To claw clip short hair, use a small or medium claw clip, about 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm). Take the top or back section of your hair, give it one twist toward the center of your head, and clip across the twist. If your hair is too short to twist, clip a half-up section or use two mini clips instead.
Short hair has less length to grip, so the trick is matching the clip to the amount of hair and clipping close to the scalp.
Can You Use a Claw Clip With Short Hair?
Yes, as long as your hair is long enough to gather into a section of a few inches. Chin-length bobs and longer pixies work well with mini clips; shoulder-length hair can usually take a medium clip and a full twist. If the ends keep popping out, the clip is too big for the amount of hair.
How to Use a Claw Clip With Short Hair, Step by Step
- Choose the section. For a half-up style, take the hair from your temples back to the crown. For a full style, gather everything at the back of your head.
- Smooth it toward the middle with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
- Twist once toward the center of your head. Short hair only needs one turn.
- Slide the clip in close to your scalp, teeth pointing up or sideways, and close it over the twist.
- Tuck or pull out the ends so they sit how you want them: tucked for a neat finish, loose for a messier look.
What Size Claw Clip Works Best for Short Hair?
| Hair length | Clip size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Long pixie | Mini, about 1–1.5 in (2.5–4 cm) | Pinning back sides or bangs |
| Chin-length bob | Small, about 1.5–2.5 in (4–6 cm) | Half-up styles and side twists |
| Shoulder-length | Medium, about 2.5–3 in (6–8 cm) | Full twists at the back of the head |
| Short and very thick or curly | Medium clip, or two small clips | More hair per inch of length |
You’ll find claw clips and other styling tools in our hair accessories range. If you have long, heavy hair as well as short layers, our guide to putting thick hair in a claw clip covers the larger sizes.
5 Claw Clip Styles for Short Hair
- Half-up twist: the easiest style for bobs. Twist the top section once and clip it at the crown.
- Side twist: twist one side back from your temple and clip it behind your ear.
- Two mini clips: twist each side back and clip them so they meet at the back of your head.
- Low tucked twist: for shoulder-length hair, twist everything at the nape and tuck the ends under the clip.
- Bang clip: twist your fringe back off your face and secure it with a mini clip.
How to Claw Clip Short Curly Hair
Short curls add volume, so you need a little more clip than straight hair of the same length. Gather the curls with your fingers rather than a brush, twist loosely so you don’t flatten them, and choose a clip with widely spaced teeth. A half-up style keeps curls off your face while the rest stays defined.
Claw clips are just one of the clips that work well on short hair. Our guide to types of hair clips covers alligator clips, snap clips and barrettes, which can be easier for very short lengths.
FAQ
Will a claw clip stay in a bob?
Yes, if the clip is small enough for the amount of hair. A clip that closes firmly around the twist will stay; one that barely closes will slide out.
What if my hair is too short to twist?
Use mini claw clips to pin back sections, or switch to snap clips or bobby pins, which grip less hair.
Do claw clips work on fine short hair?
They can slip on fine hair. A little texturizing spray at the roots before you twist gives the teeth something to hold.
