7 Large Hair Claw Clip Hairstyles for Thick Hair that will change your game!

"You can't possibly have any hair claw clips that are large enough for my thick hair!"

I hear this a lot at my John Lewis Pop Up Shops.  I smile in sympathy when my customer says this to me, because I have heard it time and again, and I can see the frustration in her eyes of never being able to find the right hair claw clip!

So I started creating them. It has been wonderful to see the "aha moment" when I show her a claw clip from my collection that is actually large enough, and strong enough to hold that gorgeous, thick hair in place. 

I don't have thick hair - my hair is fine to medium textured, as you can see from the photo below. However I have helped hundreds of women at my Pop Up Shops to find the perfect large hair clip for their texture of thick hair - and I can help you too!

The large hair claw clip in silver that I'm holding in the photo above has been the answer to many of my thick-haired customers' prayers.  

I've heard from my customers (and this will be familiar to you if you have thick hair) the particular frustration of a hair claw that simply gives up. It springs open the moment you start doing something like hoovering or gardening - the teeth can't get a proper grip, and your hair ends up in your face at the most frustrating possible moment. 

That's exactly why I design QueenMee's large hair claw clips the way I do — with a wider jaw span, stronger tension, sturdy construction (either acetate or metal) and deeper teeth that can actually grip hick hair and stay closed.

Once you're using the right size clip, thick hair becomes one of the easiest hair types to style beautifully with a claw.

So here are 7 of my favourite ways to wear a large claw clip if you have thick hair — from quick everyday looks to a full-up style that oozes Old Hollywood chic (read to the end for that baby!).

All the them are spectacularly easy to create, and yet add notable va-va-voom in the style stakes. 

Why Large Claw Clips Are Your Go-To for Thick Hair

All of us with fine hair are oh-so-envious of you thick-haired Queens! We see the volume in your hair and we long for such lustrous locks. 

The beauty of claw clips is that they capture that volume, hold it in place, and yet accentuate it. You can create a multitude of flattering and also practical styles with a large claw clip.

Many of my customers (especially those with thick hair), like to keep their hair off their face, and a large claw clip is the perfect tool for achieving this.

Add a touch of sparkle (QueenMee style), and your hairstyle is not only practical, but pretty too!

Unlike a standard-sized clip, a large claw (sometimes called a jaw clip or hair clamp) has a wider opening and a longer row of teeth, so it can gather significantly more hair to create those marvellous hairstyles.

The stronger spring tension then does the rest, holding that volume securely in place all day, whether you're at your desk, at the school gate, or on the dancefloor.

What Size Claw Clip Is Best for Thick Hair?

If you have thick, heavy, or long-and-thick hair, then the length you choose depends on the hairstyle you want to create.

For a half up half down hairstyle, or to secure the side of a bun, then a wide and sturdy claw from 7.5 cm upwards in length can work well. 

If you want to secure all of your hair in the hair claw, then you want to be reaching for a large hair claw clip every time — think anything from around 11cm in length upwards, with a generously wide jaw and a strong, well-sprung hinge. 

Mini claw clip hairstyles are lovely for fine hair or for decorative detail, but on thick hair they won't do the job of taming the volume you're working with.

Look for a claw, clamp or jaw clip with deep teeth and a strong central spring. It's also worth having at least one *extra-long* claw in your collection — you'll see exactly why in style 5 below.

7 Large Hair Claw Clip Hairstyles for Thick Hair

1) Half Up Half Down Hairstyle with Hair Claw

To create this style - Gather the top section of hair from temple to temple, twist loosely, and secure with your large claw clip like our diamante hair clamp large. 

This is the classic style I reach for more than any other when styling women at my Pop Up Shops.

On thick hair it's an absolute joy to create — you've got plenty of hair to play with, so when you add the clip at the crown, you can create real body by pushing the hair up a little, and the clip has something substantial to hold onto.

Don't smooth your hair back too much — a little looseness lets the thickness of your hair add the wow factor. 

2) Half Up Half Down with a Small Twist at the Back of the Head

To create this hairstyle - Take the top section of hair as in the 1) half up hairstyle above, but this time add a little twist to the hair before you secure it in place with your hair claw.

The extra twist adds a playful touch, and also creates even more volume at the crown.

In this photo we've used our Hair Clamp in Pink. It's a 7.5cm length claw, but it still holds thick hair beautifully for a half up style, due to its sturdy metal construction and long teeth. The model here (Celine), has very thick, gorgeous hair, and this is her favourite hair claw!

3) Half Up Half Down Hairstyle with a Twist on Each Side

To create this hairstyle - Section your hair into two pieces, one from each side of the head just above the ear, and twist each one away from your face. Bring both twists together at the centre back of your head and secure them together with one large claw clip. like our silver hair claw clip snake. 

Next tease the hair at the crown up to create a relaxed, undone effect that highlights your hair's gorgeous volume. 

This hairstyle takes the classic half up and adds a beautiful symmetry to it. This is a fantastic one for anyone who finds a single flat half-up section makes thick hair look "boxy" at the crown — the two twists add shape and movement instead.

4) Asymmetric Low Ponytail with Large Claw Clip

To create this hairstyle - Instead of gathering your hair centrally, sweep the whole thing over to one side — low, just above the shoulder, and secure with a large claw clip silver rather than a hair tie.

The asymmetry instantly makes the style feel a little more directional and a little less "everyday ponytail," and on thick hair, the sheer volume you're sweeping across genuinely transforms the shape of the whole look.

This is one of the best claw-clip tricks for thick hair specifically — a hair tie can struggle with a full ponytail's worth of thick hair (plus it just doesn't have the pizzazz!), whereas a large claw clip closes cleanly around all of your thick hair - elevating your ponytail to the next level. 

5) Relaxed Updo with an Extra-Long Claw

To create this hairstyle - Start by twisting all of your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck, as if you were creating a twisted bun base. Then fold that twisted length upward, so it sits vertically against the back of your head, and secure the whole thing in place with your extra-long claw clip. like our large hair claw for thick hair in gold. 

Because you're asking one clip to hold your entire head of hair, folded and twisted, this is where a standard or even a regular large claw can fall short — you genuinely need the extra length and extra-strong grip of a longer clip to pull this off comfortably on thick hair.

Don't twist too tightly at the nape — a slightly looser twist gives the folded-up section a softer, more sculptural shape once it's pinned.

This is the style that most of us reach for when we want an easy-chic look — and it's exactly why I recommend keeping an extra-long claw in your collection if you have thick hair. (This claw in the photo is 13cm long). It does this job beautifully in 5 seconds flat. 

It's perfect if you're popping to the shops. lounging by the pool or you just want an everyday glamour fix. It will be your go-to hairstyle!

6) Messy Bun Worn on Top of the Head

**How to:** Gather hair into a loose, high ponytail, fold it into a soft bun shape, and secure on top of the head with a large claw clip like our crystal hair claw clip in black. 

For the days you want something that looks effortlessly undone but still feels secure, this is it. Gather your hair into a loose ponytail high on your head, twist or fold it into a soft, relaxed bun shape, and secure it with your large claw clip, letting a few pieces stay loose and messy around the edges. (Oh so relaxed, this oozes laid-back chic).

Thick hair is made for this style — the volume you're working with means the bun has real presence, rather than looking flat or thin on top.

 7) Low Bun with a Claw Clip at the Side

To create this hairstyle - Twist your hair into a low bun at the nape, then position your claw clip at an angle to one side rather than centred. We've used our silver claw hair clip with diamante. 

It's a 7.5cm claw, but because the claw only needs to grip the side of the bun, it works beautifully - and yes - it does feel secure!

I love demonstrating this style at Pop Up Shops, much to my customers' amazement!

This is the most polished style on the list, and it's beautifully quick once you've done it a couple of times. Gather all of your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck, twist it into a neat bun, and instead of centring your claw clip, angle it in from one side.

The off-centre placement gives the whole look a little more personality than a perfectly symmetrical bun, while the large claw does the heavy lifting of holding all that thick hair securely in place.

Amanda's Top tip - If your hair is particularly thick or long, wrap the twist around itself once before clipping — it gives the large claw a firmer base to close around, rather than gripping loose ends.

Large hair claw clips genuinely are one of the most rewarding accessories to style once you've got the right size in hand — and if you have thick hair, that's exactly the point where most other clips have already let you down.

I hope these 7 styles give you plenty to try, whether you've got 2 minutes or a bit longer to play and create!

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 claws.

With love and thanks, Amanda X