Top 10 Best Bobby Pins for Thick Hair in 2021 (Goodie, Conair, and More)

Tired of using bobby pins that slide right out of your thick and luscious locks? Bobby pins are pretty flimsy, especially for those with thick hair. But some updos, buns, braids, and other styles just require them. So we did our research to find ones that actually stay in place, like MetaGrip Black Premium Bobby Pins!

These pins are longer, come in larger packs, and are either for pinning hair down or supporting updos–but not both. Some other factors that are important to keep in mind are your individual hair type and color.

Last updated: 06-09-2021
17,693 views

Table of Contents

Compare the Best Bobby Pins for Thick Hair

Image	1 MetaGrip	2 Marilyn Faye's	3 Yishenyishi	4 Rocst	5 Goody	6 Marilyn Faye's	7 Fromm	8 Karina	9 KangSong	10 Conair
Name	Black Premium Bobby Pins	U-Shaped Crinkled Hair Pins	Curved Jumbo Bobby Pins	Professional Ballet U-Shaped Hair Pins	Black Roller Pins	U-Shaped Straight Hair Pins	Matte Wide Bobby Pins	Rubberized Bobby Pins	Gold Metal Hair Clips for Styling	Color Match Bobby Pins
Features	Our Best Pick! Reliable and Solid Hold Pins	Sturdy Open Pins for Every Hair Color	Great for Holding Down Flyaways	Pins That Can Hold Massive Amounts of Hair	Perfect for Those Who Like Their Bobby Pins Straight	Excellent Open Pins for Very Textured Hair	Matte Pins for a Tight Grip That’ll Last All Day	For Those with Silky Smooth Hair or Nickel Allergies	Best Pins for Decoration and Functionality	A Great Option if You’re Looking for a Ton of Pins for Cheap
Price	$14.78	$7.99	$9.99	$12.99	$8.59	$7.99	$3.99	$5.99	$7.99	$4.34
Length	2 inches	3 inches	3.4 inches	3 inches	3 inches	3 inches	3 inches	2 inches	2.2 inches	2 inches
Amount	300	12	10	12	18	12	4	30	72	75
Ridged	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Best for	Pinning hair down	Supporting updos	Pinning hair down	Supporting updos	Pinning hair down, holding curls	Supporting updos	Pinning hair down	Pinning hair down	Pinning hair down	Pinning hair down
Colors available	Black, bronze, blonde	Black, blonde, brown, redhead, and more	Black, brown, gray	Black	Black, brown	Black, blonde, brown, redhead, and more	Black, blonde, brown, metallic	Black	Gold, rose gold	Black
Link	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon

Top 10 Best Bobby Pins for Thick Hair

Here are some of our favorite products, for use in all kinds of styles and updos.

※These rankings were decided based on user reviews and popular rank lists from Amazon gathered on July 6th.

amazon.com

MetaGripBlack Premium Bobby Pins

$14.78

View product on Amazon

Our Best Pick! Reliable and Solid Hold Pins

Features:

comes in 3 colors: bronze, black, and blonde
strong grip
durable

Recommended for:

matches natural tone hair colors and holds well and for a long time

These bobby pins have been hailed by reviewers as basically the holy grail of bobby pins. They’re extremely durable and have a surprisingly strong grip–particularly when you use two together in an X formation.

They come in three different shades to match almost all (natural) hair colors, and the paint holds up through a fair amount of abuse. Note that the container it comes in might arrive cracked, but the pins inside should be fine.

Length	2 inches
Amount	300
Ridged	Yes
Best for	Pinning hair down
Colors available	Black, bronze, blonde

amazon.com

Marilyn Faye'sU-Shaped Crinkled Hair Pins

$7.99

View product on Amazon

Sturdy Open Pins for Every Hair Color

Features:

classic U-shape
comes in the 10 colors: black, green, pink, yellow, and more
4 different lengths to choose from

Recommended for:

sturdy, classic stainless steel pins in various colors for you to get creative

These U-shaped hairpins are super sturdy, and you’ll probably find yourself needing fewer pins than you normally use. They’re snag-resistant and come in 10 different colors, just in case your hair is neon green.

That being said, because they’re so robust, if your hair isn’t extremely thick, you might want to get a shorter option (this pin comes in three other sizes) that isn’t so heavy.

Length	3 inches
Amount	12
Ridged	Yes
Best for	Supporting updos
Colors available	Black, blonde, brown, redhead, and more

amazon.com

YishenyishiCurved Jumbo Bobby Pins

$9.99

View product on Amazon

Great for Holding Down Flyaways

Features:

curved design
extra long (3.4 inches) with a metal finish
comes in 5 colors: red, black, navy, brown, and gray

Recommended for:

adding an elegant, golden touch to any hairdo

These bobby pins are curved to better fit against your head–goodbye, awkward sticking-out bits! They’re long and strong and sure to rein in thick, unruly hair.

However, don’t expect these pins to be wholly inconspicuous. Although the main portions are colored, the pin itself is gold, and the gold will show. But if you’re looking for just a little bit of bling, these are your guys.

Length	3.4 inches
Amount	10
Ridged	No
Best for	Pinning hair down
Colors available	Black, brown, gray

amazon.com

RocstProfessional Ballet U-Shaped Hair Pins

$12.99

View product on Amazon

Pins That Can Hold Massive Amounts of Hair

Features:

angled and wide U-shape
2 lengths: 2.5 or 3-inch
flexible and sturdy

Recommended for:

making tight, ballet buns for sports, professional wear, or casual days

These hairpins are uniquely angled to offer a wider area for holding hair. Each pin is made from an elastic yet resilient stainless steel that retains its shape regardless of hair thickness.

However, it only comes in black, so if you have lighter hair and want something inconspicuous, you may have to look elsewhere. For those that do buy it, if you have any issues with the quality of the product, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Length	3 inches
Amount	12
Ridged	No
Best for	Supporting updos
Colors available	Black

amazon.com

GoodyBlack Roller Pins

$8.59

View product on Amazon

Perfect for Those Who Like Their Bobby Pins Straight

Features:

straight design, with one bump on the back
long length
works on all hair types

Recommended for:

best for those with voluminous hair to keep stray hairs out of sight

These roller pins are meant to keep curling rollers in place, but they’re functionally the same as large bobby pins, which makes them ideal for those with more volume. These are sturdy and great for medium to thick hair.

However, some reviewers report that these pins might not hold particularly thick locks and may not be grippy enough for those that don’t have a bit of texture in their hair.

Length	3 inches
Amount	18
Ridged	No
Best for	Pinning hair down, holding curls
Colors available	Black, brown

amazon.com

Marilyn Faye'sU-Shaped Straight Hair Pins

$7.99

View product on Amazon

Excellent Open Pins for Very Textured Hair

Features:

straight, untextured design
comes in 8 colors: red, pink, green, black, white, and more
4 lengths: 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3-inch

Recommended for:

creating loose and tighter buns with no snagging

Like their ridged cousins above, these U-shaped bobby pins are sturdy, strong, and come in a variety of colors sure to match basically any (natural or not) hair color.

However, because they’re straight, they might be too slippery for those with straight hair. But those with particularly textured hair might find that they snag less.

Length	3 inches
Amount	12
Ridged	No
Best for	Supporting updos
Colors available	Black, blonde, brown, redhead, and more

amazon.com

FrommMatte Wide Bobby Pins

NHC004

$3.99

View product on Amazon

Matte Pins for a Tight Grip That’ll Last All Day

Features:

comes in 4 colors: metallic, black, blonde, and brown
flat design: wide with a thin opening
super strong hold

Recommended for:

when a traditional pin doesn't work and you need extra strength hold on untreated hair

These pins are significantly wider than most and have an extremely strong hold. Once you get them in place, they will not budge, no matter how thick your hair is.

However, some may find them a bit too strong as reviewers note that they’re difficult to remove from their packaging and might damage weak hair. So if you have chemical- or color-treated hair, you might want to steer clear of these.

Length	3 inches
Amount	4
Ridged	No
Best for	Pinning hair down
Colors available	Black, blonde, brown, metallic

amazon.com

KarinaRubberized Bobby Pins

$5.99

View product on Amazon

For Those with Silky Smooth Hair or Nickel Allergies

Features:

rubberized coating (safe for nickel allergies)
doesn't pull on hair when taken out
comes with 30 in a pack

Recommended for:

holds decently and pulls out painlessly

These bobby pins have a rubberized coating to prevent slipping, which makes them ideal for those with smoother hair that tends to slip out of other pins. Despite their grip, they come out easily without pulling.

On a side note, these are also great for those who have a nickel allergy as the metal parts are completely covered. However, they only come in black, which might not be what lighter haired folks are looking for.

Length	2 inches
Amount	30
Ridged	No
Best for	Pinning hair down
Colors available	Black

amazon.com

KangSongGold Metal Hair Clips for Styling

$7.99

View product on Amazon

Best Pins for Decoration and Functionality

Features:

wavy ridging
beautiful, golden color
3 shiny colors: gold, silver, and rose gold

Recommended for:

adding a little bit of sparkle to your hair

These bobby pins aren’t meant to be hidden and are best for those looking to add a little bit of sparkle to their hair. However, despite their decorative look, they’re also quite functional and hold hair snugly thanks to their wavy ridging.

The gold coloring is electroplated and won’t peel off. However, it might start to dull after several uses. It's a good thing it comes in a fairly large pack!

Length	2.2 inches
Amount	72
Ridged	Yes
Best for	Pinning hair down
Colors available	Gold, rose gold

amazon.com

ConairColor Match Bobby Pins

$4.34

View product on Amazon

A Great Option if You’re Looking for a Ton of Pins for Cheap

Features:

pack of 75 pins
ball-tipped safety ends
includes a small and convenient carrying case

Recommended for:

if you need a lot of pins, this pack is good value for the cost

Sometimes you’re doing an elaborate updo and you just need a ton of bobby pins. This is the pack for you. At just $4.34 per 75, you can buy basically as many as you want without worrying about the price.

However, they aren’t the sturdiest pins, and you’ll likely find yourself using more of these than you would with a stronger option. However, if you’re looking for sheer numbers, this one’s got it.

Length	2 inches
Amount	75
Ridged	Yes
Best for	Pinning hair down
Colors available	Black

How to Choose Bobby Pins for Thick Hair – Buying Guide

Here, we'll be introducing the following five important points to check when you choose a healthy jelly.

Points to Consider:

The Longer the Pin, the More Hair it Holds
You’ll Probably Need More Pins Than You Think
Ridged or Flat Depends Largely on Your Hair Type
Use Different Shapes for Different Parts of Your 'Do
For an Effortless Looking Updo, Find a Color that Matches Your Hair

1. The Longer the Pin, the More Hair it Holds

A thick head of hair doesn’t just mean you have a larger quantity of hair, but also that each individual strand is fatter. So a lot of the time, normal 2-inch bobby pins just aren’t going to cut it. Instead, look for bobby pins marked as “jumbo” or “roller pins.” These are around 3 inches in length and hold significantly more hair.

2. You’ll Probably Need More Pins Than You Think

Here’s one reason your bobby pins keep sliding out of thick hair: you’re trying to put too much hair in them. An easy way to get pins to stay is simply to use more of them. Plus, because we all know how easy it is to lose bobby pins, it’s best to look for larger packs that include 30 or more pins.

3. Ridged or Flat Depends Largely on Your Hair Type

Most standard bobby pins come with ridges or waves on one side. While this can work for some, others might want to consider fully flat pins. If you have straight hair, ridged bobby pins can offer some grip for your hair to hold on to, which helps them stay in place.

On the other hand, flat pins, by virtue of both sides lay flat against each other, tend to have tighter grips and can better keep thick hair in place (granted your hair is textured enough to grip on to the pin).

4. Use Different Shapes for Different Parts of Your 'Do

There are two main types of bobby pins: closed and open. Thinner haired folks can often get away with just using closed pins, but for those with thicker hair, it’s best to differentiate. Closed pins should basically only be used to hold hair to your head, to tuck away the fly-aways and baby hairs that don’t quite make it into your updo.

Open pins are able to grab a lot more hair and are great for keeping your bun or twist in place. Don’t try to use a closed pin for this, as it won’t hold very much, and you’ll end up using quite a lot of pins.

5. For an Effortless Looking Updo, Find a Color that Matches Your Hair

Most people use bobby pins because they’re small and inconspicuous, and it appears as if your hair is held effortlessly in place. It’s a whole lot easier to disguise the pins when they match the color of your hair. Black or brown pins are common, but lighter-colored pins might take a little more searching.

Will Bobby Pins Damage My Hair?

In a nutshell, it depends on how you use them. You’ve probably heard that criss-crossing the pins into an X shape gives them more grip–this is true, but it also concentrates a lot of pressure in one area, which can cause breakage. There a few other things you can do to make sure the pins stay in place.

If you’re using closed ridged pins, put them in with the ridged side against your head so that the ridges grip your hair. Don’t try to overload each pin–it won’t hold. Instead, just use more of them.

Don’t open them up too wide (or at all!). Just slip them onto your hair—this will keep you from straining the pin and bending it out of shape. If you’re still having trouble getting them to stay in place, try using little hairspray to help them stick.

Also, ever notice the little balls on the ends of bobby pins? Those are meant to protect your scalp. If the edges of the pin are sharp and unprotected, it can pull on your hair or snap it right off. Therefore, once the coating on your bobby pin has worn off, make sure you throw it out.

More Hair Products to Achieve the Perfect Look

Now that you've got it pinned in place, you'd better hold it there! Here are some other ways you can treat your locks.

Top 10 Best Natural Hair Gels in 2020

Top 10 Best Scalp Scrubs in 2020

Top 10 Best Hair Mousses in 2020

Summary

In short, it isn’t impossible to find bobby pins that work for thicker hair, it just takes a little extra time. When deciding on the best ones for you, don’t just look for the pins with the best reviews– remember to also keep your own hair and needs in mind.

Author: Jacqueline Oshiro