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"    Photo: Courtesy of Sexy Hair   Hairpins mystify even the most follicle savvy among us, but they&amp;#039;re absolutely integral to achieving that nonchalant party-perfect updo, a necessity for humid summer gatherings. To explain how to incorporate hairpins in your beauty routine, we caught up with Rafe Hardy, Sexy Hair&amp;#039;s artistic creative director. As a New Orleans native, he is undoubtedly skilled in the nuances of prepping hair for high humidity. Here, he offers advice on how to create chic chignons, ways to keep hair from wilting in steaming climates, and which products he relies on.   Please provide a quick tutorial on how to use hairpins. They seem to mystify most women. Hairpins are wonderful styling tools used to hold hair in place more discretely. To use a hairpin correctly, it must be anchored and locked in place at the scalp. If you want the pin to go down then start by inserting up, grabbing a piece of the hair to be held, as well as some of the hair at the scalp. Lift the rounded end upwards, and then push the pin in place downward to lock it all in place. When would you use a hairpin versus a bobby pin? Any tips on using bobby pins? Hairpins and bobby pins come in all shapes, colors and sizes and are designed that way for multiple functions. In general, both are designed to hold hair in place but in different ways. Think of a screw versus a nail: A screw will hold together two boards much better than a nail. A bobby pin is generally used when a stronger grip is required and when working closer to the scalp, such as pinning bangs out of the way or pinning hair to a teased base or scalp. Any bobby-pin specific tricks to share? Bobby pins have a ridged side and a flat side. A stronger hold is accomplished by inserting the ridged side towards the scalp and locking it in as you would a hairpin. Crossing two bobby pins and making an &amp;quot;x&amp;quot; shape with them will provide a stronger hold as well. Pre-opening a pin by attaching it to a pencil or other object can be helpful when styling your own hair. What are some easy updos we can do at home? Try a ponytail braid by making a ponytail then braiding the loose party into a simple three-strand plait. Wrap the braid around itself and pin into place. You can also do a high bun by putting your hair into a ponytail on top of your head. Twist the ponytail until it&amp;#039;s tight, and then wrap it around the base of the ponytail. Pin it into place. How about half-up styles? Half-up styles are great for a change and can be made to look quite elegant. For a simple application, pull each side up and twist it slightly. Then pin it into place at your crown. Teasing a small section at the crown right at the scalp will give the pins more hold. What&amp;#039;s your hair pet peeve? My biggest hair pet peeve is when the style looks amazing in the front, but the back is horrible and left completely untouched. Remember to give the back of your head a quick once-over before heading out the door. Make a hand-held mirror your ally, not your enemy! What are some product and styling recommendations for warmer, humid weather?  Anti-humidity products are definitely a necessity in some climates. The Big Sexy Hair line from Sexy Hair has great products that are designed to resist humidity such as Big Sexy Hair Weather Proof Humidity Resistant Spray. The objective is to create a barrier from the humidity and this product is fantastic [at that]. How about ways to ensure your hairline stays frizz-free? Using Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Touchable Weightless Hairspray in conjunction with the fine-tooth side of your comb while blow-drying will help control and direct that hairline frizz. Any in-shower tips to ward off frizz? Start by thoroughly cleansing and conditioning the hair. Be sure to remove most of the water from the hair prior to adding styling product. By not doing so, you risk diluting the products. Combing it through is your best solution to ensure even application. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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