Since about age 14, I had noticed piercings and desperately wanted some. However, I wasn't sure what my mom would say, nor did I have the nerve to go get one. One piercing I especially noticed was the eyebrow. I thought this was a gorgeous piercing and really intensified and enhanced the face if it was done properly. I fell in love with it the first time I saw a ring and even more when I saw barbells.
At A Glance Author ripcord Contact ripcord@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Vanessa Studio Tat-a-Rama Location Etobicoke, ON One problem: throughout my life, I've ALWAYS been a pussy for pain. I avoid any activity that has the remote possibility of getting hurt and I am just now getting over that. I had finally gotten up the courage just before Christmas (December 22) to get my ear pierced - I was shaking all the way to the piercing place (Tat-a-Rama in Etobicoke, highly recommended ANYWHERE in Toronto - make the trip, you won't regret it), and after I got pierced by Vanessa (same one who pierced my eyebrow, but we'll get to that), I felt like a moron, because it hardly hurt at ALL. Vanessa was extremely helpful, holding my hand (figuratively) through the procedure and telling me what was going on, etc.
About a month later, the piercing craving came again (as it seems to do from experience with friends). I had always desired an eyebrow piercing, and dammit, I wasn't going to stop bitching till I got one. But I played it smart; I told my mom I wanted to get my tongue done (which I really didn't) but I "bargained" her down to the eyebrow (it's all about manipulation, people! :P) and was happy-as-hell that she grudgingly agreed. So off I went to make sure I got a left eyebrow piercing.
A new piercing place had opened in town on Queen St. (Lucky Devil) where my best friend had got her nipples pierced, and they were offering piercings for $30, while Tat-a-Rama's was still the usual $55 for what I wanted (16G barbell). However, I couldn't turn this price down and made an appointment for around January 20th-ish. I arrived there and quickly learned that they don't pierce with barbells. I should have just walked out then, but I was stubborn and wanted to get that piercing NOW. The whole establishment looked pretty shabby, but I didn't listen to my instincts. I went in back and got ready for the piercing. The ring looked a bit large to me and looked VERY similar to the one in my ear, but again I didn't listen to anything my mind was telling me. The whole procedure seemed very rushed, and when I had finished the piercing and put on my glasses, I was horrified; the piercing was almost half-covered by my glasses. Needless to say, I was not pleased. After deliberatin g, I decided to go get it taken out by Vanessa and come back for it at Tat-A-Rama. I found out they had pierced it in a very dangerous place for migration/rejection, and the ring they pierced it with was extremely cheap jewellery which could increase the chances for rejection and was 14G. So please, don't go to Lucky Devil, go to Tat-a-Rama and spend just $55 instead of the $85 I eventually shelled out.
A few weeks later, I gathered enough money together and made an Apt. for February 6th to get it re-pierced by Vanessa. I walked in, and we had a little chat while she got ready and while she did the procedure (I like that in a piercer, just taking the edge off). She was immaculate, and she explained that I would bleed this time because the piercing wasn't on the side of my face! :|. Anyway, it worked out beautifully, and she kept dabbing and cleaning my piercing until it didn't bleed anymore and I went on my way happy. I tipped her $5 and left an extremely happy person. The piercing bled a bit the first night, but it's been 3 days now and it doesn't hurt, sting, or bleed anymore. I've been cleaning it with anti-bacterial soap (Trisan) and keeping mine and my friends hands off it as much as possible. I think it's beautiful, and nothing anyone says is going to make me feel any differently. My mom didn't really say anything, but I know she really wouldn't be happy with any kind of mods I did. I don't know if I'll get any more piercings (because they can be over-done) but I'm thinking of getting my left tragus done to balance out my right ear piercing, but we'll see how that goes.
In short, cheaper is NOT better, and go to the ones you trust for the important stuff, because modification is not a laughing matter. And, of course, go to Tat-a-Rama if you're in the Toronto area.
Good luck with your modifications!
-Ripcord