Hair pins and clips are small yet mighty tools that play a significant role in hairstyling. From creating elaborate updos to securing loose strands, they are indispensable in every hair kit. Whether you are a hairstylist, a fashion enthusiast, or someone who simply loves experimenting with their hair, understanding the different types of hair pins and clips can elevate your styling game. Below, we delve into the various types of hair pins and clips, their unique features, and how they can be used to achieve different hairstyles.
Claw Hair Clip: The Versatile Styling Essential
The claw hair clip, often referred to as a jaw clip or butterfly clip, is a versatile styling essential that has become a staple in many people’s hair accessory collections. Its design, featuring interlocking “claws” on both sides, allows it to securely grip the hair without causing discomfort or damage.
Why It’s Essential:
Claw types of hair pins clips are perfect for quickly pulling back large sections of hair, making them ideal for creating updos, half-up styles, or simply keeping hair out of your face. They come in various sizes, allowing them to be used on different hair lengths and thicknesses. From sleek, minimalist designs to embellished versions with rhinestones or pearls, claw clips can be both functional and fashionable.
How to Use:
To create a classic updo, gather your hair at the nape of your neck, twist it upwards, and secure it with a claw clip. For a half-up style, take the top section of your hair and secure it at the crown with a smaller claw clip. This accessory is particularly popular for creating quick and effortless hairstyles that look polished yet require minimal effort.
Bobby Pins: A Timeless Tool for Every Hairstyle
Bobby pins are one of the most commonly used hair accessories, known for their simplicity and effectiveness. These small, flat pins have been around for decades, and their design has remained largely unchanged due to their enduring utility.
Why It’s Essential:
Bobby pins are incredibly versatile and can be used in almost any hairstyle. Whether you’re creating a sleek bun, securing a braid, or pinning back bangs, bobby pins offer a discreet yet strong hold. They come in various colors to blend in with different hair shades, making them nearly invisible when placed correctly.
How to Use:
To achieve maximum hold, insert bobby pins with the wavy side facing down. For added security, cross two bobby pins in an “X” shape to lock them in place. Bobby pins can also be used decoratively; for instance, by creating a geometric pattern or arranging them in a visible design to add a touch of style to your look.
Sectioning Clips: Precision and Ease for Perfect Partings
Sectioning clips, also known as alligator clips, are essential tools for anyone who regularly styles their hair or works in a salon. These clips are designed to hold sections of hair in place while you work on another area, making them invaluable for tasks like blow-drying, curling, or coloring hair.
Why It’s Essential:
Sectioning clips are designed to be strong yet gentle, ensuring they hold hair securely without causing dents or damage. They are particularly useful for creating precise partings and ensuring that your hair is evenly sectioned for styling. These clips come in various sizes and designs, from basic plastic versions to more durable metal options.
How to Use:
When styling, use sectioning clips to divide your hair into manageable sections. This not only makes the process more efficient but also ensures that you can focus on one area at a time, leading to a more polished result. For example, when blow-drying, sectioning clips allow you to work on one layer of hair at a time, ensuring that each section is thoroughly dried and styled.
Wave Setting Clips: Crafting Flawless Waves with Ease
Wave setting clips, sometimes called finger wave clips or creaseless clips, are essential for achieving the perfect waves, especially when working with vintage or retro hairstyles. These clips help set the waves in place while your hair dries or cools, ensuring that the final look is smooth and defined.
Why It’s Essential:
Wave setting clips are designed to hold hair in a wave pattern without leaving creases, making them ideal for creating classic finger waves or setting modern loose waves. They are a must-have for anyone looking to achieve a polished, professional finish when styling waves.
How to Use:
To use wave setting clips, start with damp or freshly styled hair. Create the desired wave pattern by shaping your hair with your fingers or a comb. Then, place the wave setting clips along the ridges of the waves to hold them in place. Allow your hair to air dry or use a hairdryer to set the waves before carefully removing the clips.
French Barrette: Classic Elegance for a Polished Look
The French barrette is a classic hair accessory known for its elegance and ability to hold a significant amount of hair. It features a metal clasp that securely holds the hair in place, making it ideal for creating sleek, polished hairstyles.
Why It’s Essential:
French barrettes are perfect for creating sophisticated styles, such as low ponytails, half-updos, or sleek buns. They come in various sizes and designs, from simple metallic finishes to ornate, embellished options, making them suitable for both everyday wear and special occasions.
How to Use:
To create a chic low ponytail, gather your hair at the nape of your neck and secure it with a French barrette. For a half-up style, take the top section of your hair and fasten it at the back with the barrette. The French barrette’s secure clasp ensures that your hairstyle stays in place all day without needing adjustments.
Snap Clips: Simple and Secure Hair Solutions
Snap clips are a simple yet effective hair accessory, perfect for securing small sections of hair. They are particularly popular for children’s hairstyles but are also used by adults for quick and easy styling.
Why It’s Essential:
Snap clips are lightweight and easy to use, making them ideal for taming flyaways, securing bangs, or adding a decorative touch to your hairstyle. They are available in various colors, sizes, and designs, from basic black clips to colorful, embellished options.
How to Use:
To use a snap clip, simply open it by pressing on both ends, place it over the section of hair you want to secure, and release to snap it shut. Snap clips are great for adding a pop of color to your hairstyle or for keeping small sections of hair in place, such as when growing out bangs.
Banana Clip: Retro Vibes with a Modern Twist
The banana clip, a popular hair accessory from the 1980s, has made a comeback in recent years. This long, curved clip is designed to gather all of your hair into a high ponytail or updo, creating a voluminous, dramatic look.
Why It’s Essential:
Banana clips are perfect for creating high, voluminous ponytails or updos with minimal effort. They work well with all hair types, from straight to curly, and offer a secure hold without the need for additional types of hair pins or ties. The modern versions of banana clips often feature updated materials and designs, making them more versatile and comfortable than their retro counterparts.
How to Use:
To use a banana clip, start by gathering your hair at the nape of your neck. Place the open clip behind your hair, then close it by snapping the two sides together. This will pull your hair into a high, voluminous ponytail. Banana clips can also be used to create sleek updos or half-up styles, depending on how you position the clip and arrange your hair.
Pearl Hair Clips: Adding a Touch of Glam to Any Style
Pearl hair clips have become a popular trend in recent years, adding a touch of elegance and glamour to any hairstyle. These clips are often embellished with faux pearls or real pearls, making them a chic accessory for both casual and formal occasions.
Why It’s Essential:
Pearl hair clips are perfect for adding a sophisticated, feminine touch to your hairstyle. They can be used to pin back small sections of hair, secure a side-swept style, or decorate an updo. Their timeless appeal makes them a versatile accessory that can elevate any look.
How to Use:
For a simple yet elegant style, use pearl hair clips to pin back one side of your hair. You can also use multiple clips to create a decorative arrangement, either in a straight line or in a cluster. Pearl hair clips are especially popular for bridal hairstyles, adding a touch of elegance to both traditional and modern looks.
Double Prong Curl Clip: Essential for Perfect Curls and Waves
Double prong curl clips are essential tools for anyone who loves curling their hair. These clips are designed to hold curls in place while they set, ensuring that they retain their shape and last longer.
Why It’s Essential:
Double prong curl clips are ideal for setting curls, whether you’re using hot rollers, a curling iron, or simply pinning up your hair after twisting it into curls. They help ensure that each curl cools in its curled position, leading to more defined and longer-lasting curls.
How to Use:
After curling a section of your hair, gently remove the curling iron or hot roller, and immediately secure the curl with a double prong clip. Allow the curl to cool completely before removing the clip. For a more natural look, finger-comb your curls after they’ve cooled and set. Double prong curl clips are also great for creating vintage hairstyles, such as pin curls or victory rolls.
Conclusion
Types of Hair pins and clips may seem like small accessories, but they are incredibly powerful tools in the world of hairstyling. From the versatile claw clip to the elegant pearl hair clip, each types of hair pins or clip serves a unique purpose.