Pretty but colored coating peels off fast [SEP] These were a gift.  These are sturdy cast metal that doesn't deform, but the colored powder coat finish is quickly damaged by even very light use of hair products such as leave in conditioner or spray gel. They are nice for perhaps 3 to 6 days of use before the color coating begins to grow and slip. Once the color coat comes off they are clearly made of some kind of gray cast metal with sharp flash on the edges that cuts and catches on hair. I have 3 pairs left and I'm wearing them until they become unusable,  because the shape is nice. I may recoat them with something to make them usable again.<br />Two stars because heavy metal hair pins should not be disposable.