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Is it weird to say I’m proud of my ear lobes? I don’t mean to gloat and I’ve always prided myself on humility, but it’s been a tough year and this horn needs some tooting. My style’s in the tank, social life’s a work in progress, and diet’s… better, not best -- but this year, my ear game has truly soared.
Let me rewind a bit: I’ve enjoyed experimenting with my ear style (if you will) since I was a kid. Over the years, my devotion to this craft has fluctuated -- and I ironically got a third piercing on my left lobe on December 31, 2019 to really shake things up for a truly epic 2020. Little did I know that 2020 would be an epic year for all the wrong reasons, except that it would introduce me to a brand that could revolutionize my ear game… forever.
Meet Studs
I was floored when I first discovered Studs, mostly because I was upset I hadn’t thought of the concept myself: a trendy, Glossier-style piercing studio for Gen Zs and Millennials. In case your earring education needs a refresher: traditionally, a desired ear-piercing has meant either a trip to Claire’s, the teeny-bop store with questionable jewelry options and even more questionable piercing practices (read: piercing gun) or a tattoo parlor, which is expensive, fairly unapproachable, and not exactly up-to-date on current trends.
Studs has ushered in a “new ear-a” of self-expression through ear piercing -- one in which piercings are done safely by professional piercers, in a fun and creative environment (their NYC-based studios, for now), and with jewelry that’s on-trend, affordable, and created by the brand. It’s far from just an in-person service, though -- Studs offers a revolutionary post-piercing digital experience through its online shop. Studs.com features detailed after-care instructions, endless style inspo, and shoppable jewelry so that everyone, whether they’ve visited a studio or not, can express him or herself with a unique earscape.
Earscapes Have Entered The Chat
Studs coined the surprisingly useful term “earscape,” to define the “combined art and science of decorating one’s ear with personalized piercings and earrings.” Remember that passion for “experimenting with my ear style” I mentioned before? That’s earscaping. Studs views ears as tiny canvases of endless opportunity and helps transform each and every one into a masterpiece.
Studs views ears as tiny canvases of endless opportunity and helps transform each and every one into a masterpiece.
It does this by selling hoops, studs, huggies, dangles, and cuffs as individual earrings or in pairs -- a brand-bonus that is not to be overlooked. The ability to purchase individual earrings in addition to pairs means that each ear can be pierced and styled differently, leading to more experimentation and expression. In addition to their timeless classics, Studs drops trendy seasonal selections (hello, Serpent Bite) and dreamy collabs, like their “Real Studs Vote” campaign with When We All Vote for the 2020 election (which earned praise from Gwyneth Paltrow herself). And if all of that isn’t enough, Studs also meets its demo on Depop, where shoppers can sometimes find on sale, archived styles, and confirm that the brand really is what dreams are made of.
From My Cart To My Mailbox
After drooling over their website for a few days, I placed my first order, which included a pair of Medium Hollow Hoops, a pair of Small Square Edge Huggies, one Serpent Stud, one Star Stud, and a Teardrop Threader. Thankfully, Studs crafts earrings that are made with materials like 14K and 18K gold and typically priced between $18 and $32 per earring -- meaning I didn’t have to choose between quality or quantity when shopping for an array of earrings. I was so excited to receive my new bling that I tracked my order religiously waiting for my Studs to arrive.
I was elated to find my package in the mailbox because it meant that my earrings were packaged minimally and sustainably. My new ear candy also brought several surprises along for the ride, including free “Vote” nail decals, trendy Studs stickers, and a cute card advertising their Vote campaign. While I haven’t yet had the Studs in-person piercing studio experience, receiving my online order felt like an experience in and of itself.
An Earscape Artist Is Born
What’s fun, though, is that my ears are visible on virtual calls and hangouts -- Studs is giving me an outlet for self-expression when I’ve otherwise felt pretty uninspired.
I’ve spent a lot of time experimenting with my earscape lately, despite the fact that I have absolutely nowhere to go. What’s fun, though, is that my ears are visible on virtual calls and hangouts -- Studs is giving me an outlet for self-expression when I’ve otherwise felt pretty uninspired.
Each of the pieces I’ve purchased feels high-quality and well-made -- and looks good in a number of different placements throughout my ear. It’s clear that Studs earrings are designed to compliment one another -- there’s truly no way to go wrong with a Studs-clad earscape (my ever-complimentary friends agree!). I’ve regularly found myself perusing the Studs site in anticipation of my next purchase… and my only problem is that I’m ready for more piercings.
Let’s Get This Piercing Party Started
Studs has recently reopened their Nolita and Hudson Yards piercing studios after COVID-19 closures, and I hear they’re currently booked a month out. It’s no wonder -- the brand has a growing social media presence, stylish collabs dropping regularly, and the approval of celebrities like Kaia Gerber, Maude Apatow, Maggie Rogers, and Gwyneth Paltrow. For now, I’ll stick to experimenting with my current picks, browsing new drops, and saying a small prayer each night that as they expand and open new piercing studios, the next one is a little bit closer to me.
5 More Reasons To Love Studs
- Everyone from The Cut to Vogue and Fast Company is singing their praises.
- Their “Real Studs Vote” campaign is donating 20% of sales to When We All Vote.
- They’re committed to safe, smart, and affordable piercing practices.
- They sell extra inventory at a discount on Depop.
- They focus on bold self-expression and inclusivity, encouraging a celebration of who you are.
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