/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

This has more to do with styling than hair itself, hope that's fine. Today I got pic related hair pins and was just messing around with them, testing them out. I notice when I pull them out they're spread open wider than when I put them in. Is this normal? They also do not hold very well in my hair. I've never had pins before, only bobbys. Are they too weak for my hair? (For ref. my hair is mid-back length, medium-ish thickness I suppose and straight-wavy.) I believe so. And does anyone have stronger pin recommendations that won't bend as much?