The Coolest Types of Ear Piercings to Try in 2021

If the last time you got an ear piercing was at Claire’s, then we have news for you: cool ear piercings are officially having a moment. Back in the day you could get one or two studs in your lobe or maybe a cartilage hoop to prove how edgy you were. But in 2020, there are different types of ear piercings for every single vibe, along with tons of earrings to match.

“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.”

With so many options now, though, choosing where to start can be overwhelming. So we spoke to top piercing specialists about the coolest piercing trends to try in 2020. From tragus piercings to snakebites, scroll on for the earring trends that are about to be everywhere.

Snakebites

“We’re getting a lot of requests for snakebites,” says Lisa Bubbers, cofounder of New York piercing studio Studs. “This piercing style is two piercings stacked closely together, either with same jewelry in each or mismatched earrings.” Studs did Kaia Gerber’s snakebites back in November, and it has become one of the studio’s most asked for looks since.
Instagram/@studs

2/18

Snakebites

This piercing looks great with hoops or studs, and you can either mix and match earrings or keep them identical depending on your vibe. However, the healing process for this one can be a little intense. “The snakebite does require more care and attention, since two piercings close together can cause extra swelling,” says Bubbers. “We recommend using saline and not sleeping on that side for a few weeks.”

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Instagram / @mejuri

3/18

Snakebites

Already have a single piercing? Another option is to get a second hole slightly closer to your first one, so you can double up on small hoops or studs. We love these simple gemstone hoops from Mejuri—not to mention the sapphire-and-emerald color scheme celebrities have been obsessed with

Instagram/@astridandmiyu

4/18

Tragus

Unconventional options like tragus piercings (that thicker cartilage at the center of your ear, where the moon stud is shown here) are gaining popularity for their subtlety. “This is one of the more understated piercings,” says Hayler. “Since it sits quite close to your face, it isn’t immediately obvious.”
Instagram/@stoneandstrand

5/18

Tragus

As with all cartilage piercings, this spot can take up to a year to fully heal and settle. Hayler recommends cleaning it twice a day with saline, and keeping your hands off to help it heal.
Instagram / @colin_o

6/18

Tragus

One the best things about a tragus piercing is that it looks just as cool with single or double piercings as it does with a fully stacked lobe.
Instagram/@astridandmiyu

7/18

Conch

“The conch (the star hoop here) is the inner part of your ear that, most popularly, can have a hoop cuffing the outside,” says Hayler, who notes it’s one of her most-requested styles. She points out that while this spot is perfect for a hoop, it’s best to get it pierced with a stud to avoid irritation and “piercing bumps,” but can be swapped after six months

Instagram/@stoneandstrand

8/18

Conch

Janeese Brooks, head piercer at Stone and Strand is thrilled to see conch piercings come back. “I think they’ve returned to the scene alongside ’90s trends and are a great statement piercing for those who are tired of seeing the same normcore minimalist jewelry everywhere,” she says. Just be prepared to give it time to heal, since this spot is cartilage it can take up to a year.
Instagram / @mujeri

9/18

Conch

Not sure you’re ready for a full-on conch piercing? Another option is a gold cuff, like this one from Etsy, which looks incredibly cool paired with other thick gold hoops.
Instagram/@astridandmiyu

10/18

Daith

Daith piercings (the plain silver hoop) came back into style a few years ago and haven’t gone anywhere thanks to their versatility. “This is a piercing that can be dressed up or down depending on your jewelry choice,” says Hayler.
Instagram/@astridandmiyu

11/18

Daith

Unlike conch piercings, Hayler actually recommends starting with a hoop for this location. “Hoops are preferred for this one, for ease of healing and cleaning,” she says. “It’s important to take your piercers advice on the jewelry to make sure it isn’t too heavy for the location chosen.”

Instagram / @wwake

12/18

Daith

Paired with delicate studs (like these gorgeous opal ones from Wwake), a daith piercing can look incredibly minimalist.
Instagram / @studs

13/18

Floating Cartilage

While cartilage hurts a little more and takes slightly longer to heal, the flat of your ear makes fantastic canvas to show off small studs. It’s great for snakebites or a tiny trio of diamonds.
Instagram / @stoneandstrand

14/18

Floating Cartilage

According to Brooks, this placement is Stone and Strand’s most popular non-lobe piercing. It’s particularly great if you want to make a statement, but don’t love the look of maximalist jewelry.
Instagram / @stoneandstrand

15/18

Floating Cartilage

Try mixing plain ball studs with different sized crystals for an expertly curated look.

Courtesy of Stone and Strand

16/18

Stacked Lobe

If you’re too scared to veer into cartilage territory, fear not. Instead you can pile multiple piercings onto your lobes. “Sometimes people will ask to just ‘fill up’ their ear in a neat, evenly spaced row, while other times I’ll get asked to do some very personalized cluster piercings” says Brooks, who credits Zoë Kravitz for popularizing the trend.
Instagram/@stoneandstrand

17/18

Stacked Lobe

Wile this look is definitely made for Instagram, keep in mind that what you see online might not be best for you. “People’s ear lobes are actually very different in shape and size, so what looks good on someone else, may not be the best fit for you,” says Brooks. She says to talk to your piercer about what’s best for your ears and to build the look around earrings the size you would wear everyday.
Instagram / @studs

18/18

Stacked Lobe

Another thing to keep in mind? “Ear lobe piercings are generally the easiest to heal, but at the same time we advise caution against getting too many piercings at one go,” says Brooks. “Build up your look over time.”