A NEW tattoo and piercing studio is set to open in Colchester today and are hoping to buck the trend of stereotypical shops.

Pastel Palace Tattoo and Piercing Studio has opened its doors to the public in North Station Road.

The team are hoping to bring change to what they say is an often male-dominated industry.

Instead of dark colours, dim lighting or heavy metal music there will be colourful rooms and relaxed music.

The team are also using pre-appointment forms with questions such as preferred pronouns and disability requirements to make sure everyone is comfortable before they arrive.

Co-owner and co-founder Tilly Somervell said: “We want to create the perfect environment for our clients that is safe and comfortable, because getting a tattoo or piercing should be a fun experience.

“We want to be the studio that we all needed when first experiencing the industry, as clients and now as artists.

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“Body mods are for everyone, and if this form helps people feel included, valid and safe in our studio, then we have done our job right.’

There will also be no shared work rooms with other artists, meaning customers won’t have to be tattooed or pierced in a room full of strangers.

As an extra touch, artists Sam, Hannah and Tilly provide an essential gift bag with every appointment, which includes aftercare, instructions of how to take care of your new addition.

Both tattoo artists will also offer free retouches on tattoos when you come in for your next session of ink.

The resident piercer will also offer lifetime guarantee on all piercings that she performs.

For more information visit the website www.pastelpalace

tattoo.com, email pastelpalacetattoo@gmail.com, call on 07422 531656 or pop in to the studio at 27 North Station Road, Colchester.