These pins are fantastic! They're super strong, and the bend in them is perfect for sliding right into your hairstyles. I've been looking for pins like this for years, and now I've got a giant tin full of them!!Some people in the reviews seem to be confusing hairpins with bobby pins. These are NOT bobby pins! I've got two bobby pins pictured on the right side of my first photo. These are as thick as bobby pins, but the shape means you use them differently. Hair pins are meant for updos, and you slide them in with a little 'wiggle', so you pick up a bit of hair nearer to the scalp as you push them in. Bobby pins are more for holding loose hairs in place.All the pins I was finding in the stores were horrible and bent as soon as I touched them. Even Goody brand was crap. These aren't though. The ends are well finished and covered in a little protective nylon ball so they won't scrape your scalp. The color is a bit dark for brown - hair is a lighter brown - but you can't even see them in, so I'm not going to complain. Just get silver if you have blonde hair. These pins are the real deal and you need them in your life!