High standards for
high-stakes services.
GetMarkd began with a single premise: finding a world-class tattoo artist shouldn't feel like a gamble. We built a hand-vetted directory of the best shops in the United States, prioritizing quality over SEO-driven noise. It worked for tattoos — and now we're bringing that same editorial rigor to other local services where skill and hygiene matter most.
Today we cover both tattoo parlors and waxing salons in every major American city, with more categories on the way. The model stays the same: we do the legwork — checking portfolios, verifying credentials, and ranking the top pros — so you can skip the guesswork. No accounts. No bookings. No fees. Just an honest directory for the body and beauty services that are genuinely hard to get right.
Local search is broken.
Most online directories prioritize the highest bidder over the most skilled practitioner. When you are looking for a tattoo artist or a waxing specialist, a bad recommendation is more than an inconvenience — it is a permanent mistake or a painful experience. We built GetMarkd because we were tired of sifting through cluttered maps and paid advertisements to find genuine quality. We wanted a resource that functioned like a trusted city guide, offering clear-eyed recommendations for services where the stakes are inherently personal.
We check every listing.
Algorithms are good at many things, but they lack the nuance required to judge artistry or professional standards. Every shop listed on GetMarkd is hand-vetted by our team. We look at years of experience, portfolio consistency, shop hygiene, and local reputation. Whether we are ranking the top ten tattoo studios in Brooklyn or the best Brazilian waxing salons in Austin, we apply a consistent set of criteria so only the most reliable professionals make the cut. If we wouldn't go there ourselves, they don't get listed.
Rankings are never for sale.
Our editorial independence is the foundation of this directory. We do not accept payment for better rankings, and we do not allow businesses to buy their way onto our lists. No "featured" slots, no sponsored results. When you see a shop at the top of a city guide, it is there because our research says they are the best in their field. A directory is only as useful as its integrity, so we keep editorial and revenue strictly separate.
Built by a small crew in Texas.
GetMarkd is run by a small, independent team based in Texas. We aren't a massive corporate entity or a venture-backed startup trying to disrupt an industry for a quick exit — just people who care about good design and better local information. By staying small and self-funded, we can focus on the quality of our data instead of quarterly growth targets. That independence is what lets us take the time to hand-check thousands of listings across the country and keep the standards high.
Help us keep it accurate.
A directory is a living document — shops move, close, and change ownership all the time. While we monitor listings regularly, we rely on the community to catch what we miss. If a shop has closed, moved, or your experience doesn't line up with our recommendation, we want to hear about it. Email support@getmarkd.org with the studio name and what's off, and we'll verify the change within a few days.