Bobby pin hairstyles are incredibly trendy and personable. Any style can be accentuated with bobby pins either visibly adding a touch of flair or invisibly providing structure. Exposed bobby pin hairstyles are everywhere in every color, metallic sheen and finish. There is no end to the way that exposed bobby pins can update a look. A simple ponytail – especially a low ponytail, can be accessorized and kept sleek with exposed bobby pins.
Hidden bobby pin hairstyles, basically those that are very structured, have stood the test of time because bobby pins are inexpensive, dependable, useful little tools. They come in different sizes, perfect to hold whatever style you need.
Today, we are going to focus on creative exposed bobby pin hairstyles, but will also help you understand how to use bobby pins correctly, showing you common bobby pin mistakes to avoid so that you can always style pitch-perfect party and day-to-day ‘dos.
In this article:
- 41 Creative Exposed Bobby Pin Hairstyles to Try
- How to Use Bobby Pins Correctly?
- Bobby Pin Mistakes to Avoid
41 Creative Exposed Bobby Pin Hairstyles to Try
There are plenty of beautiful ways to wear exposed bobby pin hairstyles. We have plenty of inspiration below!
1. Woven Bobby Pins on Sleek Straight Hair
Pulling sleek, straight hair back and getting it to stay can be a challenge without bobby pins. Silver bobby pins not only hold the hair securely, but also smoothly, support the hairstyle.
2. Starburst Bobby Pin Hairstyle
A half pulled back hairstyle in an interesting color is pretty enough, but the addition of an accessory will always give the style a bit extra. Here, the crossed bobby pins create an interesting starburst.
3. Strips of Pins
Bobby pins crossed over each other from one side to the other create an unexpectedly beautiful design with longer silver bobby pins on silver hair.
4. Above the Ear Adornment
Golden bobby pins hold voluminous hair down around the ear. The number of pins used secures the hair while creating an interesting exposed bobby pin hairstyle.
5. Pinned Behind the Ear
The smooth sleek look is supported by pinning the hair behind the ears with larger bobby pins to be sure the locks of hair do not fall forward. Keeping the hair slicked back allows the bobby pin hairstyle to be maintained all day.
6. Simple Pinback
Pinning your hair out of your face will always be a necessity at some point or another. This is a very cute and low maintenance way to do so, while also showing off your creativity of wearing exposed bobby pins!
7. Pastel Bobby Pins
Brightly colored bobby pins can be used creatively and do just as well in many different hairstyles as regular bobby pins. Here they are the perfect accent to faded shades of purple.
8. Clever Cluster
Fishtails pinned together with a handful of gold bobby pins create an interesting look on prismatic colored hair. This is a romantic, boho-chic exposed bobby pin hairstyle, perfect for wearing from day to night!
9. Jewel End Bobby Pins
Bobby pins ending with a jewel detail are definitely designed to be seen. Here they are just slipped in the back to hold back the twisted hair, but they are effective and interesting.
10. Accented Low Pony
The low ponytail is in right now, and textured hair always looks great. The use of bobby pins here really completes the look that is chic enough to wear for the holidays or any other festivity.
11. Low Lying Crown
The complexity of the use of bobby pins for this hairstyle is a final goal, but it is achieved with a bit of scattering and trust. It’s a cool effect that would look good with any color bobby pins you want to use.
12. Center Designed Bobby Pin Hairstyle
The center part of this long purple ranged hair is accented by a simple design of larger bobby pins. Unlike the way bobby pins are normally used, here, the hair will still flow, and the design will move with it.
13. Cluster Pinned Low
Raven locks pulled back and pinned low with larger exposed bobby pins look beautiful and chic. This is possibly one of the easiest to duplicate exposed bobby pin hairstyles with consistent results.
14. Pinned Back
A clustering of bobby pins, spaced out will provide a perfect hold and a cool goddess like design. This will work on a variety of lengths and look just as good.
15. Pinned Half Up Hairstyle
A triangle pin perfectly holds back the top half of her hair, showing off the color with a light twist. This is one of those exposed bobby pin hairstyles that radiate modern and minimalist aesthetics.
16. Perfect Fan
Eight pins perfectly placed create a stunning fan shape that still functions to hold back her hair. It’s an even better option than a large barrette, designed to be sturdier and practical, creating a lovely exposed bobby pin hairstyle that’s also easy to style.
17. Yellow Standouts
The standout color works beautifully, visibly showing a hold on the hair that is actually done by smaller regular sized pins. This is a perfect example of blending bobby pins in and using standout designer pins.
18. Just Because
Peaches and purples in a well-designed braid are attractive enough. The bobby pin triangle in the center is just another accent of this braided updo.
19. Accented Bobby Pin Triangle
Triangles have three sides and each of these sides has two more to back it up. The effect of the exposed bobby pin hairstyle trend is ethereal on this purple mermaid hair color.
20. #Cute Bobby Pin Hairstyle!
Side-swept cuteness in pastel purple, pink, rose and gold is accented by the silver hashtag. The bobby pins are a good size, so they hold securely in the infamous # sign.
21. Organized Chaos
Holding hair down is one thing. Creating a work of art with bobby pins is another entirely, and she pulls it off beautifully. This is one of those complicated-looking exposed bobby pin hairstyles that simply ask a couple of more minutes for recreating.
22. An Arrow in the Blue
Just making the ends of your bobby pins meet when securing back a few braids can create a cool effect. Here an open-ended arrow is the closure for a halo of braids.
23. Bobby Pin Closure
Placing the bobby pins correctly means that a hair tie doesn’t always have to be used. That’s great honestly, sometimes you can find a few bobby pins even when you cannot find a hair tie.
24. Pins and Sunset
Bobby pins and prismatic sunset hair means that any little twist or pin is going to reveal more colors as shown perfectly here. This is one of the most basic ways of using exposed bobby pins on your hair, which at the same time appear to be dramatically cute.
25. Exposed Golden Bobby Pins
Gold colored bobby pins look good with blonde hair. Here they add security and a bit of boost to the color, pulling the highlights and lowlights together.
26. Bobby Pin Crown
This is an interesting bobby pin hairstyle that may seem haphazard, but creates a cool effect. Her hair will not lose the cool effect because all of her pins are placed properly.
27. Simple Triangle Bobby Pin Hairstyle
One of the most common shapes made with bobby pins is the triangle. It is always interesting to look at, no matter in the hair it is placed.
28. Pastel Braided Updo with Exposed Bobby Pins
A long pastel colored braid is secured by a half dozen shiny bobby pins at the temple. The pins secure the halo braid, but accent the shine of the pastel colored hair as well.
29. Rose Gold Bobby Pin Hairstyle
Fanned out over the ear, the bobby pins’ color is as important as the hold for this hairstyle. Each of the larger pins holds securely, but the rose gold shines brilliantly against her white hair.
30. Stenciled Display
Used to create and secure her hair as a canvas, the gold bobby pins don’t budge, but lock her hair in place. This created the perfect canvas for her gold stencil to be used for this amazing bobby pin hairstyle.
31. Silver Pins and Silver Tresses
The flash of pinks and blues amongst the silver is stunning, and the simple pulled back hairstyle is secured and enhanced by the strategically placed pins that hold while forming their own shapes.
32. Some Pins are Made to be Seen
Just because they are decorative does not mean they are not also dependable. These stylish bobby pins will stay firmly in place, but are definitely bolder than the norm for a reason – you are supposed to show them off!
33. Held-Back Bobby Pin Hairstyle
This way of using exposed bobby pins is just a cute side part with a smooth swept-behind-the-ear style. Larger bobby pins put in an X shape and followed by extras are holding her side part in place – not only for structure, but also for style.
34. XXX Neon Exposed Bobby Pin Hairstyle
An X is one of the easiest shapes to make with bobby pins, but the look, especially on neon hair, is incredibly cool. Here the trio of Xs is perfectly placed to keep her bangs out of her eyes while adding another element of interest to her bright short hair.
35. Pinned Low
Normally when the side of someone’s hair is pinned, the pins are placed a bit higher. Here, the ultra long bobby pins look cool, evenly spaced and holding her long locks in place.
36. Twinkles at Midnight
Bobby pin placement is not only key in holding a hairstyle together, but in the final appearance as well. A bit of metallic twinkle placed well here secures the braid, but adds another element of shine to this creative exposed bobby pin hairstyle.
37. Accessorized Top Knot
A top knot is always in style, but an accessory or 10 exposed bobby pins cohesively working as an accessory give the look a bit of a boost, while taming flyaways and short hairs.
38. Simple Fanned Out Trio
There are so many exposed bobby pin hairstyles that can be done on nearly any length of hair. Here, a trio of gold bobby pins holds back a lock of hair, with the closed ends meeting and the coated ends fanned out.
39. Large Bobby Pin Use
The smoothed side will always be an enigmatic keeper among hairstyles. The easiest way to pull this style off is with bobby pins – as shown here, a larger bobby pin can hold quite a bit.
40. Held by an X
With a quick twist, the hair is pulled back and a set of crossing silver pins sparkle against the background of her hair. It’s a perfect complement and a quick easy accent to a pretty style.
41. Silver Cluster
Placing your bobby pins in a cluster creates another focal point. It’s a very cool effect that looks complex without actually being so and is especially effective on bright, fun colored hair.
How to Use Bobby Pins Correctly?
The first thing to know about using bobby pins correctly is to make sure they are in good working order. All bobby pins are coated, with a bulb shaped tip. These are a necessity to be able to use them without doing damage to your hair and scalp. If the coating is chipped or missing, toss the bobby pin out.
Before putting the pin in, you only need to separate the ends enough that the metal does not bend. It is not easy to use a misshaped bobby pin.
Bobby pins have two sides – one that is straight, and one that is wavy. The wavy side goes down, smooth side goes up. Inserting the bobby pins this way holds better and is how the pins are intended to be worn.
It is the same if you are doing the exposed bobby pins in different colors or styles. They will hold better this way. The wavy side also appears shorter than the smooth side.
Here are a few other tips to help you with your bobby pin hairstyles:
- Have a stash, and when you find one somewhere unexpected, which you invariably will, you have a set location for them.
- Use a magnetic paperclip holder to hold your bobby pins. That way if it falls over, the magnet will catch most of the bobby pins!
- Use an old tic-tac container to take bobby pins on the go. The container has a lid and will allow you to shake out one at a time.
- Give your ponytail a boost by holding the ponytail up against your head and side the bobby pins into the center of the ponytail at a downward angle. Once you feel it touch your scalp, adjust it just a bit, then tighten your ponytail for an instant volumizing boost that will last until you take your hair down.
- If your bobby pins feel a bit slippery, spray them with hairspray for extra hold.
- Install the bobby pins closer together – if they are too far apart, they will not work as well to hold your style (Jumbo bobby pins are the exceptions – they are created to be more stable).
- If you are participating in the exposed bobby pins trend, try creating shapes and experimenting with sizes, grouping and colors.
Bobby Pin Mistakes to Avoid
- PLEASE, never use bobby pins with messed up, chipped or peeling coating, or bobby pins without the protective ends. Shredded, split hair and snags are not worth it.
- Keep color options on hand. Black may be the default flatterer, but try to match your bobby pins to your hair color if you want to keep them hidden. Lighter colors work well with blonde hair, while brown or black bobby pins are perfect for brunettes. Unless you want to try exposed bobby pin hairstyles, this is the rule to stick to.
- Don’t install bobby pins on wet hair – they will leave a dent.
- Put a reasonable amount of hair in, and add more bobby pins as you need. Trying to stick too much hair into the bobby pins reduces their efficacy and can bend them out of proportion. If the lock of hair you want to pin is hefty, twist it before pinning it down. If it doesn’t fit in the pin, you need another.
Photos via Instagram
