We quietly added genital piercings to the menu at Cherry Bomb last week…and five people booked immediately.

By the time someone comes into Cherry Bomb, they’ve often already tried another shop that made them feel smaller than they walked in. Although the reasons vary, the result was the same. Their experience wasn’t centered (or even on the map). So they turn to Google to look for female artists, femme and queer owned studios, basically anywhere that feels like it won’t repeat the same story.

The mainstream beauty industry has spent decades teaching queer and trans people to doubt themselves.

Our bodies and our identities rarely work in perfect harmony. For those navigating gender, sexuality, and self expression, the body can feel foreign, something assigned, not chosen, and every selfie is a reminder of the distance between how we feel and how we appear.

For much of tattoo history, the art form was defined through the male gaze. Women and femmes appeared in the imagery but rarely behind the machine. Their stories were about being looked at, not looking back.

You’re lying on black leather, willingly allowing a needle to pierce your skin, completely vulnerable in a stranger's hands, questioning every moment that brought you here.

Okay, let's talk about one of the most misunderstood things in the piercing world: rejection.

If you've ever Googled "piercing bump cure," you've probably seen tea tree oil recommended in forums or TikToks. It sounds natural, so it must be safe... right?

From flash fads to copycat chaos, here's what the algorithm is doing to our skin and our sanity.

Walking into a tattoo studio can feel intimidating, especially when everyone else seems to know exactly what they're doing. Here's the thing though, even the most seasoned tattoo collectors felt nervous their first time. The key is knowing how to communicate your ideas effectively while keeping things collaborative and respectful.

Imagine this: You and your best friend decide to get matching tattoos.

I didn’t realize I was burnt out.

Saturday morning, you scroll past a flash sheet on our feed and the itch hits. Do you grab your jacket and head straight over, or do you pull up the booking page and pick a date? Here’s the plain truth.

No two tattoos cost the same, but this should clear up the big numbers before you walk in.

Thinking about new ink, a shiny gem, or a fresh piercing? Let’s get you locked in without the fuss.

Why We Say “No” to Piercing Guns and Their Quiet Cousins, the Hand-Squeeze Device.

Because ink looks better when it's sun-kissed (with SPF, duh)

Ink dreams meet pill bottles more often than people think. In most cases the combo is totally chill, but a few prescriptions can throw a wrench in the healing. Here is the straight talk on when to book, when to wait, and how to clue us in without reading out your entire pharmacy print-out.

Living with HIV doesn’t sideline your style. You still get to claim every inch of skin with ink or jewelry, and nobody gets to tell you otherwise. This is how we keep it safe, smash the stigma, and make sure your rights stay intact.