The Best Claw Clips for Split-Second Styling
No matter what decade we're in, the best claw clips are hairstyling staples we don on our heads with gusto. These versatile accessories make for uncomplicated hairstyles, hassle-free half-up-half-downs, and foolproof French twists—adding some very-you flare in the process. If you've struggled to find a clip that can handle your thick, long hair, doesn't cause breakage, and doesn't slide to the base of your neck after 30 minutes, look no further.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Color Range: Machete Midi Heirloom Claw Clip, $35
- Best Claw Clip for Thick Hair: Emi Jay Heartbreaker Claw Clip, $29
- Best Aesthetic Claw Clip: The Hair Edit Epic Clip, $15
- Best Jumbo Claw Clip: FP Movement Jumbo Claw Clip, $24
- Best Metal Claw Clip: Kitsch Open Shape Claw Clip, $8
- Cutest Claw Clip: Bonbonwhims Mega Lucky Clip, $30
- Best Splurgey Claw Clip: Jennifer Behr Agatha Jaw Clip, $158
To simplify your search, Allure editors have rounded up the highest-quality claw clips on the web.. The best is yet to…bun.
Best Color Range: Machete Midi Heirloom Claw Clip
Why It's Worth It: We're head over hair for this Machete Midi Heirloom Claw Clip. Despite its size, this medium claw clip thing can handle thick hair types like a dream, and each colorway is irresistible in its own way. This clip comes in 31 (gasp) hues and patterns—Apricot Shell Checker, Orchid, and Terrazzo, oh my!—so you'll be sure to find your perfect match.
Tester Feedback: "Machete makes the most gorgeous claw clips, but looks don't mean squat if it's just going to slip out after an hour. Thanks to a hidden second row of teeth, these hold my hair in place all day," says deputy digital director Kara McGrath. "Though the midi heirloom is plenty big enough for my fine texture, the brand also makes a 'grande' version for those blessed with longer or fuller strands."
Material: Acetate, metal | Size: Medium | Who It's For: Everyone
Best Claw Clip for Thick Hair: Emi Jay Heartbreaker Claw Clip
Why It's Worth It: Emi Jay has endlessly playful hair accessories (Hello, Big Effing Clips!) and the Heartbreaker Claw Clip is a standout. Made of sturdy metal, this clip is chic without comprising an all-day grip. It's a best seller and a great fit for thick hair. However, if you'd rather have a plastic option, go for the Heartbreaker Claw Clip in blue, pink, or deep brown.
Tester Feedback: Jennifer Hussein, commerce writer, loves this Emi Jay option for its uncompromising hold."I have unusually thick hair, so most claw clips fail in the battle of wrangling up all of my strands. In my 29 years of existing on this big, green Earth, there's only one claw clip that lives up to the task: Emi Jay's Heartbreaker," Hussein writes. "She's big, made of metal instead of flimsy plastic, and strong enough to secure each hair on my head in its place."
Material: Metal | Size: Medium | Who It's For: People with thick to medium hair
Best Claw Clip for Long Hair: The Hair Edit Epic Clip
Why It's Worth It: This tortoise shell-inspired beauty is large and in charge. The Hair Edit Epic Clip can be dressed up or down and is delightfully oversized to make your updo effort easy-peasy. This clip is deceptively lightweight despite its size so that it won't drag down your hair, and if your strands aren't thick, per se, but are thin and abundant, this is an excellent pick for you. (To this end, commerce editor Sarah Han also highly recommends The Hair Edit's Gilded Wing Clip, which was the first clip that could actually handle holding her bun in.)
Tester Feedback: "Whether I'm headed to work in a blazer or moving myself out of my apartment in a T-shirt and jeans, the Hair Edit Extra Large Tortoise Clip never fails to match my outfits," says senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor. "Even better is its large size and strong spring that keeps my extra-long, wavy hair in place for hours."
Material: Plastic | Size: Large | Who It's For: People with long hair
Best Jumbo Claw Clip: FP Movement Jumbo Claw Clip
Why It's Worth It: People with long, thick hair deserve as much love from a claw clip as our short-hair sisters. It turns out Free People agrees, with the FP Movement Jumbo Claw Clip as proof. This chicly boxy XL clip gathers all of your strands with ease and keeps them secure throughout the day—whether you're in the office, sweating your butt off at spin class, or running a quick errand. It comes in three sweet colors and features the gold FP Movement logo.
Tester Feedback: "I love wearing claw clips when I have braids in to create a cute half-up style look, but it's hard to find clips that are long and wide enough to fit my braids...until I tried the FP Movement Jumbo Claw Clip," says associate beauty editor Annie Blay. "This clip is truly jumbo. It does a great job at gathering my braids without hurting my head, not to mention the matte finish is sleek and stylish."
Material: Plastic | Size: Large | Who It's For: People with plentiful hair
Best Metal Claw Clip: Kitsch Open Shape Claw Clip
Why It's Worth It: We love a gold moment, and the Kitsch Open Shape Claw Clip meets that moment with style. The metal build allows for an extra dense back-of-the-head gather, and the super-strong springs mean no budging. It's a good fit for all hair textures and types (curly hair and fine hair included) and is your newest best-case scenario.
Tester Feedback: Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director, is a claw clip devotee, but this one from Kitsch stands out. "The claw clip has had me in its grip since the early '90s. This Kitsch version is the most elegant evolution from the hunks of plastic I wore back then. The minimal silhouette lets your hair color and texture take center stage, and it complements my other (usually gold) accessories—without competing."
Material: Metal | Size: Medium | Who It's For: People who want serious hold
Best Splurgey Claw Clip: Jennifer Behr Agatha Jaw Clip
Why It's Worth It: Balletcore, meet the Jennifer Behr Agatha Jaw Clip. This silky, luxe, statement-maker features a generously sized satin bow made by hand in the brand's Brooklyn studio. But the bow is more than just a pretty face—the grippy clip beneath the satin stays put, holding plenty of hair up for simple, sophisticated styling. It comes with a dust bag for safe storage between wears.
Tester Feedback: "Call me a sucker for anything bow-shaped—this is one trend train I have sincerely hopped on and will be riding for years to come," Han attests. "I'm a supremely lazy person when it comes to my hair—what is this morning styling you speak of?—but with a few quick twists and a painless cinch, bam, my hair looks elevated and I know I've done something right.
Material: Satin, resin | Size: Large | Who It's For: People who want to make a statement
Most Whimsical Claw Clip: Bonbonwhims Mega Lucky Clip
Why It's Worth It: Did someone say whimsical? It was us. We did. And so did the Bonbonwhims Mega Lucky Clip, frankly. This clip reminds us of playing dress-up as a kid but in a grown-up, pleasantly practical way. Available in nine colorways (pick between a sparkly or iridescent finish) each clip is decked out with three heart-shaped gems as a super cute touch. It also comes in a baby pink velvet pouch for easy gifting or storing.
Tester Feedback: “This claw clip is simultaneously early-aughts and right-about-now—and is so cute it rivals all of my toddler's hair clips. (I said what I said!!),” gushes Shanna Shipin, Allure's shopping director. “I have thick, curly hair—that I often blow-dry straight—and this claw clip holds every strand in securely and comfortably, all without batting a Sailor Moon-meets-Polly-Pocket eyelash.”
Material: Acetate | Size: Large | Who It's For: People who want a nostalgic vibe
Discover more Allure editor-approved hair picks:
- These Creams Are the Way to Pillowy-Soft, Defined Curls
- 17 Best Detangler Sprays for Knot-Free Hair
- 15 Best Air-Dry Creams to Perfect Your Heatless Styles
- Every Allure Editor Has A Boar-Bristle Brush—Here's Why You Need One, Too
Done reading? Now, watch beauty mogul Huda Kattan nail her everyday glam routine.
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