Fashion does not stand still: it moves in a circle, elevating to the peak of the mainstream some of the jewelry and consigning to oblivion others. The fashion of earrings-cuffs is now really splashing, now it's fading. But this stylish jewelry has a real magic power: even in short periods of popularity fall it doesn't look outdated.
As a rule, kaffes are called earrings in the whole ear. But this is a somewhat simplified understanding of the relevant term: now it refers to a huge group of earrings and clips, decorating not only the lobe, but also the cartilaginous part of the ear. By the way, there are kaffes, which are small in size and completely distanced from the lobe. So much for the multifaceted decoration!
A bit of history
Don't think of kaffes as a piece of jewelry that appeared recently under the onslaught of a particular jewelry brand. The first kaffes found by archaeologists date back to the Bronze Age. By the way, they decorated themselves not only ladies, but also representatives of the stronger sex.
Throughout the history of mankind earrings were worn not only by women. And in Russia, they were originally a status jewelry for men who occupied a high position in society.
The ancestors of cuffs were found during excavations in the territories that once belonged to Ancient Hellas, Rome, Babylon. For many centuries and up to the present time they have been adorned by beautiful Hindus and Arab women. In Europe, the earrings of this type triumphantly announced themselves in the mid-twentieth century, and since then have not left the catwalks of high fashion.
What are kaffes?
There is a great variety of kaffa designs. Some are worn as clips, without piercing the ear, while others require piercings. Some of the most common types include:
- Clove and clip-on earrings. This is probably the most common and practical type of cuffs. At the bottom there is a pousset-nail, which fixes the decoration on the lobe, above it there is a clip, which fixes to the edge of the ear. There may be a pendant. Due to the two points of attachment such earrings sit most reliably and comfortably, even with a decent weight and external bulk.
- Single. Cuffs in the form of wide or narrow rings are fixed only at the edge of the auricle without piercing. Decoration is quite laconic, but very stylish. It can have small pendants, stones or decorative enamel.
See the whole collection of trendy gold jewelry at SUNLIGHT
- Wire. Before you is another kaffe that does not require piercing. They are made mainly by craftsmen from a thin strong wire. Decoration is quite delicate, easily deformable, but thanks to this, it can be "planted" on any ear.
- Cuffs - clips. The decorative frontal part of the kaffa is completed with a long clip on the back. Such jewelry can exist both as clips and as earrings. By the way, the latter can be worn and turned horizontally downwards - it will be no longer a kaffa, but quite elegant long earrings.
- With fastening at the back. At the back of the ear is a fastening ear-cup which leads the decorative elements forward and to the sides. The wishbone is absolutely invisible, which creates a fantastic visual effect.
- Under several holes. Cuffs with attachment in 2-3 holes look very elegant and sit on the ear more securely than others. Such jewelry is created mainly to order, as it requires precise fitting of the jewelry to the parameters of the ear.
Most kaffes exist as mono earrings, that is intended for decorating one ear. But there are also paired options, mostly not too big and flashy.
How to choose earrings-cuffs?
Cuff earrings are very stylish jewelry, rather demanding to other elements of the bow. The only exception is maybe laconic rings, which can be worn even with a business suit under the strictest dress code.
But the earring on the whole ear will add a defiant and provocative image. Young rebellious girls stylishly wear earrings with elements resembling guns, ladders, keys and other most unexpected objects. Interesting are earrings that are worn over the whole shell of the ear, in the form of wings a la "Harley Davidson" or all kinds of fantastic creatures.
Silver earrings in the catalog SUNLIGHT
Women who know their worth, you can recommend the earrings, imitating dragons. Snakes and lizards wrapped around the ears are a great option for a fun party. Full earlobe earrings with floral motifs and elegant butterflies, adorned with stones, are a more feminine and sophisticated option. It is ideal for a wedding outfit, when almost any girl wants to look delicate and romantic.
An interesting and unexpected option is the earrings-elves. There, the main part of decorations falls on the top part of the ear, making it piquantly pointed. And classic cuffs with chains (single and multiple) without big stones are more universal as they fit to any urban casual look. Lovers of jeans, leather, military subjects can recommend earrings with massive chains.
When choosing earrings you should consider the objective factors:
- Anthropometric parameters of the figure. For short chubby girls, full-ear kaffes are not too suitable - it is better to choose laconic and discreet models.
- The shape of the face. Earrings of this type visually broaden the face, therefore owners of such forms as "square", "rhombus" or "circle" need to choose the kaffes with pendants in order to balance the unwanted visual effect.
- Neck - It is necessary to take into consideration that the kaffes accentuate not only the ear but also the neck. If it is not distinguished by grace or has annoying signs of not at all a young age, it is better to choose other earrings.
- Presence of piercings. The absence of piercing in the lobe narrows the variety of choices. It is necessary to take into account that in these circumstances, it is better to choose light models, which will not slip from the ears at the most inappropriate moment because of their own considerable weight.
- Parameters of the ears. Cuffs are capable both to hide the disadvantages of the structure of the ears, and emphasize them. For example, with their help, you can hide poorly developed lobe. But for girls with protruding ears, kaffes are clearly contraindicated.
You never buy kaffes without trying them on, and it is much more difficult to find them than any other earrings. There are cases when a piece of jewelry is very beautiful, but it doesn't fit well on the ear, which means that it will either be quickly lost or will mercilessly squeeze the lobe and the concha.
Varieties of
Labrets have a standard external shape, but may differ in the diameter of the rod, bar, and twist.
The following table summarizes the main types of labret and their descriptions:
| Type of adornment | Feature |
| Standard labret. |
|
| Microlabret |
|
Labret in the ear (photos, as the product looks like in the piercing, presented below) can have different types of screws.
The main types of decorative part of the labret:
- tattoos Of metal (without stones) in the form of a ball, spike, symbol;
- cabachon - A flat polished stone without a facet;
- bazel - a stone rolled into metal;
- prong - crystal in a setting;
- rhinestone Flat-gem.
How to wear earrings
Correctly selected earrings-cuffs are attached to the ear without any problem. They don't squeeze the lobe and afterwards they are practically not felt when being worn. Kaffes stay on the ears sufficiently firmly and rarely slip out when they are changed.
Classic earrings are attached to the top of the ear with a soft metal clip and they fit like a glove. Some models are fixed along the central part of the ear, almost through the cartilage, up to the recess (they usually have a wider clip). It is putting on this clip-on that causes the most problems.
See all the earrings-cuffs in the catalog SUNLIGHT
Here is what we do:
- Stand in front of a mirror.
- Find the thinnest spot on the edge of your ear, and put the clip on.
- Hold the ear with one hand, jewelry - the other.
- Gently move the clip up or down until it hooks tightly into the cartilage (depending on the model).
- Fix the lower part of the earring in the hole in the lobe, if it is provided by the design of the jewelry.
Similarly put on the earrings-cuffs of classic design of all types, small rings and wire jewelry handmade.
Earrings with a parallel clip through the whole ear are put on at once in the piercing, because they have a one-piece construction. And models with a back shackle are first clung to the ear from above, right near the head, then held from behind and brought forward at the bottom near the lobe.
It is difficult to put earrings on correctly only the first time. Then everything goes much easier: many fashionistas successfully solve this problem every morning, sometimes not even really needing a mirror.
How long does an ear piercing heal?
The healing process of the piercing site in the area of the auricle depends on several things:
- the localization of the piercing;
- The number of piercings made at the same time;
- time of year;
- features of care for the wound after the procedure;
- The level of human immunity and the presence of diseases of the endocrine organs;
- qualifications of the master.
On average, needle puncture holes heal faster than wounds left by a gun. The epidermal recovery process lasts about three months, and sometimes it can take up to six months. All this time, a person must carefully care for the piercing to prevent its infection.
How to properly wear kaffes: style tips
If you lead an active lifestyle, it is better not to choose the kaffes as an everyday jewelry. They can slip off the ear while changing clothes, doing sports, in the pool, in all kinds of piquant situations when a woman no longer thinks about hair, makeup, jewelry and other "little things".
Cuffs are more in contact with the skin than other earrings, which means that they need to be cleaned more often. Be careful: in most cases, this is very delicate jewelry that can easily be damaged or deformed if cared for carelessly.
Gold earrings with cubic zirconia (go to the SUNLIGHT catalog).
It is correct to wear the kaffes (especially bulky ones) as jewelry for special occasions: for dates, friendly parties, presentations, concerts and other important events, to the theater, restaurant and so on. Very stylishly look kaffes on brides - probably there is no better earrings to add a special romantic flair to the image.
Despite the fact that cuffs are very diverse in design embodiments, you should take into account a few general points to create a harmonious look:
- Costume jewelry is more appropriate for the young and sassy. Older ladies are better to choose elegant jewelry made of silver and gold, with stones and pearls.
- For very young girls, you can recommend single rings and elegant jewelry made of wire, which will emphasize the freshness of the skin and the charm of a young face.
- Do you want the most universal option? Get chain kaffes without stones - they go with almost any image, except perhaps the blatantly sporty and military-inspired looks.
- Large kaffes are mostly worn as monoceriges. In the second ear you can insert an elegant stud, or you can leave it loose.
- Kaffes go well with upswept hairstyles and short haircuts. If you wear a monocuff with loose hair, it is advisable to remove the hair to the opposite side.
- If you have large earrings, it is advisable to make only one color accent on the face. This can be a bright lipstick or visually accented eyes, but not all together, otherwise the bow can become vulgar.
Where to buy
The first product for initial wear can be bought in a piercing salon. This will provide a guarantee of quality disinfection and proper conduct of the procedure. Salons with a reputation offer clients only quality certified products that meet safety requirements.
Labret in the ear (photos and characteristics of products made of different materials are presented further in the article) can be purchased:
- In specialized departments selling jewelry for piercings. Such departments, along with cheap products, also have a range of products made of quality materials.
- Online stores. Provide the widest selection of different types and sizes of labret, made of different materials.
- Jewelry stores offer jewelry made of precious metals. Such items are tampered with and exclude fakes.
When purchasing decorative items, it is recommended to avoid buying a poor quality product:
- Purchase items that are individually packaged.
- Before buying, familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's information, the composition of the material.
- Choose products of well-known brands.
- To avoid problems with skin irritation and allergies, try not to buy cheap products from Chinese manufacturers.
Tips for storage and care
Cuffs look very elegant and original: they are a face for almost every member of the fair sex. But it should be kept in mind that these earrings need a special careful treatment. You should not pull the jewelry off by force; it can easily be deformed. They should always be removed at night or before training.
For cleaning, it is better to use a soapy solution and minimize physical effort in principle. The nuances of care depend on the metals and stones used in the creation of jewelry.
Never keep your kaffes in a general jewelry box mixed up with other jewelry. Get a special holder divided into cells or a tree for jewelry. Wear your favorite kaffes for a long time and with pleasure!
Gold earrings with cubic zirconia and garnets (link to SUNLIGHT catalog) 16.02.21
How much does it cost to get my ears pierced?
The cost of ear piercing is not a fixed constant. It depends on a number of factors, among which the most important is the choice of location for manipulation, competence and reputation of the master, the type of piercing and the like.
The procedure is among the affordable operations that people of all income levels can afford.
