You may think that lip piercing is a straightforward business, but there are different styles and approaches to this form of body piercing. The style of piercing you get, as well as the desired aesthetic and possibly the elicited response from your friends, family and peers, will differ according to the shape, number and location of your lip piercings.
Rings and Partial Rings
For a simple and fairly common look among lip piercings, try a ring piercing. You can pierce your lip with a single ring at any point from one corner of the mouth to the other and on either the upper or lower lip. When considering a ring piercing, consider having the piercing done close to one corner of the mouth or the other, as the ring may interfere with eating or drinking if placed too close to the center. You can use multiple rings to achieve different looks and styles of piercings as well.
Barbels and Studs
Like rings, single barbels and studs are a common choice for a first lip piercing. A stud protrudes above the skin and can appear at any point around the lips. A stud located in a specific spot near the mouth may be considered a "Monroe," "Madonna" or "Crawford." A barbel may pierce the lip in two places, resting horizontally, and is usually pierced through the lower lip, through the red part of the lip.
Angel Bites, Snake Bites and Spider Bites
An angel bite consists of two piercings, one near each corner of the mouth, on the upper lip. These are most commonly done with studs, but it is conceivable that you could use rings for this piercing. A spider bite is similar to an angel bite, but the corner piercings are done on the lower lip, and a third piercing, either a stud or a ring, rests in the center of the lower lip. A snake bite is also a lower lip piercing. It resembles a spider bite without the center piercing.
Labret and Filtrum
A stud piercing centered just below the lower lip is considered a labret piercing. Some labret piercings may rest further below the lip than others, with the primary qualifier being that they are between the lip and chin. Piercing just above your upper lip is called a filtrum. This type of piercing also requires a stud.
Monroe, Madonna and Crawford Piercings
Sometimes, a stud placed in a specific spot near the lips is meant to resemble a notable celebrity's mole or beauty spot and the particular placement is named for the celebrity. If you wish to have a "Monroe," which is named for Marilyn Monroe, place your stud above and to the right of your upper lip. A "Madonna" or "Crawford" piercing is located above and to the left. These piercings are named for singer Madonna and Cindy Crawford, respectively.
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