For most of my life, I had no idea I was using hairpins the wrong way—and honestly, it blew my mind when I found out. Those tiny metal tools that seem like they just exist to hold a bun in place? Yeah, they’re actually so much more. And here’s the kicker: we’ve all been putting them in upside down.

That wavy side? It’s meant to face down, toward your scalp, because it grips the hair and helps keep the pin in place. The smooth side is just for looks. I can’t tell you how many updos fell apart before I learned this one simple truth. But once I got it right, everything from ponytails to complicated twists started behaving. That said, hairpins aren’t just magical for your hair. They’re actually one of the most underrated tools you can carry in your bag, glove box, or even your jeans pocket. They’re not just for styling—they’re your emergency fix-it kit, minimalist life hack, and problem-solver all rolled into one.

If you’ve never used a bobby pin to pull up a broken zipper tab, then congratulations—you’ve never been betrayed by a jacket five minutes before a meeting. Just slide a hairpin through the hole where the tab snapped off, and bam—you’ve got yourself a functional zipper again. And if you’ve ever found yourself with a book but no bookmark, just slide a pin over the page. Even better if it’s the wavy kind, because it’ll hang on more securely. Another genius use? Holding a nail steady while you hammer it in. You know that feeling when you’re trying to hold a tiny nail and hit it with a hammer but all you’re really doing is sacrificing your thumb? Avoid the bruises—use a hairpin to grip the nail from a safe distance. Hairpins are also clutch when the chip clip mysteriously disappears into the abyss of your junk drawer. Two pins, one fold, and your snack bag is sealed. Same goes for toothpaste—slide a bobby pin up from the bottom of the tube to push every last bit to the top. It’s oddly satisfying, like a life win in slow motion.

When you’re traveling and need to pop out a SIM card, don’t bother searching for that tiny ejector tool. A hairpin fits perfectly in the slot. Plus, if your socks always come out of the laundry divorced, just clip the pairs together before washing. They’ll come out still hitched. Strappy sandals slipping off your heel? Add a hairpin to keep the strap secured. And for anyone dealing with tangled headphones, use a pin to keep the cord wrapped neatly. You’ll save yourself five minutes and a headache. Some gadgets have tiny reset buttons that need a pin to press—guess what else works? Yep, a hairpin. When it comes to eyeliner, the flick is a challenge for even the steadiest hand. But a clean hairpin can be used as a stencil to guide your wing.

Total game-changer. Wide-neck tops sliding off hangers? Clip a bobby pin on each end of the hanger bar and you’ve got yourself a DIY stopper. If you’re heading out without a wallet, fold a bill and tuck it into a pin hidden in your waistband or bra. It’s your stealth emergency fund. They even work for cleaning—wrap a bit of tissue around the end to clean out keyboard crumbs or gadget crevices. And when you’ve lost a button or need to cinch a dress quickly, a stylish pin can serve as a fashion fix that’s both practical and chic. Now, while hairpins are magical, they’re not immortal. They bend, lose grip, and just get tired. So replace them when they start sliding out or feeling weak. And please, don’t yank them from your hair unless you’re into split ends. In the end, the bobby pin is more than just a hair tool—it’s your undercover problem-solver, a tiny hero that shows up right when you need it most. I keep them everywhere now: in my car, my gym bag, even next to my laptop. It’s like they multiply. And whenever I drop one of these tips over brunch, someone always looks at me like I just cracked the matrix. Trust me—once you unlock the power of the bobby pin, there’s no going back.