I rarely succumb to commercials, but I saw one for Goody's "Spin Pin" and decided to try it for DD's updos for skating.
http://www.goody.com/#/grid/whatsnew/products/simple_styles_spin_pinThey're double corkscrew-shaped pins with rubber bobs on the end. You twist the hair into a bun, twist or tuck, then "screw" a pin in place to hold it to your head.
I used them today for DD's skating exhibition and it worked out really well. I made a french twist and put one pin on top and one on bottom. I added a few big bobby pins to secure the twist itself, but with gel/hairspray, it held up all day long.
Now to get the $3 pins back from DD and put them away for another time...