What is a fake piercing?

A fake piercing (also called a faux or clip on piercing) is a piece of jewelry that looks like a real piercing, but clips around your skin instead of going through it. So there's no needle and no hole involved. You put it on in seconds and take it off just as fast.

How does a fake piercing stay on?

Without a hole, every style needs its own little trick to stay in place. At NonPierced we use five kinds of fastening:

• U-clip: a clip shaped like a U. The pretty part sits on the outside of your nostril and on the inside a mini ball holds it in place. That's how all the fake nose studs work, like the nose clip with stone. The septum clip is family: two small hooks of thin wire grip around your septum.
• Spring ring: both the smooth and the twisted ring have a tiny spring. You hold the tab, pull the ring open, put it in place and let go. It springs shut by itself. This ring fits around your nose, earlobe, helix or lip.
• Open ring that you clip: the nose rings with a heart, moon, star, butterfly or stones have an opening. You carefully bend them open a little more, place them around your nostril or the top edge of your ear and softly push them closed again. The septum spikes and the septum tribal are horseshoes that clip around your septum the same way.
• Magnet: the magnetic septum has a magnet at the top that you pull apart into two halves. One half goes in each nostril and the two pull each other together through your septum. Switch between the two balls and the two spikes that come with it, whenever you like.
• Cuff that you slide over the edge: you put the double ear cuff on the thinnest part of the edge of your ear and then slide it along to your conch or helix. The double lip piercing works the same way, but over your bottom lip.

Rather see how to put on each style? All the steps are on how it works.

Where can you wear a fake piercing?

On almost all the popular piercing spots on your face and ears. Below, spot by spot, what's available and where to find it.

Nose: nose ring or nose stud

For many people, the nostril is the first spot to try. You choose between two looks. A nose stud is a U-clip with a stone, heart, rose, bar or leaves on the outside, so the stud look. A nose ring is an open ring that sits like a little hoop around your nostril, smooth or with a detail at the front. Left or right, both are fine. Everything is under fake nose piercings, or go straight to the fake nose studs or the fake nose rings. A nice starter is the nose ring with moon of about 8 mm, with a 0.8 mm wire.

Septum

A septum hangs under your nose, from the septum between your nostrils. This is exactly where you have lots of choice in fastening: a magnet, two hooks (the septum clip) or a horseshoe that you gently squeeze closed. From calm with two balls to punk with three spikes: check out the fake septum piercings.

Helix

By helix we mean the top edge of your ear. You can wear all the open nose rings there too, as well as the smooth ring and the double ear cuff. Put a few one above the other and you've got an ear stack without a single hole. Everything for that spot is under fake helix piercings.

Conch

Your conch is the hollow in the middle of your ear. That's where the double ear cuff really shines: two smooth rings in one line, so it looks just like two piercings side by side. Browse the fake conch piercings and all ear cuffs.

Earlobe

Never had your ears pierced, but love rings? The smooth ring (10 or 13 mm) and the twisted ring (13 mm) still give your earlobe a hoop look, and the spring keeps them in place. More options under earrings with no hole.

Lip and snake bites

For your bottom lip there are two flavors. A single ring (smooth or twisted) around your bottom lip gives a fake lip ring look, where 10 mm feels most comfortable. Going for snake bites? Then grab the double lip piercing: two rings, each with a ball, joined together on the inside. Shop them under fake lip piercings or straight from the fake snake bites.

Spots without a fake piercing (yet)

Let's be honest: not every piercing can be recreated without a hole at our place. For your navel, tongue, eyebrow, daith and tragus we don't have a style right now. Every product page tells you exactly which spots that piercing fits, and those are only nose, septum, helix, conch, earlobe and lip. So don't use a piercing in a spot it isn't made for. Missing a spot you'd love to try? Let us know through the contact page, so we know what to look for.

Fake or real piercing: the differences

	Fake piercing	Real piercing
Hole	No, it clips, springs, slides or holds on around your skin with a magnet	Yes, a hole is made
Healing	Not needed, because your skin stays intact	The hole needs to heal
Taking it out	Whenever you want, in seconds	Ask your piercer when that's possible
Switching spots	Possible with many styles, like a nose ring that also fits your helix	No, it stays where the hole is
Cost per piece	€7.95, a few styles €9.95	Ask your piercer
Where you get it	Order online, no appointment needed	At a piercer

Lots of people use a fake piercing as a test. That way you see beforehand whether that spot, that size and that color suit you. Want to get a real one afterwards? Then go to a professional piercer for advice. We list all the pros and cons in our blog about the difference between a fake and a real piercing.

How to pick your first fake piercing

1. Pick your spot. Which piercing have you been dreaming about for a while? Start there.
2. Pick your vibe. Small and subtle, like a stone or heart, or straight to a statement, like the pavé nose ring or the septum spikes?
3. Pick your color. Look at the rings and necklaces you already wear. Not sure? Our blog about choosing between gold and silver helps.
4. Check the size. Going for the smooth ring? Then you choose from three sizes: 8 mm for a snug nose ring, 10 mm for the classic look and 13 mm if it's allowed to stand out on your earlobe or lip.
5. Add a buddy. A nose stud with a ring next to it is an instant stack, and with a third piece you're over €20 for free shipping.

No idea yet which style suits you? Our blog about the fake piercing that suits you has ideas for every type.

Frequently asked questions about fake piercings

Can you tell a fake piercing is fake?

From the front you see the same as with a real one: a stone or ring in exactly the spot where a real piercing would be. Only when someone comes really close and looks carefully do they notice that nothing goes through your skin. Small styles like a stone nose stud are the least likely to look fake.

Does a fake piercing hurt?

Your skin stays intact: no needle or post goes through it, so there's no prick. A fake piercing just clips around the edge. Feels too tight? Bend it open a tiny bit, and never squeeze it shut harder than you need to.

How long can you wear a fake piercing?

During the day, as long as you like. Going to bed or working out? Then it comes out. Take a lip piercing out when you eat too. Have sensitive skin or not sure? Wear it briefly the first time, for example for an hour. If it doesn't feel nice or you see irritation, take it out right away.

Can you sleep or work out with a fake piercing?

No. Take it out before you sleep or work out and keep it in its white NONPIERCED box. That way you always know where it is and it's back in place in no time the next day.

Can you shower with a fake piercing?

Take it out before you shower or swim, so you won't lose it down the drain either. Then quickly clean and dry your skin and the piercing before you put it back on.

Does a fake piercing stay on well?

If it sits properly around the edge, yes. The spring rings clip themselves in place, the magnetic septum holds on with its magnet. Does a clip or open ring feel loose? Carefully squeeze it a little tighter. Do it in tiny steps: better three small nudges than one squeeze that's too hard.

Can I wear a fake piercing if I have a pacemaker?

If you have a pacemaker or another medical implant, we advise against the magnetic septum. Still want a septum? Choose the septum clip, the septum spikes or the septum tribal. They work without a magnet.

How much does a fake piercing cost?

Most styles are €7.95. Three styles are €9.95: the magnetic septum, the lip piercing for snake bites and the double ear cuff. Within the Netherlands shipping is €4.95, to another EU country €5.95, and from €20 you pay nothing. So with three piercings in your cart, we ship for free.

Feel like trying one? Browse all fake piercings in gold and silver, or first read on how it works how to put on each style. No holes, all goals.