Our Favorite Drugstore Shampoos Make Our Hair Look Expensive
Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands, Allure editorsSave this storySave this story
The best drugstore shampoos have been a trending beauty topic since they blew up our For You pages last year, and we're still shopping these yesteryear favorites. You also may have clocked that sulfates and silicones—once ingredients to avoid, especially in the wake of the “clean beauty” movement—are now being revered for making hair extra shiny and suds extra sudsy. So, what’s the deal? And if you’re opting for budget hair care, what’s the best of the bunch? We spoke to editors and experts to get the lowdown on drugstore shampoos, how they compare to high-end options, and how to pick the right one for you.
Our Top Drugstore Shampoos
- Best Overall: Pantene Extreme Damage Care Regenerative Oil Blend Shampoo, $10
- Best for Dandruff: Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo, $4
- Best for Oily Hair: Eva NYC Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo, $14
- Best for Coily Hair: Camille Rose Curl Love Shampoo, $13
- Best for Fine Hair: Odele Volumizing Shampoo, $12
- Best for Kinky Hair: Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco Sulfate-Free Moisture & Shine Shampoo, $5
- Best for Damaged Hair: L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Shampoo, $10
- Best for Sensitive Scalps: CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo, $11
- Best for Frizzy Hair: Kristin Ess The One Signature Shampoo, $12
- Best for Color-Treated Hair: Biolage Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo, $26
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Is there a difference between drugstore shampoo and higher-end shampoo?
- Are silicones bad for your hair?
- How should I choose a drugstore shampoo?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Pantene Extreme Damage Care Regenerative Oil Blend Shampoo
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Pantene
Extreme Damage Care Regenerative Oil Blend Shampoo
Amazon
Walmart
Why it’s worth it: If you have brittle, dry, or coarse hair, chances are it’s damaged—and that’s where Pantene Extreme Damage Care comes in to save the day (and your strands). It houses argan and jojoba oil to nourish strands and hydrate them from the inside out, for softer strands that scream “We just left the salon," not “I'm thirsty.” Plus, it’s sulfate-free, so you never have to worry about it shortening the shelf life of your color, keratin treatments, or whatever else is behind your damage.
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor before using the Pantene Extreme Damage Care Regenerative Oil Blend Shampoo
Jesa Marie Calaor
Calaor after using the Pantene Extreme Damage Care Regenerative Oil Blend Shampoo
Jesa Marie Calaor
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“Between the cold winter weather and my weekly heat-styling, my hair has been feeling crispy. This shampoo is one of the few that doesn’t make my hair feel stripped of moisture. It creates a thick lather that thoroughly clears my scalp of buildup. When I rinse it out, my hair doesn’t feel weak or stringy. And after using the Extreme Damage Care conditioner and letting my hair air dry, it feels way softer and bouncier." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: argan oil, jojoba oil
- Who it’s for: damaged hair types
- Size: 13.5 oz
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Dandruff: Head & Shoulders Classic Clean
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Head & Shoulders
Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo
Walmart
Amazon (Jumbo 2-Pack)
Why it's worth it: A longtime Allure drugstore favorite, Head & Shoulders’ Bare Pure Clean Shampoo is a household name for anyone who’s dealt with dandruff. This light, freshly-scented shampoo regulates flakiness without stripping or drying, thanks to zinc pyrithione (ZPT), a mild antifungal agent that curbs yeast production that leads to flakes and irritation. With regular use, the active helps keep dandruff at bay while soothing dryness with every wash. And yes, you can use this shampoo on a normal basis: Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC, told Allure that pyrithione zinc-infused formulations are gentle, making them great for regular use on sensitive scalps.
Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen before using the Head & Shoulders Classic Clean
Nicola Dall'Asen
Dall’Asen after using the Head & Shoulders Classic Clean
Nicola Dall'Asen
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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“They say not to fix things that aren't broken, and this good old-fashioned Head and Shoulders dandruff shampoo is one of those things. I don't have much if any dandruff myself, but the fact that this formula is designed to treat it is what makes it the ultimate clarifying shampoo in my eyes. When my hair is drowning in product buildup (a common occurrence, given that I like to slick my hair back with tons of mousse and gel on the daily), I always double-wash with Classic Clean; once to degunk all that product, twice to target the oil and dirt at the scalp. Without fail, my hair turns out virtually weightless, shinier than before, and with a clean scalp that'll last me nearly a week if I'm careful not to overdo it on mousse again.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 1% zinc pyrithione
- Who it’s for: those with a flaky or easily irritated scalp
- Size: 13.5 oz ounces
- Sulfate-free: no
Best for Oily Hair: Eva NYC Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo
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Eva NYC
Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann after using the Eva NYC Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it's worth it: A drugstore gem, Eva NYC makes an excellent shampoo (and conditioner) for those with oily hair who want a especially deep cleanse in one go. The Take Care Healthy Hair Wash strikes the perfect balance between bougie and budget (you'll find it at Ulta Beauty and CVS for easy access). Packed with nourishing amino acids and coconut-derived surfactants, it restores shine and hydration without stripping, delivering a weightless cleanse that leaves hair light, soft, and never weighed down. And fear not, blondes, brunettes, and every bun in between, it's safe for color-treated hair. As for the scent? A dreamy blend of ylang-ylang, bergamot, honeysuckle, lavender, and sandalwood transports you to an island escape.
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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"With curly hair, it's often recommended to wash your hair less frequently to preserve moisture and prevent drying out your already fragile strands. I try my best to adhere to an every two- or three-day schedule, but when life calls for frequent washing, I reach for Eva NYC's Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo. It's a no-frills formula in the best way—just a solid, gentle cleanse. My hair is pretty fine and easily weighed down, so I can't use hydrating or bonding formulas too often, and clarifying shampoos are too harsh for everyday use. This shampoo is an effective cleanser and adds a touch of softness and shine, a true Goldilocks product." —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: amino acids, lactic acid
- Who it’s for: those with oily hair
- Size: 10 oz
- Sulfate-free: no
Best for Coily Hair: Camille Rose Curl Love Shampoo
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Camille Rose
Curl Love Shampoo
Walmart
Target
Why it’s worth it: Coily hair—with its tight corkscrew or S-shaped pattern—calls for a shampoo that sets the stage for the rest of your curl routine (because yes, it is a whole routine). Camille Rose Curl Love Shampoo gets hair truly clean without leading it into frizzy, dried-out territory. It purifies strands so they feel fresh and buildup-free, while still leaving behind the hydration coily hair craves.
To achieve this, the gently foaming, sulfate-free formula leans hard into moisture: Avocado oil helps reduce breakage, olive oil smooths frizz and softens even the thickest textures, and macadamia oil sinks into the hair shaft to balance oil levels and boost shine. For thicker textures, the brand recommends separating the hair before applying product to ensure every strand reaps the benefits. Then, massage with water until you have a deep suds and repeat if you want an extra squeaky clean feel.
Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry
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“I love the Camille Rose Curl Love shampoo for its hydrating effects. My hair is very porous, so my cuticle absorbs water easily but is prone to dehydration. That’s why I need a moisturizing shampoo to lock in extra hydration, and this Camille Rose shampoo is it! It’s rich in avocado, olive, and macadamia oil, which provides extra hydration so my curls are replenished. Now I don’t use this shampoo for deep cleanses—I stick to a clarifying one for that—but this cleanser is the perfect weekly shampoo for us high porosity girls.” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
More to know
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- Key ingredients: avocado oil, olive oil, macadamia oil
- Who it’s for: dry, curly hair
- Size: 12 oz
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Fine Hair: Odele Volumizing Shampoo
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Odele
Volumizing Shampoo
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: Pop open Odele’s Volumizing Shampoo and you’re hit with crisp notes of cucumber, oakmoss, and ylang-ylang. But it’s more than just a pretty-smelling shampoo: This lightweight formula adds volume and gently cleanses, lifting away buildup without stripping. Rice protein strengthens and plumps fine or flat strands, while caudatus seed extract delivers shine. Color-safe and sulfate-free, it leaves hair soft, full of body, and turns an everyday wash into a ritual you’ll actually look forward to.
Tester feedback from former content director Kara McGrath
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“Since I bleach my hair, I find a lot of volumizing shampoos don't work for me. Since the point of them is to lift your strands up, brands skip on any heavy moisturizing ingredients that might weigh them down instead. But I need that moisture for my poor, chemically fried blonde! With this shampoo, Odele seems to have found the perfect balance. When I use it alongside the conditioner, my hair looks shiny and healthy, but not flat.” —Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: rice protein, amino acids
- Who it’s for: those lacking volume
- Size: 13 oz
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Kinky Hair: Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco Sulfate-Free Moisture & Shine Shampoo
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Creme of Nature
Argan Oil from Morocco Sulfate-Free Moisture & Shine Shampoo
Amazon
Walmart
Why it’s worth it: If your hair has an angular, more zigzag pattern (that can be less defined than coils), you already know your curls crave maximum moisture without the sulfates. Enter the 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco Sulfate-Free Moisture & Shine Shampoo, a formula that skips the usual drying culprits (alcohol, mineral oil, and petrolatum included) and leans on, you guessed it, argan oil—one of the richest hydrators out there. That way, it ensures curls are cleansed without compromising their natural texture or bounce.
Tester feedback from creative director Amber Venerable
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“This shampoo lathers so well with the tiniest drop and cleanses gently without stripping my hair of necessary oils." —Amber Venerable, creative director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: argan oil
- Who it’s for: those with curly, coily hair
- Size: 12 oz
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Damaged Hair: L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Shampoo
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L’Oréal Paris
Elvive Total Repair 5 Shampoo
Amazon
Walmart
Why it’s worth it: Bouncy, hydrated hair that feels blowout-fresh isn’t easy to replicate at home—but the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Shampoo gets impressively close. “It targets dryness and damage to leave hair stronger, smoother, and healthier with regular use,” says New York City-based hairstylist Marc Ballance, who counts it as an affordable go-to. The formula blends sweet almond oil, lipids, and wheat protein to soften strands, boost shine, and help hair hold onto moisture, so even a few days post-wash, it still feels silky. Add in a rich lather and a fresh, garden-inspired scent, and wash day suddenly feels like a mini escape.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: argan oil
- Who it’s for: those with dry or damaged hair
- Size: 12 oz
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Scalps: CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo
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CeraVe
Gentle Hydrating Shampoo
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: If you’ve ever tried CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream, you know it’s a drugstore MVP for delivering deep hydration without upsetting sensitive skin. The same goes for its the 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award–winning Gentle Hydrating Shampoo, which uses barrier-protecting ceramides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and calming niacinamide to gently cleanse the scalp of buildup, while locking in essential moisture. Fragrance- and sulfate-free, it’s safe for color-treated hair and leaves strands soft, healthy, and never stripped.
Tester feedback from Calaor
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“My scalp is fussy in between seasons: As soon as the weather starts to shift, it gets incredibly itchy and I get showered in flakes. I used to use coal tar shampoos, but they inevitably leave my strands feeling like straw and smelling like chemicals. This shampoo helps treat my dandruff without the stink, leaving it looking smooth and not feeling like straw.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide
- Who it’s for: those with dry, sensitive scalps
- Size: 12 oz
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Frizzy Hair: Kristin Ess The One Signature Shampoo
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Kristin Ess
The One Signature Shampoo
Amazon
Walmart
Why it's worth it: Kristin Ess's The One Signature Shampoo is suds for the people—shine-boosting, moisturizing, and always super clean-feeling. It features Zip-Up Technology, the brand's strengthening complex designed to mend split ends, sealing and protecting the cuticle and preventing all signs of frizz. Plus, it’s also packed with pro-vitamin B5, algae extract, mango seed butter, avocado oil, and castor seed oil to deliver serious nourishment straight to the hair shaft. The fragrance is equally luxe, blending ambrette seed, pear water, sandalwood, and white amber.
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“I have thick hair and use a lot of hair products, so any shampoo in my shower has to give me a seriously deep clean. This one from Kristin Ess gets the job done—it suds up nicely and removes dry shampoo and curl cream buildup without drying my hair out. This is key for me because I always shampoo twice before using my conditioner of choice, so it's important that my shampoo isn't too stripping. I'm also obsessed with the scent—it's light and clean, but lasts for hours after my shower. The matching conditioner is pretty great, too!” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: pro-vitamin B5, algae extract, mango seed butter, avocado oil, and castor seed oil
- Who it’s for: those with dry, frizz-prone hair
- Size: 10 oz
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Biolage Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo
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Biolage
Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: Stretching the time between salon visits doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. Another 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner, Biolage's Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo uses soybean oil and stearic acid to keep highlights bright, brunettes glossy, and reds vibrant long after your appointment. It doesn’t skimp on the salon experience, either—a clean, floral scent smells like a fresh blowout, while the formula leaves hair fresh, soft, and deeply cleansed. For blondes (and every shade in between) that fade too fast, consider this your new color insurance.
Tester feedback from senior director of commerce audience and analytics Lexi Herrick
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“This Biolage shampoo-and-conditioner combo has become one of my absolute staples. Its quality is unmatched, and every moment of applying this product screams salon luxury. It provides a thorough clean and deep-conditioning, smells amazing, and brightens my blonde almost instantly. As someone who has been actively trying to delay my highlights appointments, I can visibly see this product extending the life of my color over time.” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of commerce audience and analytics
More to know
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- Key ingredients: soybean oil and stearic acid
- Who it’s for: those with color-treated hair
- Size: 13.5 oz
- Sulfate-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between drugstore shampoo and higher-end shampoo?
Drugstore shampoos and their higher-end salon counterparts share the same core goal—to clean your hair—but key differences explain the price gap.
AJ Addae, a Los Angeles-based cosmetic chemist, told Allure that pricier shampoos—especially sulfate-free ones—often use higher-quality coconut oil-derived cleansing agents like cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium cocoyl isethionate. Cost also comes down to sensory elements like foam promoters, fragrance, and active ingredient delivery. "Lower-priced shampoos tend to either skip on fancy actives or utilize surfactants like sulfates, which are both a surfactant and a foam booster, to save on costs," Addae explained.
Chicago-based cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowsk adds that drugstore shampoos often prioritize instant results over long-term benefits like bond-building because quick gratification keeps customers coming back.
Are silicones bad for your hair?
According to Allure's previous reporting, silicones aren't the boogeyman they're often made out to be. On The Science of Beauty podcast, Romanowski explained that silicones create a film on strands but shouldn't be mistaken for a clogging, "occlusive sheath," noting that it’s " a huge exaggeration." Plus, silicones are already in many of your favorite hair oils—even the ones often perceived as "clean." "Most natural oils have the consistency of olive oil," Romanowski explained, adding that it's silicones that give these products the texture and styling benefits customers love.
How should I choose a drugstore shampoo?
You should choose a drugstore shampoo like you’d pick any other: based on your hair concerns and goals. While drugstore options may be less expensive and slightly less sophisticated, they still offer a variety of targeted formulas. Sensitive scalps should reach for gentle, soothing options; curly hair thrives with curl-specific formulas; dry strands need hydration-focused shampoos, etc. If your skin is particular about ingredients, check in with your board-certified dermatologist to determine what to prioritize and what to avoid.
Meet the experts
- AJ Addae, a Los Angeles-based cosmetic chemist and CEO of Sula Labs
- Marc Ballance, a New York City-based hairstylist
- Perry Romanowski, a Chicago-based cosmetic chemist
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn't want to pick up a purple shampoo that's only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that's never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best drugstore shampoos, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists—who have all kinds of hair and hair goals. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
The Blurred-Lip Trend Is 2026’s Answer to 2016 Matte Lipstick
Collage: Ingrid Fowler; Source images: Courtesy of Violette_frSave this storySave this story
I have an ungodly amount of shiny lip products in my possession. I have oils, glosses, and treatments in every corner of my home and work desk. And while glossy lips have been my go-to, I’ve been feeling a little inundated and bored with them.
We’ve been a glossy society for the past few years as beauty brands resolve to drop more lip products than anyone actually needs. In 2026, though, it seems we’ve reached peak gloss fatigue because matte lips are on the rise—with a needed upgrade. Blurred lips are the latest trend making its way into feeds. It isn’t drying or restrictive (the way some of 2016’s matte lip looks were). Instead, it’s a soft, diffused flush of color.
The popularity of blurred lips is, in part, thanks to Chanel makeup artist Nina Park, who works with stars including Zöe Kravtiz, Emma Stone, and Kaia Gerber. Park is known for her dreamily soft glam makeup, and one element of her artistry that people can’t get enough of is the feathery lip she creates. It has that slightly bitten, lightly flushed look that’s matte but not dry.
She’s not the only makeup artist leaning toward mattes this year. Says Joseph Carillo, a makeup artist in New York City: “A blurred lip feels more emotional and lived-in. It’s the difference between candlelight and a ring light. And right now we need candlelight.”
Getty Images
While blurred lips are having a moment in the United States, it’s certainly not a new look—especially if you ask women in France and South Korea. Makeup artist and Violette founder, Violette Serrat, notes that blurred lips have long been a beauty staple for French women. She referred to the look as “bouche mordue” (which means bitten lips in French) in a TikTok video in 2024. In South Korea, you’ll find countless lip stains that, when wiped off, leave a subtle gradient of color.
The blurred lips that hit the red carpet recently aren't as effortless as they might appear. Makeup artists rely on a few techniques and tried-and-true products to achieve sultry, blurred lips that last from the carpet to the after-party.
Getty Images
The key is a blurry, yet slightly over-drawn lip line and an undone gradient of color that is most pigmented in the middle and sheers out toward the lip line. To avoid dryness, hydrate the lips with balm before doing the rest of your makeup and wipe a bit of it off when you’re ready to create your blurred lip. Carillo recommends Maybelline Baby Lips for its long-lasting moisture and subtle tint. The easiest method for the blurred effect is to “apply your lip color in the center and work it outward [with the applicator],” says Carillo. “Press the lips together, but stop before it looks fully blended. If it looks perfect, you’ve gone too far.”
Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes likes to first minimize the natural contour of the lip by buffing a small amount of concealer over the lips with a brush. She then reestablishes the shape of the lips by applying a dark lip liner and blurring it out with a small brush. She blends the pigment over the Cupid’s bow rather than following the shape. “The more you blend, the better it will be,” she says in a TikTok video. She then applies a buttery matte lipstick in the center and smacks her lips to disperse the color outward. As an optional last step, you can (very) softly outline your lips again with lip liner for definition.
If you’re a lip combo novice (or that all just sounds like too much work), thankfully, there are a handful of products made specifically to achieve a blurred-lip look in one swipe—no blending required. Violette_Fr Bisou Balm was created to replicate a feathery, just-been-kissed lip; Fwee Lip & Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot boasts a soft-focus finish when applied to the lips with your fingers; the Cloudtopia Cheek & Lip Blush Mousse is a pigmented mousse-like formula that’s airy to the touch and leaves the lips looking and feeling soft all day; and the Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint is a K-beauty lip stain that gives you the cloud treatment with weightless, soft matte color that lasts all day.
Next time you do a full face of makeup, but it feels a little lackluster, wipe off your gloss and throw on a blurred lip to add a natural yet sultry touch to your glam.
Shop Blurred-Lip Essentials
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Violette_FR
Bisou Balm Sheer Matte Lipstick in Bêtise
Violette_FR
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Rouge Allure Velvet Matte Lipstick
Chanel
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Sunnies Face
Sunnies Face Fluffmatte Lipstick in Baked
Sunnies Face
Save to wishlist
Cloudtopia Cheek and Lip Mousse
Amazon
Save to wishlist
fwee
Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot
Amazon
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Refy
Blur Liner in Opal
Sephora
Refy
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Makeup by Mario
Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil in Riche Mauve
Sephora
Save to wishlist
Sephora Collection Pro Lip Brush
Sephora
7 Piercings Everyone Will Be Getting in 2026—With Photos
Courtesy of @studs and @livebytheswordtattooSave this storySave this story
If 2026 is 2016 all over again, the spontaneous girl who’s been dormant in me for a decade couldn’t be more thrilled. I’ll set the scene: It’s a Wednesday evening on the Lower East Side, and my best friend, Rochelle, and I are leaving our favorite dive bar. As I pocket a pen on the way out, a neon-lit piercing studio catches Rochelle’s eye. She saunters in and asks for a lobe piercing. I follow her lead with a tragus piercing, channeling Evan Rachel Wood’s bravery in Thirteen.
Little did we know that Rochelle’s stacked earlobe and my tragus would still resonate a decade later, especially when paired with updated jewelry or a coordinating piercing. “With so many different metals and stones to choose from, it’s hard not to want everything pierced,” says Christine Swaim, a piercer at Oak & Poppy Tattoos and Piercings in Los Angeles. “The evolution of body jewelry has really changed the industry, and each piece gives clients freedom of expression.”
Regardless of your thoughts on the 2016 renaissance, piercing trends have continued to expand and evolve. Between the red carpet and your For You Page, there’s no shortage of inspiration if your 2016 self won’t shut up about getting a new piece. That’s why we turned to professional piercers for their takes on the hottest trends right now. The good news? There’s something for everyone to love, from delicate, barely there effects to dramatic throwbacks.
Double tragus
Double tragus (top)
Courtesy of @ninemoonspiercing
Double tragus (center-left piercing)
Courtesy of @lcpiercing
Riding the momentum from 2025’s stacked lobe trend, Starr Ellis, a piercer and the owner of New York City’s Nine Moons Piercing, says the stacked aesthetic will move to the tragus. “Clients are loving stacked studs in areas that aren’t just the earlobes, and a double tragus piercing is a fun way to do that if your anatomy is suited for it,” she says. “There needs to be enough of the small triangular or rhomboid structure in front of the ear canal (that’s your tragus) to be able to pierce and heal more than one stud.”
Incorporating mini hoops, which can be worn solo or stacked, is also a popular approach to styling your tragus, says Maria Tash, jewelry designer and founder of Maria Tash Fine Jewelry and Luxury Piercing in Los Angeles. “Clients often point out the small hoops many of our staff wear, which is an option they hadn’t previously considered, since most associate tragus piercings solely with studs,” she says.
Because the tragus area is prone to swelling, Tash recommends switching to a mini hoop once the piercing has fully healed, which can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months. “It is important to mention to your piercer that you want your tragus piercing designed to wear a small ring when it’s healed, as this request can shift how the piercer angles the depth of the piercing,” she adds.
Paired nostrils
Paired nostril piercings with chain (top, center)
Courtesy of @charlesfin
Paired nostril piercings (top, center)
Courtesy of @ccccaarly
If a nostril piercing is a way to flatter the shape of your nose and draw attention to your face, consider the paired nostril trend a full spotlight. “Nostril piercings allow for a surprising amount of creativity, from paired and double placements to elegant, stacked configurations,” Tash says. “It seems that today’s modern nose piercing sees the whole plane of cartilage as pierceable, not just the traditional small area halfway back on the side of the nostril.”
According to Swaim, paired nostril piercings—whether two piercings on one side or one piercing on each side of the nose—have become increasingly popular, with many clients opting for the ladder effect. “The ladder involves placing a stud on each side, with a chain laying across the bridge to connect them,” she says. Depending on the thickness of the chain you select, the result can be as delicate or dramatic as you’d like.
And it’s not just the Snapchat-age crowd opting for creative nostril placements. Tash says that stacked or paired nostril piercings have been a hit among all age groups. “We’ve recently seen a notable shift in who’s seeking this piercing, with more clients in their late 30s to late 40s embracing the look,” she explains. “While the typical demographic skews younger, these clients often arrive with a touch of hesitation, only to leave looking as though the piercing had always been a natural part of their features.”
Faux snug and rook
Faux snug (top piercing)
Courtesy of @kyliestabs
Faux rook (top piercing with chain)
Courtesy of Studs
Inspired to get a snug or rook piercing but don’t have the anatomy for the real deal? Look no further than the faux options, which are creatively placed piercings that give the look of a biblically accurate snug or rook. “They are much easier to heal and can be very instant gratification to look like a cute, curved barbell perfectly placed, or once fully healed, can be worn with chains or rings,” Ellis says.
Typically, a snug involves a piercing on the inner ridge of cartilage in your ear, while a rook is a piercing in the second-highest cartilage ridge of your ear (above the daith and tragus). The faux snug pairs a conch with a helix or double-helix piercing, while the faux rook is one piercing in the upper inner cartilage with a dangle or drop-style jewelry to mimic the look of a traditional rook piercing. “They deliver the look of an advanced, complex placement for clients who don’t have the anatomy or want to avoid a true snug or rook,” says Emmy Zobitz, senior merchandising manager at Studs.
Jewelry sizing and placement need to be super-precise to emulate the illusion of a true rook or snug. For a faux snug, in particular, you’ll be healing two separate piercings as opposed to one, so make time to practice proper aftercare and cleaning. Says Zobitz, “If you want to add a bold, balanced, mid-ear adornment, these are great options.”
Snakebite helix
Snakebite helix (top)
Courtesy of @charlesfin
Snakebite helix (top right, along the ridge of ear)
Courtesy of @studs
No, we’re not talking about the snakebite lip piercings that dominated the indie sleaze era. According to Zobitz, the snakebite aesthetic at Studs involves two delicate piercings placed side by side on the ear, and clients have been asking for snakebite helix piercings to add to their earscapes. “It makes a statement right where most of your ear’s real estate is and allows you to get truly creative with jewelry,” she says. “With so much space along the helix, you can tailor the look to your style, whether you keep it minimal on the outer edge or move inward to take up more room on the flat with matching studs or contrasting shapes.”
Similar to the faux snug piercing, a snakebite helix will require healing two cartilage piercings at the same time, so keep in mind the aftercare process, and lifestyle factors that could impact healing (like which side you sleep on or use of over-the-ear headphones).
Classic '90s placements
Perhaps driven by the current ’90s and ’00s pop-culture renaissance—and all the cool, famous girlies on TikTok declaring the return of all things Y2K—belly-button rings and tongue piercings are embarking on their own comeback tour.
Classic navel ring
Courtesy of @velvetelvispiercing
Classic navel ring on Beyoncé
Getty Images
“Navel piercings usually consist of a curved barbell, with or without gems, going through the upper ‘lip’ or ridge of the navel, with the top ball or gem sitting above and the bottom resting inside the navel itself,” says Swaim. “I’ve also been seeing tongue piercings with a straight barbell that goes vertically through the tongue near the center, with one ball resting on the surface and the other sitting underneath.”
Classic tongue piercing
Courtesy of @livebytheswordtattoo
Those of us of a certain Spotify-listening age may already have an existing piercing from the era, but if you’re getting your belly button pierced for the first time, keep in mind the healing process: Because of its location on the body and factors like movement and contact with clothing, your piercing can take anywhere from three to six months to fully heal. A tongue piercing can take from four to six weeks to heal, says Swaim.
Floating navel
Floating navel
Courtesy of @birthrightadornment
Floating navel
Courtesy of @ninemoonspiercing
And while we’re on the topic of belly-button rings, Ellis has seen a definite uptick in floating navel piercings, which primarily showcase the top end of the jewelry to create the appearance of a gem or charm positioned just above your belly button. “It’s a great option for a very unique, nontraditional navel piercing, and can also help cover or distract from previous navel piercing scarring,” she says. “The look of a simple, larger, or more elegant decorative end above the navel is definitely increasing in popularity.”
In lieu of the traditional belly-button piercing, which features a dual-ended and curved barbell, floating pieces of navel jewelry have the decorative piece placed at the top end of the barbell, while the bottom portion is held in place with a small ball or disc that sits inside the navel. It’s a minimalist take on the trend that can align with a more delicate aesthetic. Just make sure to get an anatomy check beforehand to ensure you’re a good candidate for it.
Hidden helix and rook
Hidden helix
Courtesy of @piercingsbymakenna
Hidden rook (top piercing with chain)
Courtesy of @burymein.gold
The hidden helix (just under the upper ridge at the top of the ear) and the rook are strategically placed so that the piercing holes are concealed on the underside of each respective cartilage fold. The finished result is as visually stunning as it is interesting—almost as if you have tiny chandeliers suspended from each area. “The idea was for jewelry or light to emerge from behind and underneath a fold of cartilage,” says Tash, who patented each placement in her studio as the Tash Helix and the Tash Hidden Rook, with specific jewelry designs to match. “I wanted to create a look where clients wonder, How does that work?”
Having enough cartilage to conceal the exact areas where the piercing is placed is key. “We look for anatomy that has a prominent fold of the helix or rook to conceal the mechanism of the piece,” she says. “We can also use our smaller, threaded-charm designs when a client doesn't have a large fold to achieve this effect.” Between the two, Tash notes, the hidden helix is the more popular placement, though we love the idea of stacking both for a decorated finish.
Meet the experts
- Starr Ellis is a piercer and the owner of Nine Moons Piercing in New York City.
- Christine Swaim is a piercer at Oak & Poppy Tattoos and Piercings in Los Angeles.
- Maria Tash is a jewelry designer and the founder of Maria Tash Fine Jewelry and Luxury Piercing in Los Angeles.
- Emmy Zobitz is the senior merchandising manager at Studs.