I Like Socks

Innovation is rare.  It’s a common descriptor, but normally hyperbole.  So when something actually innovative comes along it’s rather a joy.   We were at a hotel on the coast and I see a commercial (we don’t have cable, so I only see commercials when we travel) for this thing called the “spin pin” that was said to do the work of twenty bobby pins.  It’s not a clip, it’s not a comb, nor is it like any regular hairpin I’ve seen.  It totally looks like science.

I mean, seriously.  So, I figured it might be worth trying out.  Bravo to Goody, by the way, for having a commercial that actually intrigues the consumer about a product.  It must be awful to think of hair product commercials, since the ‘90s were full of seen-on-TV devices that stuttered into oblivion (anyone remember the Topsy Tail?).

The problem is, the damn thing was so new I couldn’t find it at my local and had to go into the city to get it.  At about $6 for a set of two, it was a splurge.  But I am all about science.  And the temptation was strong to find a hair device that doesn’t snag, pull at or get lost in my easily mattable mane.

Guys. It works.  I’ve been wearing ‘em endlessly, the days are getting warmer and I want my hair up—and I can now do it without the half-dozen pins and hair ties normally necessary.  I’ve been showing them around the office and the keys to using the spin pin seem to be these:

• Your hair has to be long enough to make at least a small bun.
• Thick, heavy or slippery hair will need to use both pins.
• It helps a lot if you can make a bun or French twist without thinking about it.

Using the Rapunzel-like hair of Chase, I’ll show you how it works.

First, gather your hair all up where you want it to be:

Twist it up, you don’t need to make a ponytail first (!!):

While twisting, wrap that shit around until you’ve got a bun:

Now, get your ends tucked in, and ready the spin pin.  You can go from the sides or top, I tend to aim where the bulk of the ends are.  Make sure you’re picking up hair close to the scalp as you go, that’s what actually anchors everything:

Twist clockwise.  Which can be confusing. But there’s good biofeedback with the pin, you can feel that you’re turning the wrong way and correct yourself:

If you’ve got fine hair or lots of it, add the second pin, going from the opposite side.  Don’t get the pins interlocked; I don’t think they’ll become irretrievable, just a bitch to get out:

And done.  To remove, you just twist them the opposite way (counter-clockwise).  I cannot explain what a freaking boon this is to curly haired folks.  I have lost pins, cried tears and wanted to punch faces when taking down updos.  Curly hair is like the kite eating tree from Peanuts, and the spin pin’s ability to escape that is amazing.

Extra factoids:

• The box has a how-to on the back and says it comes with two more styles in a ‘style guide’ inside.  This is the lamest style guide ever.  A bun, a side bun and double buns!
  
  Yeah.  In the first week I found these things are good for French twists, ‘Minnie Mouse’ buns on the top of the head, inverted twists with hair hanging loose and more.  It’s all up to your skillz, baby.
• I had a bitch of a time finding them, but here are some quick links to where they are at Target, Walgreens and as part of a pack of other things at a special little site [video at link, ps] for Goody’s new line of toys.  It’s also worth checking your local Fred Meyer, if they’ve got them, they’ll be in a pastel endcap display.

Tags: accessories, hair, review

This entry was posted on Friday, May 14th, 2010 at 4:33 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.