The Power Of An Earring (Even With A Mask)

I have normalized the faces and masks of others so much, I almost find it scary. What were we wearing before this? How do people look when you can’t see the shape of their lips? If you can’t see a random hanging boog from someone’s nose, does it change your initial judgement of them?

I’ve normalized it, so that masks have been styled much like an accessory for me and for others too. Instead of, “Nice shoes!” I find myself saying, “Cuuutte mask!” I hear a “Thank you!” muffled under a tight piece of colorful cloth. Instead of a smile, I work a blink of my left eye as it’s replacement. 

Instead of relying on lipstick to pump up my look, I’ve been flexing my earring muscle. The odd spectrum of a mask remains that it doesn’t feel like an accessory, even though I naturally categorize it as one. In my eyes, it’s more like a pair of panties, in which I hope they’re being worn. A freshly washed or flipped inside out, kind of clean. Whatever you want at this point. Truly.

So what happens when the lipstick remains layered behind the masks? Or you opt for a natural balm that doesn’t permanently leave a days’ work.

For me, earrings have become tiny dances. Clashing or blending into and on my face. Accentuating the cat eye on my eyelid. They brush against the bows that I’ve laced alongside my neck to secure my mask. All in all, they’re powerful, really. In the unending nature of this time, that makes us even forget what people’s faces looked like “back then” (or just four months ago), the use and choice of an earring feels like a relief of sorts. A moment to calm this particular calamity. They’re just earrings. But are they?

Nothing is just just, when all the micro bits have become tiny threads we grasp day in and day out, to feel the power in and of, simpler times back then.

(Photos via Rachel Comey . Heads up: This post has affiliate links. If you choose to purchase something, I may earn a small commission.)