Meet Kahli Smith | Cosmetic Tattooer & Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kahli Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kahli, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve never been one to take the usual path in life, so this made sense with my career choice as well. I never wanted to have a 9-5. I wanted to the freedom to work when I wanted/needed to, I wanted to be able to take time off to still enjoy life! And I was lucky enough to find a passion where I was able to provide this freedom for myself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think sometimes people have a hard time considering cosmetic tattooing as art. But I completely disagree. There is an art to not only the application, but to the process of it all.
You are constantly drawing to perfect the hairstroke pattern, and trying to find what looks the best.
While also considering what is going to aesthetically pleasing, and what is going to hold up over the years to come.

With my art specifically I’m always looking for the most natural results. Taking what the client naturally has and bumping it up a bit!!
I LOVE my work being undetectable, to me, that is quality cosmetic tattooing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, since I live and work in Echo Park I would definitely bring them here! There’s so much to do in such a small area, and it’s all walking distance!!

For eats I would recommend Masa for amazing deep dish pizza, or Sticky Rice for flavorful Thai.

Tons of bars in the neighborhood too,
El Prado is a beautiful, dark wine bar.
And Bar Flores is a bright outdoor cocktail bar (try the mezcal cocktail!)

And I can’t forget
My favorite coffee shop is Woodcat!

I would end the day by visiting echo park lake, and going on a nighttime swan boat ride!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I absolutely think I owe a lot of my career/success to the tattoo community. I had the opportunity to work at a tattoo shop as their front desk person when I was 18, and it opened a whole new world to me. And I’ve been hooked ever since!! I’ve also always been into beauty and the beauty provider world. After finding Cosmetic tattooing, I realized was the perfect mend of these worlds for me.

Website: Kahlibrows.com

Instagram: @kahlibrows @fiction.la

Facebook: Kahlibrows + Fiction.LA