How to Wear Claw Clips

Co-authored by Janet Miranda and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: September 30, 2022

Claw clips were a staple hair item in the 90s that have now made a huge comeback in high fashion and the media. These clips are known for their hair-gripping claws and come in a few different sizes that range from super tiny to pretty large. You can use your claw clips to put all of your hair up or add them to your existing hairstyle for some flair.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Putting Your Hair up with Claw Clips

1
Create space buns and secure them with 2 claw clips. Part your hair down the middle and secure 2 ponytails on either side of your head. Twist the hair within the ponytails to create 2 buns. Instead of using a hair tie to secure your bun, attach 2 claw clips to each bun to hold them in place.^{[1]
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Tip: If you have a lot of hair, you may need to use a hair tie to secure your buns and then add a claw clip on each one as decoration.
2
Pull your hair into a sleek bun with a claw clip for a formal event. Claw clips can definitely be worn to fancy dress parties and work gatherings. Brush your hair back into a slick bun at the nape of your neck and secure it with a large hair claw. Use a hair claw that is beaded or has fake pearls attached to make this look more formal. Add some hairspray to slick down your hair to keep it in place.^{[2]
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- If you want to make your look even sleeker, add some gel to your hair before you slick it back.
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3
Hold a messy bun in place with a large claw clip. Pull back your hair into a loose, messy bun at the nape of your neck. Instead of using a hair tie to keep your bun secure, attach a claw clip around the outside of your bun to keep it in place. Use a plain hair claw to keep this look casual, or dress it up with a metallic, shiny one.^{[3]
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- Keep some pieces of hair framing your face for a cute style.
4
Twist all of your hair up within the clip for a chic look. Pull your hair back loosely so that it is on the nape of your neck. Twist your loose hair in on itself and then bring the ends of your hair upward. Secure your claw clip over the entirety of your hair so that it holds it up off of the nape of your neck.^{[4]
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- This style is the most classic claw clip look and is useful for putting your hair up on the go.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Adding Mini Claw Clips to Your Hair

1
Hold your bangs in place with a few clips. If your bangs are bothering you and you don’t want to deal with them, pull the front pieces of hair back away from your face. Secure them in place with 1 to 2 mini claw clips on each side.^{[5]
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Tip: This is a great trick if you are trying to grow out your bangs and they are at an awkward length.
2
Pull back the front pieces of your hair for a half-up look. A full half-up look requires all of the hair on top of your head to be pulled back. You can mimic this look by grabbing the pieces of hair that frame your face and pull them back on either side of your head with 2 mini claw clips.^{[6]
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- You can choose to leave some face-framing pieces down or secure all of your hair back with the claw clips.
3
Pull back sections of hair with 5 to 6 claw clips on top of your head. If you want to throwback to the original claw clip decade of the 90s, section off 5 to 6 pieces of hair vertically from your hairline to the crown of your head. Twist each section, then secure them with mini claw clips.^{[7]
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4
Place mini claw clips down your loose hair for added decoration. Your claw clips don’t actually have to be holding any hair back. To decorate the hair framing your face, place 3 to 4 mini claw clips in a row down the length of your hair. Make sure they are gripping enough hair to be secure so that they don’t fall off.^{[8]
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- Using claw clips this way works great to add flair to an otherwise plain outfit.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Decorating Your Hairstyle with Claw Clips

1
Brighten up your braid with a large claw clip at its base. Pull all of your hair back to the nape of your neck and braid it. Secure your braid with a hair tie. Add a large claw clip at the base of your braid for some flair. Use a plain black claw clip to keep this casual, or add a metallic or beaded one to dress it up.^{[9]
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- This look works the best on wide, messy braids.
- Pull some pieces of hair out by your face to frame it.
2
Decorate your bun with a couple of mini claw clips. Small claw clips aren’t enough to hold a whole bun in place, but if you just want to add some flair to yours, put up your hair in a slick bun like you normally would. Then, add 3 to 4 mini claw clips on the outside of your bun for a little bit of added bling. Use colored claw clips for an added pop of style to your look.^{[10]
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- Decorating your bun can draw attention to it and elevate it from plain to fun.
3
Add flair to your ponytail with a large claw clip on the nape of your neck. Pull your hair back into a slick, low ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. Attach a claw clip to the outside of your ponytail over the hair tie to add some bling and color. You can use a floral-patterned claw clip to match your outfit or stick with a tortoiseshell one for a classic look.^{[11]
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- This look works great if you have super thick hair.

Community Q&A

Question

I have thick hair and and it is black, any idea what color and what type of claw clip and hairstyle that I can wear with that claw clip?

VK7

Community Answer

You can either wear a black one to blend in with your hair or you could wear a multi-coloured one to stand out and match your outfit. It really doesn't matter though - as long as it is strong.
Question

What if you have long hair and it won't go in the clip?

Froggy, Cause Why Not?

Community Answer

Your claw clip is likely too small for your hair, since it is long and long hair tends to be thick or plentiful. You can try to find a stronger claw clip, but if that won't work, then you might have to stick with different hairstyles (like a half up half down).
Question

All the cool, popular and pretty kids at my school wear claw clips and I really want to wear one. Should I? I mean, its just a hairstyle.

Bridget Harris

Community Answer

If you want to wear a claw clip, then go ahead! It's a common hair accessory among many girls; not just the popular ones.