Gone are the days when claw clips were just for holding hair back! In the hands of fashionistas, they've become a "hair magic wand" – with a simple clip, you can transform your look for a professional commute, a relaxed outing, or a sweet date.
Whether you're an office worker rushing out the door or a girl who wants to look chic every day, a claw clip can be your secret weapon for quick styling.
Understanding the fast-paced lives of modern women, Aukmla's philosophy is: empower every woman to achieve an elegant, effortless, and polished look in under 3 minutes. This article will teach you simple steps to create stylish and effortless claw clip hairstyles.
Claw Clip Styling Made Easy – 3 Core Steps for Every Look
Master these three fundamental steps, and you'll effortlessly conquer a variety of claw clip styles, from casual everyday looks to elegant office-ready updos.
1️⃣ Step One: Hair Preparation
The basic state of your hair directly impacts how well your claw clip style holds and looks. Before you clip, take these preparatory steps:
- For Fine, Flat Hair: Lightly spray a volumizing mist from roots to ends and gently scrunch with your hands. This adds overall support and prevents that awkward "flat to the scalp" look.
- For Natural Texture: Gently loosen your hair with your hands or a wide-tooth comb to create natural volume, avoiding an overly stiff or neat appearance.
- Frame Your Face: Leave out a few face-framing pieces around your bangs or temples. This softens facial features, making the overall style more flattering and natural.
Aukmla Tip: This step is crucial, especially for fine hair or those prone to flat roots. The spray-and-scrunch combination provides a decisive foundation for your subsequent styling.
2️⃣ Step Two: Gather & Twist Your Hair
This is the pivotal step that determines the direction of your style. Different twisting methods and gathering positions will yield completely different vibes:
- The Elegant Look: Classic French Twist Twist your hair upwards from the ends, along your spine, securing it against the back of your head. Leave space for the clip to latch onto. This is perfect for long hair or medium-to-thick hair, creating a lazy yet chic French aesthetic.
- The Everyday Look: Simple Low Gather Gather your hair naturally at the nape of your neck, gently twisting it inward a half-turn before preparing to clip. This style is understated and fresh, ideal for work, school, or home.
Pro Tip: If you have very thick hair, consider twisting it in sections. This makes it easier to secure and prevents bulkiness.
3️⃣ Step Three: Clip & Adjust the Details
This is where your style transforms from "ordinary" to "polished."
- Precise Clipping: Use a claw clip appropriate for your hair thickness and secure it firmly in the center of your twist, ensuring it's stable and won't slip.
- Effortless Volume: After clipping, gently pull a few strands loose from the top of your head or near the ends with your fingers. This adds airiness and natural lines.
- Lasting Hold: For extended wear, lightly mist with a setting spray to lock the overall shape, especially for commuting or long outings.
Aukmla Reminder: If your clip still slips easily, it's likely the clip is too small or your hair is too smooth. You can try backcombing, using spray, or adding bobby pins for extra hold.
💇♀️ 5 Claw Clip Hairstyles (with Step-by-Step Breakdown)
① The French Twist Clip
Style Keywords: Elegant, Sophisticated, Suitable for Commute/Dates
This style naturally exudes French charm. It's perfect for meeting clients at work or going on a date after hours, radiating a gentle yet refined allure.
✨ How-To Steps:
- Smooth your hair back, removing any tangles or frizz.
- Hold the ends of your hair and slowly twist upwards along your spine until it lies flat against the back of your head.
- Let the ends naturally fold down. Use a medium or large claw clip to secure it in the middle, ensuring balance.
- Gently pull out some hair from the crown and sides with your fingers to create volume and natural lines.
💡 Aukmla Tip: For thicker hair, opt for a large, reinforced clip to prevent slipping. Pairing it with a pearl or metallic decorative clip can instantly elevate the overall look.
② The Half-Up Claw Clip
Style Keywords: Fresh, Youthful, Everyday Versatile
This is one of the easiest styles to master! It frames your face beautifully while keeping your hair flowing and light, making it perfect for students and those who prefer effortless styling.
✨ How-To Steps:
- Divide your hair from just above your ears, gathering the top section with your hands.
- Gently twist the gathered hair a half-turn or tie a loose knot to add a natural curve.
- Use a small claw clip to secure it in the middle of the back of your head, avoiding clipping too high or too tight.
- Arrange the rest of your hair to fall naturally.
💡 Aukmla Tip: A few naturally falling wisps of hair can enhance the relaxed vibe. This style is great for fine hair, and we recommend using lightweight small claw clips.
③ The Messy Bun Clip
Style Keywords: French Casual, Street Style Ready
This style perfectly embodies "just clipped it on and it's fashionable," ideal for coffee shop visits, street photography, or everyday travel.
✨ How-To Steps:
- Start by tying a loose, low ponytail (avoid using a hair tie that's too tight).
- Wrap the ponytail around itself to form a natural, voluminous bun.
- Use a medium or large claw clip to secure the bun from the bottom upwards, just enough to hold it in place.
- Pull out strands from the edges to create an "effortlessly chic" look.
💡 Aukmla Tip: Don't aim for perfection! A few naturally falling strands will give the style more character. We recommend amber or matte-textured clips for a more relaxed feel.
④ The Side Clipped Fringe
Style Keywords: Retro Sweet, Date Exclusive
Use a claw clip to accent your bangs or side hair, enhancing your sweet charm and highlighting your facial features. It's a clever trick for the "polished girl."
✨ How-To Steps:
- Part your hair to the side and smooth your bangs or front sections.
- Gently twist or rotate the section backward once to create a slight curl.
- Use a mini claw clip to lightly clip it in place, pulling it slightly upwards to add dimension.
- Add earrings or other hair accessories to complete the look.
💡 Aukmla Tip: Mini metallic or floral-shaped clips are perfect for this decorative style, acting as both a practical tool and an eye-catching accessory.
⑤ The Double Clip Fold
Style Keywords: Structured, Suitable for Events/Parties
Want to stand out in a crowd? This style quickly elevates your presence, offering a sophisticated visual and strong symmetrical beauty. It's perfect for parties or important occasions.
✨ How-To Steps:
- Divide your hair evenly into two sections, left and right.
- Fold each section inward to create a three-dimensional, symmetrical line.
- Use two identical medium claw clips to secure each side.
- Gently pull at the crown and sides to adjust volume and balance.
💡 Aukmla Tip: We recommend metallic or jewel-toned clips to create a strong visual centerpiece. This style requires precision in symmetry, so practice a few times to master it!
🎯 Claw Clip Styling Pro Tips
Claw clip styles might look simple, but they hide a few "subtle pitfalls." Aukmla has compiled the most common styling mistakes and their solutions to help you nail your look every time!
❌ Problem 1: My clip keeps slipping out within an hour.
Common Reasons: The claw clip is too small, or it's only clipped onto the surface of your hair instead of securely grabbing the "core" of the hair bundle.
Solutions:
- Size matters! For thicker hair, choose a medium or large claw clip to ensure it can firmly hold all your hair.
- After twisting your hair, gently press the "center of the hair bundle" with your fingers before clipping. This increases friction and prevents slipping.
Aukmla recommends: For medium-to-long hair or thick hair, we suggest using reinforced claw clips with wider teeth for superior stability.
❌ Problem 2: My style looks flat, and my crown is flattened.
Common Reasons: You haven't loosened the hair around your crown, or you haven't used enough volumizing product, leading to a lack of dimension.
Solutions:
- After clipping, gently "scrape" the roots of your hair at the crown with your fingertips to create airiness.
- Pair with a volumizing spray or dry shampoo, especially if you have finer hair, for more noticeable results.
Aukmla Pro Tip: Volume equals vibe! Don't forget to gently "fluff up the crown" as the final step. A light touch can instantly lift your head shape.
❌ Problem 3: I clipped my hair, but my face still doesn't look smaller.
Common Reasons: Your entire hair is clipped back too neatly, leaving no face-framing pieces, which can expose your hairline or cheekbones.
Solutions:
- Leave out your bangs or side wisps to naturally frame both sides of your face, helping to soften your facial contours.
- Slightly curved "hairlines" look softer than straight ones and better balance facial proportions.
Aukmla friendly reminder: Especially for round faces or wide cheekbones, we recommend avoiding "fully clipped back" styles. Leaving out a few strands will soften your look significantly!
🌟 Advanced Tips (Become a Claw Clip Master)
✨ How to Choose the Right Claw Clip Size?
- Thick Hair → Large claw clips for better stability.
- Fine Hair → Small, lightweight clips that won't weigh down your hair.
Styling Suggestion: Aukmla's Gradient Amber Series (Large) is perfect for thick/long hair, offering both strong hold and versatile style.
✨ Don't Overlook the Claw Clip Angle
- Clipping the claw clip from bottom-up or slightly diagonally looks more natural and creates better curves than clipping it straight in the middle.
Little Trick: Clipping at an angle can also add more contour to the back of your head, avoiding that "flat to the scalp" look.
✨ Hair Accessories Can Elevate Your Overall Style
- Metallic elements → Professional and polished for commuting.
- Pearl/Floral elements → Sweet and romantic.
- Acetate material → French casual, full of atmospheric charm.
Aukmla recommends: If you want to try an elegant or vintage style, consider starting with pearl claw clips or acetate-textured ones to easily create an atmospheric hairstyle.
✨ Adjust Claw Clip Position Based on Face Shape
- Round Face: Recommend high-placed clips to visually lengthen your face by raising the crown line.
- Long Face: Recommend low-placed clips to add horizontal visual width to the sides of your face, creating a more balanced and natural look.
Beauty never has to be complicated. Even on a busy morning or for a last-minute invitation, with the right claw clip, you can create a memorable look in minutes.
Whether you're new to hair clips or a daily fashionista, the charm of the claw clip is how it understands every version of you.
👉 Want to learn more about pairing styles with your face shape, choosing clips for your hair type, or creating looks for different occasions? Click here to continue reading our Ultimate Claw Clip Guide and discover all the possibilities between you and your claw clip.
One claw clip, a thousand styles. Choose Aukmla and keep your style on point every day.
Come share your claw clip style inspiration with us! Use the hashtag #AukmlaStyle to let your style story be seen by more people ✨