What are the best hair pins for a bridal updo that lasts all night?
No pin can promise an updo will last all night, but the right pins really help. Look for pins that grip your hair instead of just squeezing it, in a shade that disappears into your color, and use enough of them that no single pin does all the work. The stylists and brides quoted below use velvet-coated U-pins. Our best tip: try your pins at your hair trial, not on the day.
What a wedding day asks of your hair
Hours of photos, hugs and dancing, heat or humidity, a veil or comb, and nobody to fix your hair when you're in the middle of the party. A style that looked secure in the chair at ten in the morning has to still be there at ten at night.
What to look for in bridal hair pins
- Grip. Pins with friction, like a velvet coating, give your style something to hold on to.
- Shade. In photos, a pin that matches your hair disappears, and a mismatched one shows. Frenchies come in grey, black, blonde, brown and red.
- Comfort. You'll be wearing them for many hours. Rounded tips and fewer pins help.
- Enough pins, well spread. Build the style on a firm base and spread the weight across several pins placed from different directions.
- Extras. Tuck a few spare pins into your wedding-day kit.
What stylists and brides say
“my favorite black velvet frenchies for hair security”
Sophie Rose Gutterman, hairstylist, on recreating Malika Andrews’ bridal curls, The Tease
“securing with Frenchies velvet hair pins; these [U-shaped pins] are a game changer in keeping an up-do in place all night without using a thousand pins.”
Christian Wood, celebrity hairstylist, in “This undone ’90s up-do is the ultimate party season hairstyle,” by Katie Withington, Harper’s Bazaar UK
“They held up my wedding hair in 95 degree heat and humidity and are currently helping me wrangle my new bangs.”
Amazon Customer, 5-star review, Red (Verified Purchase on Amazon)
“They are flocked so they hold the hair perfectly and are virtually undetectable to the eye (or digital camera)”
Customer review on frenchieshairpins.com (the reviewer is a celebrity hairstylist)
More brides wearing Frenchies in our Instagram highlight: Brides.
Where Frenchies Hairpins fit
Frenchies are U-shaped pins with a soft velvet coating, in large and small sizes. They're one option for brides who want their style to hold without a handful of metal pins, and for stylists who want a pin that stays put. We also make decorative charms you can add to Frenchies hairpins, with brides, bridesmaids and dancers in mind.
We're proud to be Award-Winning Hairpins at Lux Life Magazine.
Honest limits
- Nothing replaces a trial. Heat, humidity, the weight of your hair and the length of the day all change the result. A hair trial is your chance to test, move, dance and hug.
- Match matters. A color match is never perfect on every head, so compare photos of the pins on real hair.
- Your stylist has a say. Many stylists bring their own pins. Ask what they plan to use, and if you'd like to try ours, bring a set to the trial.
Ready to take a look? Here are Frenchies Velvet Hairpins.
Related questions
- Hair pins professional hairstylists recommend
- French hair pins that actually stay in
- Hair pins that don’t hurt your scalp
Frequently asked questions
What pins do wedding hairstylists use to secure an updo?
It varies by stylist and by the hair. Many combine pin types, such as bobby pins for sections and flyaways and U-shaped pins to hold the shape. Some name Frenchies in print: stylist Sophie Rose Gutterman, writing about a bridal look in The Tease, called them “my favorite black velvet frenchies for hair security”.
How do I keep a wedding updo from falling apart?
Start with hair that has some grip, such as day-old hair or a texturizing product, build the style on a firm base, and spread the weight across several pins placed from different directions. Test it at your trial: move, dance and hug. Keep spare pins in your wedding-day kit.
Should I bring my own pins to my hair trial?
It is reasonable to ask. Tell your stylist which pins you would like to try and bring a few. Stylists have their own preferences, and a trial is the time to see whether a pin works with your hair and your style.
Do velvet hair pins show in wedding photos?
Coated pins are matte rather than shiny and come in several shades, so a close match can be hard to spot. A reviewer who is a celebrity hairstylist wrote on frenchieshairpins.com: “They are flocked so they hold the hair perfectly and are virtually undetectable to the eye (or digital camera)”. Match is not perfect on every head, so compare photos before you choose.