Did you know that there is a right way and a wrong way to use bobby pins: and chances are that you, like me, having been using them the wrong way your whole entire life!
When she first left school, Miss 21 spent some time working in a hairdressing salon. In addition to introducing me to some great products and tips for styling my fine, limp hair, she also passed on a couple of tricks of the trade.
And because I am so nice 
, I am now passing them on to you.
The Right Way to Use Bobby Pins – Tip #1
Bobby pins have a wavy side and a straight side. For years, I have always pushed them into my hair with the wavy side on the outside, ie in view on my hair. WRONG!
The right way to use bobby pins? Make sure the wavy side is DOWN. The curves are there to help the bobby pin grip and stay put in your hair! No wonder I’ve struggled with bobby pins just sliding out over the years …
The Right Way to Use Bobby Pins – Tip #2
Did you know – you can pin your hair up into a french twist with just THREE bobby pins, if you know this little secret?!
You open the bobby pin, hook it into your hair, twist it around and push it in against your scalp.
This took me a while to get the hang of, so here’s the video I used – around the 3 minutes 30 second point is the part I’m referring to:
If you didn’t realise there’s a right way to use bobby pins, don’t feel bad. Check out these babies from the packet of bobby pins I bought recently at Coles:
They’re curved – with the grippy side ON TOP. Clearly, nobody has ever filled them in on the correct way to use a bobby pin!
And don’t even get me started on how hard it is to find blonde bobby pins …
Have you been using bobby pins the right way or the wrong way – and will you change your ways now that you know?!
NB This post originally went live in 2014 but I have just added the bit about my new Coles bobby pins as it made me giggle.
Wow, I’m clearly a bobby pin rookie as well, great tips. They always seem to slip out, hopefully this will help.
I’ve been doing it wrong too! Thanks for that x
I actually DO know this, but it’s only something I learned in the last 12 months or so, because someone shared a picture on Facebook of the right and wrong way. Only TWO of my friends already knew this, because they? ARE HAIRDRESSERS! Why do people not tell you these things growing up? Will check out the French twist video because I have always liked that look but never been able to do it. x
LOL “Do you remember a long time ago when people used to twist their hair and put it in a clamp and just let it hang there?” uhhh, yes, I do, it was yesterday. I DID THAT YESTERDAY! is that so out of style now?!
I know, me too Aroha. But how cute is her accent?!
Oh my goodness I am a gronk – who knew? No wonder they don’t keep my daughter’s hair out of her face – awkward 🙂 Please make a meme and spread the world for the sake of idiots like me across the world x
I’m still giggling over the word “gronk” – might have to steal that one! Is it a kiwi-ism?!
I have seen this picture on facebook, pretty funny that we all do it wrong! Lol
I’ve been putting bobby pins in my hair the wrong way all my life! I always used them to keep my fringe off my face when I was at work and they would constantly fall out! Now I know why! 🙂
Ahh learnt something new today! Thanks Janet!
I think I must be in the minority of people who have been using bobby pins the right way. They just look better with the straight side up..
They do look better that way, don’t they? I don’t know why it’s not more commonly known.
oh my!! I can’t believe that I never knew that!
I guess the old saying ‘you learn something new every day’ is true!!
Definitely be trying both of those out!
No wayyyyy!!!! I did not know this! I have always put the wavy side facing up too. Thanks for the tip… I’ll have to put them in the right way tomorrow! xx
Oh I like the french twist with bobby pins! Going to try that later!!
It’s pretty idiot proof – if I can do it, anybody can do it! 😉
Only 3 bobby pins??? Very cool!
I always have to fiddle around with bobby pins but eventually I get it right. Eventually 🙂
I’m a bobby pin freak and often use them for my easy updos. I’m aware of the bobby pins but I refuse to change. I tried it once but I didn’t like the way the end stuck into my head plus when I push them into a messy do, you don’t see the wavy side anyway. Great post!
I just can’t believe I’ve been doing this wrong for all my life! Thanks for the tip!
That is awesome, who knew!?! I’m definitely going to give this a go. 🙂
Ok I did not know about the waves thing! And makes so much sense!
How have I lived this long wielding bobby pins incorrectly???! Geez. Thanks for the tip, very timely as I am currently doing Fox in Flats 7 day hair dare. Will be using the 3 pin trick! x K
I’m with Tegan – I have only been using them the right way because they looked better with the wavy side down! I don’t think three pins are going to cut it with keeping up my thick hair but I’m going to practice it anyway!
40 plus years of using them the wrong way – seriously why has nobody ever told me before? 😉 x
What the hell is going on with the world. Everything is now upside down and back to front. I just don’t know who I am anymore …