Hair Romance reader Mandi asks –
I came across your hair challenge from a pin and love what I see. I would love to know how to correctly use those darn bobby pins so that my long layered hair with many different lengths, stays put. Like in a hair knot, or wrapping a ponytail.
Firstly, how obsessed are you with Pinterest? I pretend I will go on there for five minutes and always lose an hour or two.
But back to the hair…
Using strong bobby pins makes a huge difference. My hair falls out if I use cheaper pins. Here are the bobby pins I use. They are Goriki brand, sometimes called 333. Professional quality pins make a huge difference to the staying power of my upstyles.
If you like to see videos, this is the best hairpin video I’ve seen with some great tips on how to insert a bobby pin into your hair.
Here’s another bobby pin tip I learnt from the experts backstage at fashion week. When you are wrapping ponytails, backcomb the end of the section of hair you’re wrapping around the pony. This gives your hair more ‘grip’. Then wind part of it around one side of the bobby pin. I saw this backstage at Aurelio Costarella.
If you find your layers are always sticking out, curl them under before you start. Curl the ends of your hair with a blowdryer and a round brush, or a curling wand or styling iron – whatever is easier for you. When the ends of your hair curl under, they’re less likely to poke through and stick out of the pin.
Hope this helps and have fun with your hair!
Christina x
For my long, thick, straight hair, I use stainless steel 3-inch hairpins (the kind that are made to be open, not closed like a bobby). You can get them from Amish supply stores, and they’re more widely available on the internet than ever before. They work like a dream. There’s no way I can hold a bun or French twist up with just bobby pins, but these hairpins keep me anchored all day. I’ve been in the market for some good bobby pins for the styles where a long hairpin is too much. Thanks for the brand recommendation!
Wow thanks for the ideas!! Just curious, any ideas for hairstyles using topsy tails? They are retro i know, but i still have mine from when i was a kid lol.
This was a great post! I never understood the difference between different types of pins.
I usually use a Topsy Tail to pull the ends through after I wrap my hair. I make sure I pull the end through on the underside of the pony so it doesn’t stick out though. This also works with a braid wrap. My hair is just so long that it is hard to wrap all of it around and pin it. Pulling it through makes it stay in place much better.
Thank you! Surprisingly enough, as I think about it, i have never actually learned how to properly use a bobby pin. It’s really funny. I have always just assumed, I never had my hair professionally styled for an even, I always wanted to do it myself. I’d like to say I’ve been doing it right! 🙂 great post