How to Use a Claw Clip: 9 Easy Styles, Step by Step

Quick answer: To use a claw clip, gather your hair as if making a low ponytail, twist it up toward the crown, fold or tuck the ends against your head, then press the open clip over the twist so its teeth catch both the twist and the hair close to your scalp.

Key takeaways

• The basic method is always the same: gather, twist, fold, clip. Every style below is a variation on it.
• Size matters more than shape. Fine or shoulder-length hair suits clips of about 5–9 cm; thick or long hair usually needs 11–13 cm.
• Clip close to the scalp, not just on the twist, so the teeth anchor the style.
• Slippery, freshly washed hair holds better with a little texture spray or dry shampoo.
• A claw clip holds hair without a tight elastic, but any style that pulls hard all day can stress the hairline, so keep it comfortable and change it up.

What you need before you start

You need one claw clip sized for the amount of hair you are holding, a brush or your fingers, and optionally a light texture spray. The clip should close fully over the twist without straining the hinge; if the jaws will not shut, the clip is too small for that style.

Clip length is the easiest way to judge size. Most of our listings give the length in centimeters, and our claw clip size guide explains how to match it to your hair. As a quick reference:

The basic claw clip twist, step by step

The basic twist takes under a minute once you have done it a few times. You twist the hair into a rope, lift it so it lies against the back of your head, and let the clip lock the rope in place. Every other style in this guide starts from this movement, so practice it first.

1. Brush and gather. Brush out knots, then gather all your hair at the nape of your neck as if you were making a low ponytail. Do not use an elastic.
2. Twist. Twist the length in one direction until it forms a firm rope. Two or three full turns is usually enough.
3. Lift. Bring the rope up the back of your head toward the crown so it lies flat against your head.
4. Fold or tuck the ends. Let the ends fall over the top of the twist for a relaxed look, or tuck them into the twist for a neater one.
5. Clip. Open the clip, place it horizontally or vertically over the twist and close it so the teeth grip the rope and a layer of hair near the scalp.
6. Check and adjust. Shake your head gently. If the twist slides, re-clip slightly lower and closer to the scalp.

How to hold the clip

Hold the clip by its handles between your thumb and fingers with the teeth facing your head and the curve following the curve of your skull. Squeeze to open it only as wide as you need. Opening a clip to its maximum every time stretches the spring, and a clip that is opened just enough is easier to aim precisely at the base of the twist.

Which way to twist

Either direction works. Most people twist toward their dominant hand because it gives more control, and that hand then holds the twist while the other places the clip. If one side of your head always looks flatter, try twisting the other way; the direction changes which side shows the smooth outer surface of the rope.

9 easy claw clip styles

Once the basic twist feels natural, these nine styles cover most days, from errands to the office to dinner out. Each one notes the clip size that usually works best, so you can pick a style that suits the clips you already own.

1. The classic French twist

This is the most polished claw clip style and works on medium to long hair. Gather the hair low, twist upward into a vertical roll, tuck the ends inside the roll and place a large clip vertically along the twist. It reads as smart enough for work and holds well through a full day when the clip is sized correctly. Our step-by-step French twist guide covers it in detail.

Best clip: large, 11–13 cm.

2. The low nape twist

Twist the hair but keep the roll low, just above the nape, and clip horizontally. Because the clip sits low, it is comfortable to lean back against in a car seat or desk chair. It suits medium-length hair especially well and is one of the most comfortable everyday options.

Best clip: medium to large; a flatter clip is more comfortable if you lean back often.

3. The half-up twist

Take only the top section of hair, from temple to temple, twist it once or twice at the back of the head and clip it. The rest of your hair stays down. It keeps hair out of your face while showing off length, and it works on almost every hair type. See six variations in our half-up claw clip hairstyles guide.

Best clip: small to medium, about 7–10 cm.

4. The messy top bun

Flip your head forward, gather the hair at the crown, twist it into a loose coil and clip it with the ends spilling over the top. It is the fastest style here and great for workouts, cooking or cleaning. Our messy bun guide shows how to keep it from looking flat.

Best clip: large, so the jaws close over the whole coil.

5. The claw clip ponytail

Make a ponytail with a small elastic, then fold the ponytail up and clip it at the base so the ends fan out above the clip. The elastic takes the weight, so the clip only shapes the style. This is a good option for very heavy hair that tends to pull a clip down.

Best clip: medium to large.

6. The flat low twist for lounging

Twist the hair to one side of the nape, fold it flat against the head and use a flat or low-profile clip. Nothing sticks out, so you can lie back on a sofa or headrest. Our flat claw clip guide covers this style step by step.

Best clip: a flat, rectangular clip.

7. The side twist

Gather all your hair over one shoulder, twist it toward the back and clip it just behind one ear. It looks soft and slightly asymmetric, which flatters a side part. It suits shoulder-length to long hair.

Best clip: medium.

8. Two mini clips

Take two small sections at the front, twist each one back and clip it with a small clip on each side. This keeps face-framing pieces in place, especially when you are growing out bangs, and works on short hair and bobs. Our guide to claw clip hairstyles for short hair has more small-clip ideas.

Best clip: small, about 5 cm.

9. The wrapped bun with clip

Twist the hair into a small bun, secure it loosely with a soft elastic, then clip over the bun for shape and extra hold. It is the most secure option for long, slippery hair and survives a busy day.

Best clip: medium to large.

Which clip works for which style

Match the clip to both the style and the amount of hair. A clip that is too small will slip; one that is too big for fine hair will not close tightly enough to grip. This table summarizes the pairings from the styles above.

Claw clip styles by hair length

Length decides which styles are possible. Short hair works in sections, shoulder-length hair can do most twists with a medium clip, and long hair can do everything but needs a larger clip or a second anchor because of the weight. Use this as a shortlist when you are deciding what to try first.

Does the clip material matter?

The material changes the look and the weight more than the way the clip holds. Acetate clips have deep, polished patterns such as tortoiseshell; acrylic and resin clips come in frosted matte and solid colors and are light; metal clips are sleek and jewelry-like but heavier, which matters on fine hair. Choose by the look you want and by how much weight your hair can comfortably hold up. For fine hair, lighter acrylic or acetate clips usually stay put more easily than heavy metal ones of the same size.

How to make a claw clip hold all day

A claw clip holds best when the twist is firm, the clip is the right size and the teeth reach the hair near your scalp. Most slipping comes from one of those three going wrong, so check them in that order before blaming the clip.

• Twist tighter, not the clip. A firm rope gives the teeth something solid to grip. Loose twists sag.
• Grab scalp hair. Push the open clip slightly into the base of the twist so the lower teeth catch a layer of hair close to your head.
• Add texture. On clean, silky hair, a little dry shampoo or texture spray at the roots gives the clip more to hold.
• Size up for weight. If the jaws barely close, the clip is working too hard and will open over time.
• Use two clips. On very long hair, one clip for the twist and a second, smaller clip below it spreads the weight.

If your clip still slides, our troubleshooting guide, Why Won't My Claw Clip Stay In?, walks through eight fixes.

Claw clips for workouts, travel and lounging

Different days need different placements. For workouts, a high or mid twist with a large clip keeps hair off the neck, and an elastic underneath stops bouncing loosening the twist. For car rides and flights, a low or flat twist lets you lean back. At home, a loose, low twist is the most comfortable.

• Workouts: elastic first, then clip; choose a large clip.
• Travel: low or flat twist; keep a spare clip in your bag.
• Skincare and makeup: a high twist or messy bun keeps hair away from your face.
• Sleep: take the clip out. Use a loose scrunchie instead if you want your hair up.

How to take a claw clip out without tangles

Open the clip fully before lifting it away, so the teeth release the hair instead of dragging through it. Let the twist unwind on its own, then shake the hair loose with your fingers. If strands are caught in the hinge, open the clip wider and ease them out rather than pulling. Detangle gently afterward, starting from the ends.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most claw clip problems come from a handful of habits that are easy to change. Fixing them makes the clip hold better and keeps the hinge in good shape for longer.

• Clipping only the ends. The clip needs the root area, not just the rope, or it will slide down.
• Forcing a small clip shut. Over-opening a clip to fit too much hair strains the spring.
• Sleeping in a clip. The pressure point is uncomfortable and the clip can snap when you roll over. Take it out at night.
• Dropping clips on hard floors. Plastic and acetate clips can crack if dropped; store them where they will not fall.

Comfort and hair health

A claw clip usually puts less tension on the hairline than a tight ponytail because it holds a loose twist rather than pulling hair into an elastic. Comfort still depends on how tightly you style. Dermatologists point out that hairstyles which constantly pull on the hair can lead to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia.

The American Academy of Dermatology advises avoiding hairstyles that pull on your hair, loosening styles and switching them up so your hair gets a break (AAD, updated November 6, 2024). In practice, that means twisting firmly without dragging the hairline back, choosing a clip big enough that you do not need to cram hair into it, and taking the clip out if you feel soreness. Read more in Are Claw Clips Bad for Your Hair?

A simple week of rotating styles

Rotating placement is an easy way to follow that advice without thinking about it. Try a low nape twist on Monday, a half-up on Tuesday, a French twist on Wednesday, hair down with two mini clips on Thursday, a messy bun for a Friday workout and loose, clip-free hair at the weekend. Each day the clip sits in a different spot, and nothing pulls the same roots every day.

Frequently asked questions

Should a claw clip go in horizontally or vertically?

Horizontal works for most twists, buns and half-up styles because the clip sits across the roll. Vertical is best for a French twist, where the clip runs along the length of the fold.

Are claw clips still in style in 2026?

Interest is still high. Google Ads keyword data for the US, retrieved in October 2026, shows about 90,500 monthly searches for "claw clip" in November 2025 and 40,500 in spring 2026, with demand rising again into the holidays.

How do I put my hair in a claw clip if it is short?

Use small clips on sections rather than one big clip. A half-up twist or two mini clips at the front work on bobs and lobs.

Why does my claw clip hurt?

Usually it is too small, so the teeth press hard, or it sits on a spot you lean against. Size up, twist less tightly and try a flat clip if you lean back a lot.

Can I use a claw clip on wet hair?

You can, but wet hair is heavier and more fragile, so twist gently and use a clip large enough that you are not forcing it closed.

Shop the clips in this guide

Ready to try these styles? Browse our full range of claw clips, from 5 cm mini clips to 13 cm clips for thick hair, in acetate, matte acrylic and metal. Orders ship within the US for a flat $6.99, or free on orders of $79 or more. Not sure about size? Start with the medium and large options in our claw clip collection and check each listing's length.

Sources

• American Academy of Dermatology, Hairstyles that pull can lead to hair loss, last updated November 6, 2024.
• American Academy of Dermatology, 10 hair care habits that can damage your hair, accessed October 21, 2026.
• Google Ads keyword search volume for "claw clip" (United States), retrieved via the DataForSEO API on October 21, 2026.