In case you missed it, online retailer Dermstore is hosting its Anniversary Sale on skin care, makeup, and more. From now until August 18, you can use code “CHEERS” at checkout and get up to 25 percent off on select brands. Plus, you can get double points on purchases made from specific brands if you’re a rewards member (you can sign up for free here), which can be converted into 10 percent back on future purchases. Whether you want to change your routine and try something new or stock up on your favorite items, this is the best time to shop on a budget.

You can score discounts on medical-grade skin care from Elta MD and Skin Medica, body care, and top-selling favorites from brands like Elemis, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Cosrx, and so much more. With more than 7,000 products on sale, we made life a little easier for you and rounded up the best beauty deals during Dermstore’s Anniversary Sale.

Stocking up on sunscreen? Try out our editor favorites that leave no white cast and feel weightless and hydrating on the skin. While you’re at it, pick up an editor-backed vitamin C serum. If you have acne-prone skin, now’s your chance to try out the bestselling Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant from Paula’s Choice or stock up on pimple patches. Try the bestselling long-wearing Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation from Estée Lauder for the summer or a clean conditioning mascara formula from RMS Beauty.

Keep reading for all our picks ahead.

I’ve got a wedding-heavy summer ahead, so much so that I now consider myself an expert bridesmaid. However, as many of us know, bridesmaid duties come with hefty costs. While I’d do almost anything for my friends, going into debt isn’t one of them. That’s why I’ve been savvy about cutting costs, especially when it comes to my wedding shoes.

I’m wearing the same pair to all three weddings on my calendar, namely the Dream Pairs Open Toe Pump Chunky Heel Sandals ($36). I virtually stumbled upon them while working on a story about the best summer shoes on Amazon, and I was immediately intrigued since they hold the number one spot among all women’s heeled sandals. Given their popularity, and the fact that the brand Dream Pairs happens to also make some of the most comfortable Western boots I’ve ever owned (these ones!), I decided they’d be a safe bet for my weddings. I scooped them up in my usual size 9.5 in a light beige color I knew would match all of my bridesmaid dresses — and that was one of the smartest decisions I’ve made this summer.

Ahead, I break down everything you need to know about them if you’re considering buying them for a special event, too.

At the time of writing, I’ve already worn the Dream Pairs Open Toe Pump Chunky Heel Sandals to two of my three summer weddings. I’ll admit, when everyone was showing off their designer shoes before the ceremony at the first wedding, I stayed quiet since I spent practically nothing on mine. But then I couldn’t help but smile when I was the only bridesmaid who kept my shoes on for the entire reception. They were comfortable enough and stable. Even though the unhemmed dress I wore gave me some trouble walking down the aisle (totally my fault), my shoes kept me upright. Their chunky, stable block heel held up perfectly, even on the wet grass from a rainstorm earlier that day.

Beyond their comfort, they looked the part, too, which I’d like to think is evidenced in this mirror selfie I snapped at the second wedding while the bride lounged behind me. (I’m wearing the Azazie Barbie Pleated Chiffon A-Line Dress in Champagne, BTW, and felt like a princess.) I chose the light beige color (one of 31 total styles and colors to choose from) because I knew they’d go with everything. Plus, I figured that if they survived all three weddings, the versatile shade would make them perfect for future special events. Despite wearing them through two ceremonies, two receptions, and hours of questionable moves on the dance floor, they’re still in pristine shape for my final summer wedding in a few weeks.

These sandals are not the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn, which, to be honest, I kind of expected given their price tag. The buckle at the ankle dug into my skin a bit at the first wedding, but in retrospect, I’m confident that was a user error from securing them as tight as possible to prevent a walk-down-the-aisle stumble. I was still able to wear them all night, which is more than I can say for some of the pricier heels I own. At the second wedding I didn’t secure the strap as tightly and found they were comfortable from the time I slipped them on at 3 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. post-ceremony. No blisters, no blood, no regret.

Another thing worth noting is that shoppers seem a bit conflicted over the fit. I hover between sizes 9.5 and 10, and since multiple shoppers noted that they run big, I went for the 9.5 and found they were a perfect fit. Many reviewers suggest ordering a half size down, which made sense for me, but a handful of others found that sizing down made them too small. So, if you’re ordering them on Amazon without much time to spare, it might be worth ordering two sizes to find your ideal fit and returning the pair that doesn’t work.

The Dream Pairs Open Toe Pump Chunky Heel Sandals are perfect for those looking for a reasonably priced, comfortable, and versatile pair of heels for a special event. While they might not be the most comfortable shoes in the world, they’re the number one bestseller on Amazon in women’s heeled sandals for plenty of other reasons. They’ve checked a big box off my summer wedding wardrobe checklist and will suit you well for any event where you need a timeless heel.

I purchased the Dream Pairs Open Toe Pump Chunky Heel Sandals on Amazon, which was ideal because they arrived very quickly with Amazon Prime shipping, but they’re also available on the brand’s website.

Rating:
★★★★

Marisa Petrarca is a contributing editor for PS Shopping and has more than five years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, and InStyle, among others.

If you’ve spent any amount of time on TikTok lately, you’re probably familiar with the fact that tinned fish are having a moment. (Seriously, I want whoever is running the PR for tinned fish to run my entire life.) People on the app can’t get enough of anchovies, smoked oysters, and the girly-pop-crowned “most popular tinned fish out there”: sardines.

For the unfamiliar, sardines are small fish that live in the ocean. They are often grilled or eaten straight out of a can, where they are typically packed in oil, water, or other various liquids like tomato juice. When eaten, the heads are typically removed, but the bones and the skin are generally ingested. They have a mild-to-strong salty, fishy taste that differs depending on what they’re cooked with. A simple Google search will tell you that sardines are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, including magnesium, iron, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, and potassium, just to name a few. It’s also easy to learn that they are considered part of a healthy diet. But if you eat enough of them, will they actually make your skin glow? Many people on TikTok believe the answer to be yes.

Users have been sharing their “skin-care routines,” and by that, we mean their diets, which consist heavily of sardines. We’re a little wary when it comes to trusting TikTok trends, so we decided to tap our experts and have them do a little myth-busting for us.

Ahead, two experts break down everything to know about how sardines can affect your skin. Keep scrolling to learn more.

Experts Featured in This Article

Katya Khayutin is a master aesthetician and owner of BelVer Studio.
Brianna Diorio has her PhD in integrative medicine and MS as a clinical nutritionist as well as the director of product education at Nutrafol.

Can Eating Sardines Improve Your Skin’s Appearance?

The short answer? It might. Sardines have a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, which are all things that help support glowing skin. “Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their role in modulating and supporting healthy inflammatory responses, which can play a role in acne and can help maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, which helps to retain moisture,” Dr. Diorio tells PS. “These fatty acids can also play a role in supporting the production of ceramides, and free fatty acids in the skin, which are important for a healthy stratum corneum—the outermost layer of the skin.”

What Are the Other Skin-Care Benefits of Eating Sardines?

So, what skin-related concerns can eating sardines help with? As previously mentioned, sardines are a nutrient-dense food, and eating them provides several different vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. “Eating sardines can help address skin-related issues such as acne, aging, and inflammation from conditions like eczema and psoriasis,” Khayutin says. “The omega-3 fatty acids in sardines reduce acne severity and skin inflammation, while the protein and nutrients support collagen production, diminishing wrinkles and fine lines.”

Want to dig even deeper? “Omega-3s are found in the phospholipid bilayer of skin cells, which means they can influence membrane fluidity and function, which is important for maintaining cell structure and promoting healthy skin,” Dr. Diorio says. “The antioxidants and vitamins found in in sardines, like selenium, B12 and even zinc, can also protect skin against oxidative damage and support skin repair, while vitamins vitamin D play a multifaceted role in skin health by regulating cellular processes, supporting the skin barrier, modulating immune responses, and promoting overall skin health.”

A typical serving size of sardines is roughly three to four ounces, and if you’re looking to add them to your diet to support skin health, try eating one serving two to three times a week. One thing to note, however, is that both Dr. Diorio and Khayutin caution against adding anything to your diet without first consulting with a physician. “I frequently advise my clients to consult with a nutritionist to ensure their diet supplies essential nutrients that can significantly enhance their skin’s health,” Khayutin says. “However, it’s crucial to adopt a holistic approach: integrate a balanced diet with a comprehensive skin-care regimen, effective sun protection, and other healthy lifestyle practices for optimal results.”

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.

The world of skin care is a lot to take in. There are so many options and factors to be educated on to make sure you are choosing the right products for you. The amount of research that goes into creating a skin-care product and testing its efficacy takes years. Most of the progress and discovery in skin-care science, such as ingredient discovery, is thanks to medical-grade skin-care companies like the notable SkinCeuticals, the dermatologist favorite EltaMD, and Obagi Medical. The formulations are potent — usually a step below, if not comparable to, prescription products, and they are backed by testing and clinical trials. This type of skin-care is usually sold exclusively in dermatologists’ offices, medical spas and clinics, and at Dermstore.

This retailer houses brands at the forefront of research and innovation, and that’s often reflected in the price. However, your whole routine doesn’t have to be medical-grade to reap the benefits. We highly suggest having one to three medical-grade products maximum in your routine — the rest can be affordable finds from the drugstore or department stores. Luckily, from now until August 18, Dermstore is hosting its Anniversary Sale and it’s loaded with discounts on our favorite medical-grade products. Use code “CHEERS” at checkout and get up to 25 percent off on select brands.

We curated the best-of-the-best skin-care products from Dermstore that are worth the splurge and dermatologist-recommended. Looking to invest in a quality vitamin C serum? The Obagi Professional-C 20% is a potent option and is currently on sale. If you’re on the hunt for a serum that can do it all, the pricey SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is marked down, and perfect for anti-aging, acne control, and brightening.

Ahead, we rounded up our top medical-grade favorites and the ones to snag during Dermstore’s Anniversary Sale. Jump to the products on sale here:

Growing up, many of us might have believed that an itchy, flaky scalp meant we weren’t clean. Now that we’re older, we’ve realized that this notion isn’t true, and we’re also not alone in our struggle. Dandruff is super common and affects tons of people. In fact, the International Journal of Trichology reports that many studies have found roughly 50 percent of the world’s general populatio deal with unwanted flakes.

Dandruff, aka seborrheic dermatitis, can be caused by a variety of factors, including dry skin, sensitivity to hair products, and even certain skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. It’s important to understand that it’s a condition that can be managed, and there are plenty of effective treatments available, both over-the-counter and through a skin-care provider. Anti-dandruff shampoos, for instance, often contain active ingredients like zinc pyrithione or ketoconazole, which can help reduce flakiness and itching as you wash. Moreover, regular washing and using gentle, hydrating hair-care products can make a significant difference in the overall health of your scalp.

Ahead, we’re coming to you with Dandruff Training 101, with some super effective tips about how to banish those pesky flakes instantly, plus a few of the go-to products that the experts absolutely swear by to help you along the way to a soothed, flake-free scalp.

Experts Featured in This Article

Kari Williams, PhD, is a trichologist, stylist, and director of education at Cécred.

Helen Reavey is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Act+Acre.

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Instantly

If you’re looking for tips on how to get rid of dandruff in one wash, Kari Williams, PhD, trichologist, stylist, and Director of Education at Cécred, suggests adding some anti-dandruff shampoo to your wash day routine. “Use an anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredients like zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole or salicylic acid,” Dr. Williams tells PS. “Medicated shampoos can dry the hair, so it’s important to follow up with a hydrating shampoo, such as Cécred Hydrating Shampoo ($30) to restore moisture and maintain healthy hair.”

Celebrity hairstylist and founder of Act+Acre, Helen Reavey, says the key to fighting dandruff for a (nearly) instant fix is daily and weekly maintenance. “Use a weekly scalp treatment, specifically a chemical exfoliant such as our Salicylic Acid Scalp Exfoliator ($48), as a weekly maintenance for dandruff,” Reavey says. “It’s made with salicylic acid, which exfoliates the scalp to remove flakes and balance oil production. It also has antifungal properties to help treat dandruff.”

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Permanently

There isn’t a one-stop solution to banish dandruff for good, but there are some simple steps to maintain a healthy scalp, such as consistent scalp care, a healthy diet, and stress reduction (according to the Saudi Medical Journal, high cortisol levels can aggravate dandruff, although it’s not a direct cause). However, in more advanced cases, you may require a visit to a dermatologist for specialized seborrheic dermatitis treatments.

Maybe a dermatologist visit isn’t in your budget? No problem. Reavey recommends using Jupiter Balancing Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($30), which contains zinc pyrithione. “This clinically proven and FDA-approved OTC active ingredient has fungistatic and bacteriostatic properties that help to treat dandruff,” says the hairstylist.

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally

Natural remedies to get rid of dandruff include applying diluted apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, or aloe vera gel to the scalp. however, Reavey warns against using products with heavy, pore-clogging ingredients. “I recommend steering clear of topical products formulated with sulfates and silicones, which are often used to smooth the hair and lock in moisture,” Reavey says. “Over time, they can build up on the scalp, increasing the chance of dandruff.”

If you want to know how to get rid of dandruff without shampoo, Dr. Williams has some suggestions. In addition to using apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, or aloe vera gel, add a splash of omega-3 fatty acids to the mix. “Boost your scalp health from the inside out by incorporating omega-3 fatty acids through your diet or supplements,” says Dr. Williams.

Holistically, Reavey advises that reducing stress through practices like meditation, yoga or therapy can also help alleviate dandruff symptoms.

Stixx Mathews is a New York City-based freelance beauty writer with 11 years of experience who is passionate about telling stories that merge beauty and pop culture. He enjoys sharing his expert insights about the latest trends and must-have products, with a particular focus on lipstick and fragrance.

Blush is a classic and highly common step in any makeup routine — from an everyday look to full-out glam — but this can cause it to be overlooked and even taken for granted. We sometimes forget how just one swipe of blush can instantly enhance your features or brighten your face, and there is far more variation in techniques when it comes to how to apply blush than you may have anticipated. What’s more, every skin type, texture, and tone has specificities that are most conducive to blush application.

From lifting the cheekbones to giving the skin a sun-kissed look sans UV rays, even just a light dusting of blush can have a huge impact. A testament to how much a little blush can do for you? Just take a look at all of the different blush hacks out there. Ahead, pro makeup artists break down a collection of things to keep in mind as you go about your makeup routine so you can make sure you know how to apply blush like a pro.

Experts Featured in This Article

Romana Lai is a makeup artists and the cofounder of Romana Makeup New York.

Evie Ry is a makeup artist and the other cofounder of Romana Makeup New York.

Jaleesa Jaikaran is a makeup artist and host of “The Life of a Makeup Artist” podcast.

First, a Note on Blush Formulas

“There are three main textures of blush: cream, liquid, and the classic powder,” makeup artist Evie Ry tells PS. “Creams are more forgiving and you can sheer them out much more easily as opposed to liquid blush and tints.” Both Ry and Romana Lai, makeup artists, say there’s a trick when it comes to how to apply cream blush: using your fingers. Warming up the blush to be “hand temperature” aids in easier application.

When it comes to how to apply liquid blush, which is less dense than cream ones, a common folly is letting it stain your cheeks with little finger prints before you have the chance to smooth it out. For this consistency of blush, a brush known as a stippling brush can help apply it smoothly and evenly to your cheeks. “They’re great because you can sheer out the blush much easier,” Ry says. For powder blush, it’s also all about the brush, which “should be a round brush, and make sure it’s really soft,” Lai says.

She adds that she normally steers clear of powder blushes on a day-to-day basis, especially in warmer weather, because it can be messy. “Powder blushes are not usually long-lasting, especially in the summertime when you are sweating. The blush disappears.”

Tip 1: Pick a Blush Based on Your Skin Type

Knowing your individual skin type — in addition to what kind of blush is most conducive with it — may be the most important aspect of your routine. Here are some tips for specific skin types:

Tip 2: Pick the Right Shade For Your Skin Tone

Another thing you’ll want to consider is which color blush is best for your skin tone.
Those with fair skin tones will want to opt for pinks in peachy or cool shades, like the Too Faced Cloud Crush Blurring Blush in Candy Clouds ($31). If you have a medium skin tone, opt for warmer colors, like a rosy pink or a coral. Our current favorite is the E.l.f. Halo Glow Blush Beauty Wand in Pink-Me-Up ($9). Olive skin tones can opt for peachy browns, like an apricot, or a warm rose shade. We love the ColourPop Cheek Palette in Born to Blush ($12) for olive skin tones.

When looking for blush for dark skin tones, opt for something berry, bright, or even red or orange. “There are so many gorgeous shades for deeper skin tones,” Jaikaran said. “Berries complement deeper skin tones beautifully.” One of her favorites? The Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick in Quickie ($24).

If berries aren’t your thing, Jaikaran also loves orange blushes on deep skin tones. From bright, true-to-color oranges to more pinky-coral hues, the variations of this shade feel endless. Of all the oranges she’s used, she said the Mary Kay Chromafusion Blush ($14) remains the one to beat.

Ultimately, however, it all comes down to personal preference: “This is just the rules of makeup as they teach them,” Ry says. “If you have a color that you like and that you think looks great on you, stick with that.”

Tip 3: Choose Your Blush Product Based on the Occasion

While there is no one set rule for how our makeup should look for any given event, it is helpful in optimizing the look of your blush to consider where you’re going and the occasion. If you only have five or 10 minutes in the morning, “I like to apply blush using my finger,” Lai says. “I just get a pink blush and I can apply blush and my lip color at the same time. But if I go to really formal events and want to wear full makeup, I will spend time contouring my blush. So it depends on what kind of event and how much time [you have prior].”

For everyday looks, a bit of sheen from a cream blush can add brightness to your skin. “Creams are mostly oil-based, so they will give you this natural sheen and glow and feeling that everyone likes on a day-to-day basis,” Ry says. Just be warned that this light reflection is not the best if you’re going to be on camera or are taking photos for a big event. Going for brighter and more saturated pigments with liquid or powder can help your makeup stand out for those occasions. “The camera lighting is more intense,” says Lai, “so everything has to be more intense color-wise.”

For longer days, you’ll want to pick a blush — or two — to help it last. “For the most longevity, use cream blush and then a powder blush on top so that it prolongs makeup,” Ry says.

Tip 4: Build Your Base

“When applying blush, you want to have your base ready,” Ry says. That means applying your foundation or tinted moisturizer before you pick up any type of blush. For everyday, Lai recommends a simple light foundation as your base, but when you need your makeup to pop, she says to go for the full package. “For a more glam kind of look, I will also add the contour and highlight, a really light-color foundation under the eye, and a dark foundation on the jawline before applying the blush.”

Your prep can also depend on the formula of your blush of choice. “If you’re doing cream blush or liquid blush, you do not want to set the foundation with powder before that,” Ry says. “But if you’re applying powder blush, you’d want to powder your foundation before so that it doesn’t sort of create a stain on the foundation.”

Tip 5: Apply Blush Under Good Lighting

The lighting in which you do your makeup is crucial in getting your look down. This is true especially for shimmer-blush looks: “If you’re in the dark, you’re not going to see the metallic,” Lai says. “So when you apply a metallic blush product, make sure you are in good lighting and find a good spot to make sure you do not apply too much.”

Posting up near a window to do your makeup allows you to work with natural light. If your space does not get a lot of natural light, purchasing a small inexpensive ring light to clip onto your mirror works well too.

Tip 6: Tweak Your Blush Application Technique

It’s not just the type of blush you use that matters, it’s also how you apply the blush that makes a big impact. You can create a myriad of different looks that can enhance your features in different ways simply with your application technique. If you have a long or oval face shape, apply the blush just under the apples of the cheeks to add dimension and the illusion of roundness. If you have a round face shape, create an elongated look by keeping the blush on the cheekbones, pulling it up and out toward the temples. To define even further, top off with bronzer on the hollows of the cheeks and also right under the jawbone.

To create a “lifted” look, Rye has a piece of advice: instead of applying in a circular motion to the apple of the cheeks, instead do a sweeping motion, going outward and up toward the temples. This can help accentuate the cheekbones and give a youthful glow.

No matter the look you’re going for, with the right tools, formulas, and practice, you can get to know what blush works best for your skin and needs. “For me, makeup is more like a balance,” Lai says. “Your skin is a paper so you have to balance out every product together to achieve the look you want to achieve. Makeup is all about your taste and how you understand the colors altogether. It’s like art.”

Cali Delisle was a PS contributor.

Ariel Baker was the associate editor for PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted. Fun fact: Ariel is a major lover of animals, especially her two cats, Cow and Chicken.

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.

Understatement of the century: finding base makeup that’s actually comfortable isn’t exactly easy. Most foundations can feel heavy, which is especially frustrating during the warmer months, which is why tinted moisturizer is such a worthy alternative. It’s perfect for when you want a “my skin but better” look because it’s usually lightweight yet effective, featuring sheer-to-medium coverage for a natural finish. And beyond that, many of them utilize skin-loving and protective ingredients like hyaluronic acid for a hydration boost or SPF for reinforced UV protection. With hundreds of options to choose from, though, it’s no secret that choosing one formula is overwhelming.

Ahead, a professional makeup artist explains what tinted moisturizer is and how to choose the perfect formula for you.

Experts Featured in This Article

Sara Talias is a professional makeup artist based in NYC.

What Is Tinted Moisturizer?

“Tinted moisturizer is a lightweight base that subtly corrects the skin and offers extra skin-loving benefits,” Talias tells PS. “Many tinted moisturizers contain SPF, which is a great option for daily wear, so you get sun protection and light coverage in one product.” (Note: You should still be wearing a layer of sunscreen underneath for optimal protection.) “Also, many tinted moisturizers boast radiance-boosting qualities for a glowy finish.”

“When choosing a tinted moisturizer, I recommend finding one with the perfect mix of benefits for your skin concerns,” Talias says. Not to overwhelm you, but no tinted moisturizer is the same — some are full of hydrating ingredients to quench dry skin, others promote an ultra-dewy finish, and some have a high SPF factor to reinforce your sun protection. That said, the expert notes, “It’s important to check the different properties of the tinted moisturizer” to ensure it’s the right fit for you because not all will be. For example: “If your skin gets oily during the day, skip tinted moisturizer with extra radiance, as it will likely become too shiny,” she says.

Another important factor to consider is coverage. Similar to foundation, they offer different coverage options, including sheer, light, medium, and though rarer, full. A sheer-to-light formula will enhance the natural appearance of your skin, whereas a medium-to-full coverage tinted moisturizer will also conceal. You’ll also want to look out for the word “buildable,” which means you can achieve more coverage as you layer the product. If you already have an idea of what you’re looking for, you can skip to the one you’re most interested in below to survey our favorites.

Prefer to consider all of your options? Keep scrolling to check out our complete guide to the best tinted moisturizers of 2024.

Whether you’ve had your ears pierced since you were a child or (like some of us) you took a trip to Claire’s in your adolescent years, there’s something about getting your first ear piercing that just feels like a rite of passage. It seems inevitable, then, that the types of piercings available would evolve with time, and now we have the opportunity to get piercings in nontraditional places like eyebrows or belly buttons — there are even “surface anchor” or dermal piercings that we can get in our cheeks, arms, or the back of the neck. Safe to say: times have changed.

But sometimes you want just a bit of variation that’s nothing too extreme, and if you love piercings, we have the perfect solution: helix piercings. There are numerous helix-piercing options on the market, like forward helix piercings and even triple forward helix piercings, so we asked a professional to take it back to the basics and break down what exactly helix piercings are, as well as what everyone needs to know before getting one. Read ahead for all the best tips to have on hand before you make that appointment.

Experts Featured in This Article

Anna Girgan is the director of in-store experience for Banter by Piercing Pagoda.

What Are Helix Piercings?

Before getting ahead to the different types of helix piercings on the market, we wanted to understand what exactly helix piercings are, so we reached out to Anna Girgan, director of in-store experience for Banter by Piercing Pagoda. “A helix piercing is any piercing around the “rim” of the cartilage of the ear,” Girgan says. These types of piercings are also always cartilage piercings as opposed to antihelix — or snug — piercings, which connect from point to point from the middle of your helix to the inside of your conch (the bowl of your ear).

One thing that sets helix piercings apart from other ear piercings is how flexible they are in terms of placement — but this could also make getting additional piercings complicated. “Helix piercings have a larger margin of placement flexibility than some other piercings,” Girgan says. “This is good and bad, as it can make lining up multiple helix piercings more complicated. It can also complicate decisions on where to put the helix piercing if you’re looking to add additional piercings later.”

Different Types of Helix Piercings

There are a few different types of helix piercings:

There are also “faux helix piercings” available if you want the look of the piercing but don’t want to actually commit to the real thing. “There are hoops available that click on and appear to be an actual piercing that you could put on your helix,” Girgan says. Magnetic studs that can act as faux helix piercings are another option.

Helix Piercing Pain

Since everyone has different pain-tolerance levels, experts can’t say for sure what the helix piercing pain will be like, but if you’re generally more sensitive to pain, you can have the area “numbed with Lidocaine to help,” Louisa Schneider, CEO and founder of Rowan, previously told PS.

Helix Piercing Earrings

Finding the best helix piercing earrings depends on the type of helix piercing it is. For a standard or forward helix, Girgan recommends “a flat-back earring.” For an industrial piercing: a 14g straight barbell. For healed helix piercings, she recommends hoops in the wearer’s personal diameter preference. If you want to switch out your jewelry, Girgan says to wait approximately six to eight weeks at minimum before switching. Though the piercing won’t be fully healed yet, “it will be fine to switch to new jewelry [more comfortably] at this time.”

In terms of jewelry material, Girgan says that “14k gold with no nickel or cadmium, and high-grade alloy titanium are best for all piercings,” not just helixes, and if you want to switch up the type of jewelry being worn, “the way to switch it out varies by the original piece of jewelry you chose,” so be sure to consult your piercer if you are having a hard time on your own.

How Long Do Helix Piercings Take to Heal?

Helix piercing healing time can vary, but it typically takes close to four months to heal initially. However, it can take up to an entire year to fully heal.

In terms of rejection, helix piercings actually fare a bit better than other types. “Rejecting helix piercings is rare and generally only happens when the piercing was pierced incorrectly,” Girgan says. But very specific instances like “extreme health changes tend to cause general rejection, and something like a pregnancy can actually cause all piercings to start rejecting, no matter how long they’ve been in,” Girgan says.

To verify whether your helix piercing is being rejected, Girgan says to take note of “whether the piercing started out in one area of the ear and has slowly migrated to another.” If you are unsure whether the piercing is being rejected, always consult a professional piercer, but if you are able to verify rejection at home, “it is best to remove [the piercing] before it fully rejects and causes permanent cartilage and skin damage.”

Helix Piercing Aftercare

When the piercing is healing, “it is normal for it to produce ‘crusties’ daily until healed,” Girgan says. To aid in the healing process, “saturate and clean the piercing with a new Q-tip or paper towel twice a day using Studex Advanced Piercing Aftercare & Cleanser ($15) or H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray ($16).”

When the piercing is fully healed, you will notice that “there will be no pain even when slightly bumped into,” Girgan says. If you have been keeping up with general aftercare, it should take approximately three months for a helix piercing to fully heal, a much shorter timeframe than other piercings like industrials, which can take up to six months.

Helix Piercing Cost

Helix piercing cost will depend on the area in which you live as well as the piercer you choose to see. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $40-$80 for the initial piercing, plus the additional cost of jewelry.

Whether you have already committed or are still on the fence, keep these tips in mind if you decide to make your next piercing a helix.

Ariel Baker was an assistant editor for PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.