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The ear piercing styles you need to know about - and the jewels to treat yourself to

Curate your ear with these sparkling styles


curated ear
Fiona Ward
Acting Fashion and Beauty Editor
Updated: October 26, 2020
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There's been a noted surge in the demand for unique ear jewellery in recent years - and it's a trend that isn't showing any sign of waning.

We're not just talking about your traditional lobe studs, either - everyone from Victoria Beckham to Gwyneth Paltrow have had their ears punched from top to bottom!

MORE: These are all the rebellious royals with unexpected piercings

And since piercing studios are now open again following the coronavirus lockdown, we predict demand will be higher than ever.

Ever wondered what your options are when it comes to joining the ear party? Find out all the most popular placements below...

lady amelia windsor rex

Modern royal Lady Amelia Windsor rocks multiple ear piercings

What is a curated ear?

It's all about designing a look that's unique to you, choosing jewellery that fits your own ear shape and using different earrings in different placements. It's inspired a movement towards investing in quality jewellery with luxurious embellishments, too.

And remember, having a piercing is a responsibility - especially higher up the ear where the healing time can be longer. It means cleaning it every day and following professional advice to take care of it; and choosing a reputable and trustworthy piercer, of course.

View post on Instagram
 

Cult piercer Maria Tash told HELLO!: "I find that women are looking for a deliberate, thoughtful collection of small pieces in each ear, a fine curation of elegant, multiple piercings. 

"We are also seeing the return, in a more elegant form, of multiple rings going up the lobe to cartilage, especially sneaking them in the unappreciated zone in between the lobe and cartilage (6th-7th earlobe placement)."

Scroll down to find out the other popular placements to ask for at your next piercing appointment…

The vertical placement

Photo: © Instagram

Adding a small stud above an existing lobe piercing is a great way to add interest, particularly if you're nervous of the more painful spots on the ear. The trick is to wear a smaller stud so as not to overcrowd the lobe.

"You can achieve a pretty curated ear without puncturing the cartilage," Tada & Toy's Tansy Aspinall tells us. "Vertical lobe piercings [where a piercing is placed directly above the first] are really cool and less painful alternatives." 

tada and toy

GET THE LOOK: Tiny star studs, £40, Tada & Toy

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The conch ring

Photo: © Instagram

A conch ring, wrapping around the entire edge of the ear, can look minimally simple with just one neighbouring stud, or can be teamed with a stack of fine rings for a more embellished look. 

Even better, you can cheat the look with a simple cuff, and avoid the pain entirely… 

ear cuff

GET THE LOOK: Basic ear cuff, £25, Astrid & Miyu

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The forward helix piercing

Photo: © Instagram

Adding a miniscule hoop to the earhead, or forward helix, gives a unique finish to this curated ear, which also makes use of various placements and a chain earring for a cool-girl look. 

etsy hoops

GET THE LOOK: Tiny helix hoops, £7.18, NomzBodyJewelry @ Etsy

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Multiple cartilage piercings

Photo: © Instagram

This curated ear features a rook (the inner 'crease' of the ear) and tragus piercing (the bump directly in front of the ear canal) - both popular placements for stud and ring designs.

rook hoop

GET THE LOOK: Rook hoop earring, £15, PiercingRoomByJay @ Etsy

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Teamed with two simple lobe piercings, the look is unique without looking overloaded - although there's always room for more…

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