A BEAUTICIAN who was not registered to carry out semi-permanent make-up has faced court.

Leigh Ellison continued to apply tattoos which fade over time without being registered.

Ellison, 25, of Fairfax Road, Colchester, was given a conditional discharge following a prosecution by Colchester Council.

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard how on February 16, Ellison had applied to Colchester Council for a licence to carry out the business of semi-permanent skin colouring but had subsequently failed to complete the £170 payment in spite of several reminders.

Her business, Leigh Ellison Permanent Makeup, was based at a rented room in Church Lane, Lexden. 

Investigations by Colchester Council’s environmental protection team found Ellison had carried out semi-permanent skin colouring at two different locations.

It is illegal to carry out semi-permanent skin colouring without being registered. Applicants need to register both themselves and the premises they work from before offering the procedure, which typically costs £300.

Proceedings started against Ellison for public health and safety breaches.

Having admitted the breach, magistrates handed Ellison a conditional discharge and ordered her to pay the council’s £860 costs, agreeing it was in the public interest for the case to be heard.

Tina Bourne, councillor responsible for communities, said: “We work hard to ensure personal beauty practitioners comply with the regulations, to ensure hygiene practices pose no serious risks to their clients.

“Many people will naturally assume the person providing a service will be legal, registered and able to meet the required standards.

“It is because of that assumption we need to ensure standards are met.”