The standard lip ring is a hoop that goes completely through the lip flesh. It is worn in the center or on the left or right side of the lip. The standard lip ring is the most basic type, but common lip piercings work with a wide variety of body jewelry. You can switch a ring out for stud jewelry.
The Labret is another common variation of the lip piercing. It generally consists of a stud piercing rather than a ring. It is aligned below the center of the lip, usually a little lower than a regular lip piercing. Stud jewelry comes in a wide variety of styles that include various stud-ends such as jewels, spikes or balls. Materials include titanium, gold and steel; however, less-visible plastic clear studs also are available to keep the hole open when in situations that require it, such as work.
The Monroe piercing is considered a feminine piercing. The concept of the piercing comes from Marilyn Monroe's famous beauty mark. The piercing is a single stud placed above the lip on either the right side or left side. Gemstone studs, such as diamonds or other sparkly stones, complement this kind of piercing.
A rarer type of lip piercing that offers an unusual look uses a barbell piercing, which is a narrow pierce of metal with a stud on each end. The barbell goes through the fleshy pink part of the lip at a horizontal angle. The result is the look of two studs on the lip itself. The same concept works at a vertical angle, with the barbell passing through the pink-fleshy part of the lip.
Snakebites are more common and are a variation of the standard lip piercing, except they use two standard lip rings. Snakebites include one lip ring on the left side of the mouth and another one on the right side of the mouth. It gets the name snakebites for looking like snake fangs.