This $29 Hair Pin Is The Secret Behind So Many Red-Carpet Hairstyles

When I tell people I'm a beauty editor, they act as if I have the talent of a hairstylist. They assume I've mastered all kinds of complex hairstyles. One person even asked me to cut their hair for them. However much I wish this were true...it's not. In fact, you'll likely see me wearing a hair mask to the grocery store before you'll see me with a perfectly-done style. 

That's not because I don't like to do my hair. It's actually quite the opposite. I love doing my own hair, but I struggle when it comes to certain styles—particularly up-dos. If it's a look that involves anything more complicated than a claw clip, I'm in trouble. Blame it on a lack of practice, my poor technique, or the fact that my long, fine hair doesn't like to hold a shape, but I have yet to master the art of the up-do. That is, until recently. I tried a celeb-approved French hair pin (America Ferrera and Aubrey Plaza have both worn in it in their red-carpet up-dos), and I've been wearing my hair up almost every day for a month. It takes me less than five minutes, holds all day, and (in my opinion) looks extremely chic. Keep scrolling!

Here it is—Day Rate Beauty's Power Pin. It's a seven-inch French hair pin that comes in different shades that match common hair colors. For example, the shade Cocoa is a rich brown for brunette hair; the shade Dandelion is warm yellow for blonde hair, and the shade Crimson is well-suited for red hair.

"I like to think of them as a damage free alternative to an elastic, or a one and done way to throw your hair up," says Celebrity Hairstylist and Founder of Day Rate Beauty, Aviva Jansen. "And because they are color matched (and we also offer gold), they are a sophisticated, elevated, everyday styling tool."

The slightly smaller version of the Power Pin is aptly named the Petite Power Pin, and it's five-and-a-half inches instead of seven. Personally, since I have long but fine hair, this one worked better for creating up-dos placed at the crown on my head. However, if you have long, thick hair, I'd recommend sticking with the Power Pin for better hold. 

The third and final pin I tried was the brand's Foundation Pin. This is a three-inch pin (pack of 12) that reminds me of a dual-ended bobby pin. "My clients have all different hair densities and lengths, so I made sure these pins work for every hair type," Jansen says. "If you have fine or short hair, I’d recommend our Min Pins and Petite Power Pins. If your hair is longer or thicker, opt for the Foundation Pins and Power Pins." 

Here's the Min Pin Jansen referenced. It's the smallest pin the brand offers at only two inches (it comes with a pack of 12). ""Sustainability is at the forefront of every decision we make," Jansen says. "Our pins are made in America with super strong stainless steel, coated in soft non damaging plant-based nylon. They come in tubes that help keep track of your pins, eliminating single usage."

"Hero Pins are named 'Hero' because they work on everyone," Jansen says. "And because they are plastic free, they are never going to snag or damage your hair. If your hair is too short to put into an elastic, then it's probably too short to use U-shaped pins. But you can always use a Hero Pin to pin your bangs to the side. Very chic!"