Hair Accessories: How to Wear Bold Hair Pins

Bold hair pins are one of the easiest hair accessories to wear: pick one oversized pin, place it above your ear or at the side of a part, and leave the rest of the hair simple. One statement piece is usually enough. Add a second or third only if you want a more layered look.

Below you'll find the main pin styles, how to place them, what suits different hair, and how to keep them from sliding out.

Section 01

Why bold hair pins are back

Oversized barrettes and jeweled clips echo the late '90s and early 2000s, but the current versions are cleaner and more varied. You'll see rhinestone and pearl pins, enamel shapes like fruit or stars, metallic bars, resin, and wood.

They also cost little compared with other accessories, and they work on a bad-hair day because they do the styling for you. Sweep hair back, pin it, and the accessory becomes the point of the look.

Section 02

What types of hair accessories pair with bold pins?

Pins are one member of a larger family. The most popular hair accessories right now are claw clips and barrettes, headbands, scrunchies and decorative pins. If you want the clip side of the trend, see hair claws and clips, and for a broader tour there is this roundup from headbands to clips.

A bold pin works best as the single loud piece. If you already wear a patterned headband or a big claw clip, keep the pin small or skip it.

Section 03

How to style bold hair pins

Sleek and polished

Tuck one side behind your ear and secure it with a metallic or jeweled pin. This suits straight or softly waved hair and works for the office or a formal event. Pearl earrings or a plain chain keep the metals consistent.

Relaxed and boho

Scatter several small pins through a loose braid or a messy bun. Floral shapes, beads and earthy tones look natural against textured hair. The slightly uneven placement is the point, so don't line them up too neatly.

Playful

Mix shapes such as stars, hearts or food motifs along one side or down a smooth ponytail. Keep your outfit quiet so the pins carry the look.

Section 04

Which pins suit your hair length and type?

Through the lens of evidence-based design, I'd think about weight and contrast first. A heavy pin on fine hair tends to slide, and a delicate pin on thick hair disappears. The eye reads contrast before detail, so a bright or metallic pin shows up more on dark hair, while a pearl or pastel pin reads best on darker or medium shades.

• Long hair: you have room for a pin at a half-up crown, in a braid, or holding a twist. Larger barrettes hold a section of long hair well.
• Short hair: pin back bangs or the front section above your ear. There is more in our short hair accessory ideas.
• Thick or heavy hair: choose sturdy metal pins with a firm clasp.
• Fine or slippery hair: choose lighter pins, and add grip before pinning.

Section 05

How to keep hair pins from slipping

Pins slide on clean, silky hair. A little texturizing spray or dry shampoo at the spot where you'll place the pin adds grip. For extra hold, crisscross two bobby pins under the decorative one so they take the weight.

Avoid dragging a pin through tangled hair. Hair is delicate when it's wet, and the American Academy of Dermatology advises a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush to detangle wet hair, so comb first and pin after. If a pin tugs or leaves a sore spot, move it to a different place rather than tightening it.

Section 06

Tips for choosing the best hair accessories

• Start with a small mix: one sparkly, one minimal metallic, one playful.
• Match metals to your jewelry when you want a polished look, and mix them on purpose when you want a casual one.
• Stack pins in a row or scatter them unevenly for a more eclectic effect.
• Store pins in a small box or organizer so enamel and plating don't scratch, and wipe metal with a soft cloth.
• Making your own with blank pins, glue and rhinestones is an inexpensive way to get a custom piece.

If you like the pin look, bold hair combs are the natural next step for dressier hairstyles.

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Filed under Accessory Trends