10 Tips for Taking Good Care of Your Pierced Earrings and Clip-On Earrings

If you could wear just one accessory to complete your look, what would you choose?

A necklace, a ring, a bracelet…

There are so many options, but when it comes to small accessories that still make a strong impression,

pierced earrings and clip-on earrings come to mind.

With so many designs available, it's a joy to own several, but on the other hand,

earrings come in countless variations depending on the type of hardware and materials used,

and they're also accessories that can be hard to keep wearing for a long time, due to metal allergies or the risk of losing them.

Here are 10 tips for choosing earrings wisely and enjoying them for years to come.

First, let's start with tips for choosing wisely. Here are five points that deserve special attention.

1. Check the material to prevent metal allergies
2. Check whether the weight is suitable for long hours of wear
3. Check the surprisingly overlooked point of "motif color" (choose one that matches your hair color)
4. (Clip-on earrings) Choose ones with a screw that allows you to adjust the width
5. (Clip-on earrings) If your ears tend to hurt easily, choose ones with silicone pads

One thing that deserves particular attention is metal allergies.

Metal allergies occur when metal reacts with sweat and other substances.

Metals have a property where a small amount of their components dissolve into moisture, including sweat,

and when this combines with the proteins in the body, it becomes an allergen,

causing symptoms such as itching and rashes, or so it's said.

Titanium accessories are said to be less likely to cause metal allergies, but

have you ever wondered why the likelihood of an allergic reaction differs even among metals?

There are several types of metals said to be "less likely to cause metal allergies," including titanium and platinum.

These metals have a property of being resistant to dissolving, which is why they're said to be less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.

Which metals cause allergic reactions varies from person to person, so caution is needed,

but if you've ever experienced itching or a rash from a metal,

be sure to check the material of the parts that touch your ears.

Also, "weight" and "color" are surprisingly overlooked points.

Larger motifs are eye-catching and make a strong impression, so it's easy to be drawn in by their visual beauty.

But once you actually put them on, you may find the motif too heavy to wear comfortably for long periods…

When you can see the actual item in a store, be sure to pick it up and check its weight, not just its design.

When purchasing from an online shop, check the product specifications thoroughly.

If the weight is listed, it's also a good idea to weigh a pair of earrings you already own and compare.

A helpful trick when choosing "color" is to consider whether it matches your hair color.

You might find an accessory very cute and appealing on its own,

but when you actually put it on, something feels off for some reason.

In such cases, the color of the earrings may simply not be matching your hair color.

One of the great things about pierced earrings and clip-on earrings is that the same design often comes in many color variations.

Choosing colors with the question "will this match my hair color?" in mind will help you avoid disappointment.

If you're choosing clip-on earrings, pay attention to the shape of the hardware as well.

A typical clip-on earring mechanism works by snapping shut to pinch the earlobe,

so check whether it has a screw mechanism that lets you adjust the width of the pinch.

Some clip-on earrings from overseas makers, as well as vintage pieces,

don't have this screw, and the pinching force can be quite strong, so be careful.

If your ears tend to turn red after wearing earrings for a long time,

ones with silicone pads are recommended.

They provide a larger surface area for pinching the earlobe, resulting in a relatively softer fit.

Next, here are some tips for using them well.

1. Always remove them when changing clothes or bathing
2. Decide on a storage spot in advance
3. (Clip-on earrings) Follow the correct method for putting them on in the correct position
4. (Pierced earrings) For fish hook earrings with no clasp, add a silicone earring back to prevent loss
5. (Pierced earrings) Periodically check metal earring backs for looseness

The most basic requirement for enjoying small pierced earrings and clip-on earrings for a long time is simply "not losing them."

Since they're worn as a pair, many people have probably had the sad experience

of losing just one of a pair of earrings they loved.

For both clip-on and pierced earrings, make sure to follow these two rules: "always remove them when changing clothes or bathing" and "decide on a storage spot."

This is because, while it's certainly possible to lose them without noticing while out and about,

many losses also happen at home, from misplacing them or not noticing they've fallen.

If you carelessly take off a sweater or shirt while still wearing earrings,

they can get caught and go flying off.

And to prevent an earring from coming loose in the shower and disappearing down the drain…,

it's best to always remove them before changing clothes or bathing, and store them in their designated spot.

There are also tips for preventing loss while out and about.

Clip-on earrings in particular require caution, since their structure means they can come off if pulled.

After pinching your earlobe with the spring hardware to attach them, fine-tune the fit with the screw.

After putting them on, check that both sides don't come off easily even when pulled a little.

Pierced earrings have a structure that's harder to come loose compared to clip-on earrings, but

when the piercing hole is loose, or when the catch fitting has become worn out,

they can sometimes slip off unexpectedly, so you can't let your guard down.

One thing to be especially careful about is hook-type earrings that don't have a catch.

With their simple structure—just threaded through the piercing hole and hung on the earlobe—the swaying hook fitting

is precisely because of its simplicity a fitting that's easy to lose.

To avoid losing them, we recommend adding your own silicone catches, which you can find at craft supply stores.

A silicone catch like the one shown in the photo can be used with most hook earrings.

Also, if a metal catch becomes loose, you can either replace it with a silicone catch in the same way,

or use pliers to adjust it back to its original tightness, which will fix the problem.

(Be careful not to apply too much force, as this can cause damage.

If you're unsure about adjusting it yourself, consult the retailer or manufacturer.)

 

Accessories that touch the skin directly tend to get dirty without you even noticing.

If you leave sebum and dust on them,

the material can become clouded and lose its natural shine,

so be sure to polish them regularly with a cleaning cloth.

Also, pierced earrings and clip-on earrings, worn very close to the face and hair, are especially prone to

picking up residue from cosmetics and hair styling products.

Make it a habit to put them on only after you've finished your makeup and hair styling.

Small yet full of presence—earrings.

Whether pierced or clip-on, they instantly add a touch of gorgeousness to a woman's look,

making them truly special items.

Precisely because they're so small, take care not to lose them.

Precisely because they're so small, put in the effort to keep enjoying them beautifully for a long time.

It's curious how doing so seems to deepen your affection for them all the more.