So I plan on getting my septum pierced this weekend, but this shop doesn't pierce with niobium because of its satin finish. So I plan on getting it pierced with an industrial strength retainer, which they carry, but my question is, does the shine from the steel really expose the septum piercing? I plan to flip it up hidden from the parents.

 Well flipped up your probably not going to see it either way unless someone is looking UP your nose... 

What if you're sleeping and your momma comes in to wake you? Still can't see anything from that angle, because if not I'm sold.

 Probably not... How old are you? 

ahahahaha yeah that comment was lame huh. But I'm actually 20 years old, haha in college. Still have a hard time wakin' up for classes. haha. Thanks for the answers by the way.

This kid I know said her mother found out about her septum piercing that way...

 If you are that worried, get a clear GWS retainer and claim it to be snot if anyone sees it. 

When I first got my septum pierced and my mum didn't know she noticed when I looked up at a birds nest :)

get it pierced with a plug, no way that can accidentally flip down.

those fit pretty snugly too, dont they? like, with the retainer, you still got the two parts sticking up your nose, and can be seen when somebody looks up, but the septum bullet doesnt do that, right?

 Plugs are nice, but the bullets are tiny, so they may not have enough room for swelling... And the ONE time in almost 4 years someone who saw my septum, who didnt know I had it, saw a bullet in it... 

I second the clear GWS retainer. I have one in 8ga and noone has ever noticed it. When I wear my steel retainer, people see it all the time, a lot of the time when I look up or if I'm standing over someone like when they're sitting they'll comment on it.

 I wore a clear retainer for awhile so my mom didn't see it & that worked out. I changed it to a SS retainer & hardly anyone notices now.

If you get it pierced with a retainer, I dont see how anyone could see it unless they had a pen light up your nose. I flip mine up at work and nobody knows. I showed my friend how easy it was to hide the piercing and she was amazed that she could not tell at all, and she was looking for it. So, unless someone is completely up in your grill looking for it, its unlikely youll get found out.

 Please pay attention to post dates. This thread is almost two months dead...