Claw clip hairstyles for thick hair, and why the clip pops open

The claw clip hairstyles that suit thick hair are the ones that put less hair in each clip or spread it along the clip: a flat twist, a two-clip twist, an anchored twist over a hair tie, and a half-up. If your clip pops open or will not close, it is holding more hair than it can close around. Section the hair, flatten the twist, or move up to an XL clip.

Why the clip pops open

A claw clip stays shut when its two rows of teeth pass each other around the hair. The spring only has to keep them there.

With thick hair, the bundle can be wider than the clip can reach around. The teeth stop short of each other. The spring is then pressing on a rounded bundle with nothing hooked behind it, and the clip works its way outward until it comes off.

A tight rope twist makes this worse. It packs all the hair into one round cord, which is about as deep as that hair can get. So there are three fixes: put less hair in the clip, make the bundle flatter, or use a bigger clip. The styles below use one or more of them. The basic hold is covered in how to use a claw clip.

Section the hair first

You do not have to clip all your hair in one bundle. Dividing it is the simplest fix, and it works with clips you already own.

1. Set a thumb at the top of each ear.
2. Draw both thumbs back along your head until they meet.
3. Lift everything above your thumbs.
4. Hold it on top of your head with one hand or a spare clip.

You now have two halves. Clip each one separately (style 2), or clip only the top and leave the rest down (style 4). If the top half is still too much for your clip, start the line at your temples to make it smaller.

Style 1: the flat twist

This is the twist that spreads the weight. In place of a tight cord, you make a wide, shallow band that lies along the full length of the clip.

1. Gather your hair at the nape.
2. Twist it clockwise two or three turns and stop there.
3. Lift the twist up against the back of your head.
4. Press it flat with your palm and spread it sideways, so it becomes a band and not a cord.
5. Fold any length that passes your crown back down over the band.
6. Open the clip as wide as it goes and place it vertically over the middle of the band.
7. Push the teeth in on both sides until they touch your head.
8. Let the clip close and check that the teeth have crossed.

A flat band is shallower than a cord, so the teeth have less distance to cover. The hair also rests along the whole clip, not against its center. Counterclockwise works equally well. Keep to one direction.

Style 2: the two-clip twist

Each clip holds half your hair.

1. Section your hair at ear height, as described above.
2. Hold the top half out of the way.
3. Gather the bottom half at the nape and twist it clockwise two or three turns.
4. Lift the twist flat against the back of your head.
5. Close the first clip over it vertically, low on your head, with the teeth pushed to your scalp.
6. Let the top half down and gather it just above the first clip.
7. Twist it clockwise and lay it against your head above the first twist.
8. Close the second clip over it, directly above the first.

This is a way to use medium or large clips on hair that is too much for one of them. If your hair is also long, fold the extra length down over each twist before you clip it. The method is in claw clip hairstyles for long hair.

Style 3: the anchored twist

A hair tie holds the hair together. The clip only has to hold the twist up.

1. Tie a low ponytail with a hair tie, snug but not tight.
2. Twist the tail clockwise two or three turns.
3. Lift the twist up against the back of your head, so it covers the hair tie.
4. Fold any extra length back down over the twist.
5. Place the clip vertically over the twist, just above the hair tie.
6. Push the teeth to your head and let the clip close.

Because the tie keeps the bundle from loosening, this version tends to last longer on heavy hair. The tie is hidden under the twist.

Style 4: the half-up, as a fallback

When no clip you own will close over all your hair, clip half of it.

1. Section your hair at ear height.
2. Gather the top half at the back of your head, a little below the crown.
3. Twist it clockwise one or two turns.
4. Press the twist flat against your head.
5. Close the clip across the twist, with the teeth pushed to your head.

On thick hair the top half is still a fair amount of hair, so this generally takes a medium or large clip, not a mini. There are more versions in half up half down with a claw clip.

Which clip size suits thick hair

Go larger. A bigger clip generally opens wider and has longer teeth. Thick hair needs both: room for the bundle, and reach to the hair lying against your head behind it.

• Thick hair to the shoulders: large or XL.
• Thick and long: XL, or two clips. Long hair adds a fold, and the fold adds bulk.
• Half-up and two-clip styles: medium or large, since each clip holds only part of your hair.

To judge the size you need, twist your hair the way you plan to wear it and try a clip you already have. If the teeth meet but do not cross, go up one size. If they are far apart, go up more than one, or plan on sectioning. The claw clips for thick hair collection is the place to start.

Questions

Why does my claw clip keep popping open?

There is more hair in it than the teeth can close around. Take some hair out by sectioning, flatten the twist so it is shallower, or use a larger clip. Forcing the clip shut does not solve it. The clip tends to open again.

What size claw clip do you need for thick hair?

Generally XL for a full updo, or large if your hair is thick but not long. For a half-up or a two-clip style, medium or large is usually enough.

How do you put thick, long hair in a claw clip?

Combine the fixes. Twist loosely, fold the length down, press the bundle flat, and use an XL clip or two clips.

Why does a claw clip pull on thick hair?

If a clip pulls, it is usually holding too much hair or the twist under it is too tight. Take it out and clip again with a looser twist, less hair or a larger clip. For the longer answer, see do claw clips damage hair.