“We love earrings! - The News International” plus 1 more

We love earrings! - The News International

Posted: 27 Aug 2018 05:06 PM PDT

accessories

Earrings are the easiest way to make a statement with jewellery. This week You! has rounded up some of the hottest earring trends...

Jewellery is such a fun way to update your personal style. You can always rely on contemporary jewellery to add flair and interest to any outfit. New, statement-making jewellery is the perfect way to breathe some new life into your look. And when it comes to updating your look, earrings are the easiest way to make a statement with jewellery. Earrings are an essential component of your wardrobe; a jewellery piece no girl can skip to complete her stylish and ravishing look. Worn as understated details or a bold finish to your look, earrings take your ensemble to the next level while adding a personal touch that showcases your style.

This season earring trends are all about colour, texture, and oversized statement charms. Take a note from the catwalk and amp up your look by investing in a few pairs of earrings that are bound to turn heads. Check out some of the hottest earring trends:

Hoops: Hoop earrings are by far 2018's biggest earring trend - and the bigger the better. After a long time, hoop earrings are back on trend, Evolved during the 60s, the hoops are quite popular since then as they add the retro effect to your overall look. The earrings were very popular between the 80s and the early 2000s, in various sizes, from tiny styles to super thin designs worn by pop stars. Now all sizes and styles are trendy, even worn all together. With their large and prominent profile, hoops draw attention up to your face. Being circular in shape, they perfectly compliment your jaw line and cheekbones to better define your facial features without much of makeup.

Statement earrings: Statement earrings are a major comeback which is now ruling the fashion industry. These are normally big and brightly coloured which are captivating and intimidating. This season, keep an eye out for shoulder-grazing statement earrings complete with tassels, beads, and beyond. And the bigger, the better is definitely true here. Our favourite versions of this trend are complete with unique textures - if you're going to make a statement, say it loud and proud.

Tassel Earrings: A swishy explosion of colours and materials: tassel earrings are the new fashion trend for 2018. Tassel earrings are a new fresh creation created with simple and colourful threads or beads. Not only colourful but with a swishy effect obtained with long, soft threads that frame the face and sometimes even touch the shoulders, a statement accessory that doesn't need additional necklaces or scarves. Don't hesitate to try this strong style statement to rock your gorgeous look this year.

Studs: The most and all time favourite are stud earrings - usually preferred by women who like minimised jewellery. Some say they are too simple or understated, but the truth is that stud earrings give an air of elegance to anyone wearing them provided the wearer knows how to pull them off. They are available in all the precious stones- gold, silver, ruby, sapphire etc. The size and the stone quality determine the price of stud earrings but once worn will surely make you look classy and elegant. Stud earrings are easy to combine with necklaces and other accessories, and won't stretch your ears like hanging earrings do. A trendy pair of oversized ear studs can turn your otherwise boring outfit into an ultra-chic look.

Ear Cuffs: Wearing three or even four earrings in one ear is a huge trend. Earcuffs are trendy, funky look which is a quite hit among females. It wraps around your ear like a bobby pin. It looks glamorous and cool at the same time. Available in different shapes, sizes and themes and embedded with precious or semi-precious stones, they look dazzling with any outfit you choose.

However, most of us are too afraid to get a cartilage piercing. For that reason, ear cuffs are the perfect solution. They require no piercings and can be placed anywhere on the ear for tons of versatility.

Mismatched earrings: Asymmetrical looks have been spotted on runways over the past few seasons, and this year's looks continue to offer bold, beautiful touches. It is a great look that's easy to pull off with earrings from your existing collection, if you'd like to: simply choose a larger earring and pair it with a tiny stud, a small hoop, or an earring in a different material or finish.

Drop/ Dangling earrings: Dropping just below the earlobes, drop earrings are another top choice for any festive or casual occasions. The drop earrings can have any of gemstone, charms or beads attached directly from the base of the earring that sway with the movement.

Similar to drop earrings, dangle earrings have a very feminine touch and complement round and heart-shaped faces. They elongate your face and make it look slimmer.

Chandelier Earrings: Chandelier earrings get their name from dangling chandelier lamps, designed not only to light up the room, but to have a dramatic, stunning impact of their own.

They never go out of style and that's why we're so confident to say that you must own at least one pair of these to stand out during 2018. Chandelier earrings are available in all the options one can think upon - the pearls, stones, beads, they always looked stunning and versatile with any ethnic outfit you wear.

Huggie earrings: Women everywhere love huggies. They might even be the most popular type of earring on the planet. Why? They perfectly blend the ease of studs and the elegance of chandelier earrings. Huggies can bring a unique edge to your style: you're not limited to the usual conventions. You can look casual, cool, chic, and stylish, all at the same time.

Don't Jump the Gun When It Comes To Cartilage Piercings - Study Breaks

Posted: 16 Feb 2018 12:00 AM PST

Post Views: 47,499

So, you've decided you want to add some more bling to your outfit, but unlike the traditional lobe, you want a cartilage or helix piercing. Even though they have a lot of appeal, it's important for people to keep in mind that this is not just any ordinary piercing.

Cartilage is connective tissue, similar to what connects your nose; it's thicker than the skin but softer than the bones. Before getting poked, here are several things you should consider.

Piercing Gun

For starters, piercing guns cause blunt force trauma to your connective tissue, which can eventually shatter your cartilage. At the same time, you do not just simply wipe the tip of the gun with an alcohol swab or antiseptics and call that sterilization.

Instead, it is optimal to have the equipment sterilized through the use of Autoclave, which uses heat, steam and pressure to sterilize tools. As piercing guns usually consist of plastic, they cannot be sterilized in this instrument, or else they would melt.

According to the Association of Professional Piercers, reusable ear-piercing guns can put clients in direct contact with the blood and bodily fluids of previous clients. Let's be real; you do not want to be touching other people's secretions due to the possible risks of getting hepatitis, HIV or any other diseases.

Healing Time

This is not the usual lobe piercing that heals within a month. For cartilage or helix piercings, there is much less blood flow compared to lobe piercings. The healing process varies from person to person; the average person takes around six months to one year.

However, it may also take longer depending on how well you clean it every day. Speaking from experience, I cleaned my helix piercing every other day and it still would not heal after two years. Nevertheless, I had friends who had their cartilage piercings done and it healed within seven months.

Remember the phrase "Not everything is what it seems?" This is the same concept for cartilage piercings; it may look healed after the first couple months, but it probably isn't. For this particular piercing, it heals from the outside-in. Therefore, if there comes a day that your ears are not pink, it could just be the calm before the storm.

Aftercare

There are multiple ways to clean your piercing. You can make your own cleaning solution with the saline soak method, which is to stir a 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt into a cup of warm, sterile water. You can even go to Amazon and buy Dr. Piercing Aftercare Swabs or H2Ocean Aftercare Spray.

Be mindful of the cost if you choose to buy an aftercare purchase because the length of the healing process can put a burden on your wallet. Of course, some methods may not work for you, as everyone has their own preferred way of cleaning their piercing. So, if you do choose to go through with the piercing procedure and buy the aftercare products, know that it may become an investment.

Rejection

Not only can you be rejected by your puppy love crushes, but you can also be rejected by your own novel piercing. Unfortunately, this tends to happen when you introduce a foreign object to your body. Reasons for rejection can vary from having an allergic reaction to the improperly placed earrings.

In order to prevent the former, wear a high-quality pair of earrings. I'm not saying go ahead and buy the most ostentatious pair of earrings you see on display, but it would be optimal to wear titanium earrings.

Sleep

Sleeping may become a pain after a new piercing. Your sleep position may put pressure on your new piercing which will not only prolong the healing process but also increase the chance of seeing an infection the next morning.

By pressing the piercing onto your pillow or bed sheets, you are exposing it to sweat and irritation. I would not recommend piercing both ears at the same time since it will create more difficulties, especially if you favor sleeping on one side more than the other. Unless you sleep on your back or stomach, you should change your pillowcase biweekly in order to ensure its' cleanliness.

Swimming

Do not go swimming or explore a body of water right after you have been pierced. Pools, lakes and oceans will expose your piercing to a sea of bacteria that will cause an infection. Ideally, you should wait for at least a week and clean after every time you take a swim.

Changing Clothes

In case this is not obvious enough, be careful when taking off your shirts or hoodies. One harsh pull on your earring can prolong the healing process. This warning can be applied to all piercings because you don't want to end up ripping out your own piercing and basically hurting yourself and your wallet.

After having your ear pierced in any location, do not touch or play with your earring because the piercing is still considered as a fresh wound.

By playing with it, your hands will be introducing bacteria as well as prolonging the healing process.

Altogether, do your research and look for a professional, licensed piercer. Do not — I repeat, do not — go to the mall and pierce your cartilage for the cheapest price this is not the time to be frugal. If you do end up taking out the piercing after couple years due to rejection or constant infections, just know that cartilage piercing is not for everyone.