Nautilus Hip Tattoo

Nautilus shell hip tattoo by Thomas Kuloloia-Juan, an artist working in Las Vegas and Maui, Hawaii.

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The Kiss

Abstract back piece based on The Kiss oil painting by Gustav Klimt. Tattoo by polyc_sj, artist and owner at Robin Egg Tattoo Studio in Seoul, South Korea.

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Vibrant Kingfisher

Vibrant Kingfisher by Levi Barnett, an artist based in Melbourne, Australia.

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Ornamental Hip & Leg Piece

Ornamental mandala hip & leg piece by Kinga Ewelina.

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Illuminati Lion

Illuminati Lion by Alessio, an artist working at TBS Alicante in Spain.

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Tattoo Aftercare: Salix Moon Apothecary

At Things & Ink we’re always looking for new products to help heal our new tattoos, especially if the ingredients are natural and created by an independent maker. Louise founder of Salix Moon Apothecary kindly sent us some of her Achilles Charm botanical healing salve to try. Read on to find out a bit more about Louise and her tattoo balm…

Louise is a graphic design graduate and aspiring herbalist living by the sea with her partner and two chinchillas. She explains how “Salix Moon Apothecary was born out of my love and respect of the natural world and a need to connect and experiment with it. It was a way of getting creative with nature, combining my love of herbs with my love of design and my urge to create. All of the packaging and illustrations are designed and hand drawn by myself. My partner Max is also a big part of the business, we come up with the recipes and make the products together.”

“I am fascinated by plant medicine and love to go foraging for herbs for my herbal first aid kit and little home-apothecary. I’m very interested by our ancient ways, folklore and the history of our use of medicinal plants and I’m working on some new products inspired by traditional western herbalism/remedies, with herbs used by our ancestors. I recently started studying Herbal Medicine, which has reinforced my path. I hope one day to become a medical herbalist.”

Louise continues to tell us how she is “passionate about leading a sustainable and ethical lifestyle and I try to reflect that in my products and business ethics. I try and source my essential oils and carrier oils from farms in the UK wherever possible to try and reduce our carbon footprint. Our labels are paper based and compostable and biodegradable and so is our packing material. All my products are in glass bottles and you can choose either an aluminium cap, pipette or spray closure (depending on the product). I encourage customers to re-use their pipette/spray top and go for the aluminium cap for future purchases as they are more easily recycled.”

What is Achilles Charm tattoo salve? 

Made with a combination of cold pressed and unrefined plantain infused organic Jojoba Oil, Calendula infused organic Sunflower Oil*, organic Yarrow infused organic Sunflower Oil, organic Virgin Rosehip Seed Oil, Organic Beeswax and naturally derived Vitamin E, the balm is:

• Paraben free
• Sulfate free
• Cruelty free
• Preservative free
• 100% natural
• Unscented
• Suitable for sensitive skin

Achilles Charm contains a magical blend of potent herbs that Louise and Max have macerated in organic botanical oils for many weeks to slowly extract their soothing and nourishing properties. Each herb and oil has been carefully chosen for their nourishing compounds and medicinal properties that help to soothe and protect, promote skin repair and tissue regeneration.

A highly moisturising and soothing ointment for the skin, this salve is the perfect addition to your herbal first aid kit, it can be applied to bites, stings, scrapes, minor cuts, dry itchy skin conditions and it is our absolute go-to for tattoo aftercare.

As directed our editor Rosie massaged a thin layer of salve directly onto the skin to help soothe, soften and protect her new tattoo. This is what she had to say:

I absolutely loved this tattoo healing balm, not only is it made from natural ingredients and cruelty free, it also has a beautiful natural scent. The texture is ideal for new tattoos as it just melts into the skin like a dream. I’ve been using it on my husband’s new tattoos as well and he loves it too! It’s so nice to have tattoo care that is ethical with recyclable packaging that also supports an independent maker. I also like to use Achilles Charm on my face as a night oil, and I always wake up with beautifully soft nourished skin.

Rosie using Achilles Charm on her new tattoo

Be sure to follow Salix Moon Apothecary on Instagram or Facebook for more plant magic and you can shop the full range of plant based products on Etsy here. 

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Beautiful Africa Sleeve

Beautiful Africa sleeve by Chris Hagil Tofteng, an artist at Iron & Ink Tattoo Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark.