BRINGING beauty into the tattoo world by launching her own skincare range for inked skin, artist Alice Nicholls is breaking the mould.

On March 22 she launches her homemade and vegan-friendly tattoo balm which has already been endorsed by Tattoo Fixers’ Alice Perrin.

It is the first product in her future range specifically for tattooed skin -soon to include a cleanser and the actual ink - and part of her entrepreneurial, hybrid vision.

She said: “I came to realise the majority of tattoo studios recommend nappy rash creams with bepanthen which is really unsuitable for tattoos obviously because they’re for bottoms.

“They have so many chemicals in them and are thick as they’re made to create a barrier rather than to hydrate your tattoo.

“I did a course in homemade skincare products, researched the best ingredients for tattooed skin and began experimenting.

“It was hit and miss but I eventually got the mixture right and it signed off to sell.

“Being the first one doing it is scary but I really hope it takes off.”

The buzz around this four-ingredient balm has lent itself to a launch party at her Eld Lane studio.

On the guest list is TV tattooist Alice, Skin Deep magazine and hopefully one half of Pixiwoo, popular sibling makeup artists.

It will take place at the Colchester studio which is a far cry from the dark and edgy places synonymous with tattooists.

Instead you hear soothing vintage, purple drapes adorn the walls and her team - piercer Hope Wakeln-Gardner, beautician Dionne Bartlett and tattooist Elliot Randell - help break the stereotypes.

The mum-of-two said: “When I began doing my apprenticeship more than 12 years ago, the first thing I was told is female tattoo artists never make it so that then became my drive.

“Often women, and men, comment on how friendly we are at An79 and that they feel more comfortable so I thought it was something I could amplify.

“You can have this lovely crossover of beauty and tattooing in a luxurious setting which can be more female-orientated.

“Far more women now are being tattooed and it seems they’re taking over the majority market so I’m surprised someone hasn’t tapped into this already, or made it more mainstream yet.”

Originally from Frinton, Alice, 34, fell into tattooing after getting a piercing and then being taken on as the studio’s apprentice.

While studying for an animation degree in Southampton, she wanted to be a storyboard artist although inking had always been in the back of her mind.

“I thought it’d be too hard to get into but I’ve loved every minute of it, and haven’t wanted to do anything since,” she said.

“Everyone in my family is also an artist so it’s in my blood.”

Attend the launch from 6pm until 9pm at 40a Eld Lane.