STUDS — Local services in New York

I am very disappointed in Studs. It was my first time getting a piercing. I wanted to get the bottom of both of my lobes pierced. Walking in, the store seemed clear and chic, however, my experience was anything but. To start off, I had to get both my piercings redone here TWICE. The second time, I was left so dissatisfied I went to Boston to get a consultation with a certified professional. More on that later.

My first piercings were done by Sage. She reassured me multiple times she wanted these piercings to be perfectly symmetrical. I was mistakenly confident she would do a good job. At the time, I was pleased with the positioning of the piercings from the front. However, my mom noticed they were both crooked in the back. The piercing went in at a diagonal and the hole in the back was higher than the front (this was the case for both ears. The first two pictures are attached below for reference). My piercings were crooked AND off-centered in the back (photos 3 & 4). Though the positioning in the back shouldn’t matter, the constant reminder of having crooked, off-centered piercings will always bother me (especially considering how crooked my piercings were—it was definitely noticeable if one looked closely!)

I promptly emailed Studs and went in the next day to see how they would fix their mistake. I was consulted by a second piercer, Ash, who agreed the piercings were crooked and the asymmetry would be noticeable if I were to wear huggies. She said I could get a redo free of charge and took my piercings out. She scheduled an appointment for me a week from then for the redo. I walked out a little worried about getting my ears pierced again at the same store. However, I convinced myself since it was a different piercer everything should be perfect, right? The atmosphere during my second time piercing was a little... rushed. As if they couldn't wait to get my problem solved as fast as they could so they are able to continue onto other people who were paying to get their ears pierced. I explained that I wanted to have my left piercing move upward just a touch (I've noticed the front of my piercings were not actually symmetrical, the left side was just a millimeter lower than the right). I asked her to mark the back of the ears so there wouldn't be a repeat of the first time, however, this was fruitless as the back was STILL off-centered after my redo. Also, the positioning of the left piercing from the front was the same as the first time it was pierced, meaning my wish to move it up did not happen. The piercings were, sadly, still crooked. (photos 5 & 6 below show this). I was quite disappointed as I gave them a chance to correct their mistake to no avail. I certainly will NOT return a third time. Fool me once, shame on you—fool me twice, shame on me.

I had a consultation with a professional piercer in Boston on how to proceed. They agreed it was still crooked. Inserting an earring into my left ear would be annoying as the hole in the back is still higher than the front. She said if I truly felt like I wanted to redo my piercings a third time because I was so bothered by it then she could do it. I agreed. She gave me another tidbit of information I found interesting to share. After examining the earrings I bought from Studs for the piercing, she realized they both purchased from the same company. The cheapest option Studs has for ball piercings is the 16mm version which I bought (for $30 EACH). Turns out the 16mm version of ball piercings was discontinued by the company that makes them! This means the back of my piercings will not fit with any of the current models. I would have to purchase entirely new piercings if I wanted to switch. This reflects on the quality of Studs.

Tldr: CHECK THE BACK OF YOUR PIERCINGS TO MAKE SURE THEY’RE NOT CROOKED!!! I wasted the $50 it took to get the piercings and after having them redone TWICE at Studs, I was still left disappointed and took them out to get them redone for a third time at a different location. Would not recommend this store. Studs is more for show than...

Is sad I found this company a year ago me and my daughters together want to get more piercing in our ears now that they are older. I see this company all over Instagram and I like the ear scapes. This location 12 Prince st had the best ratings than the others and for some reason the Brooklyn location where I’m from closed. So my daughters and I wanted to make a day of it. So After the long drive and looking for parking in Manhattan for my SUV, I go to the store really having to use the bathroom On top of that, I have medical issues. (Kindness goes a long way you never know what people are going through)We walk in the store planning on getting several piercings and buy some jewelry for the old piercings we already have. Off the back, I was met by a rude woman. I don’t know if she was racist she is (caucasian) or what a problem was, but it was just disrespectful when you see people coming into your store trying to shop, And you get met With the looks and stares Of these people like you don’t belong here. then I asked her. Can I go to the bathroom? And she was like it’s not for customers. You have A shop and your Expect the public to sit around they’re in there Figuring out designs getting pierced buying earrings it takes quite a while, getting ears, piercings and shopping, children and older people of all kinds and you just can’t have the respect to let someone use the bathroom and then she told me I can use it somewhere else. I do not know what’s wrong with this area but then I go to the coffee shop next-door to Arabica coffee shop and a rude person. Wouldn’t let me use the bathroom because they’re saying you have to purchase something and truly would not even open the door until the item was purchased. But luckily, I found a nice Jewelry shop “Amo NYC” on the same block with a nice lady who respected me help me so much with several pieces of jewelry for me and my daughters. So much nice jewelry and my business went elsewhere, You lost a customer. Now I have to find somewhere else for me and my daughters ears to get pierced. I guess good anyway They’re overpriced, It should not be several hundred dollars just to put a hole in your ear and Buy earrings. I found places that is way more cheaper, Just to put a hole in your ear And I see people complaining about their jewelry breaking or being cheap anyway. STUDS COMPANY.. You need to do better and hire better people Because people want good customer service and want to be treated well where they’re spending their money and having to trust somebody sticking a needle through their...

professional piercers consider this company a twin to Claire’s. 🙅🏻‍♀️❌ no one here is a licensed nurse, their apprenticeship program I just looked up hires phlebotomists or MAs with 2 yrs of experience, I have 5 and even I would want more proper training before getting paid to learn about safe and reliable piercing.

Followiny imqge is my helix post 8 months (visit date: 05/11/2024) and while the receptionist was really sweet and helpful pre and post session with aftercare and consult, the piercer and guy who charged me at the end were a bit off. They did not ask about my experience or made me feel comfortable — it was SUS basically how the piercer didn’t even alcohol swab prior to piercing and then when I was bleeding that’s when he decided to wipe it.

I FOUND DRIED BLOOD RIGHT AFTER.

Anyways I cleaned it myself and I’m glad I asked him tot extra swabs cuz it he can’t do it right I’m going to sterilize it myself.

The reason I show the image is because this helix piercing should only take 3 to 6 months to heal. I had a proper one done on a whim at Elite Piercing on St. Mark’s Pl and it healed but since it fell out, it closed. Decided to get it done here at Stude on a whim, and hopef maybe the initial throbbing was normal. I think after 4 months I finally was able to just IGNORE the pain. And no it was not infected, it’s cause the jewelry kept bending and I had to fix it over and over again. Paying for what I thought was real gold, when it clearly isn’t is incredibly disappointing and unsafe bro. I … I’m not coming back here and I’m gonna let anyone who asks me for recs to make sure to AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS.

Go to a reliable place like Elite Piercing, Rowan, or Live by the Sword. Even a proper tattoo salon will have licensed nurses to get this done safely and will hopefully not mislead you with poor quality ear pierces.

I’m sad cause I really loved this star but I’m going to take it out and have it done elsewhere.

TLDR; Do not waste money here. Unreliable. Unsafe. Not licensed. And if you already have gone here, use saline solution and fragrance free soap with water for after care at least...