How to use a claw clip? Everything you need to know!

Introduction

Want to have a stylish hairstyle in three minutes when you wake up early? Want to add a unique look to your black hair? If you wish, claw clips would be a good choice. Claw clips were invented by CSP Diffusion in France in 1980. Claw clips became popular in the 1990s. Rachel Green’s messy claw clip bun in 《Friends》 further promoted people’s desire to buy. Now, with the revival of Y2K fashion and the influence of social media, claw clips have once again become  a focal point of fashion. If you want to know more about claw clips, please follow the perspective of an acetate claw clip supplier who has been in the industry for 10 years to explore!

What Is a Claw Clip?

French businessman Christian Potut created the claw clip based on the action of crossing fingers and combining the functions of a comb and a clip. If you want to buy a claw clip, which dimensions should you search for? Yes, only three dimensions are needed – material, shape, and size.

Material: metal, plastic, acrylic, acetate (quality and beauty)

Size: small, medium, large, extra large

Shape: butterfly, claw, banana, straight

If you are not familiar with the material of claw clips, then I recommend you to try acetate claw clips;you will love them.

Why Use a Claw Clip?

In our lives, everyone has different reasons for choosing claw clips, but they often fall into the following categories:

Quick styling: Help busy office workers, students, or mothers quickly style their hair

Protect hair: Fix hair more gently without damaging the hair roots

Fashionable and beautiful: Unique design creates a unique style, and rich colors brighten up your personality.

How to Choose the Right Claw Clip

After understanding the advantages of using claw clips, I think you must be curious about how to choose the claw clips that are suitable for you. This is a dilemma for most beginners. Don’t worry! Let me, a veteran claw clip player, give you some advice.

(1)  Choose according to hair volume

Tips: The more hair you have, the more you need to choose a style with strong cliping force, deep teeth,and good spring quality to prevent it from being unable to clip or slipping.

(2)Choose the material according to your hair quality

Tips: Acetate clips are a versatile,high-end option for all types of hair because of their smooth texture and moderate grip.

(3)Choose according to the purpose of the hairstyle

(4)Choose a style based on the usage scenario

(5)Choose the clip shape according to your face shape (advanced suggestions)

How to Use a Claw Clip

In order to have a better experience of using claw clips, we should first comb our hair to reduce tangles before using claw clips, and secondly,make sure the hair is dry and fresh. If you have done all of these, let’s start the styling journey with claw clips!

（1）French wire with Claw Clip

Applicable claw clips: large claw clip (9–12cm), acetate tortoiseshell clip

Steps: 1. Gather your hair back and twist it upward at the back of your head;

2. Roll the end of the hair bundle inward;
3. Use the claw clip to clipit from the center to fix the entire twisted hair bundle.

Suitable style: French elegance, light mature style

Applicable occasions: workplace, dinner date, wedding, brand event

Advantages: Enhance temperament, easily create a “sophisticated look”, and you can firmly put your hair up without a rubber band.

（2）Low Pony with Snap Clip

Applicable claw clips: buckle round clip, metal spring clip, acrylic shiny clip

Steps: 1. Comb your hair to the back of your neck and tie it into a low ponytail or gather it directly.

2. Use a buckle clip to clipand fix along the upper part of the ponytail;
3. You can leave some hair on both sides to modify your face shape.

Suitable styles: simple, workplace style, retro style

Applicable occasions: office, daily commuting, smart outing

Advantages: Show the neckline, wear earrings to be more colorful, and it is very suitable for wearing a windbreaker/shirt.

（3）Half Up Claw Clip

Applicable claw clips: medium claw clip (6-8cm), butterfly clip, acetate clip

Steps: 1. Take half of the hair from above the ear;

2. Gently twist it in a circle;
3. Use a medium claw clip to clipthe end of the hair and fix it at the back of the head.

Suitable style: Korean, French, daily literary

Suitable occasions: commuting, school, dating, video conferencing

Advantages: refreshing and neat without being rigid, modifying the face shape, suitable for women with medium-long to long hair.

（4）Face Framing Clip Look

Applicable claw clips: small straight clip, mini clip, decorative clip (butterfly, rhinestone, pearl)

Steps: 1. Divide the bangs into the middle/side.

2. Slide the bangs on one or both sides back and fix them in front of the ears with decorative clips;
3. Leave the hair under the ears to add airiness.

Suitable styles: sweet style, forest style, photo-taking style

Applicable occasions: gatherings, check-in photos, Xiaohongshu-style photos

Advantages: Makes the face look smaller and highlights the facial features, making it very suitable for matching makeup and earrings.

Styling Tips and Outfit Ideas

Every girl is a unique individual with her unique style. How to make claw clips more suitable for our style,and life scenes and create an overall aesthetic feeling, is a question that every girl will think about. Don’t worry! Today’s claw clips are diverse in style and rich in colors, suitable for most styles in life. The following styles may be what you need. If not, you can also design and customize claw clips to your style. Urrykid acetate claw clip factory can provide customized services.

（1）French Chic

Clothing features: puff sleeves, floral skirts, ruffled shirts, V-neck knits

Recommended claw clips: acetate tortoiseshell claw clips / rose gold thin metal clips/pearl decorative clips

Bow velvet clips / French buckle clips (oval shape)

Hairstyle matching: French half-tie, lazy bun, loose low ponytail

Applicable scenarios: dating, afternoon tea, museums, art exhibitions

Matching keywords: elegance, nature, romance in retro, “Exquisite tortoiseshell clips are like red wine, the more you look at it, the more delicious it is.”

（2）Minimal Korean Look

Clothing features: basic color sweaters, coats, hoodies, suit jackets

Recommended claw clips: matte claw clips (beige, black tea, bean paste color)

Minimalist buckle clips / plastic clips without stripes / square acetate clips

Hairstyles: low bun, all back ponytail, neat bun

Applicable scenarios: commuting, school, cafes, daily outings

Matching keywords: temperament, effortless cleanliness, “uniform color, not exaggerated claw clips, the overall look is more textured”

（3）Soft Girl

Clothing features: doll collar, bubble skirt, plaid elements, cartoon sweatshirt

Recommended claw clips: small claw clips (butterfly, heart, jelly color)

Ribbon fabric clips / bear-shaped clips / double-sided bangs clips

Hairstyle matching: double ponytails, bangs side clips, braided hair + decorative clips

Applicable scenarios: amusement parks, shopping,taking photos,and birthday parties

Matching keywords: playful, age-reducing, adding atmosphere, “Use claw clips as accessories, the more the sweeter.”

（4）Commuter workplace style

Clothing features: suit jacket, straight pants, silk shirt, pencil skirt

Recommended claw clips: metal spring clip (simple matte)

U-shaped claw clip/medium acetate claw clip (low-key color)

Hairstyle matching: bun, elegant low ponytail, back hair

Applicable scenarios: office, business meeting, professional activities

Matching keywords: capable, neat, not too ostentatious, “hairstyle determines your first impression”

（5）Y2K Trend / Cool Girl

Clothing features: short tops, high-waisted pants, bright-colored items, functional style

Recommended claw clips: acrylic jelly clips / bright-colored splicing clips/diamond claw clips

Combination of multiple small clips

Hairstyle matching: braids + decorative clips, broken claw clips on both sides, misaligned clip method

Applicable scenarios: street shooting, disco, nightclubs, music festivals

Matching keywords: visual impact, exaggerated but fashionable, “claw clips are not just tools, they are the standard of fashion.”

（6）Vintage / Retro

Clothing features: cotton and linen shirt, plaid long skirt, denim suspenders skirt

Recommended claw clips: wooden/acrylic/translucent clips

Warm-colored acetate clips/imitation shell pattern claw clips

Hairstyle matching: loose braids, clips behind the ears, natural low-pile

Applicable scenarios: bookstores, markets, park sketching, campus style

Matching keywords: gentle, natural, storytelling, “Clipping a strand of hair is like clipping the sun.”

FAQ

Q1：If I want to give my friend a claw clip as a gift, what material should I choose?

A: As a gift, I think you must want high-quality and beautiful claw clips. If so, I recommend acetate, which is also the most popular material at present.

Q2：Where can I find high-quality claw clips?

A: Best sellers on Amazon or independent websites of brands such as Urrykid and Chunks are good choices

Q3：I just want to find a sturdy and versatile claw clip. Do you have any recommendations?

A: If you want sturdy and versatile, you can choose a metal or acetate claw clip with simple colors and styles.

Conclusion

Nowadays, claw clips that are both fashionable and practical are becoming more and more popular. In 2025, Cliphair US listed claw clips as one of the top hair accessory trends 2025. claw clips not only fix your hair, but also show your style and taste. If you have never used claw clips before, try to find some claw clips that suit you, which will add a different color to your life.Let’s find it.