Poshly Pierced

Poshly Pierced FAQ

2012-01-28T23:17:00.000-08:00

This pic was found here, and was too cute not to share!

There are a few comments I keep getting over & over on this blog. Rather than email every person individually, here are some of the most frequent comments and questions I've received and my responses. If you have a question or feedback regarding this blog, please email me (see sidebar) as I don't necessarily read all comments in a very timely manner. :) If you have an idea for a blog post you'd love to see here, please let me know!

Which piercings hurt, and how much?

Everyone is different but I think that general consensus would be that nipple piercings hurt! Not enough to deter you from getting them done if you want them, but let me put it this way: My piercer asked me to choose which nipple to pierce first, just in case I left with just one. I took a group of girlfriends with me to ease my nerves and it was a kickass time - I highly recommend it! We all accompanied another friend in the group to get hers done a few weeks later.

My septum is the piercing I was most anxious before getting, but in reality the clamp hurt more than the piercing itself. I didn't even know that the needle had gone through until my husband told me. I sat there sweating bullets, totally soaking through the paper towel in my hands, but the pain wasn't all that bad at all. Any piercing on your nose is likely to make your eyes water but I find them to be the most fun piercings, and totally worth it. I am contemplating re-piercing my nostril for a third time, I miss it so much.

Lip piercings hurt like a big pinch but then it's over. Belly button piercings are easy peasy. The most painful for me has definitely been stretching my ears, especially when I've rushed the process, but obviously it's not too bad as I keep coming back!

You shouldn't stretch with acrylic or wear acrylic jewelry.

Everyone's body is different and reacts differently to various materials. While I don't recommend leaving in acrylic tapers or using acrylic jewelry for a brand new piercing, I do think that it is fine to use intermittently or in healed piercings. I have used acrylic tapers, leaving them in for 1-3 days before switching to stainless steel or stone jewelry, and had no problems. Obviously if you have had a reaction to wearing acrylic, you should not use it for stretching. Your first time trying acrylic jewelry should always be in a fully healed piercing, and you might want to skip it altogether if you know that you have sensitive skin.

ZOMG you idiot, don't you know that it is called stretching not gauging. Obviously you know nothing about piercings.

For the dozens of people who have commented or taken the time to email me about this, obviously you know nothing about blogging and search engines! "How to gauge your ears" is the most popular search term that leads visitors to this blog. Piercing newbies frequently refer to the process as "gauging" and really, who the hell cares what they call it. Stop being a snob.

I am not a professional body piercer or an expert, but I am someone who has several years of experience with my own body piercings, some of which were done by professionals and others that were done at home by myself. If you suspect an infection or other medical issue with any piercing, you should consult a professional piercer or your doctor.

Tattoo fever and a tattoo book for kids

2012-01-26T17:45:00.000-08:00

Lately the husband and I have been getting into a show on Spike called Ink Masters. Hosted by Dave Navarro, the show features 10 (to start) professional tattooists competing for $100,000. They complete tattoo challenges to show their skills, primarily using live canvases. NY Ink is also on air right now, the latest installment of the TLC series that included Miami Ink and then L.A. Ink with Kat Von D.

Needless to say, the shows are giving my husband and I major ink fever! I am coveting too many tattoo ideas to count. I want to fix/cover up the massively stretched (pregnancy) star on my hip, and I have wanted "Home" in Korean for a long time now. I have a "<3" on my wrist that desperately needs to be redone or covered. I also want a design to represent my son in an abstract way. I have contemplated getting a character from Dr. Seuss' The Foot Book, Sebastian's first favorite book. The international breastfeeding symbol is another idea I've considered, and I especially love the idea of a breastfeeding mother & child shown pin-up style.

I really love this fish design, and the placement over the breast. Not really an option for my ever-changing breastfeeding boobs but lovely just the same.

Eventually I want a half-sleeve (shoulder to elbow) on one arm and I would love to have my feet tatted.

My son Sebastian is 16 months old and will point to my husband's tattoos and say, "tattoo," not clearly, but audibly. Donny's tattoos are all solid black - I'm not sure Sebastian realizes that my cherry blossoms are also a tattoo. Of course he doesn't know what they really are yet, but he has already had his first temporary tattoo! When he is a little bit older we will be introducing him to the tattoo concept with books, like Mommy's New Tattoo (recommended for ages 5 and up), which is by a local Portland author and tattooist. I'm sure that he will also accompany us to the tattoo shop at some point. Hopefully we can instil common sense in him when it comes to tattoos as with anything else.

I received some new body jewelry recently (posts on that later) and am pretty content with the piercings I have now, although I miss my nipple rings (as does my husband) and my nose (nostril) ring. I am contemplating re-piercing my nose myself but am hesitant. I did it myself the first time, in high school, but it has also been pierced twice after that and has a good amount of scar tissue. I always get flames when I talk about doing my own piercings and the way that I stretch... Truth is, it works for me. I have no visible scarring or damage, nor do I have time for piercing nazis trying to tell me the 'right' way to do things. Tattoos and piercings are a form of self-expression and there are many different cultures who do them in many different ways.

Find the cheapest prices online with Become

2012-01-09T17:27:00.000-08:00

Online shopping can be really overwhelming, especially when you are on a budget. Trying to find the best deal on that coveted item is time-consuming, and it can be stressful to click "Order" when you aren't sure you have found the true lowest price. Next time you are on the hunt for that latest bargain, be sure to come to Become.

Become is an online shopping site unlike any other. They save you the hassle of comparing prices and list the cheapest prices on the web all in one place. They offer baby products, electronics, home & garden items and more. When it comes to fashion, you can shop everything from clothes to shoes to jewelery and other great accessories. You will find great deals such as these Steve Madden Buckkie Boots size 8.5 (I personally love Steve Madden shoes), Biltrite boots, and even brand name denim like these BKE Tyler Jeans. Quality brands and designer goods are worth the money, but that doesn't mean they have to be an investment.

Become lets you shop by price, brand, or even by color palette. Check out their selection of department store jewelry and other designer goods!

New jewelry: Flesh Tunnel

2011-11-26T23:28:00.001-08:00

Last week I was lucky enough to receive an amazing pack of Flesh Tunnel body jewelry to review here. I'll be writing up more formal reviews later, but these are my first impressions.

I was immediately blown away by how good-looking these plugs are - So pretty! Plugs like these totally go against the stereotype that plugs/piercings are unfeminine. I also received a taper in order to stretch my ears from 5/8" (16mm) to around 3/4" (20mm). Flesh Tunnel's Holey Butt'r made the stretching process easier - It's vegan, natural, and feels a lot better on your ears than Vaseline. I really feel that massaging the cream into my lobes made stretching healthier and more comfortable.

Looks great with just the stretching taper! If I had two, I'd probably just rock the tapers for a bit. This ear stretcher is acrylic but really sleek and sturdy. I was surprised how smoothly and quickly I was able to go up a size with these. Almost painless! The swelling went down really quickly for an easy switch to permanent jewelry.

I am loving this size, although I am thinking 1" would be a good size to stop. Then again, I always say I'm done and keep on stretching; I swore I was going to stop at 0, 00, 1/2"... We'll see how much my ears can take! My stretched piercing is actually the second hole on my lobes but I think it's a matter of time until they take over the entire lobe area.

Judging from the products I've reviewed so far, I can say that Flesh Tunnel provides great body jewelry at really reasonable prices. They offer a variety of sizes and materials to fit any taste and style. As I said, I'm a big fan of the feminine plugs I received.

Celebrate Movember with a mustache navel ring

2011-11-11T19:37:00.001-08:00

For those of you unfamiliar, Movember is the seasonal movement to support men's health, specifically prostate cancer. For the entire month of November, men let their mustaches grow for the cause. Women can give their support by keeping their legs unshaven or with fun mustache accessories. I have seen everything from mustache coffee mugs to mustache nails. If body jewelry is more your style, check out this crystalline gem black mustache belly ring from Body Candy. At 1.5" from the screw-on gem to the bottom of the 'stache, this piece costs just under $10.

Personalized plugs from Body Candy, and Stretching Made Easy

2011-11-02T00:26:00.000-07:00

If coffee mugs and mouse pads just aren't doing it for you, you can now personalize your plugs with your favorite photo! Body Candy now offers these personalized plugs from size 4 gauge to just under an inch. For just around $30 per pair (plus free shipping for orders over $20!) these would make the perfect stocking stuffer for a recent grad, a newlywed or a new mom (hint hint!). I could see a couple wearing each other's portraits in their ears for a wedding or anniversary ceremony or other fun novelty uses. I'm not sure how I feel about the look for everyday wear. What do you think?

Another cool innovation: These plugs with screw-on tapers! Switching from tapers to jewelry in a brand-new piercing can difficult and frustrating. While acrylic jewelry isn't ideal for a fresh piercing (or new stretching), this could definitely come in handy for step between stretching and putting in new jewelry. I would recommend switching to surgical steel plugs once the swelling goes down but I have stretched my own ears with acrylic tapers many times with no problems. These particular tapers are available in 7/8", which just happens to be the next size I'll be stretching to - Maybe I'll have the opportunity to test them out firsthand!

Have you breastfed with nipple piercings?

2010-10-14T00:15:00.000-07:00

When I first got pregnant, my doctor advised me to take out my nipple piercings when I hit my third trimester. At the time they were sore anyway, and I obliged. Later I come to read that it may not have been necessary, as my piercings were long-since healed.

Today I came across this article on Nipple Piercing Effects, which claims a link between nipple piercings and difficulty breastfeeding.

Personally, scar tissue from my healed piercings have not seem to affected my breastfeeding relationship whatsoever, as we're doing great.

What about you - Have your nipple piercings effected your breastfeeding?

Switching Body Jewelry Materials (Surgical Steel & Acrylic)

2010-05-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

This week I lost one of my awesome acrylic zebra plugs (buy zebra plugs) for a few days. It ended up being buried in my closet, launched from my ear as I shook my hair out from a towel, but took me awhile to find. In the meantime, I threw back in a pair of surgical steel star plugs. My ears were not happy.

When I first put in the acrylic plugs my ears got bright red and itchy, which bummed me out because they are so sexy. ;) Steel Navel reassured me that it was from changing plugs (surgical steel to acrylic) and sure enough, a couple days later they were comfortable and back to normal. Well, the same thing seems to have happened when putting my surgical steel jewelry back in. My left ear especially became painful and crunchy (yes, crunchy). After a couple days this subsided and they felt fine again... at which point, of course, I found my missing acrylic plug.

I currently have my acrylics back in and my ears are doing so-so, but I know they'll be fine in a day or two. Moral of the story? When changing plugs from one material to another, expect some irritation, but don't panic. (Overall, I now like acrylic best as it seems to smell the least and is most comfortable, but everyone has their own preference.) I recommend using Band-Aid Hurt Free Antiseptic Wash to help with any pain or irritation (when switching jewelry, new piercings, or piercings in general) - I swear by the stuff.

Pregnancy Belly Jewelry

2010-04-04T06:33:00.000-07:00

Many women take out their navel rings as their bellies stretch during pregnancy. Sometime between the second and third trimester the bump "pops" and stretching can make wearing a conventional belly button ring uncomfortable if not impossible. While many moms opt to let their navel piercings close during/after pregnancy, you don't have to say goodbye to your belly jewelry. Body Candy* offers several styles of long, flexible pregnancy belly rings. Below are some of my favorites.

Normally I think belly chains are a bit tacky but to flatter a pregnant belly I think it could work. The chains I found on Body Candy were 40" long so they'd be best suited for a new, small bump or worn above the belly. If you're going to rock a bikini with child, might as well flaunt it and bedazzle that bump!

Most other body piercings are fine during pregnancy and can probably left in through the birthing process unless a c-section is required. Nipple piercings are one exception - My OB recommended removing nipple piercings during the third trimester to prepare for breastfeeding.

*This is not a sponsored post; I am simply newly pregnant and excited to shop!

Body Candy Clearance and 2-Day Sale 15% Off

2009-12-25T15:24:00.000-08:00

Over 500 items are on Clearance at BodyCandy.com this holiday season! Items start as low as 39 cents! I plan to stock up on hoops and barbells for my belly button, nipples, & septum. (I just wish they had septum pincers!) I have ordered from Body Candy a few times and am always impressed with how quickly my order arrives. Body jewelry arrives in sterile packaging, perfect to give as a late Xmas present or 'just because'. They also sell gift sets, including piercing Aftercare kits.

Free Worldwide Shipping with any purchase of $20 or More.

Use coupon code snow for an extra 15% off your order (Expires 12/27).

As always when purchasing jewelry online, be sure to double-check measurements - oftentimes items like belly rings can photograph larger than they actually are. Use a tape measure to avoid disappointments. In my personal experience with Body Candy, I've had minimal success with navel jewelry, but they are my top source for affordable barbells, captives, and plugs.

Fierce Zebra Plugs from Steel Navel

2009-12-23T20:52:00.000-08:00

Save on your own Steel Navel body jewelry and get 20% Off through the end of the year - use coupon code christmasballs.

I recently received a pair of zebra plugs to review from Steel Navel. I am obsessed with zebra print this year, and these plugs are icing on the cake, making any basic outfit I pair them with a little bit wilder. They arrived in the mail surprisingly fast, and I ripped open the package excitedly.

When I had these single flared zebra plugs on my Amazon wishlist, they looked a bit cheap, but when they arrived, it was just the opposite. I was pleasantly surprised by the sturdy and shiny plastic. They come with o-rings, which fit snugly in little grooves on the back of the jewelry. The size 5/8" have a 7/16" wearable area, so they really stay in and stand out.

These zebra plugs come in varying sizes and are available in black and white or black and light pink. These plugs are sold individually for $5-10 depending on size, making the pair $20 or less no matter what - a great deal.

When switching from surgical steel to acrylic jewelry, skin can react a little bit. My ears were slightly red and itchy, but it lasted less than 24 hours. For best results when changing jewelry, be sure to wash your hands, clean your ears, and sterilize new jewelry thoroughly. No matter how well you take care of your plugs, surgical steel can build up a funk sure to ruin intimate moments. A plus side to acrylic jewelry is that piercing smell is cut way down.

Overall I give Steel Navel a great rating and would definitely order from them again.

Best Gifts for Pierced Friends & Family

2009-11-25T23:12:00.000-08:00

Take advantage of holiday sales like Amazon's Black Friday & get everything you need for the poshly pierced person in your life!

1. Acrylic Sparrow Plugs from Steel Navel are tattoo-inspired and feminine. Starting at a size 2, these plugs are available in 10 sizes, and sold by individual plug. Plugs are single-flared with an o-ring for the back.

2. Stainless Steel Cubic Zirconia Plugs from Body Candy are glamorous and perfect for special occasions or everyday wear. Each plug sold separately. Single flare for easy wear.

3. Aurora Lily Twister Belly Ring is ideal for deeply pierced navels, but will fit most belly button piercings for a twist on the usual navel barbell.

4. Christmas Wreath Belly Button Ring is great for couple time under the tree. Be sure to check the jewelry measurements, as navel jewelry tends to photographer larger than it arrives.

5. Ear Stretching Tapers are a great DIY-style gift for the friend who is planning to stretch their ear lobes. Pair tapers with a pair of plugs in their desired size, or make a full stretching gift bag by adding a small jar of vaseline and a bottle of numbing Band-Aid Antiseptic Hurt-Free Wash.

Looking for a really special gift? A 14 karat gold belly ring is an intimate piece of jewelry she will wear every day.

For stocking stuffers, acrylic plugs are fun and affordable. Acrylic jewelery should only be worn in completely healed piercings. Order from BodyCandy.com and receive free shipping on orders over $25.

NY Adorned Gorgeous Ear Pieces

2008-12-26T15:16:00.000-08:00

I subscribe to a lot of fashion feeds and was stoked to see one of my faves, Highsnobette, cover body jewelry.

Ny Adorned is one one of the pioneers or body art in NYC and has over the years housed some of the most renowned tattoo artists.

More great ear pieces here, or visit NY Adorned.

How to Hide Your Piercing

2008-12-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

Whenever I see posts on how to hide your piercings, my first reaction is annoyance. In a time where a teenage girl is probably more likely to have a nose ring than a convict or a punk, the concept of having to hide piercings to please family or authority makes me roll my eyes big time. Still, there have been time where I've had to hide a piercing from that boss in retail or to give job interviews the bait and switch. Luckily, jewelry exists solely for the purpose of disguising piercings, from that tiny nose stud to large gauge plugs.

For nose rings, hide the hole with tiny clear nose studs. In extreme cases, you can gently cover these with makeup - just be sure to replace your original jewelry and clean thoroughly before going to bed. Hide belly, tongue, lip and eyebrow piercings with clear or flesh-tone jewelry. Septum piercings can be flipped up into the nose for easy hiding as early as two days after being pierced. Conceal plugs with flesh-toned jewelry, or opt for solid plugs that look most like standard earrings.

With acrylic jewelry, I recommend using only on fully healed piercings and to switch back to non-acrylic pieces (surgical steel or organic) whenever possible.

Male Septum Piercings in Fashion

2008-12-03T21:05:00.000-08:00

I've noticed a few men with septum rings lately, and ones with 'normal', fashionable clothes rather than a punk or grunge uniform. Guys seem to be taking a page from my lookbook - dressing good and adult, simply punctuating a chic outfit with a little bit of body bling. Seeing this dude (below) on The Sartorialist makes me think perhaps this is the beginning of a trend. IMO, this is the way piercings should be done - edgy and flattering, never trashy.

Guy here sports a septum piercing as well as a Philtrum piercing, also known as a Cupid's Bow. Other popular facial piercings for men include lower lip rings popularized by Blink-182's Tom Delonge and a following of teens, and the monroe piercing seen on Taking Back Sunday's Adam Lazarra and my boyfriend.

Corset Piercings

2008-11-28T14:04:00.000-08:00

Corset piercings are done for permanent and temporary purposes. A sexy piercing, many women keep them longterm, as without being laced up it is actually just two rows of surface piercings. As with any surface piercings (especially in large numbers), the chance of rejection or infection are higher for infection than with a standard non-surface piercing, and experienced piercers must use the correct type of jewelry. Aside from clients who want corset piercings longterm, the piercing is often implemented for temporary ritualistic piercing, or for use in piercing or modeling portfolios. You can see step-by-step photos of a temporary corset piercing happy customer here.

Corset piercings can also be done on sides, stomachs, or even limbs. You could also consider getting your ass laced up. Correctly executing corset piercings is key to avoid scarring, and especially if you want your jewelry to be permanent. Standard captive rings should not be used for surface piercings, among other things. Always research your piercer and stick with someone you trust. For more on do’s and don’ts of corset piercings, read Start Doing Corset Piercings Properly on BME.

photos from: shandyevians, and other various sources. if you see one of your images here and would like credit, please email j @ hollow-star.net.

Scarlett Johansson Shows Off Her Septum Piercing

2008-11-28T13:08:00.001-08:00

Considering getting a new piercing but need to be discreet for your job or personal reasons? May I suggest a septum piercing. I may be biased as I have one myself, but it’s a piercing I think looks great on girls as well as many guys, and can be worn with an assortment of jewelry or even easily hidden. With a small horseshoe ring, a septum piercing can be flipped up inside the nose and easily hidden when you don’t want to show it off. My stupid job wouldn’t let me have visible piercings when I had mine pierced, but within two days after the piercing I could flip the jewelry comfortably up inside my nose. This keeps the hole open and piercing in tact without compromising a professional look when you can’t rock a septum ring.

I have a 14 gauge captive in my septum currently, and recommend a size 16, 14 or 12, depending on the jewelry and size of your face.

Actress Scarlett Johansson (my faves from her include Ghost World and Lost in Translation) got her septum piercing in 2006, yet you don’t see it in most of her movies or red carpet appearances because it is easily flipped up into the nose and hidden.

I love how she wears it above with cute aviators and an adorable fish sundress! The outfit is perfection with a Chanel bag, and the Scarlett’s nose ring adds some edge to the already-quirky outfit. Scarlett got her septum piercing in 2006.

Body Mod the Sims 2

2008-11-28T12:26:00.000-08:00

I'm not a gamer, but this mod set of facial piercings for Sims 2 makes me want to get into it. Set includes layable star surface piercing under left eye, vertical bridge, medusa piercing, anti-eyebrow beside each eye, and pair of cheek piercings, available for all ages/genders.

Hello Kitty Body Jewelry & Tattoos

2008-11-27T22:26:00.000-08:00

These ones aren’t body jewelry, just standard hoops, but I am in love with these HK earrings from Avon! I would wear Sanrio accessories with a neutral outfit to keep it looking polished and grown up. These Hello Kitty hoops could be a great way to show your personality with a black and white work or school uniform.

Belly rings and tongue rings are probably the most common body jewelry and the easiest to find in licensed designs such as Sanrio characters.

I used to work at a body piercing kiosk and I know there is a pretty good selection of Hello Kitty belly and tongue rings, a lot more than I could find online. Keep searching online, or hit up the mall! I advise you play with a jewelry a little bit if you can. The ball should screw on nice and tight and thread smoothly.

Cheap Hello Kitty Belly Rings

Fun new plugs are one of my favorite things. You took the time to gauge your ears, so it’s only right to reward the time and effort with awesome jewelry. Unfortunately the Etsy sellers of these Hello Kitty plugs had to change their design due to copyright reasons, but maybe they’ll customize some in their original design (below) if you ask really nice…

OK this last one has nothing to do with piercings, it’s just a necklace by Tarina Tarantino that I freaking love…

Is that not the most gorgeous thing you’ve ever seen. I’d wear it with a white tee and black leggings, perhaps some pink pumps if I wanted to get matchy-matchy on it.

Hello Kitty Tattoos

One of my best friends has been interested in getting a Hello Kitty tattoo, and a quick Internet search shows it’s a popular idea. Some of my favorite HK-inspired ink:

I adore back of calf tattoos, and the white ink makes these all the more adorable. The last image is my favorite. Although the tattoo itself could be better, the design is super adorable. Even Zombie Hello Kitty is cute as a button!

More on Hello Kitty and friends…

photos from david avery, flickr, karen’s tattoos blog, people style watch, pink is the color. some sources unknown, so if you see any of your photos here, please contact me for removal/credit!

Got more for me? Leave your fave Hello Kitty body jewelry and Hello Kitty tattoo links in the comments!

L.A. Ink's Pixie Acia

2008-07-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, Pixie Acia was the best part of L.A. Ink. As much as I love seeing people get ink, most of the stories on the show are whiny & irritating. Pixie was a shining star on that show with her bubbly personality and undeniable physical beauty. Proof that pretty girls love body mods too. I love the huge plugs in her ears (she wears hoops through hers like I do), her pierced 'dimples', and of course her tattoos, which are always cute and feminine.

For more on Pixie's style, see my Style Icon: Pixie post here.

My Plug Wishlist - Great Plugs for Girls

2008-07-09T18:34:00.001-07:00

I lost a plug in bed today. I'm sure I'll find it, but I'm almost hoping I don't so that I have an excuse to buy new jewelry. I really want to go up a couple sizes so that I can accumulate jewelry and switch them out with my outfits the way I would with normal earrings. What's on my radar once I get to my goal gauge size, you ask?

I'm pretty sure I want to get a pair of standard double flared eyelet plugs, but I also really love these double flares with gems from Body Candy. These plugs are $11.99 each, so I could order them at around $24 for the pair and get free shipping. Pretty rad. I'm hoping I can bring my gauges from their current 00 to a 1/2" but the last thing I need is more too-large body jewelry sitting on my bathroom counter. If anyone wants to trade their (brand new or sterilized) 1/2" jewelry for some 5/8" eyelets, email j [at] hollow-star.net.

I also like these organic hollow coconut wood plug set, and these sparkley pink acrylics. I prefer eyelet/hollow plugs, as they really show off the size of your holes and I *love* putting hoops through my gauges. I also prefer glass to plastic plugs, but these pink babies are only four bucks for the set.

I'm not sure I necessarily want these (which is good, because they're only available for larger gauges), but I do think these bug plugs are wicked rad! They come in an assortment of different insects & arachnids. I like the beetle because it's sorta edgy but not as full-on creepy crawly as the 8-legged bugs. This one is sorta like the cockroach the girls on America's Next Top Model wear to model jewelry - ento-chic.

Like with non-body jewelry, the pierced world includes all sorts of styles. While definitely still available, punk and tribal are no longer the only options when it comes to stretched-out ears. No matter what the gauge of your piercing, you can find plugs as sweet, feminine, and glam as you are. Whether you're threading trendy bamboo-style hoops through your eyelets or making your ear lobes a bug's life, wear your plugs with some hot lipstick and (hotter) confidence.

Where to Buy Body Jewelry

2008-07-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

Local piercing shops can be the best places to buy body jewelry. My piercer in Portland (Angel Haven) always has great deals on jewelry and when she has an item in stock, I get it there first. When your piercer doesn't have what you want or what you want at a reasonable price, however, you are forced to look elsewhere, and many people turn to the mall.

Mall shops that specialize in body jewelry are a great way to see a large selection up close. Stopping by a kiosk will give you an idea of the extensive possibilities in the world of body jewelry. This is really exciting, but unfortunately most mall shops will not give you the best deal on jewelry. Generally, the mall is a good place for navel jewelry - just be sure to examine the piece before you buy it to ensure it's well made, and confirm with the salesperson that it is surgical grade steel if you are sensitive to other materials

For great prices, I recommend looking online. My favorite online body jewelry boutique is BodyCandy.com. You can browse plugs by size and check out various sizes and styles of barbells, captives and more. At Body Candy, if you spend over $20 you get free shipping, which can actually be hard considering they have a $1.99 jewelry section.

Some things to keep in mind while browsing online:

Read fine print on sizes. This is why I don't recommend buying belly rings online - they often end up being smaller than you would have expected. The gauge of the barbell will be normal, but the decorative piece will be sized very small. This is disappointing, and why I advise buying belly rings (and non-body jewelry) offline if you can.

Know your gauge size. Without being able to hold up and compare in person or ask a sales associate, knowing your exact size is crucial. A standard belly ring is 14 gauge. Other body piercings range from 16 gauge and up - the lower the number, the larger the piercing. Research to find out the size of your piercing if you are unsure. You may also want to measure the size of jewelry that you like to ensure you get the correct length barbell or the correct diameter of captive ring.

Keep in mind that most pieces are sold individually, so if you need a pair, you probably need to order two.

A great European equivalent to BodyCandy.com is Crazy Factory Jewelry, as recommended to me by Sofi.

Taking Care of New or Infected Piercings

2008-07-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

Signs that a piercing may be infected include swelling, crustiness, a slimy discharge from the piercing site, itchiness, and pain. If an infection spreads beyond the area of piercing or if you have other symptoms such as a fever, be sure to see your doctor right away. Most infections are minor, however, and I've seen many people give up and take out piercings without doing everything they can to salvage them.

Everyone is different and has their own favorite remedy for sore, swollen and infected piercings. I have had 10+ piercings over time and have never had to take any out due to infection. These are my favorite fixes for an uncomfortable piercing. Please note that these remedies are not necessarily suitable for all piercings - check with your doctor or piercer (or in some cases just use common sense) when it comes to piercings near the eyes or in the mouth or genitals.

Firstly, you must make sure to take care of new piercings. This means, avoid baths, hot tubs and pools while your piercing heals and if it becomes infected. Wash daily with the hottest water you can stand and keep it away from lotions, perfumes, etc. Avoid touching it, but if you must, wash your hands before you do. Wait the amount of time recommended by your piercer before changing jewelry, and be sure to switch to sterilized jewelry when you do. Some people can tolerate acrylic jewelry while other people may develop a rash simply from having a plastic ball on their jewelry. If changing jewelry results in irritation, go back to the jewelry you were pierced with or a new, clean piece of surgical steel jewelry.

One popular solution for new and infected piercings is the sea salt soak. Non-iodized sea salt is available at health food stores and from many piercers. Mix a spoonful of the salt into a cup of the hottest water you can stand and soak for a few minutes. According to BME Zine, "When mixed correctly the solution should taste as salty as your tears, and be about as hot as a drinkable cup of coffee." Soak the entire piercing in whatever way is most comfortable for you, whether lowering the body part into the water or inverting a cup or shot glass over the piercing and holding. Rinse thoroughly after the soak.

Salt soaks feel great and are awesome for relieving itching and pain, but pretty ineffective at clearing up infection unless done daily until the infection is gone. Tea tree oil is another soothing remedy that will help your infection (just saturate a Q-tip and cover the entire piercing in the oil, then rinse), but my favorite solution is actually a brand you are sure to recognize - Band Aid.

Band Aid brand Hurt-Free Antiseptic Wash is my very favorite product for new piercings, infected or sore piercings, and for stretching piercings. A bottle costs around $5 and can be found in the Band Aid aisle of many grocery stores. It contains a mild numbing agent to relieve pain as it cleans and disinfects. This product is my #1 because of its cleaning ability and also convenience - the squirt top allows you to easily soak a cotton ball or Q-tip, or squirt directly onto your piercing. Use to rinse piercings in or out of the shower and your piercing should be looking and feeling fabulous in no time.

How to Gauge Your Ears

2008-07-07T18:58:00.000-07:00

There are various ways to stretch out your ear lobes, my favorite and the most popular being a taper. Large tapers are often cone-shaped, while smaller gauge tapers are sometimes spirals that increase in gauge as you move them further into your ear. Note: I have been told that spirals sometimes cause uneven stretching, but I did use them to move from a 12g to a 6g with no problems.

Some people have their ears professionally pierced with a large gauge to begin with, or even scalpalled and surgically taken to size, but I don’t find this to be necessary. Another method I have been guilty of is “dead stretching”, where the new jewelry is simply forced through the hole. I don’t advise this, and definitely do not advise it for jumping more than one gauge.
Tapers can be expensive, but if you plan ahead and get a large pair, they may slowly take you through your whole stretching process. BodyCandy.com has some quality and affordable surgical steel body jewelry, including tapers. (Buy at your own risk with belly rings and other delicate pieces though.) Acrylic (plastic) tapers are OK to size up and immediately insert jewelry, but I recommend letting your ears heal around surgical grade steel jewelry.

Piercing jewelry size is measured in gauges, where the smaller the number the larger the hole. A belly button ring typically comes in a 14 gauge, whereas your standard ear piercing is done at an 18-20.
A good rule is to wait a month between stretching gauges. I have gone faster than this without too many problems, but I do find I am having trouble getting larger, so slower is definitely better, especially as you get into a higher gauge. I honestly don’t see much harm in rushing into up to a 6 gauge (just listen to your body - your piercing should not tear or bleed) as long as you take your time after that. Rushing can cause a “blow-out”, which causes the piercing to pucker out, or simply create excess scar tissue, making further stretching much harder. Generally, a size 2 gauge or larger will not shrink back to its normal size without surgical help. Mine are a 00, however, and the holes look much smaller after just a few hours of having my jewelry out.
How to stretch:
1. Soak and lubricate. After a hot shower is an ideal time to stretch your ears. Lube with Vaseline and possibly massage with tea tree or similar oils.
2. Stretch slowly. Remove the old jewelry and slide in the lubed taper. If you are squeamish, you may want to sit down (and be sure to eat prior) as I have gotten light-headed doing this before. Move up one gauge at a time for best results.
3. Switch over to your new jewelry. You may wait and let your ears ‘cool down’ for a minute with the taper in, but the sooner you get the (sterilized) jewelry in the better. Clean off any lube, take a look in the mirror and…
4. Enjoy, and/or wait some more. Give your piercing at least several weeks to heal. The process is fun, so enjoy it! If you’re at the final size you want, have fun browsing for all sorts of new jewelry. But beware - I originally wanted to stop at a 2 g and am now at 1/2″
When it comes to choosing jewelry, you have lots of options. I personally love double-flared eyelet (or hollow, or “tunnel”) plugs. A plug is the standard name for a gauged ear piercing. Double-flare means both edges are flared out to a slightly larger size. A 0 gauge plug might have a 00 gauge flare to hold the plug in place. A single-flared plug will have one side tapered out slightly while the other is usually secured with a ring of plastic called the o-ring. Some plugs have one side that will screw on and off (rather than an o-ring). Plugs also come in wood, bone, and other organic varieties, as well as acrylic. Again, I recommend surgical steel until the piercing has healed.
My favorite plugs once ears are healed are hollow double-flares because they are low-maintenance (no o-ring to lose) and I can wear my hoop earrings through the holes. You can play around with different looks and styles of jewelry, or change your earrings daily (once they’re healed) the way you might with any other jewelry.
Stretched piercings are notorious for their foul smell, but properly maintained this is pretty much a non-issue. Clean your stretched piercing the way you would any piercing, including possible sea salt soaks and cleaning solution. Although I generally clean my ears with soap in the shower now that they are healed, my favorite product for cleaning piercings is Band Aid brand Anti-septic Wash. It comes in a blue bottle and can be used to soak or rinse a new piercing, or both. It contains a mild numbing agent, and will also help an infected piercing heal painlessly. Use bottle directions.
If you use common sense and are patient stretching your piercing, you should have no problems and may very well find the process addictive as I do.

I am not an expert, and while I have no problem giving advice, please defer any serious inquiries to a piercer in your area. If you have a problem with what is written in this post, please send me your corrections politely. I am constantly revising this and all posts to make sure the information I am putting out there is the best. =)