Curl Hair with Bobby Pins

You can get loose, natural looking curls by using bobby pins - or neat tighter curls, depending on how you section your hair. Using pins to curl your hair results in an amazing, vintage look that doesn't require heat styling tools.

Steps

Sectioned bobby pin curls

  1. Prepare your hair. It's best to start with hair that is damp, but not soaking wet. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual, then let it air dry or pat it gently with a towel so that it's damp and easy to work with. You can apply a bit of product to help the curls hold if your hair is fine and doesn't tend to hold curl.
    • If you'd rather start with dry hair, you can spray your hair with water after you set it in curls. Depending on your hair texture, this might result in either a fluffier or glossier curl. Experiment with both methods to find out what's best for your hair and the style you want.[1]
  2. Divide your hair into sections. It's easier to make sure your hair gets evenly curled by dividing it into at least three sections: two on either side and one in the middle, from your forehead to the nape of your neck. Separate the sections with hair clips.
  3. Separate a small section of hair for the first curl. If you want big, flowy curls, separate out a larger section of hair. For tighter ringlets, make it a smaller section of hair. You can choose to make all the curls the same size or do a variety of different-sized curls. A standard size to start with would be about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
    • Use a comb to comb the section out so that it's straight and flat, like a ribbon.
    • If you want all your curls to be the exact same size, methodically divide the larger sections into smaller sections and rubber band the small sections so that each curl will be exactly the same.
  4. Pinch and roll the hair. Take the section of hair you want to curl first and pinch the tip between your forefinger and thumb. Holding the tip securely, wrap the section of hair around your forefinger a couple of times. Gently slip the loop of hair from your finger, keeping the tip tucked inside. Carefully roll the hair up toward the roots until you reach the scalp.
    • This technique is difficult to master, and it might take a few tries before you're able to roll the section of hair all the way to your scalp without it coming undone. Be sure to keep the tip tucked in - otherwise, when it dries it will stick out at an odd angle.
    • Don't twist your hair, or you'll end up with frizz instead of shiny ringlets.[2]
    • If it helps, you can hold the tip of the section of hair against a small cylindrical object, like a marker cap, and roll your hair around the object until you reach your scalp before slipping it off.
  5. Pin the curl. Use two bobby pins to pin the curl to your scalp in a cross shape. This will hold the curl securely in place as it dries.
  6. Repeat with the rest of your hair. Keep rolling up sections of your hair in the same way and pinning them against your head with two crossed bobby pins. Continue until all of your hair has been rolled up and pinned.
    • The hair at the top of your head should be rolled away from your face, toward the back.
    • The direction in which you roll the hair on the sides and in the back will affect the final look. Experiment with rolling the curls in different directions - pointing either upward or downward - to see what you like best.[1]
    • For a neater final look, roll the curls into rows around your head. You should have 3-4 rows, depending on the size of the curls.
  7. Let the curls dry completely. This probably means you'll have to sleep on them so they have time to get totally dry. If you take them out while they're damp, your hair won't hold the curl. Sleep on a silk pillowcase to make sure your curls don't get crushed when you sleep.
  8. Unpin the curls. When they're completely dry, it's time to let them loose. Carefully unpin each curl and watch them unfurl. At this stage the curls will be tight, and your hair will look much shorter than it actually is.
  9. Separate the curls. To keep the curls as curly as possible, use your fingers to gently separate and brush through the curls. If you want to create very loose waves, use a comb or brush to loosen and brush out the curls.
    • It will be difficult to pull the brush or comb through the curls at first. Work through them gently using your fingers, then use the brush or comb next.
  10. Style your hair. Add a little serum or mousse to prevent the curls from frizzing and finish your look. Keep it down or pin it back, 40s-style.

Hairspray and bobby pins curls

This is a less complicated method and results in larger but still lovely curls.

  1. Wash your hair as usual.
  2. Leave it to dry. It's best if you don't leave it to dry completely; rather, keep it a bit damp to make it easier to work with and to increase the curl.
    • You can use a hair dryer if you'd like; just don't get your hair bone dry.
  3. Divide your hair into two parts either side.
  4. Twist one part of your hair.
  5. Bring it over like a braid. Use a minimum of four bobby pins to pin it over, in place.
  6. Do the same for the other side.
  7. Hairspray your hair down. Be generous with the coverage, as it'll help to set the curls.
  8. Leave it overnight. Remove the bobby pins the following morning. You should find that you will have lovely curls.
  9. Finished!

Tips

  • You may want to add a few more pins, if you have loose twists. You can't let it fall out!
  • Do all of this when your hair is damp.
  • For thick hair use more pins to make sure to doesn't fall out.
  • If you want really curly twirls then make a small bun with the section of hair you twisted, but if you want more relaxed, bohemian curls then just twirl it to a 'O' shape and pin.
  • Use a curl shaping cream right before you start pinning and when your hair is damp. It really helps the curl form and makes it last longer.
  • Touch up your curls after you take them out with a curling wand.
  • If you have used a hair straightener to curl, make sure that once you have curled it, twist it with your finger the same way you used the straightener.

Warnings

  • Don't take out the pins if your hair is wet.
  • Try not to sleep on your back so your head and hair is pushing against the pillow; this may hurt and tear your hair.
  • Don't use a color of pins that will blend in with your hair, especially if you have lots of layers. If you have black hair use pins in a silver color or something else bright.
  • Make sure all the pins are removed before tousling your hair afterwards.
  • Don't move your head a lot or the bobby pins will fall out.

Things You'll Need

  • Bobby pins
  • A comb or brush
  • Water
  • Hairspray

Related Articles

  • Curl Hair
  • Wake up With Bedhead Free Hair
  • Get Wavy Hair Using the Twist 'n' Clip Method

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.vixen-vintage.com/2012/12/vintage-beauty-how-to-do-pin-curls.html
  2. ↑ http://avastrange.com/2012/07/15/pin-curls-for-dummies/
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