Beauty & Spas in Phoenix

Few things in life are permanent. Except at Shaderz Ink, where the team includes tattoo artists, body piercers, and a permanent-cosmetic professional, all waiting to help customers to embrace long-lasting self-expression. Tattoo artists Angel Silva, Antonio Duran, and Josh Hartsfield etch skin in custom designs, with past work encompassing everything from vibrant, flame-flicked scissors to life-like portraits of beloved family members. Free-hand piercer Adam Harris draws upon a decade of experience to add hardware to any body part. For those looking for more subtle enhancements, permanent-cosmetic artist Sheley Davis literally wrote the book on the subject. The Handbook for the Permanent Cosmetic Professional is based upon her more than 15 years of experience in the business, which includes paramedical tattoo work performed for area surgeons. Her customers at Shaderz seek out Sheley for everything from smudge-proof eyeliner to kiss-proof lip liner, and her services may also be employed to help camouflage imperfections such as scars or Elvis-shaped tan lines.

At Star Nails, the décor is simple: the walls display no art, the shelves cradle no plants, and the white color scheme offers only a splash of feminine pink. At this salon, the focus is on the clients, and the space ensures their comfort with eight cushy pedicure chairs and 11 manicure stations equipped with stately leather seating. Besides refining digits with colorful coats of polish, aestheticians also uproot unwanted hair with applications of warm wax, leaving swimsuit zones spotless and eyebrows shaped into either clean arches or a favorite punctuation mark.

For more than a decade, clients have flocked to Sei Bella for its relaxed, private quarters and massage, skincare, and waxing services. Staffers pamper skin with Dermalogica products, whereas Cirepil hard wax and Satin Smooth soft wax work in tandem to eradicate pesky hairs attempting a full-body takeover. Located in Arrowhead Towne Center, the spa welcomes women, men, and spirit animals into its tranquil confines.

The telltale buzzing of tattoo guns pervades the air at Alley Kat Tattoo’s studio, where skilled artists have emblazoned skin with Celtic symbols, graffiti, military insignias, and mythological art for nearly two decades. The artists eschew pretension in favor of a casual, hygienic environment that makes even first-timers feel like habitual inkers as they excitedly convey their ideas during consultations. When they aren’t putting their spin on classic designs such as dragons and portraits of Grover Cleveland, the artists accent eye areas and lips with subtle cosmetic tattoos that act as permanent makeup.

At Delight Day Spa, aestheticians strive to give patients a retreat from everyday stressors. They stock the waiting room with complimentary beverages and snacks, and while new clients wait, they fill out a form that helps tailor services to their skin and body issues. The spa's private rooms are as quiet and tranquil as a mouse in a library. Clients lie on crisp linens while aestheticians explain their treatments, from facials targeted to skin type to massages that aim to simply relax, reduce chronic muscle aches, or assuage the discomfort of pregnancy. If they are interested, clients can also have staffers inform them about the latest beauty services, such as eyelash extensions or permanent makeup. The team is so experienced in the latter, they train future techs onsite.

For more than two decades, Scratch Me Nailz owner and manicurist Michaelene has honed her keen eye for creating beautiful, expressive nail artwork. With sundry acrylic and gel polishes, she preps fingers and toes to make a good impression on dates or when strolling past TSA agents.