The Different Types of Lip Rings

"Lip ring" is used loosely for any jewellery worn at a lip placement, studs as well as hoops. In practice, the lip range is mostly labret studs — the flat-backed stud is what most lip placements take — with a couple of hoop options alongside. The main types are the labret stud, the vertical labret, the horseshoe and the segment ring.

Most lip piercings take a 16g (1.2mm) gauge as standard, and the common lengths are 6mm, 8mm and 10mm. Length matters at the lip because the tissue has some thickness, so a piece that sits at the right length looks neat and keeps the back disc comfortable against the teeth and gums.

What is a labret stud?

A labret stud is the classic lip piece and the bulk of our lip range: a straight post with a flat disc at the back and a decorative front. The flat back sits inside the mouth against the gum, which is far more comfortable than a ball and kinder to the teeth. The front can be a plain disc, a CZ or opal stone, or a shaped top. Our labret studs are internally threaded (the front screws onto a smooth post) or threadless push-pin (the front pushes in and is held by tension), and they come in silver, gold and black titanium.

Internally threaded or threadless?

Labret studs come two ways, and it is worth knowing which you are buying. An internally threaded stud has the front screw onto a smooth post, so it holds securely and you can re-top the same post with different fronts. A threadless (push-pin) stud has the front push into a hollow post, held by tension — there is nothing to screw, so it is quicker to change. Both put a smooth bar against the piercing; the choice is whether you prefer the hold of a thread or the speed of a push-fit.

What is a vertical labret?

A vertical labret uses a curved barbell that passes up through the lip so both ends show, one above the other, rather than sitting with a hidden back. It gives a different look to a standard labret stud — two visible ends instead of one — and we stock vertical labrets with plain and decorative tops. It is a style as much as a placement, and one of the more popular lip looks.

What is a horseshoe?

A horseshoe is a circular barbell: a curved bar, open at the front, with an end screwed onto each side. It looks like a hoop that does not quite meet, and the two ends sit either side of the gap. Horseshoes are quick to change because the ends unscrew, and the open shape gives the hoop look without a closed ring. They are the main ring-style option in the lip range and work well at the labret and at paired bites.

What is a segment ring?

A segment ring is the closed-hoop option: a ring with a small removable segment that clicks out to fit, then sits back in to leave a smooth, continuous circle. It gives a cleaner, more minimal hoop than a horseshoe because there is no visible ball — just an even circle. We stock segment rings in silver, gold, black PVD and rainbow-anodised titanium.

Which lip placements take which jewellery?

The placement often decides the jewellery. A labret (centre, below the bottom lip) and a Monroe or Madonna (upper lip, off to one side, like a beauty spot) are single-point piercings worn with a labret stud. Snake bites and spider bites are paired piercings that take studs or small hoops. A vertical labret uses a curved barbell so both ends show. As a rule, single-point placements suit a flat-back stud, while placements at the lip edge can carry a horseshoe or segment ring.

Which material should a lip ring be?

All our lip jewellery is ASTM F136 titanium — implant-grade, hypoallergenic and well suited to sensitive skin. Because lip jewellery sits against the gums and teeth, a light, smooth material is worth having, and titanium is both. It comes in silver, gold, black and anodised finishes.

How do I choose a lip ring?

Decide first whether you want a stud or a hoop: a labret stud sits flat and discreet, a vertical labret shows two ends, and a horseshoe or segment ring gives the hoop look. Then check your gauge (16g for most lip piercings) and the length that fits your placement — 6mm, 8mm and 10mm are the usual choices. After that it is down to the front: plain, a CZ or opal stone, or a shaped top.

See the full range in our lip piercing jewellery collection, or go straight to labret studs for the flat-back style.