If you were to find me on a deserted island, you can be sure I will be holding two things: lip balm and a claw clip.
These are two items I am never without and you will find a version of each in the following places at any given moment: on my bedside table, my desk, in my handbag, in my bathroom and always slipped into or attached to my luggage while travelling. And I’m not alone.
Direct from Y2K to the present day, claw clips have seen a huge resurgence in recent seasons. Alongside waistcoats, cargo trousers, cowboy boots and corsets, the Noughties is providing seemingly endless inspiration for the current ubiquitous trends - and this grippy hair accessory is no different.
Spotted on celebrities likes Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner, and all over your Instagram feed, this one of the easiest revivals to get behind - and far less divisive than low-rise bootcut jeans or blue eyeshadow.
The sheer practicality of this trend cannot be understated. These effortless clips are one of the most effective ways to secure your up-dos in place and keep your strands up and away, something that comes welcomed in the warmer months.
But do pay attention to quality. While there are cheap and cheerful iterations, these may snap at the first signs of trouble. If you, like me, clip them to clothing when not in use, they need to be able to withstand the knocks and bumps of your fast-paced lifestyle. They may also pull on your strands and cause a headache if too tight.
You can find quality designs that are also fun and playful, injecting colour into your all-black wardrobe. From mini iterations, to XXL and pared back to eye-popping, shop our edit of the best claw clips below.
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LORA clip in Moonstone Leopard
From the high quality construction, to the eye-catching designs, Tort is the brand to know in the claw clip game. The LORA clip should never be too far to hand and is made from an eco-resin material with a moonstone and leopard tortoiseshell stripe design. It measures around 9cm.
Buy now £26.00, Tort
HAYHOI 4PCS Hair Claw Clips
This bumper pack of four claw clips from Amazon will give you options to match each and every one of your ensembles, while also providing the opportunity for you to keep one in the bathroom, one by your bed, one at your desk and wherever else you may want to create a messy bun in an instant. They come in all different sizes but the regular size pictured are around 5.6cm.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Anthropologie Set of 4 Retro Squiggle Claw Clips
For the statement accessory that your claw clip should be, Anthropologie plays with both design and silhouette with this squiggle design. They come as a set of four that mixes and matches pared back or patterned as well as sizes.
Buy now £22.00, Anthropologie
ASOS DESIGN hair claw with diamante happy face in yellow
This is a mood-boosting, joy-bringing accesssory that will elevate any and all toned down looks. It has resin construction with diamante embellishment to create the iconic 90s smiley face detail.
Buy now £8.00, ASOS
Emi Jay Papillon Claw Clip
Borne out of the 90s, butterfly clips are back with aplomb but Emi Jay takes a more grown-up approach to the nostalgic style by elongating the design to around 6cm. It is available in yellow and peach.
Buy now £21.00, Revolve
Glamorous daisy claw clip in pearlised white
Bring the summer spirit - whether the weather plays ball or not - with this daisy hair clip. The pretty piece is ideal for adding a sense of playfulness but may be best for thin or medium hair thickness due to the smaller size.
Buy now £8.00, ASOS
petit moments Checkered Claw Clip
Check out the geometric print of these bold clips. Bringing an injection of colour with the vibrant green or in black and white for the colourphobes among you, the clips provide a unique detail to your look.
Buy now £32.00, Revolve
Mermade Hair Claw Clip - Clear
Sweep up your hair into an effortless messy bun and secure in place with this clear clip from Mermade Hair. It is designed for all hair types, especially those with thicker locks, offering a way to slick back your strands without ripping, snagging and ensuring it stays firmly in place.
Buy now £5.00, lookfantastic
8 Other Reasons Ying And Yang Claw Clip
Whether you are looking to create secure a messy bun, hold half back or get creative with a french twist, the styling potential is endless with this set of two claw clips, adorned with a Ying And Yang design.
Buy now £48.00, Revolve
Kitsch Recycled Plastic Large Loop Claw Clips
These clips from Kitsch are crafted from recycled plastic - so are kind to the planet, while also being kind to your tresses. Reducing single-use plastic waste, they are ideal for securing thick, curly and coil hair types and are minimalistic in design.
Buy now £5.35, lookfantastic
MARA Hair Claw
Skincare label MARA designed this product to secure your strands from your face while you embark on your multi-step skincare routine, but has since become one of the bestselling products. It has a playful tortoiseshell design and is kind to locks and your scalp when secured in place.
Buy now £12.00, MARA
ASOS DESIGN hair clip claw in black
Create a 90s-inspired style with this key accessory. A hard-working piece that will serve you well for years to come, it is verstaile in design and application.
Buy now £6.00, ASOS
Kitsch Eco-Friendly Jumbo Open Shape Claw Clip
Add greater dimension to your dos with this oversized clip from Kitsch. It is created from recycled materials and offers an effortless solution to hold all hair types without snagging or causing breakages.
Buy now £9.50, Cult Beauty
Mini Hair Clips Plastic Hair Claws
This array of mini clips may be better suited to fine hair types to create half-up styles. They tend to be quite fragile so the multi-pack ensures you’ll have back-ups when one becomes out of action.
Buy now £6.99, Amazon
My Accessories square claw clip in marbled green
This vibrant green hue is one of the most sought-after colours of the season but if you’re unsure how to incorporate it into your wardrobe, look to your hair accessories for a playful edge.
Buy now £6.50, ASOS
Emi Jay Big Effing Clip
If you subscribe by the motto that bigger is better, Emi Jay’s collection of claw clips - and more specifically this design - needs to be on your radar. It is 10cm and so works for thicker hair types and it’s kind to the planet too, made from biodegradable acetate.
Buy now £35.00, Revolve
