The guide
Which hair clip is right for your hair?
Most clips that slip were the wrong size for the section they were holding. Here is what actually works, by hair type — including the cases where a claw clip is the wrong tool entirely.
Fine hair
Smaller jaw, lighter spring. Midi or Mini, not the full-size Cleo.
Fine hair fails in claw clips for a counter-intuitive reason: the clip is usually too big. A large jaw needs a thick section to push back against, and without one the spring closes past its useful tension and the whole clip slides down the length.
Go one or two sizes smaller than you think. A Midi is usually enough for a full updo on fine hair, and a Mini for a half-up. If a clip still slips, twist the section one extra turn before you close the jaw — you are giving the teeth something to bite.
Recommended for fine hair
- New
- New
Medium hair
Midi for everyday. Size up to the Cleo if your hair is past the shoulder.
Medium hair is the easiest case to size for. It has enough body to fill a mid-size jaw without overloading it, which is why the Midi is the shape we point most people at first.
The only real decision is length. Below the shoulder, a full-size Cleo will be more comfortable across a whole day because it spreads the weight over a wider band. Above the shoulder, the Midi is plenty.
Recommended for medium hair
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2EN7ORS Claw
$26 - New
Thick hair
Deep teeth and a full-size jaw. The Cleo, or the Sculpt for all-day wear.
Thick hair needs jaw depth, not jaw width. A wide but shallow clip will grip the outside of the section and let the middle slide out, which is the creeping-loose feeling most people blame on a weak spring.
The Cleo Claw and the Sculpt Claw are the two sized for this. The Sculpt's straight jaw spreads pressure across a wider band, which tends to sit more comfortably over a long day.
Recommended for thick hair
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2EN7ORS Claw
$26 - New
- New
Curly and coily hair
Full-size jaw, clipped on dry hair. The Cleo or the Half-Up Claw.
Curls compress far more than straight hair, so a clip that feels right when you put it in can loosen an hour later as the section settles. The fix is a deeper jaw rather than a tighter one — you want room for the curl to expand into.
Avoid clipping wet. Acetate teeth are smooth and will slide on a damp cast, and clamping a set curl flat is what leaves a crease at the clip line.
Recommended for curly and coily hair
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2EN7ORS Claw
$26 - New
Short hair and grown-out fringe
Snaps and barrettes. Mini claws once you reach the shoulder.
Below about chin length there is not enough hair for a claw to close on, and the clip will pop off from the tension. Snaps and small barrettes are the right tool.
For a fringe you are growing out, the Everyday Snap Set has a tighter bend, which helps it sit flat to the head rather than tenting away from it.
Recommended for short hair and grown-out fringe
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Still unsure? Tell us your length and texture and we will pick one for you.