Remember when your mom used to rock those chunky claw clips with her power suit? Well, plot twist—they’re back, and they’re honestly the best thing that’s happened to lazy girl hair since dry shampoo became socially acceptable. The claw clip renaissance is real, and I’m here for every single butterfly-embellished, tortoiseshell-patterned second of it.
Here’s the thing: we’re all pretending we have time for elaborate braids or perfectly curled beach waves, but let’s be honest. Most mornings, we’re choosing between an extra five minutes of sleep or a decent hairstyle. Enter the claw clip—the ultimate 90s comeback accessory that makes you look put-together in literally three seconds. Whether you’re channeling Rachel Green energy or giving modern minimalist vibes, these 15 effortless claw clip hairstyles prove that sometimes the best beauty tools are the ones gathering dust in your mom’s bathroom drawer.
1. The Classic Half-Up Twist
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This is your “I woke up like this but actually tried for 30 seconds” look. Grab the top section of your hair from temple to temple, give it a loose twist, and secure it with a medium-sized claw clip at the crown. The beauty here? It works on literally any hair texture and keeps your hair out of your face without that aggressive slicked-back vibe.
Pro move: Pull out a few face-framing pieces before clipping. It softens the whole look and gives you that effortlessly undone aesthetic everyone’s obsessing over. This style is perfect for Zoom calls, coffee runs, or when you need to look like you have your life together (even if your laundry’s been sitting in the dryer for two days).
2. The Messy High Bun
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Flip your head upside down, gather all your hair into a high ponytail with your hands (no hair tie needed), twist it loosely, and clip it at the crown with a jumbo claw clip. The messier, the better—we’re going for “artfully disheveled” not “corporate headshot.”
This is my personal go-to for gym days, grocery runs, or literally any situation where I need my hair off my neck immediately. The best part? Those little pieces that fall out throughout the day just add to the vibe. Second-day hair actually works better for this because it has more texture and grip.
3. The Low Twisted Chignon
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Take all your hair, twist it into a loose rope, coil it into a low bun at the nape of your neck, and secure with a claw clip positioned vertically. This one screams “elegant but I’m not trying that hard” and works for everything from brunch to wedding season.
The vertical clip placement is key here—it holds way better than horizontal and looks more intentional. I once wore this to a friend’s rehearsal dinner and got more compliments on my hair than the bride probably wanted. Styling hack: Use a slightly smaller clip than you think you need. It creates this cool, undone texture that looks expensive.
4. The Side-Swept Drama
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Sweep all your hair over one shoulder, twist the length loosely, and clip it at the side of your head just above your ear. Very 90s prom meets modern red carpet, and honestly? It’s giving main character energy.
This style works especially well if you’re wearing statement earrings on the opposite side—maximum impact, minimal effort. The asymmetry makes it feel more fashion-forward than your standard ponytail. Fair warning: you’ll spend the whole day feeling like you should be walking down a runway instead of responding to emails.
5. The Double Clip Situation
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Use two small claw clips to create a half-up style—one on each side, positioned at temple height. Think 90s Spice Girls but make it subtle. This works beautifully on shorter hair or if you want that fun, youthful vibe without going full pigtails (because we’re adults… allegedly).
Mini clips are your best friend for this look. The tiny butterfly or tortoiseshell ones from the drugstore? Chef’s kiss. They add just enough visual interest without overwhelming your whole look. Plus, you can mix and match colors or patterns depending on your outfit.
6. The Banana Clip Revival
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Okay, hear me out—banana clips are having a moment and they’re actually genius. Gather your hair into a low ponytail position, spread the banana clip open, and secure all your hair in one swift motion. The result? Volume, texture, and serious 80s-meets-90s nostalgia.
These work particularly well on thick or curly hair because they can hold a lot without putting stress on any single point. I was skeptical until I tried one, and now I own them in five colors. They’re also perfect for protecting your hair while you sleep—just saying.
7. The Top Knot Twist
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
Gather hair into a high ponytail, twist it tightly, wrap it around itself to create a knot, and secure the whole thing with a large claw clip right at the base. This is your “running late but make it fashion” hairstyle, and it holds up through basically anything.
The key is to not overthink the wrap—imperfect loops actually look cooler than a tight, perfect bun. This style also shows off your neck and collarbones, which is a major bonus if you’re wearing a cute top or necklace. Plus, it’s the only updo I’ve found that doesn’t give me a tension headache by 3 PM.
8. The Cascading Curls Clip
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If you’ve got naturally curly or wavy hair, this one’s for you. Flip your hair to one side, gather it loosely near your ear, and clip it there—letting the curls cascade over your shoulder. Zero heat styling required, maximum impact achieved.
This is basically the “I have great hair genes” look even if you don’t. The claw clip adds structure while your natural texture does all the heavy lifting. Works with day-old curls, refresh spray-revived waves, or fresh-out-of-the-shower ringlets. Versatility queen.
9. The French Twist Fake-Out
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Gather hair at the nape, twist it upward toward the crown, and secure it vertically with a large claw clip before the twist falls. You get the elegant French twist vibe without bobby pins, hairspray, or a YouTube tutorial. Win-win-win.
Honestly, this looks way more complicated than it is. People will think you spent 20 minutes on it when really you just… twisted and clipped. The secret? A little texturizing spray beforehand helps everything grip better and stay in place. This works for job interviews, date nights, or any time you need to look like a functioning adult.
10. The Half-Up Space Buns (But Chic)
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
Take two sections from the front (think Ariana Grande positioning), twist each into a small bun, and secure both with mini claw clips. The 90s called and they want their Spice Girls aesthetic back, but we’re keeping it because it’s adorable.
This one walks the line between playful and polished depending on how you style the rest of your look. Pair it with a blazer? Suddenly it’s fashion. Wear it with a crop top? Festival ready. The mini clips come in so many fun patterns now—tortoiseshell, marble, metallic—so you can really make it your own.
11. The Low Pony Alternative
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
Create a low ponytail position but instead of using a hair tie, just twist the hair once and secure with a horizontal claw clip. This gives you a cleaner look than a messy bun but feels more relaxed than a traditional ponytail.
The horizontal placement here is crucial—it sits flatter against your head so you can actually lean back in your chair without that annoying clip-digging-into-your-skull situation. Great for long car rides, flights, or Netflix marathons. Also, this style transitions beautifully from day to night if you swap in a fancier clip.
12. The Criss-Cross Double Clip
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
Use two medium claw clips positioned in an X pattern at the back of your head, securing a half-up style. This creates visual interest and holds better than a single clip, plus it looks intentionally cool rather than “I grabbed whatever was in my bathroom drawer.”
I stumbled onto this look by accident when one clip wasn’t holding all my hair, and now it’s my signature move. The criss-cross creates this geometric moment that feels very now. Pro tip: Use clips in complementary colors for extra style points.
13. The Side Braid Clip Combo
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
Create a loose side braid, secure the end with a small elastic, then gather the braid and clip it at the side of your head. You get braided texture plus the ease of a claw clip. Best of both worlds, and it’s giving romantic main-character-walking-through-a-meadow energy.
This style actually holds up really well throughout the day because the braid prevents slippage and the clip just needs to hold the weight of one braid instead of all your loose hair. Plus, when you take it down at the end of the day, you get those gorgeous braid waves. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
14. The Voluminous Crown Clip
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
Tease the crown section of your hair (or just rough it up with your fingers if teasing feels too extra), pull it back, and secure with a claw clip positioned vertically at the back of your head. Instant volume without the salon blowout.
This is particularly magical if you have fine or flat hair that needs a boost. The clip creates lift at the crown while the bottom layers stay smooth and sleek. It’s giving 60s mod meets 90s grunge, and IMO it’s one of the most universally flattering styles on this list. Works on literally any face shape.
15. The Twisted Low Bun
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
Divide hair into two sections, twist each section, wrap them around each other, coil into a low bun, and secure with a large claw clip. This looks intricate but takes maybe two minutes once you get the hang of it.
The double-twist technique creates this rope-like texture that reads as way more complex than it actually is. It’s my secret weapon for looking polished when I absolutely do not feel polished. Also works great on second or third-day hair when things have a little more grit and texture. The clip does all the work—just twist, coil, and clip. Done.
Your New Hair Routine Starts Now
Here’s what I’ve learned from my claw clip journey: the best hairstyles are the ones you’ll actually do. And these 90s-inspired claw clip looks? You’ll actually do them because they take less time than scrolling through TikTok while your coffee gets cold.
Whether you’re team tortoiseshell, obsessed with metallics, or collecting every color of mini clips like they’re Pokémon cards, there’s a claw clip hairstyle here that’ll work for your hair type, your vibe, and your very limited morning routine. The 90s gave us a lot of questionable trends (low-rise jeans, anyone?), but claw clips? Those were a gift, and it’s about time we brought them back properly.
So grab that clip from the bottom of your drawer, give these styles a try, and prepare for the inevitable “omg your hair looks so good, is that a claw clip?!” comments. Because yes, yes it is. And yes, you did wake up like this—you just had a little help from the best hair accessory the 90s ever gave us.
