A little sparkle right where Marilyn had her beauty mark. Monroe and Madonna piercings are flirty, classic and oh-so-photogenic. I couldn’t decide between left and right, so I literally stood in front of the mirror pointing at both sides while my piercer patiently marked them. Here’s everything about placement, style and keeping your smile happy.
What are Monroe and Madonna piercings?
A Monroe piercing is a labret stud on your upper left lip, inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s famous beauty mark. A Madonna is the same piercing on the right, inspired by Madonna’s iconic mole. Same technique, different side. Your choice, your vibe.
Curious about other lip styles? Read our guide to bites lip piercings or the Ashley piercing guide.
Anatomy check first
Not every lip suits these piercings. Lip thickness, gum line and jaw all matter. That’s why we always do a thorough anatomical check first. If it isn’t a good fit, we’ll tell you honestly and suggest a lip or face piercing that works better for you.
We have one golden rule: we always ask for your approval first. We mark the spot, you check it out, and only after your "yes!" do we pierce. Nothing happens without your consent.
Does it hurt?
It hurts, but not for long. It’s a sharp moment and then it’s done. The main thing afterwards is some swelling in the first few days. Your tongue will want to say hello to it constantly. Totally normal, and within a few weeks it feels almost natural.
Jewellery and style
You start with a labret stud, usually 1.2 mm thick and a bit longer (often 8–10 mm) to make room for swelling. Once the swelling goes down, around week 2–3, we swap it in the studio for a shorter bar (6–7 mm). That swap matters: it protects your teeth and gums.
For healing, always implant-grade titanium. Once fully healed, play with gold (at least 14k) or a sparkly top. Want both sides? Monroe plus Madonna makes the cutest symmetrical look, though many people space them out. Browse our first jewellery in titanium and gold.
What clients say
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what others wrote. Click a name to see the original review:
"I did my angel fangs here 2 months and they turned out great."
– Kaithlyn Liew, Google review
"Really nice, tidy piercing studio, always ready to help! Gui helped me and gave me great tips!" (translated from Dutch)
– Madelief Rosa, Google review
"I’ve got done here most of my piercings in the most random moments and every single time there’s someone very professional to help me"
– Jennifer Tatiana Castañeda García, Google review
Healing and aftercare
Healing takes around 6 to 12 weeks, and fully stable is usually around 3 months. Healing is very personal and depends on many factors, so see these times as a guideline.
- Rinse your mouth with water twice a day, especially after eating.
- Skip hot drinks and sharp foods in the first week; soft food helps.
- No smoking or alcohol while healing.
- Keep make-up and lipstick away from the piercing for now.
How to look after it
- Clean it twice a day with the AphraHeals wipe (our favourite: practical, sterile and safe; more at aphraheals.com). It fits in any bag, right next to your lip gloss.
- Prefer a spray? The AphraHeals aftercare spray works great too, for example at home.
- Wash your hands first, and no twisting or playing with your jewellery. Not even when it looks this good.
- Want to read it all again in peace? Download our aftercare instructions.
Is your piercing getting red, warm or swollen, more painful instead of calmer, or does it stay inflamed? Contact your piercer or a doctor. We’re always happy to take a look.
Please note: all healing times mentioned are an indication. Healing is very personal: for some people it goes faster, for others it takes a little longer.
Teeth and gums
If the bar is placed wrong or stays too long after the swelling has gone, it can rub your teeth or gums. That’s why downsizing on time is so important. Feel tooth pain? Tell your piercer straight away.
The lowbret
A lowbret sits much lower, near your chin line. Striking, but with more risk of gum and tooth contact, so an anatomical check is even more important.
Want to dive deeper? Download our Monroe & Madonna e-book.
Why get your Monroe or Madonna piercing at Piercings Works?
- Experience: we’ve been piercing since 1998, and we’ve been at Reguliersbreestraat 46 in Amsterdam since 2004. That’s a lot of happy clients walking out the door.
- Hygiene: we were the first studio with a GGD licence, and the GGD re-inspects us every 3 years.
- Know-how: we’ve trained more than 100 piercers.
- You decide: we always ask for your approval first. We never do anything without your consent.
- Safe jewellery: in the studio we use internally threaded jewellery, so no thread scrapes through your fresh hole.
- One step at a time: we do a maximum of 3 piercings per visit. Even if your bestie yells "one more!"
- Questions in your own language? Our team speaks several languages, usually 6.
- Age: check our minimum age page first.
Find us at Reguliersbreestraat 46, just around the corner from Rembrandtplein. We’re open every day of the year from 10:30 to 22:00, walk-ins welcome.
Ready for your beauty mark? Book your appointment here or just walk in. Bring your bestie for the selfie afterwards!
Curious about the history of piercings? Visit our free online Piercing Museum.
FAQ about Monroe and Madonna piercings
When can I downsize my bar?
Usually around week 2–3, once the swelling has clearly gone down. We do it in the studio.
Can I get Monroe and Madonna at the same time?
Technically yes, but spacing them out often makes hygiene and healing easier.
How long does healing take?
Around 6 to 12 weeks, fully stable around 3 months. These are indications.
My lip stays swollen or sore, what should I do?
Some swelling at first is normal. If it gets worse or stays inflamed, contact your piercer or a doctor.
VIP with us is pure benefit, zero risk: join for €50, €100 or €200 a year and get the same amount back as a gift voucher, plus 10% off for as long as your membership runs and free piercing changes.
From Ira, with love
Ira Lutvica is co-owner of Piercings Works, which she runs together with her husband Mensur Lutvica: since 1998, and since 2004 at the same spot on Reguliersbreestraat 46. Ira writes the books herself and runs the piercing course (in Dutch), where she has trained 100+ piercers. Want to know more about this topic? Read her e-book (in Dutch) Sieraad laten verwisselen?. Also read Piercings Works in the media.