I got my ears pierced as a teenager and was a keen earring wearer at first, regularly treating myself to some novelty pair or another (it was the 80s!) with paper round/waitressing/babysitting money but gradually, over the years, wearing earrings became an occasional thing and eventually I stopped wearing them altogether.
Lately however I’ve been seeing lots of ladies – IRL and online – with multiple ear piercings sporting super-pretty hoops and studs. The idea formed to add more holes to my ears but tbh it would probably have stayed an idea if I hadn’t met a friend for brunch last weekend.
Looking at her ears I noticed that she had multiple piercings in both ears (it’s kind of funny how you start to see things once they’re on your mind) and asked her when she’d had them done. Turns out she’d added a few recently and had been thinking about heading to Claire’s Accessories after our brunch to add another one or two. I said that I’d been thinking about adding to my piercings and she invited me along.
An hour or so later and I was in Claire’s choosing from various designs and waiting for a very smiley little girl – who must have been about seven – to have her ears done for the first time. Backing out at this point was not an option, as my friend pointed out if a little girl could smile her way through the process, I had no excuse.
Sitting in the chair as the piercer put the ear piercing thingamibob to my ear my shoulders went up around my ears. “Relax!” she said commanded (er, easier said than done), “I’ll count you in.” Five minutes later and £40 lighter I had two gold stars in my lobes next to the holes I already had and a gold stud in my cartilage, a bottle of aftercare solution and instructions for what to do next (clean and twist a couple of times a day, leave the lobe ones in for at least three weeks and the cartilage one in for at least eight weeks).
I’m not going to lie, they were tender (especially the one in the cartilage) initially and it was hard to find a comfortable position to sleep in that first night but just over a week later the pain has passed and I’m very happy with my new piercings. Spare moments are now spent searching the world online for pretty earrings to put in once I can change them up (I’m all about hoops, stars, triangles and teeny tiny studs) and I’m already considering adding another one (seriously, it’s kind of additive).
Of course I had to ask Team Rock My Style and Wedding for their piercing stories…
Lolly
“I have one in each ear and that’s it. I desperately wanted my belly button doing when I was about 15 but my mum said, ‘Well if you want to be a sheep and follow the crowd, go right ahead,’ which was basically reverse psychology and I’m ashamed to say that it worked. I moved on to wanting my tongue doing then at about age 17 but after seeing two friends’ tongues swell up so that they both needed to be hospitalised I thought better of it. My sister by contrast has three in one ear, two in the other, her nose and had her lip pierced for a while. Clearly my mum’s reverse psychology didn’t work on her.”
Becky
“I’m considering the halfway up the ear cartilage piercing. I have three holes in my left ear and two in my right ear. I also had my left tragus pierced twice but it’s healed now. I had my belly button done at 17. Took it out at 21 because my now husband thought my body looked more athletic without it. I liked the idea of that. I’m not sure I’ve ever looked athletic but one can dream. Ironically I very rarely wear earrings anymore, even though I have five holes to do so. I wear ear cuffs a lot, and so I’m considering the halfway up the ear cartilage piercing. I think I prefer it just by itself. However I do love very small earrings. I’m desperate to find some tiny studs, if I could I’d definitely be rocking all five, plus possible cartilage addition. I’m also contemplating a new tattoo. A geometric lion head. About an inch and a half. Just lines, no fill. Not a piercing but kind of related. Maybe I’ll get them at the same time.”
Lottie
“I have a piercing in each ear and I generally just wear little studs. As a teenager I had a second piercing in one ear but that has closed over. I also had one at the top of my ear, which again has closed over now. It was quite possibly the most painful thing ever and I still have a lump where it was. I didn’t keep it in long as I sleep on my side and it hurt every night! I wanted a belly button piercing at 15. My mum didn’t really want me to have one done but my older sister had done it without asking so she couldn’t really say no. It makes me feel a bit queasy now and I regret it immensely. I remember them saying that if I ever took it out it would just close over like your ears do. They lied! Nearly 15 years later I still have a hole where it was.”
Fern
“I have my ears pierced and have always wanted my belly button pierced. In fact, last summer my aim was to get a really toned, tanned stomach and then get it pierced – I’ve always thought that a bikini, a suntan and a belly piercing looks so sexy – but then I found out I was pregnant! I think I’d definitely get it done later on in life though, as long as I can get the stomach I’m imagining!”
Lauren
“I have both ears pierced and then had a second hole in my left ear which has now healed. I remember thinking I was quite cool as it was a time when gold was quite unfashionable so to have your ear pieced at H Samuel with a silver and cubic zirconia stud was really quite trendy. Aged twenty I had my tongue pierced. My flat mate at uni had hers done and I was strangely intrigued by it. I had to wait for my first student loan cheque of my third year to come in to pay for it. I ate chicken soup for a week and couldn’t drink alcohol for two weeks. It was Little Beanies Lisa’s 21st the weekend after I was devastated I couldn’t drink!”
Lorna
“I only have my ears pierced once now. Although I don’t generally wear any earrings as my ears & earlobes as so ridiculously small I feel self-conscious and feel like they stand out more and I look like Pat Butcher! When I was younger I had my nose and the top of my ear pierced. Like Lottie, the top of the ear piecing REALLY hurt so I gave up on that and the nose piercing tickled so I gave up on that too!”
So that’s us. What piercings do you have? Added a new one recently, or thinking about it? Where do you shop for your earrings? Do share!
I had my ears done when I was about 12 and still wear earrings in them holes every day – usually little pearl studs but I want to find some pretty tiny studs, I think I just always end up leaving the pearls in because cheap costume earrings make my ears sore after a while! In my early twenties I added second holes but they never properly healed and were sore for ages so I gave up on them after a while. Then I added a third hole on one side and a tragus piercing on the other side on a whim in Thailand! I only took those out when I got married, mainly due to knowing my mum wasn’t keen and worrying they weren’t very ‘bridal’ which is a bit silly really! I’ve never put them back in and I think they’ve healed now which I regret a bit but don’t want to go through the pain or expense of getting them re-done! I also had my belly button done at 15 which I showed off at every opportunity (I didn’t even consider buying tops that would cover it)!! I only took that out when I was pregnant and again haven’t put it back in…. I might try now though! x
Oh no what a shame they’ve healed up Sarah. I think a tragus piercing might be next on my list…
I have had my ears pierced multiple times (lobes and cartilage) but can only get in the bottom two now and I just wear diamond or pearl studs (very boring). I also had my belly button pierced as a teenager and it got infected and scarred. Now I’m pregnant it’s tried to push out and can’t because of scarring and looks dreadful- I really regret the piercing! I love the look of lots of little studs and hoops, but my piercings never heal properly so I’m just going to leave that to my cooler young sister who has every inch of ears pierced, nose stud, belly bar and several tattoos….
I like diamond and pearl studs, classic, not boring Anna!
I’ve only ever had one piercing in each ear (which I had to wait till I turned 16 for following lots of pleading which fell on deaf ears), but until recently I barely wore earrings at all, much preferring a statement necklace and not really feeling comfortable with both. Even on my wedding day last year I didn’t wear any earrings, as they just didn’t feel like me. In the last few months though, I’ve been splurging on anchor earrings and earcuffs, primarily from Zara! I love them – totally pathetic but the earcuffs in particular make me feel much cooler than I actually am! X
I know what you mean Rebecca, I generally only do one type of jewellery at a time these days and for years it’s been either a statement ring or several bracelets but now, of course, I’m all about earrings! Loving earcuffs too. x
I have quite big/sticky put ears so despite having them pierced I very rarely wear earrings. I do make an exception on special occasions as I usually style my hair in waves which hides the tops (which otherwise poke through!). Always jealous of my friend who wears pearl studs as standard – they always make her look just that little bit more put together and glam!
Pearl studs really do make a person look much more put together, you’re so right Sarah!
My Mum was pretty liberal and I got my first piercings when I was 7 and then added a second hole in each year when I was 11. But I NEVER wear earrings now which is a massive waste and something I now vow to correct!
I do have three other ear piercings that I got when 18 and 19 and these permanently have rings in. They are the tragic, the inner ear cartilage – known as draith piercing I’ve just been told by Google! – and the bit of the ear at the top that meets the scalp. I have no idea what that’s called!
Going to Claire’s sounds so retro!
Any tips on where is good to shop for earrings??
Darn auto correct! Tragus not tragic..
I’ve been learning all those new words too Jennifer, who even knew there were so many bits to an ear?! And, side note, how completely different ears are from person to person! It was my first time in Claire’s for YEARS! I’m still at the researching earrings stage, I bought a mixed pack of studs and hoops from Urban Outfitters the other day but they’re not online and ASOS have loads.
I have both ears pierced, and used to have the top of my ear lobe pierced but that’s now healed over. I remember getting my ears pierced when I was 7 for my birthday present and I think I’ve worn earrings nearly every day since! I’m a bit of an earring addict truth be told. I must buy a pair most weeks(!!) and usually the bigger the better, although since turning 30 three years ago I have bought a couple of smaller, daintier pairs. This is my latest purchase.http://m.hm.com/gb/product/01751?article=01751-A I imagine myself rocking them on holiday with a top knot and a tan!!
Oh em gee they are FAB Suzie. Very much admire your commitment to earring wearing over the years!
They also do them in black. I feel another purchase coming on!! Wish I had the courage to get more ear piercings though. I always worry I’d regret it
Wow…could be better timed! I just discovered yesterday that the 2 lobe and one in the cartilage done as a teen haven’t healed over despite not wearing earrings for years! I only tried them out after seeing so many gorgeous earrings on pinterest. Its quite sad how delighted I am!!
Thats COULDN’T be better timed… not could. Serves me right for trying to type with a toddler on my lap!
I totally get where you’re coming from Alice, it’s a whole new thing to shop for, which is very exciting!
I have 2 piercings in each ear, and up until a few years ago I had not worn earrings in them for ages. I only had one pair of white gold earrings left from birthday presents (I am forever losing earrings!) and have super sensitive ears, so any type of costume/cheap jewellery was out of the question!
Then a few years ago I discovered Accessorize’s sterling silver range! Affordable AND they don’t make my ears go nuts!!! YAY!!!! Plus the recent collections are pretty darn cute, my current fave being 2 studs connected with little chain!
So anyone with sensitive ears, I definitely recommend Accessorize’s collection
As for other piercings I have my belly button pierced but it doesn’t really get to see much sunlight, unless I’m on the beach! When I got it done it was crop tops all day & night, but not quite got the tiny figure I used to have! Maybe one day?!!! And then maybe I will find a belly button bar that I actually like!
Oh & on my 23rd birthday my friend paid for me to have my nose pierced. My mum was not impressed in the slightest but I LOVED it!
Sadly I had to have 2 nose operations which required me to take it out and it healed over. I have always wanted to get it re-pierced but a tattooist friend once told me the scar tissue from an original piercing is super painful to get re-pierced and I’m too much of a wimp to find out how bad!!! haha!
I do, however, want to get a tattoo, but am stuck for what to get. All I know if I want it to be on the inside of my wrist! So watch this space…!!! haha! xx
Ooh Rebecca, just checked out the Accessorize range – feel a spend coming on for the tiny hearts with arrows!!
Ooh totally checking out Accessorize, thanks Rebecca. And good advice about the re-piercing, I didn’t know that. I still didn’t get a tattoo, I’m convinced I’ll change my mind about the design. Can’t wait to hear what you get! xx
Tattoos, thats a whole new post waiting to be covered!
My best friends dad was a tattoo artist when I was in my early 20s. He promised to do a free tattoo on the condition that I chose it 6months in advance. If I still wanted it after 6 months he’d do it. I think I changed my mind on the design a few times, restarting through 6 month rule each time. In the end he suggested that maybe I shouldn’t get one as I couldn’t stick with a design for 6 months let alone a life time. Im so so so grateful for that lesson, else id probably have ‘guns and roses forever’ tattooed over my chest ( not quite but you get the picture!)
I have both ears pierced and always wear earrings. I feel naked without them. For the last few years I’ve kept to the safety of studs in various shapes and sizes but I went all out and bought a pair of hoops yesterday by Orelia (http://www.orelia.co.uk) to accessorise an outfit I’ve earmarked to wear on Saturday night. Can’t wait to wear them.
So much loveliness on Orelia, I see a payday treat in my near future… Have fun on Saturday Laura!
I have my ears pierced once and don’t wear earring all that often. I think I had them pierced when I was 6. I can still remember my Grandma taking me shopping afterwards to pick some pretty earrings for when they had healed properly and I still have those earrings now. I always wear earrings for a night out though – it’s the one piece of jewellery I feel naked without when getting dressed up.
I had my nose pierced at 14 and kept it for a couple of years. My mum had banned me from having it done but my cousin wrote a note signed as my mum and I got it pierced anyway. I do have a scar now but it isn’t too noticeable. Because of this rebellious behaviour my mum went with me when I got my belly button pierced at 16. I loved this piercing so much but it sort of grew out – the wholes just seemed to shrink around the belly bar so I had to take it out. It has left a noticeable scar, but I haven’t got the toned abs of a goddess so it doesn’t get exposed too often.
I love that you still have that pair of earrings you bought with your Grandma Claire, I worry that if I had precious ones (either in actual value or the memory attached) I would lose them and probably sooner rather than later.
I have three piercings in each ear lobe since 13, and used to wear tiny, odd mismatched earrings when I was an Indie Britpop teen. I tend not to bother now because as someone else said cheap earring turn my ears green or itch. I would love, love love to find some grown up tiny studs that were expensive enough to not discolor but not so expensive that they will give me a heart attack if I lose them!
I love that you still have that pair of earrings you bought with your Grandma Claire, I worry that if I had precious ones (either in actual value or the memory attached) I would lose them and probably sooner rather than later.
That’s exactly what I’m after too Sarah, the search starts here!
I got my ears pierced when I was around 10 and thought I was the bees knees! I fell out of love with earrings for a few years in my early 20s but now wear little studs each day. I got lovely small earrings in & Other Stories when I was in London earlier in the year and I love them.
I also got my belly button pierced in Marjorca when I was 18 and it wouldn’t heal properly so I had to get the bar removed! I too have a lovely scar but as my tummy is far from flat, only my husband has to see it!
Tattoos on the other hand – I have two! A star on my hip and the lyrics from our first dance on my foot. Rebecca – go for it!! 🙂
& Other Stories is so strong on accessories. Will forever love star tattoos, a friend has three on her feet and they look so good!
I was late to the the piercing party. A lot of my friends at school had them done age 5 and several had belly buttons done as teenagers. However; growing up in Rotherham borough it was deemed “a certain kind of girl” got them done. Eventually; I got my ears pierced when I was 19! I was at uni and had been cruelly dumped by my very first boyfriend (for a Westlife loving law student – I still hate Westlife to this day!) and decided to have a makeover. Got a fringe cut in, purple at the bottom of my blonde hair, contact lenses and pierced ears. It had the desired effect when he suddenly noticed how different I looked coming out of an exam. it felt brilliant turning him down the following year!
Love that story Claire, also purple on blonde – amazing!
I have seven ear piercings – three in the left lobe, two in the right and my tragus and cartilage on the right side. I’ve had them all for over 15 years and still love them. On the other hand though, I had my bellybutton done when I was 18 and I do regret that. There was a small scar on it which was barely noticeable at the time, but since I’ve had a baby it really stretched and is now very unsightly. So I’d advise anyone to think very carefully about having it done! Oh, and like Miranda, I’m always on the lookout for small, pretty ear studs – maybe there’s a post in there? 🙂
It’s my right cartilage I had done too Tracy, and thinking about a third in my left lobe! Ooh, an earring shopping post sounds like a very good plan!
A plea for another article or ‘Links we like’ for some pretty but won’t-make-your-ears-go-green small studs!!
I have my ears pierced as normal then on one ear a piercing halfway up the cartilage and on the other at the top of the ear lobe. I wear earrings every day and feel totally naked without them. I have been on the hunt for a really tiny ring I can wear 24/7 in my top piercing but can’t find anything that is small enough!
For those above who have mentioned ear cuffs – check these out http://www.daisyknights.com/categories/Earrings/ Spendy but beautiful.
On it Milly! Loving the Daisy Knights ear cuffs, the silver studded one? Amazing!
Can’t wait to see your new piercings Miranda! I only have two holes, one in each ear which basically closed up through not really wearing anything for years (had them down when I was about 12 I think?). In my early twenties I became re-aquanted with earrings and decided to basically re-pierce them myself (don’t try this at home kids!) , I went on to have an impressive selection of unusual and statement pairs – I even had some guitar plectrums at one stage.
I’m not sure what happened after….I don’t really wear them much anymore, I’m all about the multiple bangles and layered necklaces these days . However, I do fancy that cartilage positioning very much indeed 🙂
Never fancied my belly button, or nose – my husband always wanted his eyebrow pierced though! x
Eek, I can’t believe you re-pierced your own ears Charlotte! It’s weird I haven’t worn earrings in so long, but loving the new placements and have started wearing them in the old holes (which haven’t closed up despite me not really wearing earrings for years!) x
I just have my lobes pierced and don’t wear earrings in them on an every day basis as I don’t have enough small studs that I like. I’ll always wear drop or dangly earrings on a night out though and they make me feel extra glam. I really wanted the top of my cartilage pierced when I was a teenager as I was in a rock/punk/ska phase and wasn’t allowed so went and got it done in secret a day or two before my 18th. My mum wasn’t impressed, and warned that it wouldn’t last. I poo pooed her and, lo and behold not 8 months later the stud came out and never went back in! I hated it, my hair was constantly tangled round it and I couldn’t sleep on that side comfortably. When I took out the stud it had so much hair wound round it, it was gross!
Never even been tempted by other body piercings at all – the thought of belly button piercings makes me feel a bit faint! :-/
I’m looking forward to treating myself to some drop or dangly earrings for nights out Kitty. I had a tip today that once I can replace the cartilage piercing with a hoop it will be much more comfortable to sleep and so on. x
Yes, more posts on earrings! I only recently had mine pierced (at 35!) but I am now the proud owner of one hole in my left ear and another five in the right – I have a off center parting and the right ear is more visable, but still can keep them covered for more conservative office days. They were painful but are slowly settling down.
@Miranda – I was interested in your comment about twisting the earrings while they are healing. I’ve heard this a lot when I got mine done, but my piercer and others online advise against it. Have twisted my “regular” holes (the first I got done) but have not touched my cartillage studs. Will have to see what works best in the long term.
I’m a jewellery junkie at the best of times, so am now loving the opportunity to buy *all* the earrings that I adore, but wouldn’t have worked for people I used to buy them for, and hitting the sales for more expensive pieces that look amazing! (The Outnet has a interesting range, if still expensive).
@Suzie, I love those yellow earrings! Might have to track them down…
Wow, you really went for it Caroline, such a good point to consider whether you can hide them with your hair if you work in a more conservative office. Hmm, interesting regarding twisting. I wonder if I should stop with the cartilage one? It’s so fun to have a whole new thing to buy!!!
I think the site just swallowed my last answer… Will try again…
Yes, I am a bit of an “all or nothing” type and just went for it. and it is great to have a whole new area to buy to for, lots of fun!
I’ve got 2 holes in each lobe but only wear one pair of diamond studs (gift from my mum for my 25th), my left tragus pierced & my belly button which I still wear jewellery in. I used to have the cartilage in my right ear done but I kept catching it when brushing my hair so after years I took them out.
A tip for next time – go to an actual piercing studio, they should use needles instead of the gun & it’s MUCH better, & more hygienic! Piercings & tattoos are far too addictive…I’ve got an idea for a rib tattoo, need to save up though :s
Ooh good tip Annie, thank you, it was all a bit spur of the moment in the end! Piercings are so addictive, definitely want a couple more!
I’ve had a few piercings over the years but currently only have 1 in each ear in use. I would caution against gun piercing though and agree with Annie that needle piercing is the way to go. A professional piercer rather than a girl in Claires will give you much better aftercare advice, a cartilage piercing will take closer to a year than 8 weeks to fully heal.
That was the advice I had about healing times too @Rachel, trying not to change my cartilage studs till six months into to help with the healing. I got all my six (done over a 2.5 month period) at Topshop at Oxford Circus where they have a great tattoo/piercing concession and did my cartilage holes with a needle. Can highly recommend them.
I didn’t know Topshop Oxford Circus had a tattoo/piercing concession. Great to know for next time, thanks Caroline!
That’s great to know, thank you Rachel!
I had my belly button pierced at 15, before I had my ears done. I wanted it so badly that my mum actually took me just to make sure that the place was reputable and clean. I have never regretted it, it took ages to heal properly, but I’ve never had any problems with it (I also haven’t had babies, so no stretching), I still love the way it looks when I’m in a bikini. I finally had my ears pierced at 17, I became addicted to earrings after that (spending years working in the jewellery industry didn’t help much). I only have the one in each ear, I don’t think I’m cool enough for multiples (the thought of cartilage piercings also makes me want to heave!). These days I tend to wear the same large pearl studs everyday, they go with everything. When I go out though I have no end of lovely drop earrings.
I’ve seen some lovely drop earrings online Alex, there are so many pretty designs out there. Is it too early to start a birthday wish list?! (My birthday’s in November…)
I was actually one of those teens entrusted with a piercing gun in Claire’s… Long time ago though! I didn’t even have my own ears pierced at the time so wasn’t exactly a great advert! I also managed to pierce through the glove and attach myself to some poor 7 yr old’s war on my first attempt…! Hated piercing cartilage with the gun – made a sickening crunching sound! *shudders* also piercing babies ears was horrible – the tears, the wriggling… Just no.
Anyway, after I left Claire’s, I entrusted my former colleagues to finally pierce my own ears. And a year or so later, I got my cartilage done as well. 10 years on, I don’t wear any earrings and all three piercings have seemingly healed over. Sometimes I wish I still had them, but the last few times I wore earrings (even studs), my ear lobes became really tender and sore, so rather go without than with!
Love earrings on other people though – they are a great accessory!
I second someone else’s request for a tattoo post – I’ve been debating one for years, know what I want done, just haven’t had the guts to take the plunge though!
*7 yr old’s ear – silly autocorrect!
Oh dear, not a great first day at work Jo! I wrote something about tattoos last year http://rockmystyle.co.uk/to-tattoo-or-not-to-tattoo/ I still haven’t had one done, although I do still love all the designs I picked, so maybe I’m not as changeable as I though. Lots of readers shared tattoo inspo in the comments.
I think I was the last of my friend to got my ears pierced when I was 14 or 15. I cried all the way through the process, as I really didn’t like the pain. But I wanted it so much as it was so pretty and fashionable. In my later teens I added 2 more piercings on my left ear, as it was cool at that time. Since then I have never been without earings, as I feel naked without it. If it happens that I forget them in the morning, I am totally annoyed the whole day through. I change the earings every day. Sometimes I have big, golden studs from H&M in it or some heart or feather shaped ones from Accessorize. On my wedding day I had Jenny Packham earrings with little ribbons and a pearl. I still love them.
I feel like I’m going to get back to feeling naked without them too Mia! Your Jenny Packham wedding earrings sound so pretty!