Earrings: A Maximalist Approach

Why having 20 holes in your ears is like, so dope.

by ELIZA CARDILLO ★ DECEMBER 1, 2022

We've seen bracelet, necklace, and ring stacks—but what about earring stacks? And who would’ve thought that an “ear stylist” is an occupation? Well, in the year 2022, it absolutely is one. Remember when you were in the 7th grade and you had to beg your mom to take you to Claire’s to get your second holes pierced? Unfortunately for her, that may have been just the beginning. 

There are dozens of actual spots on the ear to get pierced, so let's go over it: You have your standard hole, which was the first for most of us. This is called the transverse lobe. As you get higher, you reach the “upper lobe” which is where the third and fourth piercings may be if you have them in a standard row. You can then get a conch on your lower cartilage, or a helix/ traditional cartilage piercing on your upper cartilage. There are also other areas to get pierced such as the tragus, the daith, the rook, and an orbital. Here’s a visual:

Earring stud websites and stores have grown in popularity lately, and so have ear stylists. Piercings are a very personal choice and it is up to you to choose who you would like to do it. Ear stylists are great because many of them do the piercings as well as guide you in the direction of where/what to buy. However, they can be quite pricey. If you don’t have the budget for that, take some time to research before going full speed to the piercing parlor. Some areas of the ear, such as the cartilage, are much more painful to pierce than other areas. Check out this article by Cosmopolitan for some basic ear anatomy.

Now that you have a few holes in your ears, it’s time to go shopping. When it comes to the point of having 4+ piercings in each ear, it truly becomes a hassle to take each and every one out every day as well as put them back on. To avoid this, we suggest you only take out the big hoops/dangly earrings that you can’t sleep in. This is why we suggest you shop for good-quality studs and dainty hoops so you don't have to take them out when you shower or work out. Though it may seem pricey, these will last you longer than any $10 earring pack from Target or TJ Maxx could. In the mid-price range, Gorjana, Studs, Mejuri, Ana Luisa, and Hey Harper have some cute options whether you're a gold or silver jewelry girl. They also have some great cuff options if you’re not ready to fully commit to a new piercing yet. Some higher-end options are Dana Rebecca, Bony Levy (exclusively sold at Nordstrom), and Lana. Lana earrings are JLo approved because they never, ever fall out. 

We hope this inspired you to try out a new, elevated earring look. Though you may think it's a small unnoticeable change, we promise, the details matter. The “curated ear” is eye-catching, tasteful, and your new favorite accessory. We recommend you check out Pinterest for some creative direction and inspo. Here are some favorites: