How to open a hoop

One of the hardest things to do well is something we do every day. Open and close a hoop in order to put it on. There is an art to it and -- if done well -- a hoop will keep its shape and always look great. 
But, a word before I go into the how to. Why would hoops lose their shape if handled carelessly? Well, Harsh and Sweet's hoops are hardened only up to a point. They are kept a bit soft to make putting them on and taking them off easier. Their softness is also a safety feature. Should they get caught up in something and be pulled violently, they will just lose their shape and fall off and your piercing will be sore, but unscathed. 
This is especially true of the thin 20 gauge hoops. They are soft and flexible and need some extra care when handled. 18 and 16 gauge hoops are a bit hardier and can feel more firm, but even they can benefit from some careful opening and closing.

So, how does one open a hoop? A hoop should never be turned into an oval. If you are tempted to pull the two ends away from each other and change the shape of the hoop, resist the urge! Giving back your hoop its round shape will prove quite challenging, especially once it's on. It can be done, but it's just not something you want to do before your first coffee!

Holding the ends of your hoop between index and thumb gently move the two ends apart. Think of two swing sets moving away from each other. Or a swimming lesson.

​The opening will be evident only when you look at your hoop from the side. If you look at your hoop from above now that it is open, you will see that it is still a circle. 

​Managing to preserve that circular shape will come in handy after you put on your hoop. All you need to do at this point is bring the two ends together and you really are done. ​

Simple, yet effective and your hoop will never lose its shape again.