How to use bobby pins so they stay in all day
Bobby pins stay in best when you put them in with the wavy side down, against your scalp. Slide them in against the direction your hair falls, take only a small section per pin and cross them over each other for extra hold. If your hair is freshly washed and silky, give it some grip first with dry shampoo or a texture spray.
Which side of a bobby pin goes down?
The wavy side goes against your scalp and the straight side sits on top. Many people do it the other way round, because the wavy side looks nicer. But those little waves are there to hold your hair: they grip the hair against your head, while the smooth top presses the section above it down. Put the pin in upside down and it will slip out much faster.
How do you put in bobby pins so they stay all day?
Follow these steps for a style that stays put:
- Open the pin slightly with your fingers. Do not pull it open with your teeth, or it will lose its spring.
- Take a small section of hair. A pin that has to hold too much hair bends open.
- Slide the pin in against the direction your hair falls. If you are pinning hair to the side, insert the pin from below, pointing up.
- Place a second pin across the first one, in an X. Two crossed pins hold much more weight than two side by side.
- For a bun: push the pin through the edge of the bun and hook it into the hair underneath or into your hair tie.
You will find bobby pins, hair clips and other pins in the hairpins & clips collection.
How do you give smooth or fine hair more grip?
Clean, silky hair looks lovely, but pins slide out of it easily. A little dry shampoo where you want to pin makes a big difference. The Dry Shampoo Volume by Monday Haircare contains rice starch and gives your hair volume and grip. Spray from about 30 cm away onto the roots, massage in and brush through.
If you want grip through your lengths, for example for a bun, choose a texture spray. The Volume Boost Dry Texture Mist by Umberto Giannini contains tapioca starch, does not feel sticky and does not go stiff. Spray it onto dry hair before you put your hair up. You will find more options in the dry shampoo collection.
A handy trick: spray the pins themselves with a little dry shampoo or hairspray before you put them in. That gives them a slightly rough coating so they slide less.
Bobby pins, hair clips or claw clips: what do you use for what?
Not every hairstyle needs the same pin. This overview helps you choose:
| Type of pin or clip | What for | Hair type |
|---|---|---|
| Bobby pin | Securing loose strands, braids, buns and updos | All hair types, several needed for thick hair |
| French pin (U-shaped hairpin) | Loosely securing a bun or twist with one pin | Medium to thick, mid-length to long hair |
| Claw clip | Quick updos, half-up styles | Large for thick or curly hair, small for fine hair |
| Alligator or sectioning clip | Dividing hair into sections while styling | All hair types |
| Creaseless clip | Keeping hair off your face without a dent | All hair types, including fine hair |
A French pin is a lovely alternative if you would rather not use ten bobby pins. The Gold French Hair Pin by Kitsch is a U-shaped metal pin that glides smoothly through your hair. Twist your hair into a bun or twist and insert the pin from above. That is how you create a ballerina bun.
If you only want to keep your hair off your face while doing your makeup or skincare, creaseless clips are handier than bobby pins. The Creaseless Hair Clips by Veganboost leave no dent in your hair and are also suitable for fine or fragile hair.
Which colour bobby pins should you choose for your hair colour?
If you want the pins to be invisible, choose a colour as close as possible to your hair colour. Black pins suit black and dark brown hair, brown pins suit medium brown and chestnut, and gold or blonde pins suit blonde hair. If you have grey or silver blonde hair, silver pins are the least noticeable. When in doubt, go one shade darker rather than lighter. Want to show the pins off? Go for a coloured or shiny version and line a few up neatly.
How do you use bobby pins in fine or thick hair?
With fine hair, small pins and less hair per pin work best. Always use some dry shampoo or texture spray first, otherwise they will slide out quickly. Small claw clips are a good choice too. The X-small Claw Clips 6pc Black & Tort by Kitsch are about 3 cm in size and ideal for securing small sections.
With thick, long or curly hair you need more pins, ideally crossed. For a bun, you can start with a sturdy hair tie and only then add the pins. If you want to put your hair up quickly, a large claw clip holds more weight. The Thick, Long & Curly Hair Claw Clips Set by Kitsch contains three clips in different sizes, made from recycled plastic, with a large clip especially for thick or curly hair.
Whether your hair is fine or thick: brush it through well first so you do not pin in any knots. You can read which brush suits you in which hair brush suits you.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my bobby pins keep slipping out?
Usually they are upside down, they hold too much hair or your hair is too smooth. Put the wavy side down, take smaller sections and use dry shampoo or texture spray for grip. A pin that has bent open is best replaced.
How many bobby pins do you need for a bun?
With fine hair, four to six pins are often enough. With thick or long hair you sometimes need ten or more. Place them around the bun and crossed over each other, and you will need fewer.
Do bobby pins damage your hair?
Not if you use them properly. Choose pins with smooth, coated tips, do not always put them in exactly the same spot and take them out gently instead of yanking. It is best not to sleep with pins in.