20 Claw Clip Looks For A Chic & Easy Updo

If you're a millennial or older, you probably remember the hold that claw clips had over people in the 1990s and early 2000s. From Julia Roberts in "Erin Brockovich" to Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green in the early days of "Friends," all of the decade's biggest icons were seen rocking these hair accessories. Well, the nostalgic hair accessory has clawed (pun intended) its way back into our routines amongst a slew of 90s beauty trends, with a fresh crop of stars embracing them this time around. Amid the renaissance, which began around 2021, we've seen the likes of Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber blessing their tresses with them. Even Harry Styles is a fan.

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But much of the accessory's renewed popularity is thanks to social media. There are countless claw clip hacks and hairstyle tutorials showing us how to incorporate this hair helper into our lives — and they're racking up millions of views. One TikTok video from @byrnebook showing three-way styles for long hair has amassed more than 3.9 million views at the time of writing. Another video from @torielynnbliss has been viewed a whopping 4.8 million times. But even when things look easy, sometimes, it feels like you need a physics degree just to get your hair to hold. That's why we gathered 20 styles that really are easy and chic, with options for almost every hair length, texture, and occasion.

Love a neat bun and have medium to long hair that's not too thick? This one's for you. It's perfect for when you need your hair out the way quickly but don't want something messy, such as when you're running late for work. Tie your locks into a ponytail, then create a donut shape by wrapping your tresses around your hair tie. Use the claw to keep it in place, inserting the hair accessory horizontally so the teeth are in the center of the bun and nestled against the crown.

Claw clips can be stunning with twisted hair. Simply gather your twists in your hand and push them up towards the sky. Fix them in place with the accesory (you'll need one that can open quite far) and let your hair fall naturally over the top. And you're all done! To avoid fraying, use a large version with plenty of space between the teeth so your twists can fit in the gaps. For something more casual and face framing, leave a few twists out around your forehead.

This method is great for long-haired beauties who love takes on the ponytail that aren't so damaging. Start as if you're doing a ponytail with both hands on your hair, one with your thumb on top and one underneath. Pull your tresses to the side using your thumb, pass it back to the other hand, and twist it so the ends are towards the sky. Secure it and let the hair sticking out the top fall over your claw clip. This adorable version is awesome for vacation, as it's easy and breezy but super cute it photos.

For another contemporary take on the bun, why not try the pretzel? No food required. Sorry. This style involves gathering your hair as if you're putting it into a ponytail, but, instead, twist your locks and clip the base to your crown. Take the remaining hair (still twisted!) and circle it around the plastic so your tresses, you guessed it, resemble a pretzel. We adore this take on the bun for a beach day, but it's also great for the gym or when playing a sport.

Separate your locks in half horizontally and create a ponytail. Twist it around until you have a small loop on your crown and hold that in place with your claw clip. A mini one will work best here. Next, pull the hair from the bun out the top for a casual, relaxed look, ideal for students preparing for a day of lectures to those heading out for a shopping trip. This take is ideal for haired beauties with fine tresses.

We love a wrap style for a dressy date night, as it has a certain sexiness despite having an overall neat finish. Hold your clip open vertically at the crown of your head, then wrap your hair around it as if you're winding up string. Once you've wrapped it once, turn it around so the teeth are facing your head. Place any loose hair inside and secure it to your head. Just remember though, the longer and thicker your hair, the larger your claw clip needs to be for a secure hold.

For a more casual everyday look, loosely twist your hair up towards the ceiling vertically and wrap your hair around itself, forming a croissant like shape. Then simply insert the clip horizontally at the top of the twist to hold it in place. Depending on how long your locks are, you could gather the any loose ends into the teeth, or let them fall naturally. This style is the ultimate easy messy updo we saw trend in 2023 and it's particularly useful for running errands on hot days.

For those who love the ponytail aesthetic, a claw clip can create a more 'done' version of the classic, which is ideal if you want something comfortable for a wedding or formal event. Start with a traditional ponytail secured with a hair tie. Then, create a gap above the tie by splitting your hair into two. Bring your ponytail through the hole, pushing it down towards the floor so you've created twists either side. Place your claw clip over the base of your ponytail so your tresses cascade down like a waterfall, and you're done.

For a hairstyle that will add instant volume to your tresses, grab a small hair tie and begin as if you're going to create a ponytail and stop before you pull the ends through completely. This will create an almost fanned effect below the hair tie. Then, grab a few sections of hair and gently pull them outward for a loose, but big bun effect. Secure the top with a statement claw clip, such as one that's shaped like a flower, and you're done! This method works best on medium to long hair types, but would be particularly stunning on those with natural curls and texture.

A claw clip can be a great way to get curly hair into a high volume updo. Begin by sectioning off the front portion of your hair. Then, gather the back section of your curls on the top of your head and secure it with a hair tie. To keep things tight at the back, use a comb to smooth any hair around the nape and secure it. Add your choice of smoothing product to prevent fly aways. To make a statement, choose an eye-catching clip color that's contrasting to your hair, and you've got your new go-to everyday look.

One of the easiest hacks on our list, a French twist style works perfectly for medium length hair you want an updo in a hurry. Simply brush out and twist your locks to create a loop of hair on top of your head. To finish the 'do, take a large claw clip with a solid grip and place it around the twisted hair. To make the style a little softer leave a few bits of hair to fall down around your face.

If you're working with second day curls but don't want to flatten them further with a regular bun, a claw clip should do the trick. Start with half up, half down hair and secure the top half of your tresses with a big clip. Then, separate what's left on bottom into two sections, twisting each one up underneath the clip (You can also use bobby pins to hold these pieces). Any hair hanging down can then be inserted into the small hair accessories. You can also hide the plastic clip by pulling your hair over it, though leaving your claw clip exposed is way more on trend.

Why have only one when you could have two? This style works best with statement accessories, so try something more exciting than a standard claw clip, like a butterfly or flower design, something glittery, or metallic. For this method, gather your hair like a ponytail, and twist. Pull that twisted hair up and let it sit against your head, then fold down any bits of hair that are sitting above the top of your head and secure them in the teeth. Place one clip below the other for a solid hold.

If you prefer to no let your claw clip be visible, that's fine. Start by twisting the hair and fasten it against the head with the claw. Bring your excess hair down and feed it into the teeth from the side. To give the illusion your hair's floating in place, use your tresses to camouflage the accessory and add any pins as needed. This look is ideal for very formal situations like weddings (it makes a gorgeous romantic bridal updo) or proms, as well as any occasion when your accessory doesn't match your outfit.

Looking for that sleek, scraped back style Jennifer Lopez loves? Start by slicking the front of your hair down using a brush and gel, and style bun behind your head. Secure it using a small tie and pins, and place your claw clip accessory over the top for extra hold. This is easiest with short/medium straight hair, but can still be achieved with textured locks. It'll just take more time smooth everything down. Day to day, a standard plastic version works, but for a dressier event, go metallic or embellished.

For an elegant, yet undone style, start with curly tresses (if you're not blessed with them naturally, try our heatless curl hacks) for volume and texture. Then, grab all the hair upwards and twist it into a bunch, securing it with a claw clip. The longer your hair is, the better, as you need something with a good breadth of grip. If you have thicker locks, try use texturizing spray or volumizing powder to help with hold. Then let your tresses drape over the top for an easy, classy updo that's perfect for girls' night.

If you have long, textured hair, a claw clip can be a great way to add some excitement to an ordinarily heavy low ponytail. This is a stunning way to rock the trend, as the claw clip's is only there for show, not to hold anything in place. Simply tie your hair behind your head with a ribbon in whatever style you like, and accent it with a fun, patterned claw clip. If you find the woven technique too difficult, two French braids either side of your head will be just as stunning.

A low ponytail chignon doesn't have to be fancy. Start with a low ponytail at the bottom nape of your neck. Leave enough room so you can separate your hair into two sections above your hair tie, then push your ponytail up through the gap you've created. Pull your ponytail halfway through, then let the bottom of the ponytail meet the top. Fasten it in place with a classic claw clip. We love this for a first date because it's cute, casual, and stylish without doing too much.

A classic ponytail is suitable for the office, but it's also a solid go-to for those who  like to make plans after the gym. Simply put your hair in a classic ponytail and secure the first few centimeters to your head with a large clip. Skip the elastic for this one to give the hair a slightly undone vibe. If you're heading out after a workout, try spritzing dry shampoo on your hair to freshen things up and give your hair extra hold.

You don't need short layers to get a pretty fringe effect. For an elegant and romantic updo, start with a half up, half down ponytail using the top third of your hair. However, instead of pulling all your hair through the hair tie, only do so half way. Then, take the bottom half of hair (including the end pieces from your half-done pony) and repeat the first step to form two loose buns stacked on top the other. Give each one a gentle pull on either side to make them voluminous, and place a decorative claw clip over the bottom hair tie to give it a lift. We adore this for a casual beach wedding, as it gives laid-back elegance.