Claw Clips Are Out, Hair Pins Are In… and Never Leaving

Illustration by Kiya Garcia/Trill (Shutterstock)

Someone wise once said: “Invest in your hair; it’s the crown you never take off.”

And you can’t deny it — us people put a lot of time, care, and money into our hair. All that’s left is to ask yourself one question: how will you adorn your crown?

In this modern world of ever changing fashion trends, the way you cut, color, style, and accessorize your hair is constantly being swayed by whatever influencer, celebrity, or next big brand is trying to sell you.

I’m here to present you with an accessory that has not only proven its timelessness across history, but is also what I predict will be the ‘next big thing’:

The hair pin, also known as a hair stick.

A few favorites from my collection. (Credit: Inaz Sadr)

My Experience With Hair Accessories

As a woman with thick, textured locks, I’ve spent my life struggling to find ways to manage and tuck my hair away when I need it off my neck and out of my face.

But more often than not, hair elastics give me headaches and flatten my hair’s texture, while claw clips tend to dig into my scalp when I rest my head.

Finally, on a rainy Sunday afternoon, I was wandering between some market stands when I stumbled on a cup full of hair pins. There were all different sorts; made of wood, bone, and lacquer, and decorated with various carvings, charms, and stones.

I was immediately intrigued and mildly daunted at the idea of figuring out how to use such a simple tool to tame my “lion’s mane,” as some of my friends have called it.

Bringing the pin everywhere, I used it daily, and I’ll admit, it did take some practice, but now I have an accessory that can hold my hair up all day with no headaches, digging into my scalp and or sacrificing my hair texture.

But it nagged at me that more women, especially curly and wavy girls like myself, don’t know about this accessory. That is why this article was born.

Me and my sword hair pin. (Credit: Inaz Sadr)

The History of Hair Pins

Believe it or not, the origin of hair pins is actually pretty hard to pin down.

Various ancient civilizations tracing back to Egypt, China, Japan, Scandinavia, Greece, and Rome all contain their own cultural history and styles surrounding hair pins, dating back tens of thousands of years.

In Ancient China, hair pins were a symbol of status amongst women, indicating their wealth depending on what material their pins were made of. Upon turning fifteen, women would be given their own hair pin in a *ji li *ceremony to signify their transition to adulthood.

Japan was and is still known for flowery hair pins called kanzashi. There are several kinds made from various materials and fabric flowers which have specific meanings. In previous centuries, *kanzashi* were associated with geishas and brides. In the modern day, they are often worn for special occasions or casually by anyone.

Ancient Egyptians derived great social power and religious symbolism from their hair; particularly amongst the wealthy, who commonly used preciously made hair pins as adornments, while commoners took a more practical stance and used them to secure their hair when working.

Cleopatra, the legendary final pharaoh of Egypt, was written to have used her hair pin, — coated in snake’s venom — to commit suicide. In fact, various stories of Ancient Rome, Egypt, China, and Japan, hair pins are often wielded by women as unassuming weapons, used to maim and kill those who stood in their way.

French pins, (also known as hair forks, U-pins and chignon pins), were a later evolution which, although not exclusively French, has since solidified themselves as a staple accessory of that idyllic concept of la mode Parisienne.

A Geisha updo complimented with a kanzashi. (Credit: Pexels/cottonbro studio)

How to Use Hair Pins for Long Hair

Instead of trying to write out instructions that you’ll have to reread eight times, I’m just going to provide you with some Youtube and Insta reel links for all you visual learners out there.

These tutorials are a great starting point to learn how to use either a hair pin or a French pin, but I’d also encourage you to experiment on your own.

When I first started using mine, I’d simply twist my hair into a bun — the same way I would if I were securing it with an elastic — and then threaded the pin (French or not) through it.

I’ve mainly found new methods through Instagram reels and Youtube videos. Mo Styles is an account which does all sorts of hair styling tutorials, but I especially love how slowly she takes you through the hair pinning process in this reel.

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Alex Gaboury’s Youtube videos are also nice and clear: both the visuals and the way she talks you through the process is helpful for beginners. She has six different Youtube tutorials for both hair sticks and French pins for medium length to long hair, not counting all her videos on Insta.

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How to Use French Pins for Short Hair

For short hair, French pins are especially popular and typically preferred to single prong hair pins.

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There are tons of short hair chignon and half-up reels on Insta, but personally I think the Youtube tutorial below is the best starting point.

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Some of you might be thinking that pins won’t work for thinner hair, but from what I’ve heard, avoiding metal or heavier material for acetate or acrylic pins makes things a lot easier.

I’ve seen short haired gals successfully use single prong pins before if that’s what you’re interested in, but I’d still recommend starting with a French pin if you have a bob.

Also, just remember that like most things on the internet, these tutorials can look easier and their results might look more ‘perfect’ than what you’ll end up with. But that’s nothing on you or your pin, life in actuality is just messier than it looks through a screen.

Where to Buy Hair Pins

I’ve been collecting all sorts of hair pins out in the wild for over a year now, but I’ve yet to find a specific shop or brand that’s really won me over. Typically, I find mine at flea markets, small boutiques and even a Renaissance fare instead of regular stores.

But if you’re looking for an easy place to start, Ulta carries reasonably priced, Kitsch French pins. If you want to avoid heavy metal, I’d try Emi Jay‘s acetate French pins.

This Kitsch french pin comes in gold, hematite and silver. There are a few other designs too! (Credit: Kitsch website)

If you’re looking for a simple, single prong hair pin, they’re slightly harder to come by. While mainstream brands have started manufacturing French pins as of late, I’ve seen regular pins almost exclusively at markets (whether they be farmer’s, artisans or flea).

And for those of you who don’t wanna spend on pins at all, take a pencil or a pen and go for it.*

*Just make sure you don’t end up ‘drawing’ all over your back!