London’s most luxurious piercing studios

Piercing studios are all grown up

Forget getting pierced in a dingy room in the back of a chemist. These days, we’re all about diamond jewellery and design-led, purpose-built studios

Blessed be the stud

Sacred Gold isn’t yet one year old, but it’s already establishing itself as the coolest piercing studio in London. All vintage decor and rows upon rows of tiny, sparkling gems, it’s a one-and-done spot to curate your perfect ear. It’s also the largest stockist of cult Californian jewellery brand BVLA in Europe – we’d love to get hole-punched with this dainty marquise-cut opal fan (£245). Coal Drops Yard, N1C. Piercing from £20

Cool cat

Never has a dentist’s chair been less horrifying than at The Alkemistry’s Covent Garden studio (they also have branches in Selfridges and Harvey Nichols). Buy any piece of gold jewellery from the huge range (all by female designers) and they’ll pierce your ear for free, while you recline in a vintage dental chair beneath an ivy canopy. This Kismet By Milka cat (£195) gets our vote. Floral St, WC2E. Piercing £25 with stainless steel bar

Stand by Miyu

In seven years, Astrid & Miyu has gone from its founder’s living room to three piercing studios across London. First making waves with their stackable ear cuffs (no holes required), the brand is now renowned for its delicate, affordable cartilage hoops and barbells, like this crystal conch (£45). Layering is actively encouraged, so peruse their online lookbook for inspiration. Studios in Shoreditch, Covent Garden and Bond Street. Piercing from £45

She’s electric

Leading the seriously cool piercings charge is Maria Tash, an American jeweller whose delicate gems have graced the ears of Rihanna, Adwoa Aboah and Charlize Theron. The Maria Tash piercing studio at Liberty offers a mind-boggling selection of precious gems for every part of your ear: this black diamond lightning bolt (£250) is classic punk-chic Tash, but we challenge you to stop at one. Regent St, W1B. Piercing from £15

Gift of the lab

No mining, just shining: Lark & Berry’s science-perfected diamonds and gems are all grown in a lab and as pure as it’s possible to be. Snug, helix, conch, rook, tragus, lobe, daith – there’s a bedazzled, ethical piercing for every inch of ear. Go subtle with a tiny white sapphire (£99), or adorn your ear with a pretty (and pricey) crescent of diamond petals (£329). 52a George St, W1U. Piercing free with purchase ● Words by Daisy Jackson

In partnership with Shiseido

Meet your new skincare regime

When it comes to efficient but powerful skincare, the Japanese are streets ahead of the game, which is why the latest selection of hero products from J-Beauty experts Shiseido should be top of your must-buy list. For those days when you need a little pick-me-up (hello, Monday), the Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Contour Serum works rapidly to visibly smooth and plump the skin for a naturally dewy look. Then for those wanting to focus on their eye region, the Ultimune Power Infusing Eye Concentrate Cream absorbs instantly to brighten the skin around and above your peepers. They’re just two of the standouts from Shiseido’s Ultimune and Benefiance collections, both of which are scientifically proven to hydrate, boost and protect skin against damage. Purposeful skincare with maximum results, based on Japanese innovation. Consider us obsessed.

SHOP THE COLLECTION

Stylist’s beauty editor Lucy Partington didn’t care about Urban Decay’s latest palette – until she tried it

When I first heard about another eyeshadow palette from Urban Decay, I wasn’t especially excited. Then I tried it and everything changed: Naked Honey has fast become my most used and my most favourite. The mix of shades – matte, shimmer and metallic; warm bronze, amber and rich gold – is perfect, and the pigments are ridiculously impressive.

I like that I can create a simple every day look with it, or dial up the intensity and do something more high impact. In fact, I love it so much that if I could only use one palette for the rest of my life, I’d choose this. £42, Urban Decay

Head down to Covent Garden for a facial you won’t regret

Got any beauty treatments in your diary for next week? Natural skincare superheroes Balance Me are running a special pop-up for two weeks from 26 October, featuring treatments, talks, workshops, free skin analysis and more. The brand’s signature facial costs an extremely good value £30 for 60 minutes, and is redeemable on any products purchased that day. Book ahead; your future self will thank you. Until 7 October; 9 Mercer St, WC2H

The Lib Dems switching from Remain to revoke could cause a problem

Sky News

What the movie Hustlers means for real sex workers

The Mary Sue

Do we really need to get married to have a committed relationship?

Stylist

This year’s hottest cultural trend is lemons

The Outline

“I have to put my phone in the wardrobe”: how do authors deal with social media?

The Guardian