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Claw clips may feel like relics of the 90s, but they have never really gone away, and, just like everything else, may be enjoying a slight resurgence.
Below are some of our favorite claw clip picks. These clips are ideal for almost all hair types and styles, are durable, and some even have double teeth to hold the thickest or thinnest of hair while providing comfortable, all-day holding power.
We have included large, medium, and small clip sizes that will all help to keep hair out of your face while allowing you to create any casual or formal hairstyle. These clips will also never tug or pull on the hair and will only serve to enhance any hairstyle.
Premier Claw Clip in Detail
Revlon Claw Clips — Best Overall
This set of two claw clips is made with double teeth for an extra-strong hold on both thin and thick hair types. These essential clips will provide a secure hold on your hair without tugging or pulling, are large in size, functional, and come in two easy-to-wear and match colors.
Pros
- This set comes with one black and one brown clip
Cons
- These may not be ideal for extra long hair lengths
Goody Claw Clips — Runner Up
This set of claw clips come in assorted sizes and are perfect for creating half and full updos. Included are eight clips in two different sizes and colors that have strong hinges to help keep hair from slipping for a long-lasting style.
Pros
- These clips will not slip out of the hair
Cons
- These may not be large enough to hold a bun
EAONE Claw Clips — Honorable Mention
Made of high-quality plastic acrylic, these jaw-style clips are durable with a strong metal spring that will not break easily. This set comes with eight clips in two different styles – petal style which is a medium-sized clip and an octopus style which is a larger-sized clip. These clips also come in a variety of unique, yet neutral colors that can be mixed and matched with your hair color and/or outfits.
Pros
- These clips come packaged in a plastic container to keep them organized and protected
Cons
- There is not an even amount of each clip
Kitsch Claw Clips — Most Elegant Design
The unique shape of this open claw clip is ideal for pinning up thicker hair types while adding some oh-so-needed shine to any hairstyle. Perfect for most hair lengths and textures, this clip can easily secure half an updo, a messy bun, or top knot, and is great as an everyday, on-the-go look. The unique semi-circle open shape helps to show off your hair color and texture while providing all day or night hold for any special occasion.
Pros
- These claw clips are available in both gold and silver options
Cons
- Longer, thicker hair types might need a larger clip
Bememo Claw Clips — Best for Kids
For your little ones or days when you only want to put little pieces of your hair up, these mini octopus-style clips are the perfect option. Convenient and small enough to fit into a pocket, these clips have interlocking teeth at each side to ensure a firm hold on the hair, allowing you to create both simple and elegant hairstyles.
Pros
- This pack comes with 24 clips
Cons
- These clips may slip out of finer hair types
Scunci Octopus Clip — Contender
Another useful style of hair clips is these no-slip grip octopus ones. This pack of two clips has a unique, 8-pronged shape that is perfect for securing up-dos or sectioning the hair for heat styling and their strong, interlocking teeth are made to hold even the thickest hair in place without snagging. Additionally, the no-slip grip technology stays put to prevent strays and fallout strands on even the thickest and curliest hair for all-day comfort.
Pros
- The colors included are black and tortoise to blend in easily with many hair colors
Cons
- There are minimal color options
Deatti Claw Clips — Best for Thick Hair
These matte hair clips provide a quick, easy, and stylish way to get your hair up and off your face. Double teeth and plastic material provide a strong, comfortable hold that is perfect for all hair types, thick and thin. The cool strategically placed gems give them some character, add some shine and they will not tug, pull or break the hair.
Pros
- These clips come in three rich colors including black, wine, and brown
Cons
- If you prefer glitz-free accessories, another option might be better
Buying Guide: Claw Clips
Claw clips are a hair accessory classic, and you’ll still find many people wearing them to this day. This guide will cover what you need to know about claw clips.
What are Claw Clips?
Claw clips are a special type of hair clip that is shaped like a claw, hence the name. The clip has a spring-based mechanism that clamps down onto any hair that’s caught in its clutches. While that description may sound scary, claw clips are far from dangerous, and in fact, they’re virtually harmless. They don’t have enough force to damage your skin, nor are they sharp enough to cause any cuts. Claw clips are used to hold portions of hair rather than hold up all of it at once, and they are used for particular hairstyles.
Why Do You Need a Claw Clip?
They’re easy to use
Claw clips are by far one of the easiest hair accessories to put on, and they’re up there with the likes of headbands in terms of ease of use. All you need to do is gather up the hair you wish to clip, open the claw, clip the hair, and you’re done. In fact, since claw clips are usually used to only hold portions of the hair, you won’t even need to gather all of it, making the process even easier than putting on a headband in some regards.
This ease of use makes it perfect as an indoor solution. If there are only certain hair strands that you want to hold back (such as the ones in front of your face), then the claw clip will do the trick just fine, and you can still retain that messy yet cute hairstyle. Speaking of which…
They unlock unique hairstyles
Hair clips allow you to try on different hairstyles, and claw clips are by far one of the best in this regard. Claw clips are often used to create that “messy but cute” aesthetic, perfect for casual and laidback people who just permeate that chill vibe. Having part of your hair flow freely while having the other half being held up loosely with a claw clip is certainly a unique but interesting combination that isn’t often seen outside claw clip hairstyles.
Because these hairstyles are so unique, some people may be put off by them. But if you think you can rock that hairstyle perfectly, then, by all means, try it out for yourself.
They’re fashionable on their own
Claw clips don’t just serve a functional purpose - they can add to your overall look as well. Claw clips with ornate designs are basically similar to that of vintage hair clips, serving as an additional piece of jewelry, and simpler clips with basic yet stunning designs add to that minimalist theme if you’re going for that. The best way to take advantage of claw clips is by integrating their design with the look that you’re currently going for.
Things to Consider When Buying Claw Clips
Size
Claw clips can come in quite a few sizes. The most common size is the one that most people are familiar with, with a wide set of teeth on either side. This length is perfect for large chunks of hair and is great for doing things like holding up the front half of your hair towards the back.
There are also smaller claw clips, however, and these are best used for holding smaller strands of hair. You can use multiple claw clips in this manner and have a unique array of mini-strands along the side and back of your hair.
Material
There are two types of materials commonly used in the production of claw clips these days - metal and plastic. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, so let’s go over either one briefly to give you a better idea.
Plastic is the better option for indoor use, and for two reasons. Firstly, plastic is cheap, meaning that you won’t need to spend much to hold that hair in place when there’s no one around. Secondly, plastic hair clips are also lighter, meaning that they don’t put as much weight on your hair as metal hair clips do. However, they fall slightly short in quality, and some plastic claw clips even look cheaper than they cost.
Metal, on the other hand, is a lot more “professional” or “luxurious”. Metal claw clips look great, and they’re perfect if you’re trying to make a statement. The nature of metal gives the clip its natural luster, adding to its beauty. However, that beauty comes at a literal cost, as you’ll likely be paying slightly more for a metal hair clip due to the materials required. Aside from this, it’s also slightly heavier, and that can weigh you down in the long run if you wear it all day.
So, if you want to use hair clips indoors, we recommend plastic clips, and if you’re using them in public, you can’t go wrong with metal.
