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Original poster

Has anyone's child had their ears pierced at Claire's recently?

114 replies

DudeWheresMyCarSeat · 27/04/2019 13:12

12yo DD wanting hers done in the summer before starting secondary school. She's insisting on it being in Claire's as it's her favourite shop ever Hmm so we're not looking for recommendations on other places (I've already tried to persuade her for weeks as I've heard mixed reviews of Claire's).

I'm trying to get an idea of price and what's actually included. Their website currently has an offer of free piercing when you buy a starter kit but the earrings are expensive! Around £50.

I remember paying about £10 for mine years and years ago.

So, if we just want piercing and cheap, basic studs - how much would this be? Thanks.

OP posts:
Dollygirl2008 · 27/04/2019 16:17

My DD(10) had gets done in Claire's last year for her birthday. They were lovely, made a real fuss of her, and it was great. All seemed spotlessly clean and she's had no problems ever since. In fact, I think I'm going to get mine done!! (48...)

englishdictionary · 27/04/2019 16:17

Look, Englishdictionary, this is a thread about Claires, which I commented on. I think tats are skanky and that's my opinion and I don't care if you agree or not. I also don't care about anyone daft enough to get one, so no, I don't need to go check out anywhere, thanks.

Fabulous balanced discussion. Many thanks.

Gentlemanwiththistledownhair · 27/04/2019 16:18

I know MN is funny about ear piercing, and I can't really comment because both of mine were done with a gun. But the ones done at Claire's are definitely better (straighter and more level) than those done at the local beauty place when I was 11.

Not all independent places are better than Claire's and some Claire's will be better than others. Does your DD have any friends with pierced ears? Could you ask their parents where they would recommend?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Beauty Clothing
Dollygirl2008 · 27/04/2019 16:19

Also, meant to say that although our experience was great, I did pay for it!!!! You buy the earrings and you get the piercing and cleaning stuff as part of the price,, however, I wanted my DD to have gold posts rather than gold plated, and the only pair they had were diamonds that cost £110. Saying that, it was a birthday occasion and she now has her first pair of diamonds!!

JacquesHammer · 27/04/2019 16:30

I had my first earrings done with a gun.

Each one since with a needle.

ALL of my piercings healed fine, however the quality of piercing is obvious - you can easily tell amongst the lobe piercings which were done with a gun.

It’s kind of a moot point though, as processes progress you find out more and are able to make better informed choices.

My DD was told she could have her ears pierced provided it was done properly with a needle.

Her piercings were also cheaper than it would have cost in Claire’s. (Not that I was bothered but I often see assumptions that a studio will be expensive).

So she went somewhere with a highly trained professional, not someone who has had 30 mins practice then is allowed to pierce a kid.

Thatsnotmyotter · 27/04/2019 16:42

The piercing place I have had most of my piercings done in (apart from my ears, which were done with a gun, in a beauty salon, and did actually heal fine but I’m not 8 anymore and I know better now) has spotless, surgery-style consultation rooms, with proper dentist-type chairs, stainless steel surfaces, everything smells of actichlor, hands are washed with hibiscrub, and the instruments are clearly packaged in the same sterile way as surgical instruments. I’d take that over a busy, grubby shop floor any day.

RealJudas · 27/04/2019 16:57

I had my ears pierced with a gun (not at Claire's) in the late 90's, one got infected and swelled up so much that you couldn't see the stud. I had to go to the doctors to have it removed and it was SO painful. Had it done again with a needle and they put in a sleeper - no problem at all.

As with many things in life, the risks are small, but if there is a safer option why not take it? Especially when we're talking about our DC.

formerbabe · 27/04/2019 17:06

Mine were done by a professional piercer and he totally fucked them up...wonky, too low and I can't wear earrings and the hole doesn't close up Angry

My sister got hers done in Claire's and had no problems...I wish I'd got mine done there too.

Violetroselily · 27/04/2019 17:12

I have 3 in each lobe, all done with guns (one set at Claire's). No problems with them at all. I initially went to a studio to get the 3rd set done but they would only put bars in, not earrings.

I thought guns caused problems when used on cartilage, as opposed to a lobe?

JacquesHammer · 27/04/2019 17:21

I thought guns caused problems when used on cartilage, as opposed to a lobe

They’re worse on cartilage but pretty rubbish for lobes!

As a PP said though, it isn’t the case that a professional piercer will be great. You need to take the time to research, go for a visit first. In fact my piercer of choice will only do walk-ins for previous customers. First time customers have to come for a pre-piercing appointment.

rainbowgrimm · 27/04/2019 17:31

Out of interest, what age generally are proper piercer's willing to do kids lobes?

DobbyTheHouseElk · 27/04/2019 17:33

Under 16 without parental consent it’s actually classed as assault. I’d say over 16 because you don’t need parental consent and the person can give consent themselves.

Biancadelrioisback · 27/04/2019 17:41

I love piercings. I have many in various places and 12 of those are in my ears.
My very first piercings were lobe piercings in Fenwick with a gun. They are fine. Second ones with a needle. They are fine. My first cartilage one is wonky, done with a gun, second cartilage done with a gun and it was by far the worst. Painful, big lump behind it, the hole looks jaggered etc. All the rest were needles and mostly these were better (issue with nose).
If my DS wanted a piercing I'd take him somewhere with trained professionals with a needle, not a shop assistant with a gun

ALongHardWinter · 27/04/2019 17:45

Sorry,but I wouldn't touch Claire's with a barge pole. I know 3 people who have and they have all had problems afterwards.
I know you said you're not looking for recommendations for other places,but in my experience,F. Hinds were great when my DGD (12.5) had her ears pierced a year ago. They even include a check up 6 weeks after having it done,in the price.

anitagreen · 27/04/2019 18:06

@englishdictionary Yes I am 100% my mum took me and my friend at the time we both chose the same earrings remember it like it was yesterday, we went to the Kingston branch.

WrongKindOfFace · 27/04/2019 18:32

Claire’s are expensive because they will try and up sell the pricier earrings and the cleaning lotion which allegedly helps the ears heal faster.

Incidentally no piecers locally will piece a child’s ears with a needle.

Original poster
DudeWheresMyCarSeat · 27/04/2019 18:50

Well, today I called three tattoo places and two declined to book an appointment because my child is under 18 (they say they are not insured to let under 18s on the premises?) and the third referred me to their website. That website was ... enlightening. Definitely not somewhere I think is appropriate for a child tbh.

Daughter definitely wants her ears pierced and this is turning into a right nightmare.

OP posts:
JacquesHammer · 27/04/2019 18:54

Try for a piercing studio rather than a tattoo studio.

Can you give a rough idea as to where you are? MNers might have recommendations.

SquirmOfEels · 27/04/2019 18:56

"Incidentally no piecers locally will piece a child’s ears with a needle."

Some boroughs write restrictions into the special licence that all piercing and tattoo parlours must have. Wandsworth and Westminster (and I think Lambeth, and possibly others) state that under 16s must not be pierced other than earlobe by gun.

It's still however better to get pierced in a proper piercing place, even if they have to use a cartridge system, rather than a high street jewellers or accessories shop.

And really don't bother with special healing solutions. Saline is best (and contact lens solution is fine if you want to avoid mixing it a saline solution yourself)

WrongKindOfFace · 27/04/2019 19:04

Ah, that might explain it, SquirmofEels. The piecers do offer better after care as well (here at least). Check up after a couple of weeks and as much free rock salt as needed. Although I mainly used them as they were significantly cheaper than Claire’s.

Littlebird88 · 27/04/2019 19:06

yes. I did loads of research and Claire's don t use sales assistants . they are trained.
not sure why there's such snobbery on here !
do some research locally.

Honeywort · 27/04/2019 19:07

I looked into this for my 15 year old dd - and decided that Claire’s was the best option locally -:especially for a straightforward first piercing on ear lobes. The assistant who did it took her,time, really making sure that dd was happy with the exact position, everything was in sterile packages as you described from the website.

Ears healed absolutely fine with no issues at all. Very happy with our experience there,

ittakes2 · 27/04/2019 19:08

The hygiene with a gun instead of a needle is an issue for me so I have decided my daughter will only be pierced by a professional piercer. I also think a professional piercer will make sure the piercings are on the ideal place on the ear lobes - I have seen a few gun piercings where the holes are clearly very different on each ear or too close to the head etc.

Whiskyagogo · 27/04/2019 19:12

My daughter had hers done at Claire's about 2 months ago, we got the stainless steel studs and I paid around £20. Would've been £30 if we got the rapid care solution.

No problems so far, staff were fully trained, practiced good hygiene (as far as I could see) and were great with my slightly nervous 9 year old!

LadyWithLapdog · 27/04/2019 19:16

DD1 had her second set and DD2 her first set during Easter holidays. No issues. They chose £50 and £60 earrings with the added £15 cleaning kit. The cleaning kit is a bit of a swindle, huge bottles that will never get finished. No issues with the actual process; two happy girls.

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