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Claw Clip Hairstyles for Thick Hair

July 26, 2022

3 Min read

Whoever said those with thick hair can’t use claw clips have never met the right claw clip hairstyles for thick hair. The hairstyling staple can tame any mane—most notably fuller, thicker hair types—with a simple gather and grasp. But there are a few things to keep in mind when reaching for the accessory, so we enlisted the help of Gina Rivera, stylist and founder of Phenix Salon, and Nicolette Rauchet, senior stylist at Lrn Beauty, for a few claw clip lessons, including a trio of easy-to-follow tutorials to achieve the look at home. Read on for a crash course on your new favorite hair clips.

What are the benefits of using claw clips?

Claw clips are great for those who love ponytails but hate the breakage that’s associated with the classic updo. 

“It’s easy to remove claw clips without the hair suffering from the normal indents and creases that are created from ponytail holders, barrettes, and other hair accessories,” says Rivera, adding that “claw clips are terrific for pulling the hair back fully or in sections.” 

Rauchet agrees: “They allow for less tension and less manipulation of the hair shaft.”

Claw clips do’s and don’ts

As with most beauty hacks, there are do’s and dont’s when it comes to claw clips. Rauchet breaks them down below.

DO Find a claw clip that works for your hair type or, more specifically, one “that suits your thickness.” Not all clips are created equal. A simple rule of thumb? “If you feel any pulling or struggle to gather all of your hair in a clip, it’s not the correct size,” says Rauchet. “Size up!” 

DON’T jam up the clip. “If you just start roughing the hair into it you may get some strands of hair stuck in the mechanics of the clip and end up pulling and causing breakage,” shares Rauchet. “Less is more.”

DO your research. “Investing in an expensive, heavy duty clip is usually best,” adds Rauchet. “Using two clips to get all the hair up defeats the purpose of it looking fashionable. Go for the larger size!”

Products for claw clip hairstyles for thick hair

Keeping the hair hydrated with a leave-in conditioner is key when using claw clips. Not only does the leave-in keep hair healthy, but it also makes it a lot more manageable when it comes to styling. Rivera recommends opting for a leave-in conditioner that boasts hair-boosting ingredients like biotin, collagen, and B vitamins.

The easiest claw clip hairstyles for thick hair