7 Mini Claw Clip Hairstyles: You'll love how creative Mini Hair Claws can be!

Mini claw clips are a personal favourite of mine, because you can get so creative styling them!

Here I am creating my YouTube video on mini claw clip hairstyles- and coordinating my pearl brooch with my pearl mini claw clips. (Scroll to the bottom of this blog to watch the YouTube video!)

Mini claw clips spark curiosity at my Pop Up Shops, because they are so pretty and dainty - but most people that admire how cute they are have no idea about the endless hairstyles you can create with them.

I love giving demonstrations at my Pop Up Shops, and showing women just how versatile they can be. These are 7 of my favourite mini claw clip hairstyles - and they are easy enough to demonstrate in a Pop Up Shop, so they are definitely easy enough for anyone to create at home. Some are polished and precise. Some are relaxed and effortless. All of them are quicker and than you’d expect.

Do Mini Claw Clips work for both fine hair and thick hair?

Mini claw clips are ideal if you have fine hair - as they are so light. A bigger claw clip adds weight and can pull on fine hair, but mini hair claws (especially the cellulose acetate mini clips that I design) are perfect to secure fine strands of hair.

They also have the benefit of adding volume to your hairstyle - two or three mini claw clips placed strategically can create far more lift than you’d expect from something so delicate.

If your hair is thick then they are still a brilliant styling tool (and when they're embellished they are extra adorable too!). You can add additional mini claws to your hairstyles to hold your thick hair in place, and this creates a lovely layered look. 

Are mini claw clips on trend for 2026?

Very much so. The “more is more” approach to hair accessories is continuing to grow in 2026, and mini claw clips sit right at the heart of it. Where once we might have worn a single statement clip, the trend now is to layer, stack, and play — using multiple smaller pieces to create a look that feels considered and individual.

At my John Lewis Pop Up Shops, mini claw clips are consistently one of the pieces customers pick up and can’t put down. They’re tactile, they’re beautiful, and once you understand the styling possibilities, they’re fun and more than a little addictive!

1) Mini Claw Clips High on Each Side: Pinning Hair From Face

This is the style I find myself reaching for on the days when I want to look put-together without putting in much effort — which honestly as a busy mother is most days!

 

You can see from the photo above that I have fine hair, and I do love the way this classic hairstyle gives a little volume to the hair around my face. 

 

Our mini hair claw flower hair clip set of two is perfect here — the pair means you’re already set up for this exact style.

Simply take a section of hair from each side of your face — just above the temple — and sweep it back and upwards, securing with a mini claw clip on each side, worn high. The clips sit like two little jewelled accents framing the face, and the effect is immediately flattering.

What I love about this style is its versatility. It works on straight hair, wavy hair, and second-day hair that you’d rather not think about too hard. The uplift at the temples also lifts the whole face — it’s an instant refresh.

My hair is fine, but the model in the photo below has thick, wavy hair, and this style works beautifully on her too.

 

On Celine's hair we've place the clips slightly further back (she doesn't need the volume around her face so much as she has thick hair). Even though her hair is voluminous, the clips do the job well and keep her hair off her face, whilst looking gorgeous and creating a pretty feature from the side. 

 

2) 4 Mini Claw Clips Across the Head for Volume

This is the style that surprises people most — it's surprisingly effective at boosting your confidence and giving you a lovely lift.

Four mini claw clips worn in a row high across the top of the head sounds simple, and it is. But the visual impact is genuinely striking, and the volume it creates is something that has to be seen to be believed.

Start with your hair down and loosely brushed. Working on one side, pull the hair back from the face, and then divide that section into two. Clip each section upwards and back with a mini claw clip.

Repeat on the other side, so that you have two claw clips on each side of the head; 4 mini claw clips in total. 

The lifting action of each clip creates immediate root lift and fullness — it’s almost like an invisible blow-dry. If you have fine or flat hair, this style alone is worth discovering. It also works beautifully as a festival or occasion look, especially when your mini clips are embellished, like our Mini Claw Clip Pink Flower Hair Clips Set of 2.

3) Mini Claw Clip Style Clean Girl Aesthetic

If you’ve spent any time on social media in the last year or two, you’ll know the clean girl aesthetic — and this is the hairstyle that defines it.

Brush your hair smooth and sleek — really take your time here, because this style rewards a well-brushed base. Use a little serum to tame any flyaways, because the whole effect depends on everything sitting neatly in place.

Take two sections from either side of your face and draw them back cleanly to meet at the centre back of the head. Secure each section with a mini claw clip, positioning the clips so they sit neatly side by side at the back.

The result is effortless chic: sleek without being severe, minimal without being boring. It works beautifully for smart-casual occasions, maybe you're off to meet friends for a drink, or you're going to a weekend BBQ or picnic. You'll feel feminine and sleek. You'll also feel the compliments flow!

A matching pair of mini claws is key to this look. We've used our mini hair claw flower hair clip set of 2 in white, for a classic finish. 

4) Asymmetric Mini Claw Clips at the Face

Asymmetry always adds a little bit of interest to your look. I find it makes me feel more glamorous - wearing things symmetrically can sometimes feel predictable!

Rather than pinning both sides of your hair back, take two mini claw clips and wear them both on one side only — positioned at the front, close to the face. Gather a small section of hair from the front and top of the head, securing it with your clips and framing your face.

The effect is pretty, a little coquettish, and a lot more interesting than a standard pin-back. 

It frames the face on one side while letting the hair fall naturally on the other — a combination that creates movement and intrigue.

This is a style I’d wear with a flowing kaftan for sunset drinks by the pool. Pair it with soft, loose waves for maximum impact.

The pearl mini clips work especially well here, because worn close to the face, they catch the light beautifully.

5) Asymmetric Mini Claw Clips behind the Ear

This is the low-key version of style four — and for some occasions, understated is exactly right.
Same principle: both mini claw clips worn on one side only, but this time positioned behind the ear rather than at the face. Gather a section of hair from one side of your head, tuck it back behind the ear, and secure it in place with two mini claw clips worn close together.

The effect is quietly beautiful. There’s something very considered about a detail that’s half-hidden, and this style has an elegance to it that works equally well dressed up or dressed down. It also has a practical function — it keeps hair swept neatly away from the face on one side, whilst allowing your flowing locks to shine on the other. 

I find this style works particularly well on wavy or thick hair (as Celine has in the photo above), where the prettiness of the clips creates a gorgeous focal point against the volume of the hair. 

6) Half Up Half Down Mini Claw Clip Style with a Twist

The half-up half down is a timeless hairstyle — and adding a twist (literally) adds a playful edge.

Gather two strands from each side of your head, as you would for a classic half-up hairstyle. Hold one strand above the other at the back of your head, and then create the twist shape with your fingers (a second mirror at the back of your head will help you create a great shape).

Secure the strands with mini claw clips flower hair clip set of 2 worn one above the other. 

The twist adds gorgeous texture and dimension at the crown, and the two mini clips together create a pretty, detailed focal point that adds romance to your updo. 

This is one of those styles that people ask about — so be prepared to explain it!

It’s brilliant for fine hair, because the twisting action creates the illusion of volume and thickness. It also works wonderfully for occasions when you want something more original than a classic half-up; and also want a relaxed feel to your hairstyle. 

7) Mini Claw Clip Messy Bun with Silk Scrunchie

Finally, the style that might just become your new favourite for evenings out, lazy weekends, and every occasion in between.

The secret to a great messy bun is the combination of textures — and here, a silk scrunchie and two or three mini claw clips work together to create something that looks effortlessly glamorous.

This style is made extra luxe by using a silk scrunchie in mulberry silk. The scrunchie feels so smooth in your hair, and supports your hair care regime while you're wearing it as there is no snagging or pulling. 

Start by gathering your hair into a loose, relaxed ponytail — not too neat, and quite high at the back of the head. Secure with your silk scrunchie, then curl the ponytail around the scrunchie into a loose bun shape. 
Then take your mini claw clips and use them to pin the bun into place against the back of your head. Tuck them in at different angles to hold any looser sections in place while adding beautiful little pearl accents throughout. 

Two clips is elegant; three is playful; four is a full commitment (and makes it slightly less messy!)

The silk scrunchie adds a softness and sheen that elevates the whole style. The mini claws add extra lustre. Together, they’re a pairing that works beautifully. 

This is my go-to for holiday hair. It takes under two minutes and yet makes me feel deliciously glamorous. 

 

 

 

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