Here are the most fashionable ear piercings to try out

Here’s the updated version:

If your last ear piercing experience was at Claire’s, we’ve got some news for you: stylish piercings are now all the rage. However, the type of piercing you choose matters. In the past, demonstrating your edginess might have meant getting a stud or two in your lobe, or perhaps a cartilage hoop. But in 2022, there’s a wide array of ear piercings to suit any mood, along with plenty of matching earrings.

“Social media has made it easier to see what types of ear piercings are possible, and the unique, modern jewelry you can wear with them,” says Sam Hayler, lead piercer at London’s Astrid and Miyu jewelry shop and salon. “The fact that you don’t have to start with a plain silver ball helps when getting a piercing to mark a special event or birthday.”

According to Samantha Alvarado, RN, the director of nursing and education for Rowan Piercing Studio, there was a noticeable uptick in piercings—especially nontraditional ones—during the pandemic. “Because you couldn’t see what was under the mask, piercings became the new lipstick,” she explains.

With so many options, choosing where to start can be overwhelming. We spoke to top piercing specialists about the coolest piercing trends to try in 2022. From tragus piercings to snakebites, keep reading for the earring trends that are about to be everywhere.