I always go to "Clairs" which is a nationwide chain in most malls. They are a small boutique that specializes in earrings, and other costume jewelry and some limited gold plated and silver jewelry. They are very professional and when I had the second hole put in my ears recently, they were again top notch. Peircing is free with purchase of peircing earring studs.
The good news is that almost every mall in the US seems to have one.
My husband got his ears pierced a year ago at a Claires. The gal was very nice, although I think surprised that a 52 year old man was getting both ears pierced. What could she say though? As long as your paying it should not be a problem.
He took alot of flack for a couple of weeks, but now hardly anyone says a word, sometimes one of the ladies in the office will comment that they like his earrings. He wears studs of different colors every day and flashy dangly ones when he is home and the kids are gone.
We have Claires in England too, though it's normally packed full with little girls spending their pocket money...a Saturday would probably best be avoided!
Is ear piercing so easy someone can't mess up? Like I would want my ears to be pierced dead center (earlobe). I see where some people have it very low. I haven't seen it too high.
Beauty, when I got my ears pierced (many years ago) I went to a Piercing Pagoda in a small mall. They are usually located in the mddle of the walkways. I think it was soon after the mall opened on a weekday as I don't remember many people around. The girl working there made a mark on my earlobe pretty much dead-center and asked if that was where I wanted it done. Then it was just load the gun, put it at my ear and shoot. Hardly more than a pin prick.
Just realize that if it is done in a mall, there may be people around to watch.
I know that in one mall, when I walk by the Claire's, I sometimes see an ear piercing in progress because it's done in the front part of the store, easily visible to people passing by.
I also was in the jewelery dept of a Walmart getting a band for my boy watch, then waiting my turn with the watch band installer, and saw a girl getting her ears pierced by that same person.
There is a Claires at Fair Oaks & Potomac Mills that I know of. My family loves the place although they went to Piercing Pagoda to get their ears done. I tried to convince them that Dad needed his ears done too but all I got were the bills.
I went to another mall with my wife last Saturday and noticed there that what looked like the piercing chair for Claire's was in the very entrance, in full view of everyone passing by.
What a choice - the entrance to Claire's preteenybopper land or the Piercing Pagoda in a center island. I need that like I'd need another hole in my head (sorry, I couldn't resist that)
I just don't know. Sorry
Get the girls at the TGEA meeting to drag you to a reputable piercer and think of me when you get them done.
(sorry, I couldn't resist that)