Let’s be real: we’ve all had that moment. You’re scrolling through Florence Pugh’s latest red carpet slay or staring at FKA Twigs’ ethereal symmetry, and suddenly, your own face feels… a little naked. You want that edge. You want that “I might be a high-fashion model, or I might be able to hot-wire a car” energy. Naturally, your mind drifts toward the septum piercing. It’s the ultimate cool-girl accessory that says you have a high pain tolerance and even higher standards.
But before you rush to the nearest studio with a screenshot of Bella Hadid, we need to have a heart-to-heart. Because while a septum nose piercing looks like a million bucks under the flickering lights of a Soho club, the process of getting there involves a needle, some cartilage-adjacent drama, and a very real possibility of you crying in front of a stranger named Spike.
If you think a piercer is just going to go rogue on your nostrils, breathe. There is a method to the madness. The goal is the “sweet spot”—that thin, fleshy bit of skin located right between the hard cartilage of your nose tip and the thicker bottom part of your nose.
If your piercer hits the sweet spot, you’re golden. It’s quick, it’s clean, and the pain is more of a “sharp pinch and a watery eye” than a “life-altering trauma.” However, if they miss and hit the cartilage? Well, let’s just say you’ll hear a crunch that will haunt your dreams, and the pain will be less “Vogue” and more “slammed my face in a car door.” This is why we don’t do DIY bathroom piercings, babes. Leave the needles to the professionals and the safety pins for your punk-rock denim jackets.
The million-dollar question: how much is this going to suck? On a scale of “plucking a stray eyebrow hair” to “walking in 6-inch stilettos for eight hours,” a septum piercing usually sits at a solid 4 or 5.
Most people describe the sensation as a sharp, hot sting that lasts for about two seconds. Your eyes will almost certainly leak—not because you’re sobbing over your life choices (though, valid), but because of the nerve endings in your nose. It’s a biological reflex. You’ll look like you’re having a moment, but really, your body is just confused about why a piece of surgical steel is suddenly a permanent resident.
Vogue Vocal Tip: If you have a deviated septum, talk to your piercer first. Symmetry is the goal, but your internal architecture might have other plans. A crooked piercing is a fashion crime we simply cannot overlook.
Congratulations, you’re now 10% more intimidating. Now comes the fun part: the healing process. Unlike a lobe piercing that you can basically ignore, the septum nose piercing requires a bit of “TLC” (Tough Love and Cleaning).
For the first few weeks, your nose is going to feel tender. You’ll realize exactly how often you bump your face during the day. Putting on a turtleneck? Dangerous. Blowing your nose? A delicate art form. Kissing? Proceed with caution, unless you want to get hitched—literally—to your partner’s face.
You’ll need to mist it with saline solution twice a day. Do not, under any circumstances, use harsh soaps, alcohol, or that random ointment your grandma swears by. We want a chic, healed look, not a crusty, inflamed situation that looks like a botched TikTok filter.
The absolute best thing about the septum piercing—and why it’s the darling of the corporate-by-day, rave-by-night crowd—is the “stealth mode.” If you use a horseshoe-shaped circular barbell, you can literally flip that bad boy up into your nostrils and hide it.
Having a brunch with your conservative aunt who thinks tattoos are “a cry for help”? Flip it up. Going into a job interview where “edgy” isn’t on the memo? Flip it up. It’s the only piercing that lets you live a double life without the commitment of a wig and a fake passport. Just make sure you don’t flip it too much during the healing phase; let the tissue settle before you start playing hide-and-seek with your jewelry.
Once you’re healed (usually 2 to 3 months, if you’re a good girl), the world is your oyster. Or your jewelry box.
Always stick to high-quality materials like implant-grade titanium or 14k gold. Nickel is for cheap belts, not for the inside of your face. If you go cheap on the metal, your nose will turn a shade of green that definitely wasn’t on the Pantone trend report this year.
Is the septum piercing still “in”? Please. Fashion icons from Rihanna to Zoë Kravitz have proven that this look transcends “trends”—it’s a staple. It frames the face, highlights your cupid’s bow, and gives you an instant boost of confidence.
Yes, it stings. Yes, you might sneeze on your piercer. And yes, you’ll spend three weeks cleaning crusties out of your nose like a glamorous archeologist. But when you catch your reflection in a store window and see that flash of gold or silver? You’ll realize that a little bit of temporary pain is a very small price to pay for looking this iconic.
Just remember: if you’re going to do it, do it right. Find a reputable piercer, buy the good saline, and for the love of all things holy, don’t touch it with dirty hands. Your face is a temple—decorate it like one.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go book an appointment. My nose feels suspiciously empty, and I’ve got a reputation to uphold.
Good taste never goes out of style! Mehreen Hassan at Vogue Vocal is as vocal about all time tried and tested beauty secrets as it can get! The real deal behind a well put together look is the confidence that glows and shines from within! Mehreen is your beauty guru with the nature’s secrets, DIY skincare, and all the trending Beauty products! Let’s learn the dos and don’ts of a skincare routine and let your beautiful personality shine through!
