I'd wanted to have my nose pierced for ages, and the fact that I'd just got a new job in a career I'd always wanted to be in seemed the perfect reason to do it. It marked the beginning of something new. I've changed a lot over the past few months, and become more confident in myself. I'd wanted to have a piercing done for so long but I think I was worried about what other people would think...now I realise that it doesn't matter as long as I'm happy with what I'm doing. It would be a celebration that I was finally doing what I wanted, and it would mark the occasion well.
At A Glance Author Emsy Contact Emsy@bme.anon When It just happened Studio Alzone Tattoo Location Gloucester, UK There's a tattoo place round the corner from my flat, so last week I went in to ask about it and booked myself in for today. During the week I'd been watching piercing videos on YouTube to get an idea of what they'd do, and chatting to friends online to get some idea of what it would be like. I felt like I needed a good knowledge of what was going to happen so once I got in there I knew exactly what to expect and I wouldn't be nervous. I'm really glad I did do my research as well, as I learned a lot about the piercing guns vs. needles issue, and was actually quite appalled to find that some people have their noses done with an ear piercing gun...hence why I was so glad I chose a proper piercer to do mine!
And then this afternoon I went for it. I'd seen loads of different ways it could be done - all with a needle but some used a receiving tube, some shoved a cork up there! Some were done on a seat, some lying down. It's the little details like that that made me feel more comfortable - I knew what to expect and what might happen. I didn't feel nervous before I went into the room but my heart was racing a bit! My partner stayed outside the piercing room looking at pictures of tattoos - perhaps he didn't really want to watch me having a needle shoved through my nose. I sat on the bench to have it done, and the guy marked a small dot on my left nostril (I chose the left because it means I have the same number of piercings on each side of my face, and it's the traditional side to have it done - apparently it means childbirth is less painful!!). When he put the dot on I thought that it was too far forward, but when I looked in the mirror it was in the perfect place. He got out the jewellery (I chose a small purple stud) and the needle, and took my nostril between the clamps which felt a little weird but wasn't too bad. And he told me to close my eyes.
It did hurt, I'd be lying if I said it didn't. But what I did like was that he just got on and did it, rather than counting down or getting all geared up for it, just rammed that needle straight through! It was a very sharp pain (duh!) and it did make me scrunch my face up. I kept my eyes shut until he pulled the stud through and removed the needle - it felt like I'd been punched hard in the nose! I looked in the mirror and it looked fine, and I told the bloke it felt like my nose was bleeding - he checked and it wasn't. I think what I appreciated the most was that it didn't swell or look sore - you can't tell that I've just had the piercing done. I did feel a little shaky for about 15 minutes afterwards though - probably just the adrenaline from having a needle shoved through your nose!!
Plus, I got what pretty much everyone does which is that watering out of one eye. I think it's the connection between your nose and your sinuses, but my left eye watered like hell!
I asked him a couple of questions about aftercare which he was really helpful about, and that was it! That was about three and a half hours ago, and the punched-in-the-nose feeling has gone, it just feels rather tender. I am so glad I got it done, it look really really pretty and although it was painful for about 30 seconds, it was totally worth it. It's got a lot of personal meaning to me, having this piercing done, and I don't regret having it done for a moment. I'm really glad I chose a professional piercer to do it, I could tell they knew exactly what they were doing and had done it so many times before. Plus it was so quick - I was in and out of there in about five minutes. And I love my new piercing!