shocked as someone who is allergic to e v e r y t h i n g except gold in my ears -- these are incredible !! i have no irritation, no redness at all ! i've been in the ocean, shower and have even slept in these a few times .... and they are sparkly and bright and fabulous, and my ears are comfortable and no irritated at all. as someone who definitely googled "is louise carter a scam" before purchasing, im here to say, they are absolutely not a scam, but simply a great deal !!