How to Use a French Hairpin: Shop the Trend

It’s hard to believe that claw clips, the ’90s hair accessory we can’t get enough of right now, were briefly deemed out of style a decade ago. Much like hair colors and haircut trends, things like headbands and hair clips come and go, and it feels like due time for something new to swoop in and shake things up. Allow us to introduce you to the french hairpin, the chicer, grown-up cousin of the claw clip.

Chances are, you may have seen someone using a french hairpin before; this sleek accessory easily flies under the radar. Maybe it was your cool world-traveling aunt who just got back from a three-week trip to Europe or a content creator on TikTok who always knows the latest and greatest styles. The hairpin itself is pretty innocuous: it’s U-shaped, with two long prongs. The design allows you to twist and secure your hair into an updo in a series of quick motions. It’s relatively easy — once you get the hang of it.

To learn how to use a french hairpin straight from a hairstylist and get on the best ones to buy, keep reading.

Experts Featured in This Article

Deborah Pagani is a fine jewelry and hair accessories designer and hairstylist.

Popular French Hairpin Hairstyles

Once you know how to use a french hairpin, you’re able to create a myriad of styles with it. “My go-to styles are a classic chignon, high topknot, french twist, and half-up,” designer and hairstylist Deborah Pagani tells PS. “The best thing about a hairpin is how versatile it is.”

How to Use a French Hairpin

Using a french hairpin is easy. You’ll want to start by gathering all of your hair into one hand as if you’re about to create a ponytail. The placement should be wherever you want your bun to eventually sit. Then, holding your hair tightly at the base, begin twisting the ponytail with your other hand into what Pagani likes to call a Cinnabon and tuck the remaining tip of hair underneath the bun to keep it from sticking out. All of this is done without the pin — that comes later.

“While still holding the bun with one hand, hold your pin upside down in the other and slide the prongs into the top section of your bun to grab a little section of your hair,” says Pagani. “Make sure not to insert it into the middle of your bun or to take up too much of your hair.” This helps anchor your bun down. Then you’re ready to slide the rest of the pin into your bun to lock it in place.

If you’re having trouble getting your bun to stay in place, “What I’ve found is that most people are just poking the pin through their bun rather than using the anchor-and-glide method,” Pagani says. “That step will take practice, but trust me, you’ll get the hang of it.”

Shop the Best French Hairpins

Like claw clips and headbands, there are a variety of french hairpins on the market for you to choose from. Pagani’s namesake brand makes The DP Pin With Pearl ($85). It’s decorated on the end for some added pizzazz. We also recommend The Hair Edit’s Sleek Chignon Pin ($13), the Emi Jay Jelly Hair Pin ($16), and the Machete French Hair Pin ($35).

Jessica Harrington is the senior beauty editor at PS, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.