevator up to the first floor. The hallways are dimly lit, which initially felt a bit sketchy, but after reading reviews, checking their IG & the pleasant DM exchange, I was confident enough to continue.
Once inside, it felt like any other clean, professional tattoo shop – just with a cozy, "home" vibe. The space was sterile & organized, with an impressive attention to hygiene.
Meeting the artist:
Reda greeted me with a friendly smile, alongside a little dog who made the place feel even more inviting. After a short 10 min. wait, he took me to the back to discuss the tattoo. Knowing I was getting an Arabic phrase, he triple-checked that I was comfortable with the translation. While I already felt good about it, I appreciated how committed he was to making sure I was at ease.
Since I was flying back the next morning, I asked about aftercare, especially with a long flight ahead. Reda explained he’d apply a second skin (Saniderm, I think 😉) to protect it from germs during travel, which was perfect for peace of mind.
He very patiently went through font options, font weights & sizes, ultimately recommending a font that felt most authentic to Arabic script. We adjusted it slightly to match my style & finalized the design.
The tattoo process:
As Reda set up, I noticed every detail – fresh gloves straight from the box, no cross-contamination, a new needle & sanitized surfaces. His precision was impressive, his presence calming. The tattoo experience itself was almost painless & I felt fully at ease.
The shop & team:
I believe I also met the owner, who checked in briefly, warmly greeting me & ensuring both I & another client were satisfied & comfortable. He told me he had been the one I spoke with over DM & his commitment to customer satisfaction was clear.
Post-appointment care:
I had hoped to get a second tattoo on my right knee saying “quiet steps,” but my personal time ran out. Back in the States, I messaged them - again - to ask if they could send me the exact font & font weight so I could match the (upcoming) new tattoo to the first one. True to form, they replied right away, saying they’d reach out once Reda was available.
Overall Experience:
10's, 10's across the board. Would absolutely recommend. 5 stars!
My entire experience was safe, clean & genuinely enjoyable.
If you’re in Casablanca & want a top-tier tattoo experience & a top-tier artist like Reda (although mine was simple, I sussed his IG prior), don’t miss out on 'Geert Tattoo Piercing Casablanca.'
Thank you to both the owner & Reda (@arkay.ink)!
- Ben (from New York)
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Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed experience, Ben! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that your time with us left such a positive impression. It's great to know that Reda's passion and attention to detail helped make the tattoo not only meaningful but also exactly what you wanted. We're glad you appreciated the care we pay towards hygiene and how everything was just right, from the design process to aftercare.
It's always a delight connecting with our clients from around the world, and we're very happy Morocco keeps stealing your heart! Your words about our shop and team mean everything to us; we're glad we could make your last days in Casablanca so special.
We hope to see you again soon, whether it is about your tattoo of the "quiet steps" or just to say hi. Safe travel back to New York, and again thank you for choosing us!
— The team at Geert Tattoo Piercing Casablanca