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[heatherdazy]

Why all the sticks? Do most LCHers believe that bobby pins are damaging, or are they merely for the sake of convenience?

[RancheroTheBee]

Why all the sticks? Do most LCHers believe that bobby pins are damaging, or are they merely for the sake of convenience?

They allow you to change the position of your hair on a day-to-day basis, unlike elastics which usually rest in the same spot and wear down the hair.

I think a lot of LHCers don't use bobby pins because their hair is so heavy that only sticks will support it properly for long periods of time. I, however, can still get away with bobby pins and clips because my hair is so short.

[AJoifulNoise]

Why do I like sticks?

• There are so many different kinds. It's a way of expressing myself.
• There are so many different ways to wear them.
• You don't see them all that often- so they are just different.
• They don't damage my hair like ties and pins can.
• I can do more with them than I can with ties and pins alone.

[ReddishRocks]

Bobby pins are used to hold back whisps of hair usually. As your hair gets heavier, they're not always effective at holding up a bun!

There's sometimes confusion between bobby pins and Amish pins. This is a bobby pin:



This is an Amish pin or U pin (which is what I called them growing up):



The simple ones are straight, sometimes longer and thicker too. Amish pins can hold up a lot of hair like a hair fork.

[heatherdazy]

I do know the difference between different types of hair pins and I have done hair past waist length up for weddings and such, so I know it can be done, though I'm sure the sticks are about a tenth of the time.

[SimplyViki]

For me, it's convenience. Also, I like having an ornament that seems a little unique to me (although admittedly, on LHC and other hair sites, sticks are run-of-the-mill).

[LeaM07]

Sticks aren't really an alternative to bobby pins, just another styling tool in their own right (like an elastic or a headband). They look different (they're made in a variety of styles from woods, metals, and other materials), and they function differently in a style. A Chinese bun, for instance, involves wrapping the hair around a stick, which you wouldn't be able to do with bobby pins.

One good, strong, stick will also hold up a bun of long, thick hair that would eat bobby pins for breakfast.

[Copasetic]

I think a lot of buns require sticks. When you try to secure a bun with an elastic or some bobby pins, it can get pretty messed up.

[swanns]

Sticks are so damn easy to use as well. It takes me less than ten seconds to make a very secure bun with just one stick, that could never be achieved with bobby pins. I do sometimes use bobby pins as well (for some reason amish pins don't hold for me), but that's rare.

[spidermom]

I used bobby pins when my hair was shorter, and I often noticed that hairs got pulled out with the bobby pins. When I learned how to use forks and sticks, I never went back to bobby pins.