Hair Clips: A Complete Guide to Types, Uses, and How to Choose the Right One

Quick answer

Hair clips are hair accessories used to hold, section, or style hair, ranging from small bobby pins and snap clips to larger claw clips and decorative barrettes. Different clip types serve different purposes, some are built for everyday practical hold, like styling and sectioning during a haircut or blowout, while others are designed primarily for finished, decorative looks. Choosing the right clip depends on your hair type, thickness, and whether you need it for functional hold or as part of a finished hairstyle.

If you searched “hair clips,” you are most likely trying to figure out which type of clip actually works for your hair type or intended use, how to use certain clips correctly, or which options are best for specific situations like thick hair, fine hair, or professional styling. This guide breaks down the main types and how to choose and use them effectively.

Main types of hair clips

Claw clips

A claw clip uses two hinged, tooth-lined sides that clamp together to grip a section of hair. They come in a wide range of sizes, from small clips suited to thinner sections of hair to large clips designed to hold an entire head of hair at once. Claw clips are widely used for both quick, casual updos and more polished half-up styles.

Bobby pins

Bobby pins are thin, flat metal pins with a wavy or straight design, used to hold small sections of hair firmly in place, often for securing flyaways, pinning back sections, or anchoring more elaborate updos. They are less visible than most other clip types and are generally chosen for function over decoration, though decorative bobby pins are also common.

Snap clips (banana clips or barrettes)

Snap clips use a simple hinge-and-clasp mechanism to hold a small to medium section of hair. These are common in both everyday functional styling and decorative designs, particularly popular for children’s hairstyles and simple half-up looks.

Butterfly clips

A specific style of small snap clip, often used in sets to create a half-up style using multiple small clips positioned around the crown of the head, alternating over and under sections of hair.

Banana clips

An elongated, curved clip that gathers and holds a larger section of hair along its length, commonly used for ponytails or gathered styles, particularly suited to thick or long hair.

Duckbill clips

A clip with a hinged, elongated design and a strong grip, most commonly used by hairstylists for sectioning hair during cutting, coloring, or blow-drying, rather than as a finished styling accessory.

Alligator clips

Similar in function to duckbill clips, alligator clips have a serrated, hinged design offering a strong grip, also primarily used for sectioning hair during professional or at-home styling processes rather than as a visible accessory.

Decorative barrettes

A broader category covering flat, often embellished clips, including classic French barrettes, designed primarily for a finished, polished look rather than heavy-duty functional hold.

Choosing the right clip for your hair type

Hair type	Recommended clip types	Why
Fine or thin hair	Small claw clips, snap clips, bobby pins	Smaller clips avoid overwhelming thinner hair sections and grip more securely without excess hair volume
Thick or coarse hair	Large claw clips, banana clips	Larger clips have the size and grip strength needed to hold thicker sections effectively
Long hair	Large claw clips, banana clips, sectioning clips for styling	Longer hair often requires clips with a stronger grip or larger surface area to hold securely
Short hair	Small snap clips, bobby pins, small claw clips	Smaller clips suit shorter sections and are easier to secure without much hair length to work with
Curly or textured hair	Claw clips, flexible snap clips	These generally accommodate more volume and texture without flattening curl pattern as much as flat barrettes

How to use different hair clips correctly

Claw clips

1. Gather the section of hair you want to secure, twisting gently if you want a more polished, structured look
2. Hold the claw clip open with the teeth facing the section of hair
3. Position the clip where you want it to sit, then release to close the clip’s teeth around the gathered hair
4. Adjust as needed by opening and repositioning if the grip feels uneven

Bobby pins

1. Take a small section of hair and cross the pin’s wavy side against the smooth side, sliding it in against the section
2. Insert the pin slightly downward and into the hair at the root for the most secure hold
3. For added hold on fine or slippery hair, crossing two bobby pins in an X shape at the same point increases grip

Sectioning clips (duckbill or alligator clips)

1. Divide hair into the desired sections for cutting, coloring, or blow-drying
2. Clip each section close to the scalp, positioning the clip perpendicular to the section for the most secure, stable hold
3. Release sections one at a time as you work through the styling process, rather than removing all clips at once

Common mistakes people make with hair clips

• Using a clip too small for the hair section. This is one of the most common reasons clips slip out or fail to hold properly, particularly with thicker or longer hair sections.
• Placing claw clips too high or too low without considering hair weight distribution. Poor placement can cause the clip to slip out over the course of the day, particularly with heavier or slippery hair textures.
• Using decorative clips for heavy-duty sectioning work. Decorative barrettes and lightweight snap clips are generally not designed to withstand the tension and repeated opening required during a full haircut or coloring service.
• Leaving clips in for extended periods without adjustment. Prolonged, consistent tension from a tightly placed clip can contribute to hair breakage or discomfort, particularly with very tight placements.
• Choosing clips based purely on appearance without considering hair type. A clip that looks appealing but does not match your hair’s thickness or texture often ends up underperforming functionally, regardless of how it looks in photos.
• Not cleaning or maintaining clips over time. Metal clips in particular can develop rust or a weakened grip mechanism over time if not properly cared for, especially with regular exposure to hair products or moisture.

Hair clip materials

• Metal: offers strong, durable grip, commonly used for bobby pins, alligator clips, and duckbill clips; can be prone to rust over time if not properly maintained
• Plastic: lightweight and often used for larger claw clips and banana clips; generally more affordable and available in a wide range of colors and finishes
• Acetate: a higher-quality plastic material often used for more polished claw clips and barrettes, valued for its glossy finish and durability compared to standard plastic
• Fabric-covered or embellished clips: typically used for decorative barrettes and snap clips, prioritizing appearance over heavy-duty functional hold

Actionable recommendations

1. Match clip size to your hair’s thickness and length rather than choosing based on appearance alone, particularly for claw clips and banana clips.
2. Use dedicated sectioning clips, like duckbill or alligator clips, for styling processes like blow-drying or coloring, rather than relying on decorative clips not designed for that level of tension.
3. Cross two bobby pins in an X shape for extra hold on fine or slippery hair sections.
4. Avoid leaving clips in overly tight positions for extended periods to reduce the risk of tension-related hair breakage.
5. Clean and periodically check metal clips for rust or weakened grip mechanisms, replacing them as needed.
6. Build a small clip collection covering a few different types and sizes, since a single clip style rarely covers every styling need, from quick everyday updos to more secure sectioning work.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a claw clip and a banana clip? A claw clip uses a hinged, two-sided clamp design and comes in many sizes, while a banana clip has an elongated, curved shape specifically designed to gather and hold larger sections of hair along its length, often used for ponytails.

What hair clips are best for thick hair? Large claw clips and banana clips generally work best for thick hair, since their size and grip strength are designed to hold larger, heavier sections securely.

What hair clips do hairstylists use for sectioning? Duckbill clips and alligator clips are most commonly used by hairstylists for sectioning hair during cutting, coloring, or blow-drying, due to their strong, stable grip.

Can hair clips damage your hair? Clips used correctly generally do not damage hair, but leaving clips in very tight positions for extended periods, or using metal clips with sharp edges repeatedly in the same spot, can contribute to breakage over time.

What is the best hair clip for fine hair? Smaller claw clips, snap clips, and bobby pins generally work best for fine hair, since larger clips can be too heavy or bulky relative to a smaller amount of hair.

How do I keep a claw clip from slipping out? Choosing a clip size appropriate for your hair thickness, positioning it based on where your hair naturally holds weight, and twisting the section slightly before clipping can all improve hold and reduce slipping.

Are metal or plastic hair clips better? This depends on use. Metal clips generally offer stronger, more precise grip, useful for sectioning or securing small areas, while plastic and acetate clips are common for larger, decorative, or everyday styling clips.

What is the best clip for a half-up hairstyle? Medium to large claw clips are commonly used for quick, casual half-up styles, while smaller snap or butterfly clips are often used in multiples for a more detailed, decorative half-up look.

The bottom line

Choosing the right hair clip comes down to matching the clip’s size, grip strength, and material to both your hair type and your specific purpose, whether that is quick everyday styling, a finished decorative look, or functional sectioning during a haircut or color service. Understanding the differences between clip types, rather than defaulting to whichever clip is most visually appealing, is what most reliably leads to a secure, comfortable hold that actually works for your hair.

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