17 Claw Clip Hairstyles You *Need* to Try ASAP (2024)

Long hair looks beautiful on its own, but adding a claw clip can be a quick and easy way to add some oomph to your look with minimal effort. If you have straight hair, use a wand to give your strands a little wave and movement first, then pull some thicker pieces from both sides of your head and fasten them together with a claw clip at the back of your head.

💫 Re-create it with: Emi Jay Big Effing Clip in Pink Sugar

If you have lots of curls or super thick hair, the thought of a simple claw clip actually keeping your hair held up may seem very unlikely. But, alas! Super-giant, super-jumbo claw clips exist, like the XL-sized one pictured here from Kov Essentials. Translation? All hair types can get in on the magic that is a *claw clip*.

💫 Re-create it with: Kov Essentials Daily Clip

If you want to rock your hair in a half-up half-down style, the perfect accessory to add that little extra oomph is a mini claw clip. But if you ~really~ wanna step it up, add two for an extra touch of fun.

💫 Re-create it with: Machete Mini Claw Clip(s)

If the biggest hair trend you're hopping on board with rn is a headband, may I suggest pairing it with a claw clip? In order to balance the two hair accessories, use a boar bristle brush to pull your hair into a slicked-back bun. Once pulled tightly, use a claw clip to hold your hair in place and top it off with a headband.

💫 Re-create it with: Emi Jay Big Effing Clip & Headband

Imo, checker print will never go out of style—case in point: This checker claw clip. If you are trying to run out of the house quickly and need to keep your hair out of your face, just bend your hair at the base of your head, hold it up toward the ceiling, and open your claw clip to wrap around strands.

💫 Re-create it with: Aileam Checkered Claw Clip

Love this ’90s Pam Anderson-inspired? Alex Brown, a Chicago-based hairstylist and owner of Space by Alex Brown, suggests gathering all of your hair into your hands, twisting it in one direction to create a vertical bun, and then securing it with a claw clip to quickly DIY at home.

💫 Re-create it with: WHAVEL Big Hair Claw Clip

Hot tip for creating this side-swept hairstyle with a claw clip: “Whenever you’re using a claw lip, be extra careful with your strands if they’re wet or damp, says master stylist Andrea Hans, owner of Broome Street Society in New York City. Wet hair is more elastic, making it easier to accidentally pull it too tight and create hair breakage.

💫 Re-create it with: Afroani Cherry Blossom Claw Clip

Why limit your claw clip usage to just one? I love the way the tortoise shell pattern on these large claw clips stands out against this curly hair type.

💫 Re-create it with: Afroani Cherry Blackcurrant Claw Clip

NGL, this isn’t exactly the easiest claw clip bun hairstyle to achieve, but it looks damn good once it’s complete. Start by splitting your hair into two sections and twist the top part into a half-bun. Move your clip right under the half bun to anchor your hair and then move a few pieces out of place to get the messy look.

💫 Re-create it with: Naisier Tortoise Shell Butterfly Claw Clip

After you’ve styled your hair with heat tools, grab a medium-sized claw clip to pull some pieces back so they’re tucked away and out of your face. Annie Montgomery Rush, editorial hairstylist at Marie Robinson Salon in New York City, likes to use small ones with accents for a fun, pretty look.

💫 Re-create it with: Bowear Vintage Checkered Claw Clip

This claw clip hairstyle just screams *elegance*. Opt for a hair accessory that looks like a work of art so that it can transform into the centerpiece of your hairstyle. To re-create this look, you’ll want to pull your hair into a low ponytail at the base of your head and bend it in half. Then use a large claw clip to pin your hair to your head and pull out a few loose ends at the bottom.

💫 Re-create it with: Eight Other Reasons Claw Clip

Seventies hairstyles are trending, and this soft and wavy claw clip look is one of my fave looks inspired by the decade. Rush suggests pulling your hair into a ballerina-style knot on the back of your head first, securing it with a vertical claw clip, and then pulling some pieces forward to frame your face.

💫 Re-create it with: Kitsch Non-Slip Metal Hair Claw Clip

Rush says that claw clips can be used as a fuss-free statement hair accessory for a variety of Y2K-inspired hairstyles, including this low twist. It’s giving me allllll the Regina George vibes.

💫 Re-create it with: Kitiin Black Strong Hold Claw Clip

“You can use claw clips to create a classic updo look or get creative and split hair down the middle and use two clips for a funky style,” says Rush. Her favorite thing about this specific claw clip hairstyle is that it’s simple, low-tension (aka it won’t damage your hair or give you a headache), and effortlessly cool.

💫 Re-create it with: May Foltren French Celluloid Claw Clip

This is my go-to hairstyle when I’m running errands but still want to look cute while I’m doing it. If your hair is on the finer side, you’ll love how easy it is to wrap it up in a bun and put a large clip on it. Make sure you leave two strands in the front to perfectly re-create this undone look.

💫 Re-create it with: Canitor Large Hair Claw Clip

This claw clip hairstyle proves that you can create a high ponytail with any type of hair accessory. “Just put your hair up the way you would with a hair tie or bobby pin and secure it with a clip or two instead,” says Hans. Finish everything off with some hair spray and you’ll be good to go.

💫 Re-create it with: Vsiopy Medium Large Claw Clip

If you’re looking for a claw clip hairstyle to wear to a special event, then you’re going to absolutely love this style. This look requires a few steps, but I promise it’s worth it in the end. Separate your hair into two sections (don’t forget to leave two money pieces out to frame your face), twist the top section into a bun, and then let the ends of the hair plume out. Et voilà, you’ve re-created this refined, half-up bun.

💫 Re-create it with: Alemaky 12 Pack Square Claw Clips

• Alex Brown is a Chicago-based hairstylist and owner of Space by Alex Brown. She’s worked with celebrities like Rebecca Black, Kendall Jenner, and Chrissy Teigen.
• Annie Montgomery Rush is a celebrity and editorial hairstylist at the Marie Robinson Salon in New York City. Her work has appeared in publications like Vogue.
• Andrea Hans is a master hairstylist and owner of Broome Street Society in New York City.

Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan who writes beauty, with over three years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty stories, like the best curl creams and the best clear sunscreens. She regularly works with the industry’s top hairstylists and professionals to assess new formulas and products.

Valeriya Chupinina was the beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan with five years of experience researching, writing, and editing haircare stories that range from heatless hair curlers to dry shampoo. She’s an authority in all haircare categories and regularly tests and analyzes hairstyling tools and accessories.