Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Angius.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am going to start by saying that I am from Italy, and I moved to California 12 years ago.
I am both a makeup artist and a tattoo artist specializing in fine-line tattoos.
I started my makeup career in 2008 by attending an academy in Milan that lasted about a year. After that, I moved back to my home island, Sardinia, and started working in the movie industry. I briefly taught makeup as well.
I did more or less anything related to makeup that was available at the time.
Having a degree in graphic design always encouraged me to explore all kinds of art, and somehow I got pulled into the tattoo world. So, I decided to enroll in a school in Rome and learn how to tattoo there.
I practiced for a few years before deciding to move to the US to learn English. I was supposed to stay for only six months, and somehow it became 12 years.
I couldn’t really do what I had done in Italy here because I was a tourist, and under that visa, I couldn’t work.
My plan was always to go back home after learning English and continue doing makeup and tattooing either in Italy or at least in Europe.
Destiny wanted me to meet the person who is now my husband, so after being together for a year, we decided to move to Australia.
It was an easy visa for both of us, and we could work and travel there without any problems.
After about six months of living there, we decided to come back to California and get married.
We did all the green card paperwork necessary to become legal and be able to work, and then we moved to LA in 2017 so I could attend a makeup academy there to refresh all my knowledge and keep up with the makeup industry in the US.
While in school in LA, I started working and assisting on the sets of indie movies, which I loved.
I didn’t want to settle in LA, so we came back to Santa Cruz. I got a whatever job just to have some money while I was trying to find my way back to makeup and, eventually, tattoos.
I started helping artists in the bridal industry (I still assist), and eventually started doing my own weddings.
I managed to rent a chair in a studio, and eventually, in 2020, I started tattooing again.
Got to work with many amaizing vendor in the bridal industry that eventually became friends, and I got to be known for a specific style of tattoo that people where really liking and appreciating.
In 2025, I got pregnant. Our baby was supposed to be born in October but decided to come in August, so we spent quite a bit of time in the NICU, which was obviously very hard (very hard) and it put all my work on pause.
I had no space for anything else, which also led me to lose my previous studio.
Somehow, a friend out of nowhere told me that her studio neighbors were backing out of a two-room space and asked if I wanted to take a look. I did, without thinking much of it, because with a newborn and after spending such a long time in the hospital, I certainly didn’t have the mental or physical space for my own studio.
Little did I know that it was actually perfect for me. It had two rooms, which meant I could do makeup in one and tattoo in the other, my own restroom, and a little hallway for snacks and water.
I got it. I honestly couldn’t let it pass.
So, on Christmas Day of 2025, I signed the lease, and on January 1st, I got my keys.
I love that place. It brings me (and hopefully all my clients) so much joy.
I worked so hard to be able to do it all. Nothing is perfect, but everything is how it’s meant to be.
Somehow, everything worked out.
I honestly couldn’t have done it mentally if it weren’t for the people who surround me and believe in me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think is ever a smooth road.
In my case doing business in a different country with a the beginning have not the best grip on the new language and culture it definitely was a challenge and brought many moments of frustrations. Trying to fit and make space for me here was a process that took a lot of introspection.
On top of being your own boss that already without the language and cultural barrier is a very hard road.
The pressure of constantly being connected and ready to go at all times definitely made me doubt of myself, not knowing if I would ever being or done enough.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a makeup artist for almost 20 years which is even scary to say ( I stated when I was 18) I feel I really got to experience many different style and refined my style in the bridal industry, with a very natural and clean style, always trying to enhance the beauty of my clients making them feel like themself.
I also believe that a big part of my job is having a strong work ethic.
Being reliable, listening to my clients, and putting in the work to bring their vision to life, I love the social part of my job, get to know my clients relate with them, it is one of my favorite part of it all.
As a tattoo artist I am know as a fineline artist, minimalistic, feminine and dainty tattoos.
While there are many of us doing this style we somehow do it very differently.
I specialize in botanical designs, and I absolutely love tattooing flowers and anything whimsical.
I mostly do custom work, which gives me the opportunity to get to know my clients on a deeper level and create something that feels personal and meaningful to them.
That process creates a different kind of connection and trust between us, and that is one of my favorite parts of what I do.
In both my worlds what makes me most proud of is knowing how much work, passion, and perseverance it took for me to get here.
I’ve been able to turn my love for art into something that allows me to connect with people, make them feel beautiful and confident, and create something that is uniquely theirs.
I’m proud that after so many changes, challenges, and unexpected turns in my life, I never gave up on my creativity or on finding my place in this industry.
Being able to do both makeup and tattooing, in a space that I created for myself feels incredibly rewarding.
But more than anything, I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients. Knowing that people trust me with such personal moments, whether it’s their wedding day, a tattoo that means something to them, or simply taking some time for themselves, is something I never take for granted.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Social media is the best way to contact me, or you can reach me through email.
Most of my work comes through referrals and word of mouth, which I truly appreciate.
A satisfied client who loves their experience enough to recommend me to their friends and family is one of the best ways to support a small business.
Every referral means so much to me, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who continues to trust me and share my work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaangiusartistry/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/erica_angius_tattoo/
