Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photo: Retailers
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While tattoo journeys may be too scary to embark on (even ones that fade), piercings are the next best thing. Enter the term earscaping.
What could that even mean? Studs co-founder Lisa Bubbers explains it as “the art and science of stacking your ear with piercings and earrings” and coined it as a very easy way of saying you want an “Instagram-approved” ear.
Studs employee Lexi Sutyak’s earscape.
Thanks to piercing studios such as Studs and New York Adorned, the days of slinking into a tattoo shop to ask for a cartilage piercing only to leave with a thick silver bar for an earring are over. When you book an appointment for a piercing, your piercer is also your stylist. You don’t have to go into it knowing what you want. Instead, there are look books to use, options to consider, and trends to discuss. In order to refresh the look, you can consider adding colors, textures, and shapes to the piercings you have. If you have piercings on both ears, maybe mix and match the earrings while playing with similar tones. As Love Adorned piercer Sydney Roda advises, you have to look to your ears “as a canvas.”
With that in mind, we spoke to some people with cool styles to find out what earrings are worth adding to your rotation, all for under $100.
Libby Rounds, the piercing manager at Love Adorned, likes adding chains to their ears for movement. Chain earrings are great for any piercing whether a lobe, upper ear, or even inner ear.
Available in 18K Gold Plated Brass
We’ve all seen initial earrings before but never ones that look like those magnets you used to have on the fridge growing up (in a good way).
Available in nickel- and lead-free gold hoop, silver hoop, or rainbow hoop
Huggies are a godsend when it comes second and third piercings, especially since they sit closer to the lobe, and these mini-hoops from Mejuri are so sleek and cool that you won’t regret adding them to your earring roster.
Available in 14K white gold and 14K yellow gold
The best way to dress up any outfit is by adding a little bling, which these thick hoop earrings do well. Even though they’re on the chunkier side, they’re light enough for all-day wear and feature a post back closure to keep them secure.
Made of nickel-free gold finish
Content creator Lindsey Rem has had these wavy hoops from Madewell for years and still loves them. “They have a brushed-gold finish that stops them from tarnishing as quickly as other gold-plated jewelry,” she says. “And the shape is really unique. I always get compliments on them.”
Made of pre-consumer recycled brass casting
Handmade in Brooklyn, the earrings from Crumi Stuff are so cute. Whether you’re waking up elements of the mood or wanting to add some color to your ears, these emotional earrings will do the job and do the job well.
100 percent polymer clay and freshwater pearls, nickel-free, available in 14K gold-filled stud, sterling-silver hoop, or gold-vermeil hoop
These lightweight gold-link earrings from Target are the perfect addition to any jewelry rotation since they’re on trend without breaking the bank.
Nickel-free gold finish
Ashley Garcia Lezcano, the social editor at Refinery29, loves Xio jewelry, especially since it’s affordable and Latina owned. They have an amazing variety, including hoops, studs, and ear cuffs, and have a lot of detailed pieces, including evil eyes, butterflies, and astrology symbols.
Available in gold-plated brass or silver-plated brass
A great way to add a “piercing” without actually committing to one is by adding cuffs to the mix. Place them in your ear to replicate a conch or helix piercing or play around with them to emulate multiple piercings at once. This gorgeous option from Catbird comes in both silver and gold for whatever metal preference you have.
Available in silver and yellow gold
The internet’s latest obsession is around finding dupes for the Bottega Veneta drop earrings (which retail for over $1,000). This handmade pair is under $50 and looks almost as good as the real thing.
Available in brass-plated 18K gold or silver
These crystal drop earrings look like they belong on a red carpet.
18K gold plated
When it comes to on-trend earrings for a great price, studs are the place to look. Their array of huggies are unmatched, whether they be daggers, martinis, diamonds, or even cowboy hats.
Available in gold and silver
A classic twist on a solid hoop, the malaika is a wide, double-set gold hoop that is still lightweight enough to wear all day long.
Available in 18k gold-plated metal
Not your typical studs but still just as good.
Available in gold and silver
Augusta Thrift owner and content creator Bridget Brown’s go-to earrings are by Justine Clenquet since the brand loves to mix and match different styles and metals.
Made from 24K gold-plated brass
“I get so many compliments on every piece from ARSN, and I love that they focus on silver metals. They’re so unique and instantly edge up any outfit,” says content creator Summer Rachel Warren. “I’m a silver girl through and through.”
Available in gold and silver
Stylist and content creator Jess Xu loves this pair of earrings for everyday wear, especially since they’re hollow on the inside and tarnish free. “They’re weightless and perfectly complement all my fits without me having to think twice,” she says.
Available in gold and silver
Plus-size model Lynley Eilers swears by pearl pendant hoops, and while Eilers’ favorite pair from H&M are currently out of stock, & Other Stories has a great option that comes in silver, too.
Available in sterling silver and gold-toned finish
Sometimes you want a single earring over a pair, especially if you prefer an asymmetrical look. For Tanya Ravichandran, “this one [from Maria Black] is a bit more eclectic.”
Available in gold and silver
This classic bar earring has some sparkle and looks high end, even if it’s under $70.
Made of 18K gold-plated brass
Emma Pills is known for her colorful jewelry and distinct packaging. These obsession hoops are one of her best sellers and come in six different finishes, including the perfect light pink.
Available in 14k gold plating or sterling silver
Give yourself the look of two piercings with one hoop.
Made of 14K gold-coated brass
These climber studs give you the look of more than one piercing without any of the hassle. Made with pearls and topaz, this elegant combination is perfect for any party you have on your radar or to upgrade your everyday jewelry.
Made of 18K solid gold vermeil on sterling silver
We love Jenny Bird here at the Cut, and their latest squiggle release is no exception. With an excess amount of hoops on our radar, this refreshing squiggle shape is slim for easy wear but bold enough to remain the center of attention for any outfit.
Available in gold and silver
Sold as a pair but different earrings, the Lydia earrings are some of the coolest, low-key bejeweled options on the market.
Available in 18K gold-plated brass and white gold-plated brass in silver
These double-layered hoops are light, fun, and of an insanely great quality. Get the look of two earrings for one with these dainty hoops.
Available in sterling silver and gold vermeil
- Ask Ravichandran, content creator
- Lynley Eilers, model
- Jess Xu, stylist and content creator
- Summer Rachel Warren, content creator
- Ashley Garcia Lezcano, social editor at Refinery29
- Libby Rounds, piercing manager at Love Adorned
- Lindsey Rem, content creator
- Lisa Bubbers, Studs co-founder