The Coolest Types of Ear Piercings to Try in 2024
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. Naturally, the types of ear piercings you choose to get matters. Back in the day, you could get one or two studs in your lobe or maybe cartilage piercings to prove how edgy you were. But in 2024 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.”
According to Samantha Alvarado, RN, the director of nursing and education for Rowan Piercing Studio, there was a noticeable uptick in piercings—especially nontraditional ones—during the pandemic. “Because you couldn’t see what was under the mask, piercings became the new lipstick,” she explains.
And piercing doesn’t have to be a solo activity; in fact, it has become something fun for friends to do together. “I think that piercing parties are going to be a strong trend in 2024,” says Melinda Maria, founder of the jewelry line with the same name. These gatherings where the gals can hang and get pierced are basically the new Tupperware party, only instead of leaving with plastic containers whose lids you’ll inevitably lose, you’re leaving with something a little more permanent.
Ready to get a new piercing? With so many options, choosing where to start can be overwhelming. We spoke to top piercing specialists about the coolest piercing trends to try in 2024. From tragus piercings to snakebites, earring trends that are about to be everywhere—scroll on for the deets.
1/37Constellation Piercings
According to D’Arcy Jensen, head of product at Rowan Piercing Studio, clusters have skyrocketed in popularity, since they let you create a curated ear for your own personal style. “Our clients love constellation piercings as a fun way to vertically build up their stack,” she says. “Constellation piercings are a cluster of small piercings. The Rowan nurses are experts in anatomy and are able to really tailor these types of piercings to an individual’s ear to create a standout placement.”
2/37Flat Helix Piercing
If you have the space, try a flat piercing on the helix, which can create a cluster depending on your anatomy. “A flat helix piercing is one that is placed in the flat region in your upper ear,” says Jensen. “This portion of the ear has a lot of room to add multiple piercings for a constellation.”
3/37Floating Helix Piercing
Maria Tash, founder of the namesake jewelry brand, created patented “floating” jewelry, which hides piercings in places like the helix and contra conch. “Our floating ear studs, which are a hybrid jewelry concept of a stud and a charm, are gaining in popularity over static studs,” Tash says.
Instagram/@studs4/37Snakebites
“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 the same jewelry in each or mismatched earrings.” Studs did Kaia Gerber’s snakebites and, this look has since become one of the studio’s most asked-for piercings.
Instagram/@studs5/37Snakebites
This piercing looks great with hoop earrings or studs, and you can either mix and match earrings or keep them identical, depending on your vibe. However, the healing time 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.”
Instagram / @mejuri6/37Snakebites
Already have a single piercing? Another option is to get a second hole close to your first one so you can double up on small huggies or studs. We love these simple gemstone hoops from Mejuri—not to mention the sapphire-and-emerald color scheme celebrities have been obsessed with lately.
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Instagram/@studs7/37Snakebites
We love how versatile the snakebite trend is because you can get in on it with piercings anywhere on the ear; all that matters is that the two piercings are stacked closely together. It’s also a great way to use a pair of earrings instead of buying singles. Wouldn’t two bees like Gorjana’s Diamond Bee Studs be the cutest?
Instagram/@astridandmiyu8/37Tragus
Unconventional options like tragus piercings (that thicker cartilage at the center of your ear outside the ear canal, where the crescent 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/@stoneandstrand9/37Tragus
As with all ear cartilage piercings, the healing process can take up to a year. Hayler recommends cleaning it twice a day with saline and keeping your hands off it between cleanings.
Instagram / @colin_o10/37Tragus
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/@astridandmiyu11/37Conch
“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 an inner conch stud to avoid irritation and “piercing bumps,” but you can swap for a different style after six months.
12/37Conch
Jensen also adds that the “bowl” of your ear is one of the least complicated areas for aftercare. “A conch piercing allows for easy healing as it is protected by the outer rim of your ear," she says. “This unexpected placement allows for a fun stud or a hoop to really switch up the look. We also love a statement stud here.”
Instagram/@stoneandstrand13/37Conch
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 / @mujeri14/37Conch
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/@studs15/37Contra Conch
Bubbers is predicting that the contra conch, or outer conch, will be big this year. The piercing placement is the ridge of cartilage that sits outside the inner conch, she explains. It’s a little bit unexpected and plays nice with other cartilage piercings.
Instagram/@lynnloheide16/37Contra Conch
This unique piercing placement certainly adds to a decadent earscape, but for it to really shine, try it on a simpler style like this one.
Instagram/@piercedbyemma17/37Contra Conch
A dangling stud look super cool and interesting in this hole because it gives the appearance that it’s floating. The Maria Tash Diamond Eternity Bar Charm Threaded Stud Earring is perfect for achieving this look.
Instagram/@astridandmiyu18/37Daith
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/@astridandmiyu19/37Daith
Unlike conch piercings, this location is a good place to start with a hoop, says Hayler. “Hoops are preferred for this one, for ease of healing and cleaning,” she says. “It’s important to take your piercer’s advice on the jewelry to make sure it isn’t too heavy for the location chosen.”
Instagram / @wwake20/37Daith
Paired with delicate studs (like these gorgeous opal ones from Wwake), a daith piercing can look incredibly minimalist.
Instagram / @stoneandstrand21/37Rook Piercing
Similar to a daith, the rook piercing sits on the cartilage fold between the outer ear and inner ear. A dainty hoop or small climber can be especially eye-catching in this part of the ear.
Instagram / @studs22/37Floating Cartilage
While cartilage hurts a little more and takes slightly longer to heal, the flat of your ear makes a fantastic canvas to show off small studs. It’s great for snakebites or a tiny trio of diamonds.
Instagram / @stoneandstrand23/37Floating 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.
Courtesy of Stone and Strand24/37Stacked 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 with popularizing the trend.
Instagram/@stoneandstrand25/37Stacked Lobe
While 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 suggests consulting your piercer about what’s best for your ears and building the look around earrings of the size you’d wear every day.
Instagram / @studs26/37Stacked 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.”
Courtesy of Rowan27/37Mid-Helix Piercing
If you’re a piercing newbie but want to expand past a stacked lobe, the mid-helix is perfect for you. Alvarado recommends this style if you have some real estate available between the middle of your ear lobe and your upper cartilage.
Courtesy of Rowan28/37Mid-Helix Piercing
All of Rowan’s piercings are punctured with a straight needle and threadless flatback jewelry, meaning your mid-helix piercing will stay in place throughout the day.
Courtesy of Rowan29/37Mid-Helix Piercing
There are a few piercings Alvarado says she doesn’t suggest for working health professionals (like the conch piercing, if you’re wearing a mask all day). Styles like the tragus piercing and the mid-helix piercing give the same edgy illusion without having to worry about fuss.
30/37Upper-Helix Piercing
Jensen loves the upper ear for its versatility. “A helix piercing is found along the outer rim of the cartilage in the upper ear,” she says. “This piercing placement is more common and great to show off small hoops, ear cuffs, and delicate studs or to switch it up with a chunky style.”
Instagram | @mariatash31/37Forward Helix Piercing
In contrast to the traditional helix piercing, the forward helix piercing sits on the space above the tragus. While this is a thin, cartilage-dense area, the process of getting it pierced is similar to a standard helix piercing.
32/37Forward Helix Piercing
In the years following the pandemic, forward helix piercings have become popular due to its placement, which won’t interfere with mask-wearing. “As a result we have seen more conch, tragus, and forward helix piercings over the past few years,” Alvarado says.
Instagram | @studs33/37Forward Helix Piercing
Similar to a stacked lobe, the options for a triple forward helix are endless. This studs combo—a green baguette stone flanked by gold orbs—is perfect for an everyday statement earscape.
34/37Forward Helix Piercing
If you can’t fit a triple, a double forward helix can be just as impactful. “This placement is closest to the face so we love a double piercing here to really bring the sparkle,” says Jensen. For this look, she recommends Rowan’s 24/7 flat-back studs, which sit comfortably flush to the ear.
Instagram/@piercedxmanda35/37Antihelix
“The antihelix is on the exterior ridge of the ear,” explains Bubbers, and is not to be confused with the forward helix, which is “on the forward top fold where the ear meets the cheek.” This placement isn’t for everybody, though. On certain anatomies you may not be able to see the piercings up there. But when you can, it is oh so cute. Especially with a butterfly like this. Copy the look with Studs Tiny Butterfly.
Instagrgam/@ileanastabbedme36/37Antihelix
This particular antihelix piercing is a hybrid with a snakebite because it features the double hole design.
Instagram/@estudio18437/37Antihelix
You don’t have to stick to studs for an antihelix piercing. A dainty hoop looks just as good, especially on a more understated scape like this one. Mejuri Cartilage Pavé Diamond Mini Hoop would look awesome here.
