The Ultimate Guide To Piercings, From Two Pros
She’s the New York piercing expert who founded her own jewelry brand in 1993, and whose designs regularly grace the lobes of Rihanna, Gigi Hadid and Scarlett Johansson. Here, MARIA TASH and her piercing specialist Jasmine Lewis tell CHARLIE BOYD everything you need to know about piercings, while sharing their invaluable tips and advice for curating a stylish earscape in 2023
Maria Tash, jewelry designer and founder of Maria Tash
You’ve been in the business for more than 20 years – what have those years of experience taught you most about women and their piercings?
“It is much more acceptable now to have multiple piercings in unusual locations, in great part due to the improvement in jewelry design and how social media illustrates so many examples of beautiful, thoughtfully curated looks. The reasons people got piercings in the early 1990s and why they do so today are very similar – it remains a fun and significant method of self-expression, for which I am thankful.”
Much like a hairstyle change-up, can getting a piercing be an emotional, or even psychological, experience?
“There are many motivations behind each client’s piercings. It can be purely about self-expression but, usually, it’s that plus other reasons. We see a lot of best friends coming together, many mother-and-daughter visits, and even couples opting for matching piercings; but there are also plenty of people who come in alone. Celebrating a feeling of independence or liberation, milestones, personal accomplishments and relationships are just some of the reasons – and they all give us joy.”
Is it best for clients to work out which piercing placements they prefer, or choose the jewelry they want to wear first, and then decide on placement?
“I think it is more common for people to have an idea of where they want to get pierced, but that is not necessarily better. Many people come in with images from social media, but they may see a piece of jewelry that resonates with them more or is better in a different part of their anatomy. It is best to have an idea of what you like in terms of placement and jewelry but to be open to new ideas and pieces.”
If you could offer one styling rule or piece of advice to every client before they embark on their ear-curation journey, what would it be?
“I think great curation happens when the jewelry selections, the fit of the jewelry against the ear, and the piercing placements all look very deliberate. You want to make sure the pieces look thoughtful, that they relate to each other, and that they sit well in relation to each other. When you look at a curation, you want to analyze where your eye moves and what it notices first, second, and so on. Maria Tash stylists are trained to help with this process.”
“I think great curation happens when the jewelry selections, the fit of the jewelry against the ear, and the piercing placements all look very deliberate
”Maria Tash
Jasmine Lewis, piercing specialist at Maria Tash
What are the most popular piercing placements right now?
“Earlobe and helix piercings have always been very popular, and our clients love the idea of adding a stacked lobe piercing over one, two or three points. A stacked lobe is easy to heal and can add new intrigue to an older curation. Maria Tash’s patented ‘Tash Helix’ and ‘Hidden Tash Rook’ (piercings that allow jewelry to be suspended from the upper cartilage ridges) are popular with those who want an avant-garde addition to their look.”
For clients who have lobe piercings only, is there a particular cartilage placement that you would recommend as a first foray?
“The type of cartilage piercing I would recommend would depend on my client’s anatomy and lifestyle; but, typically, I like to suggest a conch piercing, which is nestled in the middle section of the ear and has a natural forward-facing effect, enhancing visibility of the jewelry. This piercing is versatile due to the space available, meaning clients can opt for a larger decorative piece – like our 6mm diamond ‘Lotus’ – or go for a more subtle look and be pierced with a 3mm ‘Invisible’ diamond; either would work beautifully.”
How do you think piercing curation can be used to reflect your personality?
“Piercings are a fun way to express your personal style and to experiment with your individuality. It's important for me to get to know my client – I like to observe what accessories they are wearing, other piercings they may have, if they like to mix gold tones, what type of lifestyle they have, and how they want their ear curation to complement their personality.”
What are the golden rules to follow when it comes to taking care of new piercings?
“The three golden rules of healing piercings are: keep it clean, keep it dry and avoid any pressure or movement to the area. You should clean the piercing twice a day with sterile saline wipes for six to eight weeks, gently wrapping a wipe around the front and back of the piercing and soaking for three to five minutes. The wipe can then be used to gently clean away any build-up that comes off naturally, without forcing anything that is not ready to be removed. Lastly, dry the piercing using a paper towel, or non-woven gauze, to prevent bacteria growth.
“Sleeping on a piercing will prolong the healing process, so laying a travel pillow flat and suspending your ear in the hole can be a practical solution. I often have clients asking if they should twist and turn their piercings – the answer is no. Touching your piercing will transfer bacteria to the area and twisting your piercing will break the healing tissue. It's essential to leave your piercing alone unless you are cleaning it – but, otherwise, just enjoy how it looks.”
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