“Tooth gems are here to stay” says Skullen Collective, North East’s first tooth gem studio

It is official, our teeth have just become the next new body part to be accessorised, and what other way to do it when you can add tooth gems and have a bedazzled smile. The ever-gleaming tooth gem trend of the 2000s era is back in session again to conquer the latest Y2K micro trend of 2022. 

Many tooth gem artists are surfacing on social media, showing off their skills and designs on their customer’s bedazzled smiles, and the urge to get one is real. Luckily, we have our very own tooth gem studio in the North East. 

You would not notice it at first glance but tucked away in a little passageway out just on Akenside Hill in Newcastle, is a welcoming gothic-themed studio that offers piercings, manicures, tattoos but most of all, tooth gems. Nicole Guiterrez-Lock, 40, is the owner of Skullen Collective Ltd. 

(Skullen Studio owned by Nicole Guitterz-Lock. Source: Charmaine Shaharin )

“It is crazy how I lived throughout the 90s tooth gem craze and now everyone is trying to bring it back. I remember going to a nail studio and sticking gems on my teeth using nail glue, which is not the best way to do it,” says Nicole.  

“Now, more celebrities like Dua Lipa and Willow Smith are getting tooth gems to inspire their fans. With big celebrities like them influencing others, I decided to look for tooth gem professionals to be trained and broaden the trend in the North East.” 

During the lockdown when most shops were closed, Nicole had done her intensive training in her studio via Zoom with a tooth professional in Essex. She’s done three types of training which are the normal tooth gem applications, gold applications and full tooth covering. 

“As a studio, we offer anything from single crystals, double crystals, crystal shapes such as cherries, butterflies, stars and any type of designs that you have in mind,” Nicole explains. 

(Tooth gems offered by Skullen Collective. Source: Charmaine Shaharin)

Also, if you are having questionable thoughts if the crystals are genuine or not, Nicole supplies authentic diamonds, which she gets from America and Europe. 

“We take our diamonds seriously; we only buy them from trusted sellers. Never Amazon because they must be of excellent quality, especially for our gold gems, they must be 18 karats. We do not use silver and metal or do tooth gems for anyone who is under 18 because it can damage the mouth,” she says. 

Nicole also expresses that tooth gems are not for the alternative crowd anymore and that a larger demographic of 18 and early 20-year-olds in the mainstream community have branched out to tooth gems to break the ice into decorating their body for the first time. 

(Tooth gem done by Skullen Collective Source: Toothroom)

Also, if you are having questionable thoughts if the crystals are genuine or not, Nicole supplies authentic diamonds, which she gets from America and Europe. 

“We take our diamonds seriously; we only buy them from trusted sellers. Never Amazon because they must be of excellent quality, especially for our gold gems, they must be 18 karats. We do not use silver and metal or do tooth gems for anyone who is under 18 because it can damage the mouth,” she says. 

Nicole also expresses that tooth gems are not for the alternative crowd anymore and that a larger demographic of 18 and early 20-year-olds in the mainstream community have branched out to tooth gems to break the ice into decorating their body for the first time. 

Amazon.com: tooth gem kit

Source: Amazon

“Never ever do your tooth gem application alone if you are not trained or if you are using non-genuine items. This will only damage your teeth further. If you want your tooth gems removed, the only way to do that is by getting a dentist’s help. The process is painless too,” she says. 

Nicole was also quick to give some tips about tooth gem aftercare and how it is also a bit of maintenance. Here are some of the steps to keep in mind: 

  1. Avoid eating for two hours after the tooth gem application

  2. Do not consume anything hard, crunchy, or acidic for 24 hours

  3. Do not brush on your gemmed tooth for 24 hours or 48 hours
  4. Keep the teeth clean to avoid plaque buildup around the gem

  5. Do not use bleach or blue light whitening procedures on teeth, this might affect the bonding agent used to apply the tooth gems

  6. Do not touch or pick the gem on your teeth 

(Nicole’s tooth gems. Source:Charmaine Shaharin)

Skullen Collective is Newcastle’s very own first tooth gem studio. Nicole continued: “I am the kind of person who likes to do things first and although Newcastle might not have been quite ready for it at first, now, we are getting busier. The idea of being the first North East studio was also exciting to make.” 

“I am a big believer that the tooth gem trend is definitely here to stay for a long time, and I am sure that more studios will be popping up real soon around the North East.” 

What do you think about the tooth gem trend? Let us know @Fashion_North 

 

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