Quick answer: To wear a barrette in a grown-up way, use one well-chosen clip, place it with purpose (behind one ear, at the back of a half-up or at the base of a low ponytail) and pick a refined finish such as tortoiseshell, pearl, slim metal or velvet. Smooth hair and a clean part help.
Key takeaways
- One barrette usually looks more adult than a cluster of small ones.
- Placement matters: behind the ear, at the back of the head or at a ponytail base.
- Refined finishes such as tortoise, pearl, metal and velvet read as grown-up.
- Barrettes work best with smooth hair and a defined part.
- Spring clips hold more hair; decorative barrettes are mostly accents.
Barrette or spring clip: what is the difference?
A barrette is a flat bar clip that fastens with a clasp underneath. A spring clip, often called a French barrette, is a sturdier version with a hinged spring clasp that holds more hair. Decorative barrettes with pearls or rhinestones are usually slimmer and hold a small section; spring clips hold a half-up section or a ponytail.
| Type | Holds | Best for | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring clip (French barrette) | Medium section | Half-up, ponytail base | Curved Spring Hair Clip (9.5 cm) |
| Pearl barrette | Small section | Side part, low twist accent | Freshwater Baroque Pearl Barrette (5.5 cm) |
| Rhinestone barrette | Small section | Bangs, evenings | Rectangle Rhinestone Barrette (6 or 8 cm) |
| Velvet barrette | Small section | Autumn and winter, vintage look | Velvet Barrette with Gold Buckle (8 x 2 cm) |
How to put in a barrette so it stays
A barrette stays put when it holds a section sized for the clip and closes flat against the head. Gather the section with your fingers rather than a comb, so a little natural texture remains for grip, then slide the open barrette in from the direction the hair falls and press the clasp shut close to the scalp.
- Section. Take only as much hair as the clip can close around easily.
- Smooth. Brush the surface lightly so the barrette sits on a neat base.
- Open and slide. Slide the barrette in close to the scalp, against the fall of the hair.
- Close flat. Press the clasp shut; it should not twist or stand away from the head.
- Anchor if needed. Add a bobby pin underneath for slippery or heavy hair.
7 polished ways to wear barrettes
These styles take a minute or two and work for most hair lengths from a bob to long hair. Start with brushed, smooth hair and a clean part.
1. Behind one ear
Tuck the hair on one side behind your ear and secure it with a single barrette just above and behind the ear. It is the simplest grown-up way to wear a barrette and suits a deep side part.
2. Side part accent
Make a deep side part and place a slim barrette on the heavier side, a few centimeters from the part, angled slightly toward the back. It holds the hair away from your face and adds a little shine.
3. Classic half-up
Gather the top section from temple to temple, smooth it back and secure it at the back of the head with a spring clip placed horizontally. It is a timeless office look.
4. Low ponytail cover
Tie a low ponytail with a slim elastic, then clip a spring barrette horizontally over the elastic. It hides the tie and turns a basic ponytail into a polished style.
5. Stacked pair
Place two slim barrettes parallel to each other on one side, a little apart. Two matching clips look deliberate and modern; avoid adding more than two or three.
6. Low twist accent
Twist your hair into a low twist or bun and add a pearl barrette beside it. The barrette is decorative here; the twist is held by pins or a clip.
7. Bangs pinned back
Sweep bangs to one side and clip them with a slim rhinestone or metal barrette. For more ways, see how to pin back bangs.
Choosing a grown-up finish
The finish does most of the work in making a barrette look adult. Tortoiseshell and neutral acetate look classic; pearls look elegant; slim gold or silver metal looks modern; velvet looks vintage and seasonal. Very bright plastic colors and cartoon shapes read younger.
- Everyday and office: tortoiseshell, neutral acetate, slim metal.
- Evening and events: pearl, rhinestone, crystal.
- Autumn and winter: velvet, deep tones, gold details.
Where to place a barrette
Placement changes how a barrette reads. Close to the face looks playful; behind the ear or at the back of the head looks more refined. Angle the clip slightly backward rather than perfectly horizontal or vertical for a natural line.
| Placement | Effect |
|---|---|
| Just behind the ear | Refined, easy |
| Side, near the part | Polished, frames the face |
| Back of head (half-up) | Classic, office-ready |
| Over a ponytail elastic | Finished, hides the tie |
| At the temple, close to the face | Playful |
Barrettes by hair type
Fine hair holds slim barrettes well but may let heavy spring clips slide; add a little texture spray. Thick hair needs spring clips for half-up styles, as slim decorative barrettes hold only small sections. Curly hair suits barrettes placed over a twisted section rather than combed-flat hair. Short hair suits side placement and bangs.
Matching barrettes to the occasion
At work, one simple barrette in tortoise or metal looks neat; see office hairstyles with clips and pins. At weddings and parties, a pearl or rhinestone barrette works with a half-up style; see wedding guest hair accessories.
Caring for barrettes
Barrettes last longer when they are closed and stored flat. Wipe metal and acetate clips with a soft dry cloth after wearing to remove hair product, keep pearl and rhinestone pieces away from perfume and hairspray where possible, and store velvet clips where they will not be crushed. Close the clasp before storing so the spring keeps its shape, and keep decorative barrettes in a lined box or tray so stones do not scratch each other.
Common mistakes
- Too many clips: one or two look adult; more can look busy.
- Messy part: barrettes highlight the part, so make it clean.
- Wrong clip for the job: a slim decorative barrette cannot hold a full half-up on thick hair.
- Flat placement: angle slightly back for a natural line.
Frequently asked questions
Can adults wear barrettes?
Yes. Choose refined finishes like tortoise, pearl, metal or velvet, and wear one clip with clear placement.
Where should I put a barrette?
Behind one ear, near a side part, at the back of a half-up or over a ponytail elastic.
What is a French barrette?
A barrette with a hinged spring clasp, sturdier than a simple bar clip and able to hold more hair.
How do I keep a barrette from sliding?
Add texture spray, choose a clip sized for the section and anchor it with a bobby pin underneath if needed.
Do barrettes work on short hair?
Yes, especially at the side or on bangs.
Can I wear two different barrettes together?
Yes, if they share one element, such as the same metal tone or the same color family, so the pair looks deliberate.
Shop barrettes
Browse spring clips, pearl, rhinestone and velvet barrettes in our hair clips and barrettes collection, and see every clip type in Types of Hair Clips. Orders ship within the US for a flat $6.99, or free on orders of $79 or more.
