These Stylist-Approved Clips Support Even the Thickest Hair
Finding hair clips for thick hair can be as tough as Prince Charming trying to find Cinderella with a glass slipper. When you know it’s the one for your hair you know, but is it a journey to find THE ONE.
A head full of thick hair of any texture means that at one point or another a clip has failed to hold your hair in your favorite updo by either being too small or with a spring that’s far too weak. To sort through the cornucopia of hair clips available on the internet, we tapped Rodan + Fields hairstylist Bridget Brager and Chicago-based Maxine Salon stylist Raven Hurtado for her tips on selecting a hair clip, ways to use a hair clip, and their favorite hair clips for thick hair.
- 01What To Look For
- 02What To Avoid
- 03Stylist Tips
- 04Best Claw Clips For Thick Hair
- 05FAQs
Best hair clips for thick hair, at a glance:
- Best hold: Acrasia, Hypernova Clip, $29
- Best value: Scunci, Jaw Clip, $45
- Best black-owned: Pattern Beauty, Hair Clip, $10
- Most durable: KOV Essentials, Soul Clip, $21
- Best mini hair clip: Anthropologie, Mini Claw Hair Clip (Set of 8), $30
- Best round clip: Atoden, Octopus Hair Clips, $12
- Most stylish: Godess, Signature Clip, $24
- Stylist's favorite: Kitsch, Jumbo Classic Claw Clip (Set of 2), $12
- Best metal clip: LUKACY, Large Metal Hair Claw Clips (Set of 6), $26
- Best low-profile: Kristin Ess, Claw Clip - Curved, $10
- Best for styling: Trademark Beauty, Claw Clips (Set of 4), $10
From small hair clips to metal hair clips to cute hair clips, hair clips are incredibly versatile whether it’s holding your hair out of your face through your skincare routine (you can also use headbands for face washing), doing a leave-in conditioning treatment, or creating a professional updo for cocktail hour, a hair clip is always there to help you get a grip—on your hair. Overall, Brager tells Well+Good, “I think clips are the perfect accessory to a sleek hairstyle!”
What to look for in a clip for thick hair
If you have thick hair “the most important thing when picking out a hair clip is that it lightly matches the density of your hair and has a good grip,” Brager says. Making sure your hair clip can handle your hair density is a fail-proof way to ensure that your hair clip will stay in your hair until you take it out.
If you have curly thick hair the Rodan + Fields hairstylist advises that you opt for a medium to extra large-sized textured claw clip. But, if your hair is straight, you should give a matte or “rubberized-texture claw clip” a try. Let’s say your hair is thick but short, what should you do? Brager says to use an octopus claw clip as the style will “help keep ends tucked away and gives [you] a pretty profile,” she states.
Plus, no matter your hair texture or length, make sure that your hair clip fits your head. “You want something that’s going to be like your head shape. If [the hair clip] is two straight or boxy where the clips meet the scalp you have more chance of hair falling out and a messy up do,” she states.
If you have thin hair, consider these hair clips for thin hair, hair clips for fine hair, or the Teleties hair clip.
What to avoid in a clip for thick hair
As you claw though the hair accessories aisle, make sure that you steer clear of any heavy hair clips. Thick hair tends to be heavier so “you don’t want to put any extra weight on the back of your head as that can cause headaches,” Brager warns. If you have straight hair, the expert hair stylist notes to avoid glossy or non-textured clips as they “don’t quite do the job.”
Expert stylist tips using a claw clip
Along with tossing your hair up and adding a clip, Brager has a great way to style your thick hair in a clip while giving it a moisturizing treatment. “Start by deciding whether you want a middle part or a side part,” then add your favorite styling cream all over – like the Define+ Curl Cream from Rodan + Fields. Then, add your favorite treatment oil to your ends.
Brager instructs that you should then “gather your hair into a low bun, grab your favorite claw clip, and you’ve got yourself a perfectly chic on-the-go hairstyle, all while conditioning and treating your hair to a dose of moisture and protection!”
You may also wish to use hair spray to style with your hair clip, but don’t forget these hairspray mistakes.
Now that you know the ins and outs of styling thick hair in a claw clip, scroll through the list ahead to find a hair clip that you can throw on without worry of it popping off.
Best hold
Two tough springs and a wide triangular frame keeps Acrasia Hypernova Hair Clip SECURE to the wearer’s head for the best hold. Made of cellulose acetate (a sturdy lightweight polymer from wood fibers), the 18-tooth hair accessory is built to hold long and thick strands without weighing your head down. The five-inch claw clip comes in seven marble-like patterned colors.
Colors: 12
Sizes: one size
Pros:
- Can be worn while working out
- Available in 12 colors
- Made of biodegradable materials
Cons:
- Pricey
Best value
The most affordable single clip on this list is the Scunci Barrel Jaw Clip but don’t let its price point fool you. The barrel design of this 4.5-inch hair clip allows for every strand to be enveloped by its teeth. Since it has a glossy finish it’s better suited for those who don’t have pin-straight hair.
Colors: pink
Sizes: one size
Pros:
- Long, rounded teeth
- Has a firm grip for updos
- Affordable
Cons:
- Only available in one color
Best black-owned
Pattern Beauty’s hair clip – a favorite of Brager’s – was made with curly textures in mind. While the claw clip is glossy, the long teeth get underneath every strand to secure the hair in place wherever you put it. Currently available in a sleek black with a yellow accented spring, this three–inch hair clip is both functional and fashionable.
Colors: black
Sizes: one size
Pros:
- Has a unique style
- Strong grip
- Holds hair tightly
Cons:
- May be too small for some
Most durable
The most durable clip is the Soul Clip from KOV Essentials. Available in three classic colors, these rectangular clips range from 2.25 to 2.75 inches long – depending on the size you purchase. Founder Chelsea Branch even took to the brand’s TikTok to prove the durability of her hair clips in this video. Fun fact: if your clip comes to you and it’s not up to the brand’s crush-proof standards, KOV Essentials offers a “free six-month full replacement warranty,” according to the product page.
Colors: 10
Sizes: S-L
Pros:
- Available in 10 colors
- Comes in three sizes
- Minimal look
- Comfy
Cons:
- None
Best mini hair clip
The best mini hair clip belongs to Anthropologie’s Mini Claw Hair Clip Set. At 1.5 inches tall, each clip brings its own personality to your hairdo. Available in four patterned options, there’s a set for anyone’s style. Best of all, each hair clip is a bit different. Some have more of an octopus form while others have an open oval on the sides so you can truly be unique in how you style your thick hair.
Colors: 3
Sizes: one size
Pros:
- Cute design and fun colors
- Comes with eight clips
Cons:
- Clips may be too small for some
Best round clip
Atoden’s five-piece Octopus Hair Clips Matte Hair Clips are the best round clips on our list. The matte octopus-style clips are 3.15 inches at their longest point to capture all of your thick hair. The texture of the clip makes it great for people with straight hair textures but handle curls and waves, too.
Colors: 7
Sizes: one size
Pros:
- Made of durable materials
- Versatile
Cons:
- May be hard to open for some
Most stylish
The Signature Clip from hair accessory brand Godess is the best slender clip on this list. The 4.7-inch-long clip’s slender design elegantly holds thick hair with a sizable metal spring in the center of the loop and well over a dozen long teeth. On the brand’s TikTok this clip even passed the “jump test” in this video. Out of the five hues, the mother of pearl variation of the hair accessory is perfect for every day-to-night look.
Colors: 6
Sizes: one size
Pros:
- Offers good grip
- Pretty
- Made of recycled materials
Cons:
- Pricey
Stylist's favorite
Kitsch’s Jumbo Classic Claw Clip (two-pack) is a personal favorite of Brager’s. “It’s a great jumbo clip with long teeth,” the Rodan + Fields hair stylist says. At 5.5 inches long – with one in black, the other in tortoise – not only will this clip hold all of your hair, but the flared ends allow for you to create a high-ponytail look without the pain of a hair tie.
Colors: 2
Sizes: one size
Pros:
- Made from recycled materials
- Comes with two clips
- Sturdy
Cons:
- None
Best metal clips
Lukacy’s six-pack of Large Metal Hair Claw Clips is the best metal clip for both style and value. Each of the clips are 3.5 to 4.5 inches long and no two are alike. While each clip is uniquely designed they all have large teeth to secure to your head with style. While these clips are great for people with thicker hair, the metal material may be too slippery for those with thinner hair.
Colors: gold
Sizes: variety
Pros:
- Comes in unique shapes and designs
- Sturdy
- Comes in a pack of six
Cons:
- May be too slippery for some
Best low-profile
Tired of banging your head while wearing a clip? Then try the best low profile clip on the list: Kristin Ess’s Claw Clip – Curved. With its matte tortoise pattern this classic clip has long rounded teeth to go under every strand of hair. At 5.5 inches Kristen Ess’s clip can hold even the thickest hair.
Colors: tortoise
Sizes: one size
Pros:
- Chic and stylish design
- Secures hair in place
- For all hair types and textures
Cons:
- May be difficult to open for some
Best for styling
This set of four comes recommended by Hurtado because they’re great for styling. Made of anti-slip material, the clips secure your locks in place and won’t fall out of place. It’s also lightweight, comfy to wear, and has a sturdy grip that makes readjusting the clip easy. Plus, they have long grips, making them a great option for thick hair.
Colors: 4
Sizes: one size
Pros:
- Made of non-slip material
- Comfy to wear
- Sturdy grip
- Good value
Cons:
- None
FAQs
What type of claw clip is best for thick hair?
Hurtado says that the best claw clips for thick hair are jumbo or large ones with wide teeth. They “hold more hair and stay secure without [your hair] falling out,” she says.
How do you wear thick hair in a clip?
“To style thick hair in a claw clip, twist the hair counterclockwise and secure with Trademark beauty clips ($10) and let the ends of the hair drape over,” says Hurtado. She recommends
Do claw clips dent hair?
Hurtado says that claw clips are gentle on the hair and don’t pull as much. Therefore, they won’t dent the hair.
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