Despite what trend reports may suggest, the claw clip has never actually gone anywhere. While the wave of 90s and Y2K nostalgia has put it back under the spotlight recently, devoted fans never stopped reaching for one. It remains one of the most versatile, grab and go accessories in any hair routine and it deserves to be used correctly.
To make the most of the tool, People spoke with two professional hairstylists who shared everything worth knowing about choosing the right clip and styling it across different hair textures and lengths.
How to choose the right size
Before anything else, getting the right size matters more than most people realize. Elezaj says the key factors to weigh are the amount of hair you have, your hair’s length, and the look you’re going for. Hair density also plays a major role in that decision.
The thicker the hair, the larger the clip needs to be. Most brands now offer options that range from mini to jumbo sizes, so the right fit is easier to find than ever. Beyond size, it’s worth examining the clip’s construction bendable teeth, a strong spring mechanism, and non-slip material all make a meaningful difference in how well the clip performs throughout the day.
For very thick hair, clips with curved teeth that grip firmly are essential for keeping a style intact. For finer or less dense hair, a smaller clip tends to look more proportionate and does the job without slipping.
Styles broken down by hair type
Straight hair
For those with straight, silkier textures that tend to be more slippery, twisting the hair from a low ponytail position, clipping it in place, and leaving a few pieces loose at the front. Placing the clip closer to the roots and choosing styles with longer teeth helps the grip hold.
Half-up, half-down styles and low ponytails are both flattering and easy to pull off on straight hair, and have been seen frequently on runways in recent seasons. An updo like a chignon is another polished option securing the bun with a standard clip and adding a smaller one at the base, then pulling out a few face-framing pieces, gives a finished, intentional look.
Coily, curly, and wavy hair
Textured hair offers the most flexibility when it comes to claw clip styling. For anyone just getting started, twisting all the hair upward and clipping it around ear level is a reliable go-to. With curly and coily textures, pieces that loosen or fall out naturally tend to add to the overall effect rather than detract from it, creating a more relaxed and effortless appearance.
For something slightly more polished, a half-up, half-down style works well positioning a small clip toward the nape of the neck and leaving a few textured tendrils at the front adds balance without requiring much effort.
Long, thick hair
Long, thick hair needs a large clip with long teeth to keep everything in place, particularly for full updos where all the hair needs to be secured at once.
For a half-up style, scaling down slightly in clip size helps manage just the top section without the hardware looking out of proportion. Holding only half the hair’s density puts far less demand on the clip, making the style easier to maintain throughout the day.
Short hair
A half-up, half-down style using a small claw clip is one of the simplest and most flattering options for shorter hair. Claw clips can also be used to sweep bangs off the face when needed.
For those with a bob, using a small clip on one or both sides to pull the hair back is a clean, classic move a minimal, one-sided clip is all it takes to give an otherwise simple cut a more deliberate, styled feel.
The bottom line
The claw clip earns its place in any hair routine not because it’s having a moment, but because it consistently delivers a polished result with minimal effort. Whether the goal is a full updo or a casual half-up style, the right clip matched to the right hair type makes all the difference.
