what are some protective style I can do without alot of hair toys?

**Zhennni(:** · February 18th, 2012, 11:12 PM

Hi everyone!

I know that putting your hair up in a protective style will reduce tangles and breakage; however I am a poor highschool student who does't have the money to buy expensive hair combs, forks, and sticks etc. All I have are hair ties, bobby pins, and claw clips. I used to be able to secure a french twist with a claw clip but now my hair is getting too long( waist length and pretty thick) and the clip doesnt secure it well. Also my hair is heavily layered :/ I can't even do a french briad without pieces of hair sticking/falling out

Do you guys have any suggestions of styles I can do? or maybe recommend really cheap hair toys that i can afford? thanks alot!

**HintOfMint** · February 18th, 2012, 11:13 PM

Spin pins are pretty cheap and available at most drugstore type places (CVS, Target... etc.)

I swear by them, I don't even own any hairtoys, and I'm perfectly happy with the styles I can create.

**Zhennni(:** · February 18th, 2012, 11:25 PM

are they easy to use?

I suck at using pins:P I have trouble using the U shaped pins :/

**HintOfMint** · February 18th, 2012, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by Zhennni(:

are they easy to use?

I suck at using pins:P I have trouble using the U shaped pins :/

They are ridiculously easy. Try a cinnabun first and use two spin pins, one where the ends tuck in, and another on the opposite side. Think of it as "sewing" your hair; as you twist the pins in, they thread through your bun and the scalp hair and hold it together.

It's pretty intuitive, once you see them, you'll understand.

U shaped pins are a pain in my booty, I can imagine they're difficult for most people.

**Madora** · February 19th, 2012, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by Zhennni(:

are they easy to use?

I suck at using pins:P I have trouble using the U shaped pins :/

As far as using hairpins (not bobby pins), it is how you insert it that makes the difference.

You insert the pin --points facing the scalp - down through the outtermost edge of the braid or bun and try and "scoop" up a tiny bit of scalp hair, then pivot the pin inward towards the braid (bun) weaving the pin into it in and up and down motion.

Pin at the 4 points (north/south/east/west) and wherever needed.

Crimped hairpins come in various sizes, are very flexible and gentle on your hair..and easy to remove.

**zombi** · February 19th, 2012, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Madora

As far as using hairpins (not bobby pins), it is how you insert it that makes the difference.

You insert the pin --points facing the scalp - down through the outtermost edge of the braid or bun and try and "scoop" up a tiny bit of scalp hair, then pivot the pin inward towards the braid (bun) weaving the pin into it in and up and down motion.

Pin at the 4 points (north/south/east/west) and wherever needed.

Crimped hairpins come in various sizes, are very flexible and gentle on your hair..and easy to remove.

thanks for this explanation... I always have trouble with hairpins, too. I will try it following these directions. Hopefully it will help!!

for the OP... they sell Spin Pins at Target/Walmart/Walgreens/CVS type places in the USA. I will add my vote to those who say "yay, I love them!" because they hold my layered hair really well.

**Zhennni(:** · February 18th, 2012, 11:38 PM

I will give those a try then

but for some reason I am afraid to screw/twist things in my hair because before I tried to use pencils and chopsticks as a hairstick, and as I twisted them in i hear and feel hairs snapping O.O is there a special technique to twising hair toys in your hair?

**furnival** · February 19th, 2012, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by Zhennni(:

I am afraid to screw/twist things in my hair because before I tried to use pencils and chopsticks as a hairstick, and as I twisted them in i hear and feel hairs snapping O.O is there a special technique to twising hair toys in your hair?

You shouldn't have to twist sticks into your hair- they should slide in smoothly, with no snagging. I find pencils tend to catch in my hair, but a Bic biro is my favourite pen-hairstick.

What kind of bun/ updo were you doing with the pencils/ chopsticks?

**B-L** · February 19th, 2012, 12:33 AM

Gibson tuck is easy. How are your braiding skills? Braids are good and there a many styles. You could try a braided bun, holded by bobby pins.

**darklyndsea** · February 19th, 2012, 02:25 AM

You can find hair sticks for pretty cheap online if you look, though most of the cheap ones aren't the sturdiest of things. And it might not be the height of fashion, but anything relatively hair stick-shaped works as a substitute: chopsticks, pens, pencils.