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Pin back a growing-out fringe

When your fringe keeps falling into your eyes, a loose side twist can hold it back while it grows. Choose a nearby pinning point the short pieces reach without pulling.

Step by step

  1. Separating the growing fringe from the loose side hair.
    STEP 1 OF 5

    Choose a small front section

    • Start with dry, detangled hair. Use your fingers to separate the fringe from the longer side hair.
    • Bring it gently toward a nearby spot above your ear or beside your forehead. Choose a closer spot if the roots pull.
    • Keep a pin within reach on a table. A fixed mirror can help you see the side of your head; keep both hands free for the hair and pin.
  2. Holding a loose side twist away from the face.
    STEP 2 OF 5

    Make a loose side twist

    • Guide the section away from your face and turn it loosely between your fingers, just enough to keep the short pieces together.
    • Hold the end against the side hair with one hand. Leave some slack at the hairline; you do not need a tight rope.
  3. A woman supports a loose side twist while sliding one bobby pin flat through it, with the wavy leg toward her head.
    STEP 3 OF 5

    Slide one pin through the twist

    • Keep holding the twist. With your free hand, take a bobby pin with its wavy leg toward your head and its straight leg facing out.
    • Ease the tips apart only enough to catch the twist and a little side hair beneath it. Do not force the pin wide open.
    • Slide the rounded tips forward along the twist toward your temple, keeping the pin flat. Stop if it scratches or resists.

    The lower leg goes beneath the small twist and the upper leg over it. Keep the tips in the hair, pointing along your head rather than into your scalp.

  4. The same woman lowers both hands to check that her pinned side twist stays in place without pulling.
    STEP 4 OF 5

    Let go and check the hold

    • Lower both hands. Gently turn your head and raise your eyebrows; the fringe should stay back without pulling, pressing or stinging.
    • If it pulls, remove the pin as in step 5 and start again more loosely or closer to the front. If it slips, try a smaller section.
  5. A woman supports her side twist with one hand and holds the withdrawn bobby pin clear of the hair with the other.
    STEP 5 OF 5

    Support the twist and slide the pin out

    • When taking it down, hold the twist gently with one hand. With the other, grasp the pin’s folded end and slide it back along the way it went in.
    • Stop if hair catches. Give the strand slack and free it with your fingers before continuing; do not tug the pin through it.
    • Once the pin is clear, let the twist unwind. Remove shed hairs from the pin and put it away.

About 1–3 minutes of handling to separate, twist, pin and check one section, then remove the pin later. Detangling, drying and wear time are separate.

Editorial estimate, not measured. Learning the movement, pinning both sides or repositioning a slipping pin can take longer.

You’re done when…

With both hands lowered, the fringe stays out of your eyes and head or eyebrow movement does not pull. The pin lies flat without pressing. Support the section when you take it out.