At the ripe old age of 48, I went and got my ears pierced.
You may be a little disappointed (=ahem= clickbait, much?!) when I tell you that this was not my first rodeo – it was actually an extra piercing to both ears. So I should say I got them pierced again. As the last piercing I had done was to my belly button in 1996 [which I took out for the final time several years ago], let’s just say it felt like a bit of an act of rebellion to do it again just two years shy of 50.
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Yep, that’s exactly how rebellious my rebellious streak is: get my ears pierced! In the earlobes…! I know, I know, I’m SUCH a rebel.
I can’t remember quite when or why, but a few months ago I had the bright idea of getting my ears pierced again to give me three holes in one earlobe and two in the other. Piled-on gold jewellery is everywhere at the moment, and I’ve been seeing a lot of ears decorated with a few piercings and an ear cuff or two. And I really like the look, especially if there’s a bit of sparkle and layered gold necklaces as well.
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I’m not one for having anything other than my lobes pierced – heaven forbid I couldn’t take the pain of having the cartilage (EEP!) pierced… I’m FAR too much of a wuss for that.
No, just an extra hole in each lobe. Together with a pretty ear cuff – which to me is a far better, non-painful and non-committal way to have some bling stacked up your ear – I think it looks incredibly pretty. I asked Keith if I could have it done for my birthday, but unfortunately I had to wait another week or two as my birthday was just before salons were allowed to start that service again.
In the absence of getting them pierced on the day, Keith gave me some beautiful huggie hoops and an ear party set from one of my fave jewellery brands at the moment, Orelia (I mentioned them in my 9 completely brilliant things I bought recently post).
(Ironically, in that post I mentioned that the Orelia earrings I’d bought were good quality but not crazy expensive, so if I lost one it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Guess what? I lost one. OF COURSE I did #eyeroll. So it was lovely to receive another – even better and more sparkly – pair for my birthday.)
So I’m wearing the hoops now and am keeping the rest of the ear party set for when my new piercings have healed and I can change them.
I was in and out of the salon in super quick time (of course masks have to be worn and everything was sterilised, which to be honest is no different to how that sort of service has always had to operate anyway) and the pain was nothing really, just a little stab. I remember my belly button piercing being a lot more traumatic to be honest (I’m laughing now but didn’t at the time. I got home and fainted when I looked down at my navel and thought about what I’d had done, bleugh).
Anyway, back to my ears: it went fine and my lobes have only been a little tender if I bash them which, when you’re trying NOT to do something, you just do it AAAAAALL the time, don’t you.
And now I’m the proud owner of pretty piercings on both ears, and I wish I’d done this sooner. I spent far too long thinking “Oh I do like that look, I’d really like more piercings in my ears…” – WHY didn’t I just go and do it years ago? It’s weird how, as you age, you can sometimes forget that you CAN go and do these things, especially when they’re so simple.
So don’t put these things off if you’re thinking about doing something similar if it’s just as basic.
Life’s too short. Go and get that pink pixie crop or ankle tattoo you’ve been banging on about for years. You won’t regret it.
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The story of my first ear piercing… aged You-Don’t-Want-to-Know years old
This post seemed an appropriate time to tell you the story of how I came to have my ears pierced for the first time. Most people are quite shocked when I tell them that I had them pierced aged not quite 4 years old… yes you read that right, I was under 4.
(I don’t know about other countries, but in the UK there’s a bit of a stigma that surrounds very young children with pierced ears. I guess the easiest way to describe the general sentiment is that it’s seen as a bit shocking when babies and toddlers have piercings. Zero judgment from me, considering the age that I was…!)
There is a specific reason that I was so young, and it’s not because my mother was the type to have young babies with pierced ears – she’s QUITE the opposite type in fact (neither of my sisters had them done so young). I’d even go so far as to say my mother is quite traditional and old-fashioned about a lot of things. No, the reason I got them done so young was all down to my OWN behaviour =she rolls her eyes=
Let me explain:
My sister is nearly 10 years older than me, and for her 13th birthday she was getting her ears pierced. Mum took her to the “ear-piercing parlour” (that’s a guess, it just sounds right for the 1970s) and I came along too.
At the salon, and BEFORE my sister had even had anything done, I jumped in the chair and demanded that I have my ears pierced too (let’s not get into any discussion about my precociousness at this stage of the story).
My mother told me to get out of the chair, but the ear-piercing lady offered to do mine as well for the same price. Mum was horrified (THANK GOD) and said that no, I’d have one ear done, start crying and run away so nooooooo thank you, not today.
SOMEHOW – and probably because I was going to kick up a stink if I didn’t get my way – the lady persuaded Mum to let me have them pierced.
As my first ear was pierced, Mum waited for the scream/tears/tantrum to start… NOTHING. Instead, I just turned my head for the other one to be done, without so much as a peep out of me. And so I came to have my ears pierced at the merry old age of 3½.
Please don’t judge me (or my mother) ;-p
Got any ear (or other) piercing stories to tell? Are you still thinking about getting something (else) pierced, or are you a fan of the stacked earrings look? Comment below…!
Stay safe XOXO
What I’m wearing:
Chunky crystal huggie hoops: Orelia
Hoop with star: part of ear party set, Orelia
Diamond studs: Included with piercing
Cross over ear cuff (not seen, you can see the other ear in Monday’s post): Orelia
Crystal ear cuff: Asos
Chain necklace: & Other Stories
Locket: notonthehighstreet
Top: Asos, old (if I’ve made you hanker after a bright pink patterned top you might like this one)
Linking up to… Monday: Inspire Me Monday, Ageless Style Linkup (first Monday of the month), My Glittery Heart, On Mondays We Link Up || Tuesday: Style With a Smile, Trend Spin/Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Turning Heads Tuesday, Spread the Kindness, Confident Twosday, Happy Now Link Up || Wednesday: Style Me Wednesday, WowOnWednesday || Thursday: Chic & Stylish || Friday: Fancy Friday, On the Edge, Fabulous Friday’s Link Up
I had my ears pierced when I was eight – my dad said I couldn’t have them done but my aunt took me without telling him! He wasn’t too impressed! I’ve been thinking about getting them done again because the holes are so low that when I wear heavy earrings they pull the lobes down and it looks weird. I did have them done a second time in my teens and I even pierced one side myself so I had three one side and two on the other (it hurt too much to do both!) but I let them close up. Thanks for linking up with me!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
I am in my 60s and had my ears pierced when I was in my late 20s. I added second holes for both ears a few years later but let the 2nd holes close up by the time I was 40. Now I am wishing I had left them open. I, too, love the look of multiple piercings, especially off balanced ones, ie 3 in one, one in the other. I am thinking I must go have two piercings added to one of my ears! Life is too short not to have fun, right?
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Renee I think what you’ve speculated is especially unfair and I’m really disappointed that you made such a remark. From my experience it has absolutely nothing to do with race, when I think of babies with pierced ears in this country (I stress: where I come from) it’s commonly a teenage mother thing to have babies with pierced ears. So the link that you’ve made is unfounded based on what I’ve written – in fact I didn’t even know it was common practice among Indian families.
I maybe should have made it more clear that it’s from my experience that it’s seen as a little trashy, and maybe I should have picked a better word. But yes, I get many shocked reactions to the age I was so I was trying to describe how it’s seen as a little shocking (maybe that’s the right word).
I do have a strict zero tolerance policy where comments are concerned (see here https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/diversity-and-equality-statement) and I would politely ask that you don’t leave another unfair, unsubstantiated comment please. Many thanks.
It’s so interesting how pierced ears are treated differently around the world. I was by far the last girl in my class to have her ears pierced at 12, I think all the other girls had theirs done before starting school. But I had to wait, as my mum didn’t have hers done until then, she would have been about 38 at the time. But I was quick to follow! Then I had a second one in one ear for about ten years, but had to take it our for a conservative workplace, and never put it back. So just one set of holes remains. During stay at home life, I’ve discovered that wearing earrings makes me feel more ready for the day than getting properly dressed.
Author
You’re definitely right about it being thing all around the world, Chloe! But gosh a second piercing in your ear being deemed as inappropriate for a workplace – that’s crazy?!! I could understand if it were a health and safety thing with them being caught in machinery or something, but goodness that’s ridiculous.
And I’m with you on the wearing earrings every day to feel more dressed, I put them on when I clean my teeth so it’s automatic for me now!
Oh my word, what a fun story that was, Catherine! I had my ears pierced before I started school so I must have been about 4 or 5 years old as well. My mom would put these cute little button earrings in my ears and there were a few boys in school who teased me relentlessly calling me button ears (which at 5 years old was an awful insult!). So I took the earrings out and didn’t get my ears repierced until I was 16. All of my piercings from my teens and twenties have closed up except my belly button (because I still wear a ring in it at 46 years old). But now I want to get my nose repierced and maybe some extra ear piercings as well! I love all of your pretty gold stacked up jewelry! And you are right, if you want to do something like get more piercing, do it now!
Shelbee
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Crikey Shelbee – teased for having earrings?? It’s a shame they closed up! But yes, go get that nose pierced if you want… what are you you waiting for, heehee…?! 😉
Got my ears pierced when I was 6 months old. So that’s been taken care of :))) Your posts are always so inspiring, Catherine. xo Sabina
Author
Having mine done young certainly helped with the fact that my original holes will never close up, Sabina…! And thank you, that’s very kind of you x
This looks so amazing on you. I tried it myself last year, but unfortunately my ears do not do well with new piercings!
Danielle
Author
Thanks Danielle! I will say that I didn’t wear an earring in the single second hole in my right ear for many, many years and every time I tried to put an earring in it would get really sore. But the huggie hoops helped as I could leave them in overnight, and after about a week or so of constantly wearing an earring in there it got better until I have no problems with it now. So maybe huggie hoops are the answer for you as well? I’m sure it’s the constant changing and in-and-out of the earrings that irritates piercings that aren’t totally happy yet! x
I too lose earrings easily. A few years ago, I started buying two identical pair when I purchased new earrings. That way, I must lose three of them to duplicate the disaster that losing one was in the past.
BTW, piercing a baby girl’s ears is quite a mild thing when we consider what too many baby boys endure shortly after birth.
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Abby that’s such a good idea! But knowing me, if I did that, I’d never, ever lose an earring again..!
I’m always dismayed when I see babies with pierced ears. I know when I wear earrings to bed even after having my ears pierced for 50+ years, the post can stick into your scalp behind your ear. Poor babies. I think mothers should wait until the child agrees.
Author
I can see your POV Lynda, and yes the stud posts in the back of my ears aren’t super comfortable at the moment in bed. However I have zero recollection of anything ever digging in me when I wore studs as a child, so it probably isn’t all bad. Huggie hoops are the answer for me now – I can wear them in bed without having to change them and there’s no digging in. I just can’t change the new studs for about six months till they’re completely healed…!
My studs from when I was a baby had a little ball behind, instead of the post and “butterfly” closure. I don’t know how to explain it but fear not, Mexican baby girls don’t get the stud’s post pocking their little heads.
Author
That would make a lot of sense, Pilar – my new ones have the butterfly backs, the little ball sounds like a much better idea and far more comfortable! Thank you for explaining that 🙂
Soooooo In México you get your ears pierced at the hospital when you are born!!! That’s said to spare you the memory of pain ♀️ When I was little during the 80s and the earrings where plastic and neon and buttons and stars etc I realized I was ALLERGIC to anything that wasn’t gold thankfully by my teenage years that was gone and I did my belly button (was done terribly wrong so it lasted one day) and my ears. I had two piercings in my right and three in my left lobe. I loved them!!! By my mid twenties a lady boss I had told me that I should be more “professional” and get rid of my piercings to “move up” at the company. And I listened ♀️
But reading your post I am more than ever decided to re-pierce them!!! I tried doing it by myself but it was a little painful and I had to take the earrings off.
Thanks for the inspo!!!!
Love the earrings btw!!!
Author
I’m so glad you’ve decided to repierce them Pilar – and GOSH how I wish this outdated notion of a few bits of sparkle somehow preventing a woman’s ability to progress in her career would disappear for good. Thankfully more and more workplaces are seeing that A LOT of people have tattoos, piercings, rainbow hair, etc. and that in no way does it affect someone’s ability to perform.
Interesting that in Mexico it’s done for you when you’re born – the cultural differences are very apparent with regards to this subject, who’d have thought it?!
Yeah!
I now live in the States and here is not done as much to babies or little girls, as in the UK it’s done when the girls ask for it.
Author
Who’d have thought it was such a cultural thing, Pilar…?! Me simply talking about jewellery has brought up some very interesting discussions, it’s good to learn more about this! x
I love these earrings and well done for having more piercings. I like your choices and the cuffs seem like a great idea too. Having admired the Orelia range in your original post, I decided today to order the lightning bolt studs…..no doubt a pair of huggies will follow before long…..I do love earrings.
I don’t have the courage to go for any more ear piercings though, as mine hurt so much when I had them done at the age of 15. My Continental mother however had her ears pierced at the age of one!
Author
Oh wow I’m so glad you bought some Orelia earrings, Erika – I have a lightning bolt waiting to go in my third piercing on my right ear once I’m allowed to change it!
The cuffs are a brilliant alternative if you’re not wanting to get any more actual piercings, aren’t they? I love mine! x
I lived in Miami for nine years, and my kids were born there. My Cuban girlfriends had their daughters’ ears pierced in infancy and wondered why I hadn’t done the same. When I replied that my mother would have a fit, they were surprised because they had assumed it was normal practice everywhere. Of course, I got quite used to seeing infant girls with pierced ears so that it become normal for me as well. But none of my Anglo girlfriends pierced their daughters’ ears, and my daughter Claire was probably 13 or so when hers were done.
Author
It’s evident from everyone’s comments that this is a very cultural thing, Terri! In the UK (from my experience) it seems that 13 is the most common age that parents “allow” their kids to get their ears pierced. And it seems that in Latin America and maybe the Continent it’s quite normal for this to happen when they’re babies. Goes to show how we should never judge, hence my comment in my post about no judgement from me. This has been really interesting!
Looks very pretty. Funny, reading this reminded me that I DID actually have second piercings done in both ears in high school, but then I rarely wore double earrings and the second holes closed up. I have a tiny bit of indentations left, but until I read this I had completely forgotten. I remember getting the first ones done for my 14th birthday. They gave you 14 ct gold studs back then. I wonder if they still do.
Author
I think the earrings *have* to be high quality studs, Liz to make sure they heal properly – the lady who pierced mine [I think] said something about them being X ct gold!
And yes, my second hole mostly closed up, but with some perseverance I managed to get it back again. The huggie hoops helped as I could leave them in at night (studs hurt me at night) and it saved on the constant changing which irritates. Why not get them redone if you like the idea of having second piercings again…?! #YOLO 😉
Currently I have no holes as such as I took them out one day and never put them back in!!
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Oh shame, Jessica! Have you thought about getting them done again…?
Love the bottom photo: it is reflective and timeless. I do like the tiny gold hoops (pierced), a friend has worn these for years and they become like a trademark. However, I’m a real wuss so earlobes , 2-3 on one ear, yes I’d love it. A stud, hoop, and something else.
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I love the tiny hoops too, Ratnamurti – and thank you for that lovely compliment!!