Anyone who wants a quick, no-tools way to pin hair back — useful for half-up styles, keeping hair off the face, or holding edges, and works across straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair types.

A side comb does the same basic job as a bobby pin or clip — holding a section of hair back — but without anything to open, close, or lose track of: the curved shape and teeth do the holding on their own. Having four in a pack means there's a backup on hand if one gets misplaced, and they're small enough to toss in a bag for the day.

• Hold the comb upside down so the curved base points upward.
• Gather the section of hair to be pinned back.
• Hold that section in place with one hand, and insert the comb's teeth into the hair with the other.
• Turn the comb so the curve sits flush against the head, locking the section in place.

Pros:

• No elastics or clips needed — the teeth grip directly into the hair
• Small and lightweight enough to keep a spare in a bag
• Works across a range of hair types and textures

Cons:

• Small size and plastic teeth can slip out of very fine or very slick, freshly-conditioned hair
• Not designed to hold thick, heavy sections — works best on smaller pieces
• Teeth can snag or pull on fragile or damaged hair if inserted too roughly