How to use hair claw clips, by TEGEN

Hair Tutorial: How To Use Hair Claw Clips

Our step-by-step guide to using hair claw clips for French pleats, half-up styles and buns, with tips on choosing the right claw for your hair type.

The Original Large Hair Claw Clip by TEGENOctopus Thick Hair Claw Clip by TEGEN

Claw clips come in a lovely range of shapes, sizes and designs to suit all hair types, lengths and textures. From tiny hair claws to pin back your fringe, to larger claws for holding long hair in an up-do, this is our complete guide on how to use claw clips with long hair and short hair.

Step-by-Step Claw Clip Tutorials

This versatile hair accessory can be used in lots of different ways to create many hairstyles in any hair type. The classic French pleat or twist is a popular style which can be made smooth for an elegant look, or loose for an effortless, casual look. You could use smaller claws to create half-up styles, or a few long-tooth claws to hold buns or top knots. Mini claws are lovely for clipping smaller side sections of hair or a fringe. Keep reading for three ways to style your long or short hair using our favourite accessories.

How Do You Wear Claw Clips?

An elegant hairstyle which can be done neatly for a sleek look, or left looser for a more casual style.

  1. Gather your hair at the nape of the neck and twist.
  2. Pull the twist up so it is flat against the back of your head.
  3. Roll the twist under the pocket of hair that forms and tuck in the ends for a neat look.
  4. Secure the claw in the centre, just above the thickest part of the twist.
  5. For a more casual look, leave some hair loose around the face and leave the ends of your hair untucked.

Tips For Securing Claw Clips

Securing claw clips can be tricky, especially if you have silky, fine hair. For this hair type, the key is to create some texture for the claw to grip onto. Try lightly spraying your hair with hairspray or giving it a gentle backcomb before styling with the claw clip. This added texture gives the claw something to hold, helping it stay in place throughout the day.

Not every claw suits every head of hair, so finding the right one for your hair type makes all the difference. If you have fine hair, choose claws with overlapping teeth, as they offer a secure, gentle hold. If you have thick hair, look for claws with plenty of depth inside. It is not just about the size: the depth means the claw can comfortably hold all of your hair. By choosing the right claw for your hair type, you can enjoy a stylish, secure hold that lasts.

How Do You Wear A Claw Clip With Long, Thick Hair?

For long, thick hair, the best claw clip hairstyles are a French pleat or a half-up style. As long as you choose a strong, large hair claw, you will be able to style your thick hair beautifully.

It is worth choosing claw clips that are kind to your hair. Our French Handmade Hair Accessories are made from cellulose acetate, a material which is strong yet flexible, and each piece is polished by hand for a smooth finish that helps prevent snagging.

Hair Tutorial: French Twist Using A Medium Hair Claw

Claw Clips For Different Hair Types

Claw Clips For Thick Hair

For thick hair, we recommend large claw clips with lots of space inside, like The Original Large Hair Claw Clip. These are lovely for holding lots of hair securely. Our popular Octopus Thick Hair Claw Clip is also ideal for thick, long hair, designed to hold a large volume of hair comfortably and securely.

Claw Clips For Fine Hair

In fine hair, the Long Narrow Fine Hair Claw Clip is a lovely choice, as it has a smaller barrel to hold the hair securely, while still gathering plenty of hair thanks to its length. In very fine hair you could also try the Small Narrow Claw Clip. Both are designed with overlapping teeth to help prevent slipping.

For long fine hair, or medium-weight hair, try The Original Medium Hair Claw Clip from our French Handmade collection.

Our Medium Sophia Side Hair Claw Clip is recommended for holding French pleats, as it lies flat against the head. The bottom teeth are pushed in from the side underneath the twist, and the top teeth are clamped over the top of the twist. It is comfortable to wear when leaning against a headrest, so it is ideal if you wear your hair up when driving or at your desk.

Is Half Up, Half Down Still In Style?

This simple style is perfect for keeping your hair off your face, and it is very much still in style. You could choose a simple neutral hair claw, or add a little sparkle with our beautiful Crystal Hair Accessories.

Simply take the top layers of your hair into a half-ponytail at the back of your head. You can make this as smooth as you like, and could even twist the hair round a little. Then secure with your claw of choice.

Shop our Hair Claw Clips

Half-Up, Half-Down Claw Clips

For half-up hairstyles, mini and small hair claws suit most hair types. If your hair is thick, try one with space inside, such as The Original Small Hair Claw Clip from our French Handmade collection.

To hold less hair, or in finer hair types, try a Mini Hair Claw Clip to hold your half-up hairstyle.

Mini Hair Claw Clip by TEGENThe Original Small Hair Claw Clip by TEGEN

Can You Do A Bun With A Claw Clip?

To create a bun, simply twist your hair round into a bun shape and secure it with one claw, or a few around the outside of the bun. You could position your bun high on your head as a top knot, or choose an elegant low bun. Catch hair against your head with the bottom teeth of the claws, and hair from your bun with the top teeth. Our Tiny Hair Claw Clip, Mini Hair Claw Clip and The Original Small Hair Claw Clip are lovely for this, as smaller claws sit neatly around a bun. For thicker or more textured hair, you could use a couple of larger claws with some mini ones to hold any loose pieces.

Explore our full collection of Hair Claw Clips

Share Your Styles

Now you have seen a few different ways to use our favourite accessory, we would love to see the styles you create. Share your styles and tag @tegenaccessories on Instagram and Facebook.

For personal recommendations and advice, contact our team, who will be happy to help you find your perfect hair accessory.