Black Moon Piercing Green Brook — Local services in Green Brook Township

I’ve had many piercings done and have never had as bad of an experience as I did here. I went to the green brook location with hopes of getting a conch piercing. I had gotten my conch pierced a few years ago on my left ear but took it out awhile ago, so I excitedly came here to get it done on my right. I requested it be done on my right ear, which I had told the piercer (Judes) on more than one occasion during our conversation. It was off-putting when she went to my left ear with the intention to pierce it, and then switched to my right ear after I corrected her, but not the biggest deal. She did not offer to show me her marking to confirm I was happy with placement, and almost pierced me before I stopped her to ask if I could see where she marked before actually getting pierced, which I thought was standard protocol.There were several markings on my ear to which she explained was for her direction- it was not clear where the piercing would go but I trusted her. After looking in the mirror I knew that what I had received was not a conch piercing, it looked nothing like when I had gotten my conch previously or any of the photos online, I was very confused but thought maybe I was in the wrong? My friend who came with me (who also has her conch), expressed confusion with the piercing. After paying $135 I left feeling regretful to not have spoken up on the spot. Next day I visited Black Moon’s Edison location to get a second opinion- I spoke to Dano who confirmed that the piercing had been done incorrectly due to the anatomy of my ear, but this was NEVER explained to me originally, the only excuse I was given for this was that the piercer who did this was “new to the practice”. I had been following the guidelines i was given very diligently (warm sea salt soaks 3x a day, not touching it, etc), but after 3 days my ear began to burn, feel hot, and swell like none of my piercings ever had. It made no sense that this would be due to infection because I had only just gotten it done and was very careful about after-care. I had to resort to pain medication which I have never had to do for any of my piercings. Exactly 1 week later (see photo) I decided to go to another shop to have it taken out, where I was told by yet ANOTHER piercer that this was not done correctly and needed to be removed right away, so I did so. The earring used in my ear was far too short, 14 gauge, and could not accommodate any swelling at all which contributed to much of my pain. I have never felt so much pain from a piercing and am beyond regretful to have paid an exorbitant price for a WRONGLY done piercing that I had to remove 1 week later after extensive pain and discomfort. Would absolutely never recommend, save your money and go somewhere with more experienced piercers and...

I've been to Black Moon in Green Brook twice, the first time to get my daith pierced, the second time for an ear curation. Both appointments were with Sami. Sami is very knowledgeable and will educate you in all kinds of piercing related things. They are friendly, patient with socially awkward people (that's me hi), gentle and a reassuring presence during the stabbity needle part. That last part was good because I went in evvver so slightly concerned about having a hole poked in my ear canal, getting improper starter jewelry, or hearing the horrible crunching sound I read about on Reddit. (I did not hear anything like that, and I learned that you would probably only hear a horrible crunching sound if the piercing needle were insufficiently sharp.) I mean you know it's probably going to be fine, but you never know either.

Sami is a professional in every way, starting with a visual analysis of whether your anatomy is suitable for what you want, taking their time figuring out a starter piercing that will make you happy, explaining each step of the process as they go, telling you the best way to breathe, all the good stuff. I've been pierced amateurishly in the past (with a piercing gun long ago in a hair salon, bleh) and later got one lobe redone in a different piercing studio by someone who didn't have the level of skill I wanted. Neither was a good experience. Sami gave me my first really awesome piercing experience. They were deft and nailed it in every way. I'm the last thing from an expert, but to me it looks like perfect placement and a textbook angle that suits my ear, and I was relatively relaxed for it. The healing has been smooth, too.

I feel like I've finally found a good piercer. I look at my daith every day and it delights me and I think I'm going to love how my ears come out once they're finished.

Also, not that it will make a difference to your piercings, but pretty sure Sami is the coolest-looking person in any given room they walk into.

I haven't been a client of anyone else at Black Moon, but the other two employees I've briefly met/seen were low-key and nice. The piercing area is clean and hygienic, and they ask your pronouns in the electronic consent form, which I appreciate.

I highly recommend Sami for all...

I walked in with the intention to buy a new septum ring. I found exactly what I was looking for in minutes. They have a wide range of beautiful jewelry. The gentleman that helped me, Alex was very professional and friendly! I will be returning for more piercings/jewelry soon.

UPDATED REVIEW: I went here a few weeks ago for another jewelry change. I want to note, I've had my tragus pierced for 10 years now. The piercing was fully healed and gave me no problems until I got a jewelry change at Black Moon. The piercer was kind, so the interaction during the service was good. But the service provider did not close the jewelry properly, and the hoop turning in my ear (as they usually do), ended up cutting the inside of my piercing. I woke up in a bunch of pain and my tragus was so swollen and very sensitive to touch, as if it were freshly pierced. I decided to go back to get it looked at, the woman who helped confirmed my speculation and said "the inside is fresh, because the ring not being properly closed." It took her one minute to fix, which lets me know this could've easily been avoided. It's been three weeks, and my tragus still looks swollen (hopefully this is not permanent damage). I understand the risks that come with piercings, but I feel like jewelry change for a fully healed piercing shouldn't run as much risks as a brand new piercing. I also think if you have guests sign waivers outlining all the risks before any interaction, the piercers should also take all those risks into consideration and try a little harder to avoid them. Just want to note, I was going to give 3 stars but the interaction with the front desk person who seemed like he could care less brought them down to 2. I also am a receptionist, and know my interaction with clients before and after their service can make or break their experience. When I came in to explain my issue, he seemed disinterested. Not to say my issue should have become his problem, but he could've shown some concern (this is the same person who was very upbeat when he was charging me $150+ for the jewelry changes). When I came back down after a minute of being upstairs, the only concern he showed was how much I...