These Pins are usually of metal or plastic, used in coiffure to hold hair in place. It is a small double-pronged hair pin or clip that slides into hair with the prongs open and then the flexible prongs close over the hair to hold it in place. They are typically plain and unobtrusively colored. The main use of a bobby pin is to hold hair in place. In addition to bobbed hair, pins are often used in up-dos, buns, and other hair styles where a sleek look is desired. To use a pin in hair hold the hair in the desired position and push the pin (straight side up) into place. They can be used as decorative elements in hair. Attributes such as the clipping action or the having a readily available thin, flat piece of metal mean the pin can be used in other ways as well