Fashion may be as fleeting as the next hottest trend. Yet some make a lasting impression because they are out of the norm. Facial jewelry may be one of the trends that appear flashy and fleeting. In reality, this particular kind of jewelry has long been part of many traditions and cultures. Nowadays, it’s finding ground as a mainstream piece of jewelry.
Whether it is piercings or wearable facial jewelry, this may be the year when fashion hunters will find a unique trend take incredible root. Here’s all you need to know if you are looking to dabble into the art of facial jewelry couture.
Why Facial Jewelry Is All The Rage in 2020
Personal preference and style are two of the most cited reasons for the rising popularity of facial jewelry. But there are other factors at play here. Read on to find out more about them.
Understanding the Trend
Like many trends, facial jewelry takes from a long history. The year 2020 is not the first time when people started thinking of decorating their faces with more than makeup. If there is one particular concept that facial jewelry tends to defy, it is the need for symmetry, particularly when it comes to the face.
What is Facial Jewelry?
As the name suggests, face jewelry involves wearing different accessories on the face. This is not such a new trend. Consider the early 90s, when piercings on the face became popular with the rock and roll crowd. Granted, the style was more punk than popular, but this year marks its comeback.
It does appear in a different and new form. For some, the idea of wearing jewelry is dated. Think of big costume pieces or fine jewelry for special occasions. It’s almost hard to picture wearing jewelry in a casual setting, much less a non-mainstream style like facial jewelry.
Yet fashion experts have decided that 2020 is the year for makeovers and statements. And there is no louder statement that wearing your treasures on your face.
2020 Ushers In This Cool Beauty Accessory
The year 2020 may be celebrating some few odd choices–and this means asymmetrical and non-even–for fine jewelry and accessories. Body piercings have just been added to the list as a major beauty accessory this year, alongside your typical statement jewelry pieces.
Beyond simple studs on the upper ear lobe, high quality body jewelry on the face have been taking center stage. Jewelry and fashion experts all agree that you need to learn how to curate to take this trend to the next step.
Different Jewelry for Different Proportions
If the rock and roll scene was more focused on studs and tunnels, the style now is more diverse. Precious metals are making a comeback in the form of classy hoop earrings on the upper lobes and conch orbitals.
Masks have been redefined from the era of the opera to a potential accessory for a gala. Piercings are getting gemstones and pearl embellishments. Even chain links can be classy facial accessories, as long as they come in the right shade for your skin tone.
Understanding Proportions of Facial Jewelry
There’s no argument that beauty trends are meant to be a form of self-expression. For the most part, there are no hard and fast rules for any piercing, so long as it can be sanitized and properly maintained.
If you want to elevate this expression into art, it’s good to know the look goes well with your overall style. For instance, ear piercings have gotten creative beyond the regular piercing placement. The tragus, which is the pointed and elevated area of the external ear nearer to your face, can sport a nice colored stud with minimal piercing pain.
If you are sensitive to pain, the conch orbital may be a no-go zone, since it can become tender. But if you are tolerant to pain, a line of small hoop earrings will definitely catch attention.
If you are all about the asymmetrical effect, a single brow or nose piercing can spice up your style. Just know that these are harder to conceal if you will need to hide them from employers or more conservative family members.
Is Facial Jewelry For Me?
One of the biggest questions with this trend is: Is it meant for me? An easy answer here would be whether or not you are comfortable with it. Facial jewelry needs courage and flair. Unlike earrings or bracelets, which can be easily hidden or taken off, the goal of facial jewelry is to be seen by the world. If you don’t have the courage to make the statement, it will lose its strength
in terms of style and substance; it also depends on how you wear your personality. Even if you wear conservative clothes, a stylishly added eyebrow piercing can instantly upgrade your style with a dash of unpredictability.
No to Piercings? No Problem!
It’s common to think that because it is facial jewelry, it will be all about piercings. The nose, the lips, the eyebrows, and even the ears–all of them usually sport a piercing that can make anyone pain-averse run before they even say, “Pierce me!”
If you don’t like piercings but would want to try the rave of facial jewelry, bejeweled facial adornments may be your thing. These are the equivalent of a layer of makeup, only in accessory form. Thus, facial jewelry can be in the form of embellishments that are placed on the skin around the eyes to create the same effect as vivid eye makeup.
What Do I Need to Know About Facial Jewelry?
If you are already halfway towards taking the plunge, it’s good to know a few tips from those who are already waist-deep into this fashion trend. Before hitting the nearest piercing store and asking, “How much is jewelry at a piercing shop?” check out these simple guidelines.
Price for Piercings can be Steep
When you shop around and ask, “What’s the best body jewelry online store?” it’s also good to take note of the price. Piercings are priced depending on their intricacy and the body part they are meant for. Hence, the design alone can create a significant disparity in price.
Typically, for simpler designs, you can peg piercing prices for the ears at around $20 to $55. For eyebrows and nose, these facial jewelry piercings can run anywhere between $30 and $65. For the more daring ones that go with the medusa piercing–the one above the lip–it can cost up to $85.
You also need to remember that body piercings fall under cosmetic additions. Hence, any infections and complications brought about by piercings will usually be outside the coverage of your medical insurance.
The Art of Piercings
More than the actual price of each piercing, what makes facial jewelry even more expensive is that it’s hard to stop at just one. Whether it’s trying to achieve symmetry for ear pierces or going for an entire lineup of hoop earrings running down your conch orbital, a lot of those who have gotten pierced once will more likely go for a second or third time.
One can argue that this may be due to the idea of art. Think of your face as a canvas. The first piercing is like the first stroke that splashed a really great color. There’s a drive to add more and invest in a beautiful masterpiece.
Some Piercings Require Specific Facial Structures
You may be ready to get a piercing on your septum or the nose bridge. But one obstacle may remain. Unlike earlobe piercings, nose piercings have a few more requirements.
For starters, a higher nose bridge is needed to ensure proper piercing. Some facial structures may not be anatomically for a specific facial piercing. Even the septum may be sensitive to this issue. There are cases when the body can reject the piercing, resulting in uncomfortable complications. Always consult your doctor before diving headfirst into the act.
Get Ready for a Variety of Reactions
Compared to regular earrings, rings, bracelets, and even choker necklaces, facial jewelry may receive various reactions. Those who are more conservative may not be used to seeing this kind of jewelry. They may assume that it hurts, or it may feel uncomfortable for them.
Just remember that wearing this kind of jewelry is part of your personal fashion style. No one should dictate your taste, and you should feel free to express yourself.
That’s not to say that all these reactions will be bad. Facial jewelry beautifies the patterns that piercings can make on your face. In the same way that tattoos can set off one’s arm or back, jewelry on the face can also accentuate one’s eyes, become a show-stopper, or even be a conversation starter.
Employer Reactions Still Vary
Facial jewelry still retain a stigma. Some companies have conservative rules. This means having visible marks and piercings on the body, especially the face, can limit your options.
This may be even more pronounced for client-facing work. It’s good to remember that if you do go for septum jewelry, reactions can go both ways. Hopefully, with the way the mainstream view is starting to shift with facial jewelry, the stigma that comes with it will also slowly dissipate to usher in a new and more lasting fashion trend.
Sniffles Can Become a Hassle
On the more practical side, piercings and other heavier jewelry pieces in the area can become uncomfortable when you have colds.
Thus, individuals are often advised to consult with a doctor first before getting a nose piercing. The aftercare will require special attention, as you need to keep your piercings clean and germ-free. Doctors advise that piercings be washed twice a day with an antiseptic solution. When the piercing is still new, make it a habit to avoid touching your nose, the piercing, or the jewelry piece to prevent infection and tissue damage.
Beyond Fashion: It’s For Protection
Facial jewelry may be such a fashion-forward trend for those with more conservative tastes. However, it’s also forward-thinking in another aspect: protection. Facial jewelry addresses the concerns for privacy, especially with facial recognition algorithms on every corner.
With facial jewelry, these additional minimalist metals can make you less recognizable to the camera. Simple shapes like an elongated polygon on the forehead and small circles on the cheeks create a simple mask. Think of it as incognito for the camera, but fashion-forward in public.
These anti facial recognition jewelry have been borne from the threat of intrusive mass surveillance. Granted, it is not yet the trend in the fashion industry. A lot of individuals still prefer traditional charmed bracelets than what others deem to be intrusive jewelry. Yet jewelry critics and experts see it as a way to stay anonymous, especially in countries where the lines of proper surveillance have been blurred.
Following the Footsteps of Stars
Another reason why facial jewelry is starting to see a rise is that more celebrities are trying it out. In Asia alone, more pop idols and K-beauties are starting to ride the trend.
Lip and eyebrow piercings appear to be a big favorite among the younger stars. Ear piercings, especially for the men, have become more of a contest of curation. Many of them make use of studs, hoops, and links to vary the style on the ears alone. Adding this to the future-forward fashion of South Korea, and one can see how celebrities can bring their A-game and influence their fans.
Buying Facial Jewelry
Getting pierced or adorned is one thing. Buying your next piece of jewelry is another. Some resort to a body jewelry factory for mass-produced accessories. Others prefer to go with their trusted brands that also make facial jewelry.
The important thing to note when buying facial jewelry is that it makes use of metals and materials that you will be comfortable wearing. If you are allergic to nickel, it’s best to go for a hypoallergenic piercing stud. Remember that some piercing placements are more prone to infections and irritations than others. Make sure that what you wear is safe and easy to sanitize.
If you think you are ready to take on the newest trend of 2020, try a small facial jewelry piece at a time. It can be a less permanent trial, such as the embellishments around the eyes. Next, you can go with a new ear piercing. Go with what’s comfortable at your pace, and create your own masterpiece of facial jewelry.