Get Creative with Your Claw Clip Hairstyles - The possibilities are endless!

The claw clip is actually where the QueenMee story began. When I became a mother, I suddenly needed claw clips in a way I never had before — practical, yes, but I also desperately wanted something uplifting to wear. Something beautiful. The problem was, I couldn't find claw clips that felt special. Everything on the market felt functional. 

So I did what any slightly sleep-deprived, determined new mother would do: I started designing my own. I had a background in jewellery design, and I decided to bring the colour and sparkle of jewellery styling to hair accessories.

Here I am below in the early days of QueenMee, with a box of hair claw clips that my daughters had helped me wrap to donate to charity during Covid. They have always loved being involved in the business!

Are Claw Clips suitable for Fine Hair and Thick Hair?

Absolutely, - and you can choose your claw clip according to the texture of your hair.

Claw Clips can be fantastically versatile in aiding you with creating endless updos. This is absolutely true for women with fine hair as much as the lucky Queens with thick hair.

It's fun playing around with hairstyles, (and even more fun if your claw clip is a sparkling QueenMee creation!)

Are Claw Clips on Trend for 2026?

Yes Claw Clips remain an accessory must-have for 2026, with trends moving away from basic hair claws towards statement hair accessories. According to Style Blog WhoWhatWear "Claw clips are just becoming more, well, compelling." shifting from being purely functional to allowing expression of individuality and personality. 

Indeed claw clips have remained incredibly popular at QueenMee. At my John Lewis Pop Up Shops, the question I get asked most often these days isn't "how do I stop my clips slipping?" (although that's a close second!) — it's "what can I do with a claw clip?" Long hair especially lends itself beautifully to the claw clip, and once you know a few key techniques, the possibilities are genuinely endless.

So here are seven of my favourite claw clip hairstyles for long hair — from polished and put-together to gorgeously undone. Whether you've got five minutes or five seconds, there's a style here for you.

1) Claw Clip Half Up Hairstyle

Let's start with the classic, because it's a classic for a reason. The half up claw clip style is the one I find myself wearing most often — it takes seconds, looks effortlessly chic, and keeps the hair out of your face whilst still showing the glory of your hair!

To create this style, we've used our diamante hair clamp large. This is a great claw clip if you have thick hair.

Simply gather the top section of your hair — from temple to temple — and arrange it back loosely before securing with your claw clip. If you like a smooth finish, you can add some serum to pull anyway fly-aways into place. 

Don't overthink it! The beauty of this style is that a little looseness and imperfection makes it look more intentional, not less.

Choose a larger claw clip as we have here to make a real statement, or opt for something smaller like our small hair claw tortoiseshell hair clip with jewels if you have fine hair.

This is the style so many of my customers come back to again and again — and for good reason. We all feel a little more put-together with classic half up half down hair!

2) Claw Clip Half Up Hairstyle with a Twist

This is a wonderful variation on the classic half up, and it takes your look from lovely to head-turning. Adding a striking claw clip like our rose gold snake hair claw clip adds another element of luxe to the look. 

Instead of simply clipping up the top section of hair, you're going to add a little twist — and the difference is remarkable.

Take the top section of your hair as before, and divide it into two. Take one section, and create a twist in the hair from behind your ear. Use your claw clip to hold that in place quickly. Then twist the other section and reposition the claw clip so that it secures both twists, and pushes up the hair at the crown. 

The twist adds gorgeous texture and interest to the style, and it's brilliant for making fine hair look thicker and more voluminous at the crown. You can see on the model above here, how she's got gorgeous crown lift. 

I love this one for occasions when I want to look polished without looking like I've tried too hard. It's my low-key glam favourite. 

3) Claw Clip with a Polished, Low Bun

If you want something a little more formal — perhaps for a work presentation, a smart lunch, or a chic daytime event — the polished low bun is your best friend.

A smaller claw clip works beautifully to secure the bun at the side. We've used the rose gold hair clip claw for a pretty finish to soften the look. 

Gather all of your hair into a low ponytail to one side of your neck. and secure with a hair elastic. Twist the ponytail round it into a bun, and secure with some kirby grips. You can achieve a polished finish by twisting any loose strands around the bun, and using a second round of kirby grips to secure again. 

Then add your claw clip to one side of the bun, making it a focal point. The claw clip looks beautiful, and also serves to keep the bun completely secure. The result is a sleek, put-together look that takes about 60 seconds and looks like it took considerably longer. It's a beautiful style — understated and elegant in equal measure.

 If you have particularly thick or long hair, don't be afraid to use two claw clips — one on each side of the bun — for extra hold throughout the day, and an eye-catching finish!

4) Claw Clip with Hair Spilling Over to Create Messy Bun

Now for the style that oozes modern chic. The spill-over messy bun is the claw clip look that feels effortless, voluminous, and completely gorgeous.

Rather than twisting your hair into a neat bun, gather it into a loose, low ponytail, (note how the model's hair is not smooth, rather relaxed and slightly ruffled) then fold the ponytail upwards and secure with your claw clip, allowing the ends of your hair to spill freely over the top of the clip.

Finally pin the strands in place at the bottom of the claw clip using kirby grips. The claw clip serves not only to secure the ponytail, but to create extra volume holding up the bun. 

That tumble of hair over the clip is the magic — it creates a beautiful, relaxed shape that looks wonderfully undone without looking unkempt.

A larger claw clip works brilliantly here, we've gone for our rose gold snake hair claw clip again, for great hold and volume. 

5) Polished, "Clean Girl" Hairstyle with Mini Hair Claws

If you've spent any time on social media recently, you may have come across the "clean girl" aesthetic — and this is the hairstyle that encapsulates it. It's minimal, it's satisfyingly polished, and it's straightforward to achieve - leaving you feeling fresh and ready for fun!

Start with smooth, brushed hair — this style really does reward a little effort with the brush beforehand, so take your time. Then take two sections of hair from either side of your face, pulling them back sleekly so there's not a single flyaway in sight. Use a serum and hairspray to smooth those fly-aways down. 

Secure each of the two strands with a mini claw clip, bringing both sections neatly together at the back of the head so the clips sit side by side.

Choose two matching mini clips for a chic, coordinated finish, or pick two in complementary tones for a subtler take on the trend. We've used our mini hair claw flower hair clip set of two, which we also offer as a mini hair claw in pink for a playful finish. 

6) Asymmetric Ponytail with Claw Clip

This is the style which most oozes laid-back chic — it's a little unexpected, and that's exactly what makes it so effective.

Instead of gathering your hair into a central ponytail, sweep everything to one side — low and relaxed, just above the shoulder — and secure with your claw clip.

If your hair is thick like our model here, you'll want a claw clip with the length of the one we've used here: our large hair claw clip silver.

The asymmetry is what makes it interesting. It creates movement, draws the eye, and is wonderfully flattering on long hair.

Leave a few soft, face-framing pieces loose at the front, and you have a hairstyle that looks effortless and quietly sophisticated. I love this one for easy summer glamour, paired with a flowing dress — it's striking without being overdressed.

7) Crown Boost with a Mini Claw Clip

For anyone who, like me, has hair that sits as flat as a pancake, this last style is about to become your new best friend. The mini claw clip crown boost is a brilliant little trick that adds instant lift and volume at the root — without a single stroke of backcombing required.

We've used our flower hair accessory with gems as a pretty addition to create this head-turning claw clip hairstyle!

To create the hairstyle - if you have straight hair (as I do), you can see in the photo here that I've added a wave to my hair for a glamorous finish that matches the vibe of the hairstyle. So add the wave, and then it's on to the next step.

Smooth your hair into a high ponytail, and secure with an elastic at the top part of the crown of your head. For a polished finish, wrap your hair around the elastic to cover it, and secure that with a kirby grip. 

Finally for the crown lift, hold the middle of your ponytail in your hands, and lift it up slightly, to give the crown boost. Then secure that middle part of the ponytail to the hair underneath with your claw clip. 

Et Voila - a glorious claw clip hairstyle that's red-carpet ready! (or just great for a date night)

I hope this has given you plenty of inspiration for your claw clip collection! Claw clips are one of those wonderfully versatile accessories where you really do get so much more than a functional hair accessory. It's practicality and prettiness rolled into one. 

Do email me any styling photos at amanda@queenmee.com, or tag me on Instagram @queenmee_accessories. I'd love to see how you wear your claw clips!
If you'd like to get more styling ideas, try my Free Easy Hairstyles Cheat Sheet. Just enter your details below!
With love and thanks, Amanda X