Style Notes with Tamila: Ten Tips to Level Up Your Ear Styling

Style Notes with Tamila: Ten Tips to Level Up Your Ear Styling

Our fine piercing team specialise in refined styling and technical precision, approaching each ear with intention and expertise. Rather than adhering to traditional notions of symmetry, we celebrate the individuality of every ear, working with its distinct contours and natural structure. Drawing on our collection of fine earrings and piercing jewellery, we create cohesive compositions that enhance natural form and feel elevated and artful.

Curating your signature Ear Alchemy is a personal process shaped by style and intention. Join Tamila Purvis, Head of Ear Alchemy, as she shares her expert approach to refined ear styling.

1. FORM FIRST

No two ears are the same, and effective styling begins by responding to natural form. Rather than following a fixed formula, piercings and jewellery are used to highlight proportion and balance.

“Every ear has its own structure,” says Tamila. “The key is working with the space you have and enhancing it intentionally.” Generous lobes lend themselves to multiple piercings, with linear arrangements offering a timeless look and stacked placements providing a more modern alternative.

SHOP THE LOOK

2. THE POINT OF FOCUS

A single, well-placed piece can anchor the entire ear. “Choosing a standout design in a strategic position naturally draws the eye,” says Tamila. “Surrounding it with more understated styles creates balance and allows the focal piece to shine.”

A statement in the conch creates a natural focal point at the centre of the ear, following its curve to add presence. More delicate styles along the outer ear provide balance. For those not ready to commit to a piercing, an ear cuff offers a refined alternative.

SHOP THE LOOK

3. EMBRACE REPETITION

Repeating a single style or motif can bring clarity and rhythm to an ear composition. “Using the same design more than once creates a sense of cohesion,” explains Tamila. “It’s about spacing each piece carefully so the ear feels balanced rather than uniform.”

Distinctive motifs lend themselves especially well to this approach. A sculptural design such as the Urchin Cartilage Earring (pictured) can be echoed across multiple placements, introducing continuity while preserving character.

SHOP THE LOOK

4. LET COLOUR LEAD

Complimentary colour pops add depth, contrast, and individuality. Layered tones such as emerald and green tourmaline introduce dimension, transforming classic styling into a signature Ear Alchemy statement.

“Colour has the ability to shift the entire composition,” says Tamila. “When stones are chosen thoughtfully, they bring personality and movement to the ear without overpowering it.” The result is a look that feels expressive, refined, and distinctly personal.

SHOP THE LOOK

5. THE CONSTELLATION EFFECT

A constellation of diamonds brings light and movement to the ear. Asymmetric designs create dimension and the illusion of additional piercings, bringing balance and effortless sophistication to any composition. 

“I often use fine diamond details to build a constellation across the ear,” says Tamila. “Pieces like the Gossamer (pictured) are perfect for adding depth and sparkle while keeping the finish refined and cohesive.”

SHOP THE LOOK

6. COOL CONTRAST

A distinctive ear composition is shaped through contrast. Pairing unexpected shapes and sculptural motifs with elegant diamond and emerald statement pieces creates a look that feels personal and intentional. The interplay between refined stones and expressive forms adds depth, allowing each element to stand apart while remaining balanced.

“Your signature comes from mixing the unexpected with the timeless,” says Tamila. “That contrast is what makes an ear feel truly individual.”

SHOP THE LOOK

7. CASCADING SILHOUETTES

Adding movement to an ear composition creates dimension and visual interest. “I think of moving pieces as a way to soften the structure of the ear,” explains Tamila. “They bring fluidity and change the way jewellery sits and feels over time.”

To keep the look refined, allow one piece with movement to take focus and compliment it with simpler studs or hoops. Building on this, combining different silhouettes introduces depth, while multiple pieces with cascading details create a more expressive, light-catching arrangement.

SHOP THE LOOK

8. DIAMONDS FOR EVERMORE

Diamonds remain a timeless foundation in ear styling, offering light, versatility, and lasting appeal. “An ear styled entirely in diamonds always feels considered,” says Tamila.

Designed to bring focus to form, the Suspense Cartilage Earrings lend themselves to a diamond-forward composition. Set in a mix of diamond shapes in a pared-back setting, they appear to sit lightly along the ear, creating a look that feels refined yet impactful.

9. WHEN LESS IS MORE

A considered ear doesn’t need to feel full to feel complete. When styling fewer piercings or leaning into a subtler look, negative space becomes part of the design, allowing each piece to stand on its own.

As Tamila explains, “When you give pieces room to breathe, they take on a different kind of presence. A single, unexpected detail can say more than a layered combination.”

Look for refined designs with a subtle point of difference. Styles like the Sea Star Earring (pictured) introduce texture through natural pavé diamonds. Playful yet refined, it brings depth without overwhelming the ear.

SHOP THE LOOK

10. REWRITE THE RULES

Ear styling doesn’t have to follow a formula. The most compelling combinations often come from instinct, not structure, allowing personality to shape the final look.

As Tamila puts it, “There’s no right or wrong way to style your ear. When you stop thinking in terms of rules, the result feels more expressive and distinctly your own.”

Start by bringing together pieces that wouldn’t traditionally be paired. Contrast shapes, scales, and motifs, and experiment with how they sit across different parts of the ear. The goal is simple: have fun with it.

SHOP THE LOOK

EAR ALCHEMY EAR STYLING: BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Crafting your unique Ear Alchemy is an exciting personal journey; a testament to your style and individuality, and a celebration of your unique ear anatomy.

Through an immersive experience, our complimentary Ear Alchemy Styling Appointment is the ultimate discovery session to explore ear styling as a form of self-expression and browse our extensive range of stud earrings, hoops and piercing jewellery.

Each appointment is tailored to you, with expert advice and personalised guidance from our dedicated piercing team, including piercing placements, creative compositions and jewellery combinations based on your distinctive ear anatomy.

Book your Ear Alchemy Styling appointment with SARAH & SEBASTIAN today.

BOOK NOW

Featured
Urchin Cartilage Earring
Urchin Cartilage Earring
Divers Earrings
Divers Earrings
Diamond Verdigris Hoops
Diamond Verdigris Hoops

Recommended

A Memory Made to Last: SARAH & SEBASTIAN’s Elevated Approach to Piercings for Children and Teens
Experience

A Memory Made to Last: SARAH & SEBASTIAN’s Elevated Approach to Piercings for Children and Teens

A first piercing marks more than a moment, It becomes a lasting memory. An act of bravery, a spark of identity, a beginning. At SARAH & SEBASTIAN, this rite of passage is met with warmth, precision and uncompromising care. Piercings take place in our state-of-the-art Piercing Labs, using single-use sterile needles and jewellery crafted in solid 18-karat gold or platinum. These materials are chosen for their purity, comfort and compatibility with sensitive skin. It’s not simply a service, but a moment shaped by care from beginning to end. FOR CHILDREN Now welcoming children aged five and up, SARAH & SEBASTIAN’s Ear Alchemy experience is designed to feel calm, thoughtful and memorable. Each appointment is led by an expert piercer bringing clarity, warmth and a steady hand. A calm and connected moment — parents are encouraged to stay close, to ask freely, and to share in their child’s excitement. Prices for our recommended piercing jewellery begin at $260. For our younger clients, slightly larger styles are often the most suitable, offering greater stability for day-to-day movement while supporting safe healing. Our piercing service starts from $45 per ear lobe which includes your sterile saline aftercare spray, complimentary followup appointments and first downsize. To mark the occasion, each young client receives a Certificate of Achievement, along with their choice of an ocean-inspired sticker — thoughtful mementos to celebrate a moment they’ll remember for years to come. FOR TEENS As personal style matures, so too does the piercing experience. For teens, Ear Alchemy offers an introduction to self-expression that is refined, considered and tailored to the individual. Each appointment is thoughtfully composed and led by a piercer who pairs technical precision with a curatorial eye. Placements and jewellery are selected to suit anatomy, personality and lifestyle, with the same level of detail trusted by our adult clientele. AFTERCARE  The Ear Alchemy experience extends beyond the appointment, with dedicated aftercare to support safe and confident healing. Each client is offered a complimentary follow-up within four to eight weeks. During this appointment, healing is reviewed and the jewellery post professionally downsized. A clinical-grade Aftercare Guide is provided, with clear, considered steps for comfort and hygiene. Clients also receive a complimentary aftercare mist, developed to soothe and support recovery at home. Whether it’s a child’s first piercing or a teen’s expression of individuality, Ear Alchemy reflects the standard SARAH & SEBASTIAN is known for. Every detail is shaped by artistry, expertise and care.

Read the journal
Postcards from Hayman Island: Behind the Scenes of the SARAH & SEBASTIAN Holiday Campaign
Place

Postcards from Hayman Island: Behind the Scenes of the SARAH & SEBASTIAN Holiday Campaign

Come behind the scenes as our team travels to the Whitsundays to shoot our holiday campaign at the iconic InterContinental Resort on the sandy shores of Hayman Island. Set against coral beaches, nostalgic architecture and crystalline water, SARAH & SEBASTIAN on Holiday was inspired by the art of the vacation – a reflection on leisure, ritual and the pastimes that keep us occupied on idyllic island days. We captured moments across a series of dreamy locations, hit the tennis courts for a rally, and submerged ourselves in one of the largest lagoon pools in the Southern Hemisphere.     The campaign showcases some of our most loved collections including iconic pieces from Gossamer, iridescent opals from Aurelia, oceanic sapphires in the Marine Engagement Collection, and the architectural precision of SUSPENSE. [featured_images1] At its heart, our holiday campaign celebrates the Australian festive season; the unique joy of a Christmas spent in the sun, and the beauty of giving and receiving gifts with deep meaning. We can’t wait for you to discover the campaign and join SARAH & SEBASTIAN on Holiday. [featured_images2]

Read the journal
SOLDERED: A New Intention
Experience

SOLDERED: A New Intention

SARAH & SEBASTIAN pioneered the SOLDERED experience in Australia, originating the concept of permanent jewellery through fine craftsmanship, using traditional tools with modern design. Guided by this philosophy, SOLDERED celebrates the union of permanence, sentiment and artistry. Within our architecturally designed spaces, each solid 18-karat gold soldered chain is fitted with precision and sealed in flame, an intimate gesture of connection and design. The ritual is both personal and enduring, transforming jewellery into something lived, lasting and deeply felt. Your browser does not support the video tag. To deepen the experience, we are excited to introduce SOLDERED Stories. Here, every soldered bracelet is a keepsake of memory and meaning, a symbol of the moment or intention it was created to honour. To celebrate the intention of the experience, each client receives a SOLDERED Story Card, an artefact of the moment they were Soldered and a reflection of the meaning behind their piece. Displayed in designer Studio Henry Wilson’s Aluminium Vide Poche, the wearer may choose to inscribe a date, word, or initials. a personal memento of the ritual. Each Story Card represents an intention: Connection, Milestone, Transformation and Legacy. Connection Celebrating love, friendship, and bonds that feel like home.   Milestone Marking what matters, another lap around the sun, a moment that endures.   Transformation Embracing change, a beginning, a shift, a gentle evolution.   Legacy Honouring what lasts, memories, connections and moments carried forward in gold. [featured_images1] Mark your moment. Book your SOLDERED appointment here.

Read the journal