I was part of the wobbly bun team for a long time: elastic too tight, crab clip that slipped, strands that fell out after an hour. Then I came across a mysterious French pin, this large U-shaped pin that I saw passing around on TikTok without really understanding how it worked. Honestly, I thought it was a gimmick.
It was when I realized to what extent the accessory was invading fall looks that I gave in. , writes the magazine. A bit of a crazy promise for someone who messes up all their buns.
French pin: this U-shaped accessory that saved my buns
A French pin, or U-shaped pin, looks like a large minimalist fork. Two branches, a space in the middle, no mechanism for pinching the strands… And yet, well positioned, it maintains a bun or twist for hours, on fine, thick, straight or curly hair, simply by anchoring itself close to the scalp.
I recognized the feeling in this sentence from a beauty journalist from the magazine: . Hairstylist Hollie Rose Clarke goes further: , explains Hollie Rose Clarke. This is exactly what I was looking for.
How to Use a French Pin for an Easy Banana Bun
I start by pulling my hair back, like a high ponytail, but without elastic. I twist the entire length on itself, then I bring this roll up against the back of the head to form a banana bun, a back-to-season version. The ends are tucked into the twist so that nothing sticks out.
Next comes the key gesture of the French pin bun: I place the pin horizontally, points outwards, and I insert it into the top of the bun. Then I rotate it 180°, points towards the scalp, before sliding it downwards by “hooking” a strand close to the scalp. Once I get the hang of this move, my bun lasts the day.
Three ideas for elegant buns with a French pin
Very quickly, I stopped limiting myself to the banana bun. With the same accessory, I make a smooth low bun at the nape of the neck for professional meetings, a higher ballerina bun when I want something very neat, or a half-up, half-down by only lifting the upper part of my hair, as recommended in *Elle*.
For variety, I invested in a marbled pin like Ariel Pin in Marble from Salt & Waves ($22) and in La Vaillante from Officine Universelle Buly ($50), more statement. With just one pin, I can create in minutes:
- a quick banana bun for the office;
- an ultra-smooth low bun for an evening;
- a fuzzy half-bun for lazy days.
And there, even without being good with my hands, my hairstyles suddenly look very “hairdresser”.
How to use a French pin when you are a beginner?
Start with a simple banana bun: twist your hair, bring the twist up against the head, then insert the French pin horizontally before returning it towards the scalp. After a few tries, the gesture becomes truly automatic.
Is the French pin suitable for fine or curly hair?
Yes, on fine hair we prefer a light material like cellulose acetate and a pin that is not too heavy. On thick or curly hair, a longer French pin, sometimes wavy, allows you to anchor the bun more deeply without breaking the curls.
What is the difference between a French pine and a crab claw?
The crab clip pinches the strands from the outside and remains voluminous, while the French pin hides in the bun. It is flatter, more chic, leaves fewer marks and maintains the hairstyle without pulling on the lengths.
