If you’ve never heard of ‘Earscaping’ before, don’t worry because neither had we. Well, we knew what it was, but just didn’t know it had a technical name. If you’re still a little unsure of what we’re talking about, Earscaping is refers to the artful arrangement of ear piercings, combining various types of earrings, ear cuffs, and other jewellery to create unique ear compositions. In short, someone who has ‘Earscaped’ their ears often looks like they’re adorning a carefully curated selection of jewels on their ears, making it a centre piece of any outfit. See, you prob already knew what it was but just didn’t know the technical name either!
Below, we explore everything you need to know about Earscaping, from different piercing styles to jewellery options you can try.
PIERCING STYLES
Let’s start with the piercing styles because Earscaping goes well beyond a single piercing that you might have gotten when you were 6 years old. There are numerous piercing styles available to create stunning Earscapes:
Lobe Piercings: This is arguably the most common type, the one that I was referring to earlier that many people get when they’re little. It involves puncturing the fleshy part of the earlobe, where multiple piercings can be stacked vertically or horizontally.
Helix Piercings: These piercings are placed on the upper cartilage rim of the ear and can be done individually or in clusters. If you winced when we said cartilage, yes, these ones are reported to hurt! Although the actual act of piercing it is generally quick, so it’s only temporary pain.
Tragus Piercings: Located on the small, thick piece of cartilage in front of the ear canal, tragus piercings can be a subtle or even edgy look, depending on the earring you put there.
Conch Piercings: Placed in the centre of the ear's cartilage, conch piercings can be either inner (closer to the ear canal) or outer (closer to the edge). Again, it sounds like it hurts to pierce there, but it can reveal a unique effect to your Earscaping.
Daith Piercings: Situated in the innermost fold of the ear cartilage, daith piercings have gained popularity over the years, mainly thanks to the rise of the Earscaping trend.
JEWELLERY OPTIONS
Given the number of piercing options, it’s no surprise that Earscaping allows for a wide range of jewellery combinations, providing endless possibilities to create an individualised look. Some popular choices include:
Stud Earrings: Hardly needing any explanation, a stud earring is a classic option, coming in various shapes, sizes, and materials. They are perfect for layering or mixing with other types of earrings. Other bonus is that they can easily be inserted and removed.
Hoop Earrings: Hoops can add a touch of elegance and versatility to Earscaping, again providing either a subtle or edgy look depending on how simple or adorned with charms and gemstones you choose.
Ear Cuffs: Cuffs wrap around the outer edge of the ear, requiring no piercings. So they can be a really fun (and commitment free) way of trying Earscaping without actually having to pierce your ears!
Huggie Earrings: Huggies are smaller hoop earrings that "hug" the earlobe closely. They are great for layering or creating a gradient effect. At In Like Finn we are a huge fan of huggies thanks to the fact that they’re very versatile and can be left in (they don’t tend to move around as much as other earring styles).
Drop Earrings: Just like our Love Actually Earrings, Drop Earrings dangle from the earlobe or cartilage, adding movement and visual interest to Earscapes. They come in various lengths and designs.
SOME EARSCAPING TIPS
Seek Professional Piercing Services: We do not want to hear any stories of people piercing their own ears or others at a drunken house party. For obvious reasons, that is a big no no and it goes without saying that it’s crucial to visit a reputable and experienced piercer. Main reason to do this is to ensure proper placement and minimise any risk of infection.
Plan Ahead: Before getting multiple piercings, consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve and how different earrings will complement each other. Don’t go in on a whim without really thinking about it first!
Gradual Piercing: If you're unsure about committing to multiple piercings at once, start with one and gradually add more over time.
Aftercare: Follow proper aftercare instructions provided by your piercer, including cleaning the piercings with a saline solution and avoiding excessive touching or rotating of jewellery.