The claw clip has quietly become the most useful thing in most people's hair drawer. It goes in faster than a hair tie, it does not leave a dent, and unlike a bun secured with pins, it survives an autorickshaw ride.
The catch is that most people use it exactly one way — grab, twist, clamp — and then wonder why it slides down by noon. Here are eight looks that hold, plus how to pick a clip that actually fits your hair.
First: choose the right clip size
This is where most claw clip frustration starts. A clip that is too small for your hair will not grip the whole section, so it slowly works its way loose under the weight. Too large and it flops around with nothing to bite into.
- Fine or short hair — small to medium clips. A large clip has nothing to close on and will slip straight out.
- Medium, shoulder-length hair — medium clips handle a full updo; small ones are great for half-up looks.
- Thick or long hair — large clips for full updos, or split the hair and use two medium clips.
- Curly hair — size up. Curls take more volume than their length suggests.
Teeth matter as much as size. Longer, more widely spaced teeth grip better than short shallow ones, whatever the clip is made of.
Eight claw clip hairstyles
1. The classic twist bun
Gather your hair into a low ponytail with your hand, twist it upward until it coils against your head, then fold the tail down and clamp the clip over the coil — not over the loose ends.
The mistake to avoid: clipping the tail instead of the twist. The twist is what carries the weight; the clip is only holding the twist in place.
2. Half-up claw clip
Take the top third of your hair, from roughly temple to temple, twist it loosely and clip it at the crown. Leave the rest down.
The most forgiving style on the list, and the one that works on second-day hair. A small decorative clip does the most work here — it is visible, so it may as well be pretty.
3. The low chignon
Same as the twist bun but positioned at the nape rather than the crown. Twist upward, fold under rather than over, and clip horizontally.
This is the version that reads as polished rather than casual, which makes it the safest option for an office or a formal event.
4. French twist
Sweep all your hair to one side, twist it vertically up the back of your head, then tuck the ends into the twist and secure with a clip running vertically along the seam.
Looks far more difficult than it is. Works best on hair with a little texture — freshly washed hair is too slippery.
5. The double mini clip
Two small clips instead of one large one: take a section above each ear, twist backwards, and clip each one separately at the back of the head.
Good for fine hair that a single large clip cannot grip, and it keeps the front off your face without the pulling of a tight half-up.
6. Messy bun for second-day hair
Loose ponytail, twist without smoothing anything, clip, then deliberately pull a few pieces free around the face. The unpolished version genuinely holds better — texture gives the teeth something to grip.
7. Clipped ponytail
Tie a normal ponytail, then clip a claw clip over the elastic. It hides the band, adds decoration, and takes some of the weight off the tie so you get less breakage at that one spot.
8. The low bun for ethnic wear
A low, tight chignon at the nape, clipped with something pearl or floral, sits well with a saree or kurta and keeps your neckline clear — which matters if you are wearing a necklace you actually want seen. Our guide to choosing jewellery for a saree covers how to balance the two.
Making it stay put
If your clip slides down within an hour, one of these is usually why:
- Your hair is too clean. Freshly washed hair has no grip. Day-two hair holds a claw clip far better — a light dry shampoo or texture spray fakes it.
- You clipped the ends, not the twist. The twist carries the structure. Clip across it.
- The clip is too small. If the teeth do not fully close, it is undersized for your hair.
- You clipped downward. Angle the clip so the teeth point up toward your scalp; gravity then works with the grip instead of against it.
Why claw clips are kinder to your hair
Elastics concentrate tension on a single narrow band of hair, which over time is how you get that snapped, frizzy layer at the ponytail line. A claw clip spreads the hold across a much wider area and does not compress the hair shaft in the same way. It also comes out without dragging.
If you tie your hair up daily, swapping even half of those days for a clip makes a visible difference over a few months.
Keeping clips in good condition
- Do not use a hair clip to hold anything other than hair — hinges lose their spring quickly.
- Store them clipped onto something rather than fully open; a permanently open spring weakens.
- Wipe acrylic clips with a soft dry cloth. Skip alcohol-based cleaners, which cloud the finish.
- Keep pearl-detailed clips away from perfume and hairspray, which dull the surface over time.
Frequently asked questions
Which claw clip size should I buy for thick hair?
Large, or two medium clips used together. If the teeth cannot fully close around the twist, the clip is too small and will slide.
Do claw clips work on short hair?
Yes, with small or mini clips. Half-up styles and the double mini clip work well from about chin length upward.
Why does my claw clip keep falling out?
Usually freshly washed hair, an undersized clip, or clipping the loose ends instead of the twist. Try day-two hair first — it fixes the problem more often than not.
Are claw clips better than hair ties?
For daily wear, generally yes. They spread tension across more hair and cause less breakage at the tie point.
Can I sleep in a claw clip?
Better not to. Rigid clips press into the scalp and can snag hair overnight.
Shop the look
Browse the full hair clips and accessories collection, or start with these two:
- Pearl Hair Clip — lustrous pearl detailing on a translucent claw; the one for weddings, brunches and low chignons.
- Floral Acrylic Claw Clip — a translucent blue-purple flower design that adds colour to an everyday bun.
Building out the rest of your everyday pieces? Our guide to building a minimal jewellery collection is a good place to start.
