First things first:
Michelle Phan / michellephan.comRemember that bobby pins are meant to be used with the wavy side facing your scalp - the ridges are there to grip your hair and lock everything in place.
1. For no-show pins, point the bobby pin in the opposite direction of the hair you're pinning back.
Kathleen Kamphausen / cosmopolitan.com
Twist the pulled back section slightly, so that the pin has something to weave into. Find instructions for this quick tuck at Cosmo.
2. This works for pinning back braids too:
The Small Things Blog / thesmallthingsblog.com
Watch the step-by-step video here.
3. Or, you can ditch the no-show look entirely:
Free People / blog.freepeople.com
Wear 'em loud and proud. More here.
4. Shorter locks? Sweep everything to one side:
Beautylish / beautylish.com5. For a no-fuss way to tuck your bangs back, braid your crown and secure with two quick pins:
Ma Nouvelle Mode / manouvellemode.com
6. Criss-cross your pins for added texture:
Naptural85 / youtube.com
Find more ideas here.
7. Or criss-cross your locks for a different take on half-up, half-down:
Makeup Geek / makeupgeek.com
It's easier than you think, and each pin tucks neatly under the layer above it. More here.
8. Master the art of the twist-and-tuck:
Irrelephant / irrelephant-blog.com9. Use bobby pins to prop up your ponytail:
The How To Mom / thehowtomom.comAll about that base. Learn how.
10. Get creative with a chevron-inspired design:
Yet Another Beauty Site / via divinecaroline.com11. Or a geometric one:
Marie Claire / marieclaire.com
More ideas at Marie Claire.
Also? Bonus points if you can work this into your hair: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
12. Channel old Hollywood in three steps: pin, roll, and tuck:
Mike Garten / refinery29.com
So romantic. Instructions here.
13. Get your hair out of your face with a single pin:
No hair-tie necessary. Tutorial here.
14. Double up with two:
The Beauty Snoop / thebeautysnoop.com15. Or three:
Mucho Mucho Bueno Bueno / muchomuchobuenobueno.comIlluminati chic. More ideas here.
16. Start your day with a sunrise ponytail:
brit.coFair to say that this one might take more than a few minutes - but you can't just ~rush a sunrise~, OK? Get the instructions.
17. Chop your locks (temporarily!):
Tyler Joe / elle.comTotal pins needed: 8. See how she did it.
18. Go minimalist with an easy waterfall braid + a single pin:
Six Sisters Stuff / sixsistersstuff.com
19. Or stack a dozen on top of each other for a beautifully bold look:
refinery29.comAmped up contrast FTW. More ideas at Refinery29.
20. Rock a rainbow-inspired 'do with colorful pins:
glamour.comMore photos here.
21. Or better yet, DIY your own custom set:
Lines Across / linesacross.com
Love Feast Table / lovefeasttable.com
Thank you, almost-empty nail polish bottles, for all that you have given us. Find more design inspiration here and here.
Bonus: A quick fix for all of those stretched out bobby pins you've got lying around? Pliers.
A Blossoming Life / ablossominglife.com
