The 16 different styles of hair clips

What are the names of different hair clips?

Are you trying to wear your hair au natural? Don’t have time to put your hair in the multitude of styles that take hours to put in? Well, you need not worry because some genius named Ernest Godward invented a pretty little thing called hair clips/pins. Now, these tiny little items are used to clip hair together or put in a style that is both easy and quick to do. You may have known this, but I’m sure you don’t yet know that there are 16 + different styles of hair clips to choose from. Below, you will find information and descriptions of each of these different hair clips.

Bobby Pin

Claw Hair Clip

One of the most popular hair clips on this lip, the odds are that the majority of people have tried this hair clip at some point in their lives. These hair clips are often used because of the sheer simplicity of their use. Usually, individuals who use these hair clips use them to secure their hair at the back end of their heads.

If you have a smaller version of this clip, you can even make pinback bangs, a secure half-up style, or a low ponytail. Another great thing about this hair clip is that they crease or dent hair the same way that a regular hair tie would.

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Wave Setting Clip

Even though wave setting clips are designed for professional use, they still work well for the average person. These types of clips are designed so that hair can be held up while make-up is being applied to the face. Aside from the fact that they’re good for making hairstyles such as finger waves, they are also great for making most other hairstyles without putting dents in the hair.

Sectioning Clips

These are some of the best hair clips out there for sectioning off large chunks of hair while it’s being styled. The fact that they are long and slender helps them remain comfortable when they’re being held in the head for a long time.

This style of hair clip is supposed to be used when the hair is being straightened, braided, blow dried, or during any time the hair is being styled and you need the extra hair to be out of the way.

Banana Clip

The banana clip is great for those who need to secure a ton of hair at one time. Because it has teeth in both the outer circle and the middle that lock together at one of the ends, this is a great option for thick, long hair.

For those women with kinky, thick hair, you can search for bigger versions of this style of hair clip made out of flexible, bendable materials that are on the market. If you choose a design that’s simple you can wear it every day or if you purchase one that is made of extravagant materials for more important events such as meetings.

Snap Clip

We shouldn’t have to do much explaining for this style of hair clip, we’re sure you remember them. The snap clip is the hair clip that most children use when they are just starting to learn how to style their own locks. Not only are they simple to use but they also come in tons of bright, and beautiful colors. Because they don’t hold very much hair makes them great for kids due to them usually having fairly fine hair textures.

Pearl Hair Clip

The style of the pearl hair clip, makes up a number of different hair clip styles, like banana clips or bobby pins. Even though the clip may have an interesting shape, it needs to have pearls covering it completely for it to be considered a Pearl Hair Clip.

This style of clip is perfect for those going out on a romantic outing or someone who is going to be married.

Duck Bill Clips

The style of the hair clip varies but they may have smooth teeth or small teeth which help grip on hair. While the toothed clips may work better for securing hair, they can be a bit on the uncomfortable side, especially when they are on too hard. You can often find this style of hair clip attached to a hair ornament - this is when the hair clip is bound deep within the hair and the ornament can be seen on the outside, successfully decorating the hair.

Double Prong Curls

Similar to the sectioning and wave setting clips, these clips are typically used to help during styling. They are typically used to wrap around a fresh curl to help hold it and it’s shape.

More often than not, ladies use them all around their heads to help hold and set a curl and will remove them at the last possible second when they will be removed and the hair is brushed down. You can also use these hair clips in the same way as you use wave setting clips, as in a playing card is placed beneath the clip’s top to avoid a crease.

Geometric Minimalist Clips

Here you have a gorgeous hair clip that snaps like a barrette but is minimalist and thin like a bobby pin. With no sound whatsoever when used. As long as you don’t try to hold a bunch of hair together with these clips then you should be fine to use them - they can’t take a whole lot.

Minimalist hair clips are usually used as a decorator for the temple or as something hat fastens the front strands of hair half-up near the back of the head. They usually come in simple circles, or extravagant astrological designs.

Hair Ribbon Clips

Little girls or the mothers of the 90s used to be the ones to use this cute little hair pin. These bow pins or Hair Ribbon Clips avoid all the mess that comes with having to tie an actual bow together to place into the hair. It’s quite literally a bow that is secured to a snap clip.

You can find them in larger or smaller styles and they can be used to make a lower half-up style or a low ponytail.

U-Shaped Hair Pins

While these hair clips do look very much like bobby pins, the U-shaped hair pins are a bit heavier duty than them. When you’re doing complex up-dos with thick hair these should be your go to.

Why?

Well, they’re great for those who need to secure and tuck large quantities of hair.

Butterfly Clips

All of the 90’s babies should know about these wonderful hair clips. When one wears these hair clips, they can never wear just one of them. The butterfly clips are usually worn in multiples as they are used to section off pieces of hair that have been twisted or braided. Use these clips as a decorative style because they don’t hold much of your hair at once.

Bumpit hair pins

Do you remember when, back in the day, it was a challenge to secure your bumpit hairstyle? Well, not anymore as this revolutionary hair pin now attaches a bumpit filler to a comb and makes it so that it is now easier than ever to produce that volumizing and full look that you’re going for. This style of hair clip is used for elaborate, sleek updo or to give an extra boost when you’re going out for a night on the town.

Alligator Clips

The Alligator Clip is a pinch clip with a spring on one side of it. Half of the clip is flat so the clip can fit on the head in a manner that is comfortable and has teeth that match the top of the clip. This clip can easily hold hair out of the way when it is used correctly. This makes it the perfect option for someone who is looking to do their child’s hair in a way that is away from the face; this clip can hold either a few small strands or a lot of hair at one time.

Classic Hinged Barrettes

Even though these hair clips are not as popular as they used to be, they are still great options when you’re doing your child’s hair and want them to be able to pick cool designs and colors. These barrettes are made from one piece of plastic and are equipped with a hinge that enables them to bend in half.

There is also a hole in the end that goes against the head where a bag on the top part of the barrette snaps to hold it closed.

There is a hair clip for all intents and purposes. For when you’re out getting coffee or going to a wedding there is always something that can accentuate and perfect your hairstyle. And don’t forget to check out the beautiful hair clips we have on this site right now.