Cruise Hair Win: Why I’m Officially Obsessed with Hair Sticks ✨🛳️💇‍♀️

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Now that we’re back from our cruise, I can confidently say one of my favorite packing decisions had nothing to do with shoes or outfits — it was hair sticks. I absolutely loved having different hair pins for different events, and they worked way better than I expected. Casual days, elegant dinners, even late-night dancing — my hair was handled. (I'll write more about the actual cruise soon. Hehe)

I’m officially converted.

(Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) 

🐱 Cute, Fun & Gift-Worthy: Cat-Themed Hair Sticks

First off, I’m already thinking ahead to gifts. These cat-themed hair sticks are adorable, practical, and perfect for friends who love cute accessories but still want something functional. They’re lightweight, travel-friendly, and feel like one of those small but thoughtful gifts that actually gets used.

⭐ The MVP: The French Hair Pin That FINALLY Holds

Hands down, the best hair pin I brought was the U-shaped French Hair Pin with the unique 3 internal teeth design.

This pin deserves a standing ovation. 👏
It kept my hair in place even after 3 hours of dancing and jumping around — something I genuinely did not expect.

After trying so many versions over the years, I finally found a French twist pin that works for me.

Why I love it:

  1. It actually works
    This is the big one. The middle section with the shaped internal teeth grips the hair and prevents slipping. No slow slide-out. No constant fixing.

  2. Easy to use
    French twist, slide it in, done. No frustration — which is key when you’re getting ready in a cruise cabin.

  3. Great color variety
    Multiple colors make it easy to match outfits and moods, whether casual or dressy.

  4. Lightweight but sturdy
    Even though they’re plastic, they’re surprisingly durable. One even survived me accidentally sleeping in it.

  5. Affordable
    This is huge for travel. If one breaks or gets lost, it’s not devastating.

For reference: I have very long hair — mid-thigh length, which makes a substantial French twist. These pins slide right in and hold beautifully. If you’ve ever struggled to find a pin that lasts longer than 10 minutes, I highly recommend these.

Would I love more color options or maybe an upgraded material version someday? Absolutely. But as they are now — they’re close to perfect.

🌿 Comfortable & Elegant: Larger U-Shaped Hair Pins

I also brought a larger U-shaped French twist hair pin set, which turned out to be great for low buns and relaxed styles.

Pros:

  • Very comfortable

  • Secure without pulling hair tight

  • Elegant for walking around, dinners, and casual exploring

Cons:

  • I had to adjust them a few times during the day

  • Not ideal for dancing or high movement

These were my go-to when I wanted something polished but comfortable — especially during long walking days.

💎 Formal Night Favorites: Decorative Hair Pins

For formal dinners, I layered style and function.

I used a fancy U-shaped pearl and rhinestone gold hair pin in addition to one of the more functional pins. The pearl beads added just the right amount of elegance without overpowering my look. It was perfect for cruise formal nights.

I also tried decorative flower and butterfly hair pins with dangling elements. While beautiful, the dangling parts kept getting caught in my hair — so those were more of a “look but don’t linger” accessory for me.

Lesson learned: decorative pins are stunning, but practicality still matters.

🌊 When Hair Pins Didn’t Work

The only time hair sticks stayed in my bag? Snorkeling days.
For that, I braided my hair and used a simple hair tie — no exceptions. Water + waves + hair pins = nope.

💛 Final Thoughts

I wore hair pins the entire cruise, from daytime exploring to late-night dancing, and I’m officially obsessed. They’re lightweight, stylish, space-saving, and incredibly versatile — perfect for travel.

If you have long hair (or just want an easy, elegant style that holds), hair sticks are 100% worth trying. I’ll definitely be bringing them on future trips — and probably adding a few more to my collection.

More post-cruise favorites coming soon… because apparently, I found my hair accessory soulmate. 😉

— The Trekking Pawns

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