AFFORDABLE and accessible piercing shops in Colchester and across Essex are hard to come by these days.
Or at least that's what I thought, until I came across Pastel Palace, in North Station Road, Colchester.
The tattoo and piercing studio aims to create a comfortable and accessible environment for everyone, including women, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people who are neurodivergent.
And if my recent visit is anything to go by, they have succeeded.
Booking my appointment was straightforward and done over Instagram, but sessions can also be booked over Facebook.
Having previously had my septum and eyebrow pierced, I decided to book a session which on this occasion would see both my ear lobes studded.
The piercings and two stud earrings cost £25, but discount is available for students and NHS workers.
As was the case with the booking process, getting to the studio was also easy, thanks to the storefront's eye-catching pink and white appearance and iconic Pastel Palace logo and sign.
Inside the studio I was welcomed with a soft pink exterior, pride flags hanging from the ceiling and an axolotl tank, as well as an axolotl themed Christmas tree.
I was immediately greeted with a smile from the piercer, Tilly, who talked me through my appointment and gave me a consent form to fill out and sign.
Whilst requesting my consent, the form also asked specific questions about how I would like my piercing appointment to play out. I had full customisation over the entire process.
I could ask for no countdown before the needle going in, whether there should be music playing, if I want the studio door open or closed, and so much more.
For neurodivergent and younger people, the option of holding a stuffed animal or a fidget toy was also available.
The piercing process was quick and clean with Tilly explaining everything that was happening throughout.
Once both lobes had been pierced I had a look around at the various goods from small, local businesses on sale, all of which receive all the profits from the sales.
At the till, I paid and received a small care-filled goodie bag, which featured saline solution, stickers, sweets and some informational cards.
The cards informed me of what my piercing is, the size and shape of the studs in my ear and a card about how to care for my piercings.
Tilly also offered me a free-of-charge check-up appointment in two weeks time, as well as reminding me of my piercings' lifetime warranty.
Overall, I had a very comfortable experience in Pastel Palace and I would recommend it to absolutely anyone and everyone looking for their first piercing - and those getting their 10th.
The venue also offers tattoos from the two resident tattoo artists, Sam Sparkles, who enjoys glitter tattooing, and Sharon Vickers, who specialises in colour tattoos.
Speaking about Pastel Palace, a spokesman said: "As a group of queer, neurodiverse individuals, we feel it is very important for us to provide an environment that caters to everyone's needs.
"We feel there is a huge gap in the tattoo industry for inclusiveness that we at Pastel Palace have decided to fill."
For more information and to book go to pastelpalacetattoo.com.
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