Hair clips or Bobby pins.

Artytarty

I'm a recent recruit to messy updo curly hair!
Anyhow, my limited research has included hair pins. I am astonished to read that you are supposed to use them with the flat side up and the wiggly side down! Am I alone in always having used them the other way up? Apparently flat side up they grip the hair much better.
I'm interested in your experiences and also any info you may have on using the twin prong type, old fashioned hairpin.
I'm already employing about twenty clips on my head , it's a veritable metal detectors paradise and I still have quite a few escapees.

Artytarty

Ok,must just be me then!

dibuzz

I have short hair now but used them for years when my hair was long and tied back and always used them flat side down.
They don't look like they would be comfortable with the wiggly side and sticky out prong against the head.
My daughter recently told me that's how they should go but tried it and siad they feel funny and don't look right so went back the the normal way.

stir_crazy

I've been doing it the wrong way too then. Trying it the other way today though just feels strange. And I think the wriggly side actually looks better against the hair.

balletshoes

if its a messy bun you're doing, bun pins outstrip bobby pins or hair grips (what I call kirbys). They are cheaper bought from dancewear shops as they sell them in bulk, they are longer than bobby pins, and if you use them correctly, they will hold your hair up where you want it all day.

Bobby pins and bun pins work the same way though - once you have your up-do the way you want it, you secure it with either pin, by starting the pin going through the hair with the prongs facing up to the sky, then you twist the pin and go back through the hair with the prongs facing down to the floor.

My DD only used kirbys (hair grips) to secure any sticky-out bits back against her head, once she's done her up-do. But the hair grips are worn flat side under the hair, wiggly bit visible lol.