Different Types of Lip Piercings

The labret lip piercing is the OG of popular lip piercings, and for very good reason. It’s a lip piercing in the middle, just below the centre of the lower lip. This one is the ideal starting point if you're dipping your toes into lip piercing for the first time (although it’s always a classic choice for seasoned piercers too).

As for adorning the simple and highly versatile labret lip piercing, it might be the novice’s choice. But the sky’s the limit in terms of prettifying this standard yet always savage piercing:

Labret lip piercing jewellery - Labret studs, seamless rings, ball closure rings and other lip ring types are excellent choices. 

And if you're feeling extra rebellious? Pair your labret lip piercing with different types of piercings like snake bites (more on that later) for a totally personalised look.

If the classic labret feels a little too safe for your taste, the side labret is its off-centre badass sibling. Rather than a lip piercing in the middle, the side labret sits just to the left or right of centre, for an edgy yet understated look.

Otherwise, there’s no difference from a perfectly centred labret. Just its spot under your lower lip.

The vertical labret might be for you if you’re leaning towards out of the ordinary, different types of lip piercings.

What makes it distinct? It’s one of the few types of lip piercings that pass vertically through the lower lip, with the jewellery visible on both the top and bottom of the lip.

In terms of other things you should know:

Vertical labret lip piercing jewellery - Curved barbells are the standard here, because they fit the vertical shape perfectly.

No wonder the vertical labret is on the rise. It’s a wicked look, standing out from the more common horizontal placements. Plus, the fact the jewellery doesn't touch the inside of your mouth is a massive bonus for healing and comfort.

If you’re wondering where this starstruck lip piercing name comes from, the answer is simple.

The Monroe piercing is named after the iconic blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe because it mimics her signature beauty spot. It’s pure glam with a punk edge, on the right side of your upper lip rather than a lip piercing in the middle.

As for the ‘what to wear’ lowdown:

Monroe lip piercing jewellery - Studs or bones are the usual go-to. Keep it simple. Or try a sparkling gemstone to amp up the drama.

Who’d have thought there are different types of lip piercings to channel your inner Marilyn? Well, now you know.

Feeling more Madonna than Marilyn? No surprises then that there’s different types of lip piercings to flip the script. And this is a piercing you’ll want to seriously consider, whether you’re a fan of the Queen of Pop, or asymmetry appeals to your sense of style.

Like the Monroe, the Madonna isn’t a lip piercing in the middle. Instead, it sits above the upper lip on the left side, whereas the Monroe sits on the right.

Like their namesake, these edgy types of lip piercings are bold, majestic, and never out of style. Perfect when you’re looking to make a chic yet defiant statement.

The Medusa, on the other hand, is a lip piercing in the middle, unlike the Monroe to the left and the Madonna to the right. So, it’s a winner if you love balance. And it also does the trick if you want to be the centre of attention.

This compelling piercing is positioned in the philtrum (the little groove above the upper lip you might know as the Cupid’s bow).

The Medusa’s spellbinding appearance signposts the story behind its lip piercing name, giving a nod to one of the three Gorgons in Greek mythology. She had living snakes instead of hair, and anyone who’s gaze alighted on her was turned to stone!

Medusa lip piercing jewellery – Studs and bones suit the Medusa, just like they work for the Monroe and Madonna. Beyond that, gems or unique shapes add further frisson.

In short, it’s audacious, it’s perfectly symmetrical, and it’s sure to grab attention, especially if you pair it with different types of lip piercings or nose piercings.

Let’s flip out again. We’ve already done it with the Monroe and Madonna lip piercings. Now, it’s the Medusa’s turn to be flipped. Enter its avant-garde counterpart, the jestrum piercing.

Essentially, the jestrum is also a lip piercing in the middle. But this time, it’s like an upside-down vertical labret lip piercing through the upper lip, exiting at the centre of the philtrum.

Jestrum lip piercing jewellery – Curved barbells are the only way to go, with the ball ends playing peek-a-boo under and on top of your Cupid’s bow, creating a double-dot effect.

To be clear, this eye-catching piercing is all about the aesthetic. For this reason, it needs to be perfectly centred for maximum impact. Get it right, and it’s a true work of art when you’re keen to express your inner creativity in an outward gesture.

On the lookout for different types of lip piercings to takes things up a notch or 10? The Ashley lip piercing might tick all your boxes.

Also known as inverse vertical labret, this placement has a unique look created by a lip piercing in the middle of the lower lip. The jewellery exits inside the mouth. So, what does this mean in terms of what you can wear in these gutsy types of lip piercings?

Ashley lip piercing jewellery - Studs and bones are your NBFs for fresh Ashley piercings. But you can experiment with decorative ends once your piercing’s healed.

Wondering about its lip piercing name? There doesn’t seem to be any celebrity influence at play this time. But it’s assumed the piercing was named after the person who invented it, suggesting Ashley was one cool mo fo!

Love symmetry but crave different types of lip piercings from the traditional labret? You’re in luck!

Snake bites are the sickest way to double the edge. The dual piercings on either side of your lower lip create a striking, fang-like aesthetic, explaining the lip piercing name. And they’re the ideal types of lip piercings to make a real ‘f**k you’ statement.

Plus, snake bites offer endless possibilities for mixing and matching jewellery types. A versatile, fun piercing option.

Want something a bit different but just as bold as snake bites? Enter dolphin bites - two closely set labrets below the lower lip. It’s a more understated but equally cool variation of double piercings.

Dolphin bites are less common than snake bites, which makes them stand out even more. Subtler. But still packing plenty of alternative punch.

If a ‘heaven meets punk’ aesthetic is your vibe, look no further than angel bites. Put simply, they’re basically the upper lip’s answer to snake bites. Two piercings are placed symmetrically on either side of the upper lip, giving a celestial but fierce appearance.

It’s a hybrid between Monroe and Madonna piercings, meaning you don’t have to choose between different types of lip piercings. Why would you, when you can combine both?

Spider bites piercings are an unruly twist on dolphin bites, featuring two closely spaced piercings beneath the lower lip, to either the left or right side.

This labret lip piercing is a fantastic choice if you like shark bites or cyber bites (which we’ll come on to shortly), but you’d prefer something more subtle and less rebellious.

The Dahlia piercing is also known by another lip piercing name - the Joker piercing. This is because it features two piercings at the corners of the mouth, creating a striking and some might say, unsettling clown-like look. On the other hand, it draws attention to the lips, making your smile even more radiant!

Although the origins of this lip piercing name are even creepier than the notorious Batman villain! It was inspired by the infamous Black Dahlia case, when an actress met a tragic and brutal end in the 1940s, with a smile gruesomely cut into her face.

The cyber bite is a double lip piercing combining two different types of lip piercings:

A medusa (above the upper lip)

A labret (below the lower lip)

The result is a defiant yet balanced look when you want more than a single piercing without the all-out drama of multiple popular lip piercings.

The shark bite is the MF of multiple types of lip piercings, featuring not two, not three, but four piercings! The two pairs of labret lip piercings on each side of the lower lip mimic the layered look of a shark’s teeth. It’s a seditionary, symmetrical style that’s often paired with other popular lip piercings and also septum piercings.

Jewellery-wise, you pretty much to choose between the entire spectrum of studs and lip ring types when you go for a bitten lip piercing, regardless of which. So, take your pick from:

• Studs - for a more subtle look
• Rings – for creating a fang-like appearance and enhancing that edgy vibe
• Gemstones - for added glitter and personality
• Circular barbells – for the ultimate standout statement

Ta-da! You’ve successfully made your way through our complete rundown of all the different types of lip piercings. And now, you’re equipped with the ‘need to know’ info to take your look from basic to badass.

As you can see, there’s a piercing for every personality, from a subtle side labret lip piercing to going all in with snake or Dahlia bites.

And bear in mind, with all the peculiar and popular lip piercings to choose from, there’s almost infinite customisation options. So don’t be afraid to mix and match, experiment with lip ring types, studs and barbells, and make your look your own.

Ready to get started? Head over to the Stretch It Body Jewellery website for everything you need to know about the piercing process, jewellery options, and expert aftercare tips. Your lips are ready for their moment. Are you?