To put thick hair in a claw clip, use a large claw clip, around 4 inches (10 cm) or wider, with long, interlocking teeth. Detangle, gather your hair at the back of your head, twist it upward two or three times, fold the twist flat against your head, and clamp the clip over the base of the twist.
Thick hair is heavy, so the clip has to grip the twist itself, not just the ends. Get the size and the twist right and one clip will hold all day.
How to Put Thick Hair in a Claw Clip, Step by Step
- Start with detangled, mostly dry hair. Soaking-wet hair is heavier and slides out of the clip more easily.
- Gather your hair where you want the clip. At the crown for a high, voluminous style; at the nape for a low twist.
- Twist the length upward two or three times into a rope. The twist is what gives the teeth something to bite into.
- Fold the twist up and flat against your head, letting the ends fan out over the top.
- Open the clip wide and slide the lower teeth under the twist, close to your scalp, then close it over the top. Wiggle it gently to seat the teeth.
If one clip can’t hold everything, split your hair into two sections and use two medium clips stacked one above the other, or put a loose elastic around the twist first and clip over it.
What Size Claw Clip Do You Need for Thick Hair?
| Your hair | Clip size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Thick and long (past the shoulders) | Jumbo, about 4–5 in (10–13 cm) | Fits the whole twist without the clip popping open |
| Thick, shoulder-length | Large, about 3.5–4 in (9–10 cm) | Holds the shorter twist without too much empty space |
| Thick and curly or coily | Large or jumbo with deep, widely spaced teeth | Grips volume without crushing curl clumps |
| Very thick, any length | Two medium clips | Spreads the weight so neither clip slips |
Look for a clip with a strong spring and teeth that interlock when closed. You can find claw clips and other styling tools in our hair accessories range, and our guide to types of hair clips explains when a claw clip beats a banana clip, a barrette or an alligator clip.
4 Claw Clip Hairstyles for Thick Hair
- Classic French twist: twist all your hair vertically up the back of your head and clip it lengthwise for a sleek, flat finish.
- Half-up twist: take the top section from temple to temple, twist it once and clip it at the crown. It takes the weight off without putting all of it in the clip.
- Low twisted bun: twist at the nape, coil the twist into a loose bun and clip across it. Good for very long hair that is too heavy to lift.
- Curly claw clip “pineapple”: gather curls loosely at the crown without brushing them, give one gentle twist and clip, letting the curls spill over the top.
How to Keep a Claw Clip From Slipping in Thick Hair
- Clip the base of the twist, close to your scalp, not the loose ends.
- Size up. A clip that barely closes will spring open as you move.
- Add grip with a little texturizing spray or dry shampoo at the base of the twist.
- Twist tighter at the base and looser toward the ends, so the clip holds the firm part.
- Use two clips for very heavy hair rather than one overloaded clip.
Can a Claw Clip Damage Your Hair?
Hairstyles and accessories that pull hard on the scalp can cause traction alopecia, a gradual loss of hair where the tension sits, often along the hairline. Caught early, it is reversible if you stop the style that causes it (StatPearls). Clamping a heavy twist tightly in the same spot every day adds tension. Keep the twist loose at the roots, move the clip’s position from day to day, and take it out before you sleep.
FAQ
Can you put wet hair in a claw clip?
You can, but wet hair is heavier and more likely to slide out. Let thick hair dry most of the way first, or use a jumbo clip and twist it loosely so it can keep drying.
Can you sleep with a claw clip in?
It isn’t a good idea. The rigid clip presses into your scalp and can snap. A loose pineapple with a soft scrunchie, or one of the methods in our guide to sleeping with curly hair, is gentler.
How do you put thick curly hair in a claw clip?
Don’t brush dry curls first, as that turns them into frizz. Gather them with your fingers, twist once or twice rather than tightly, and use a jumbo clip with deep teeth so it holds the volume without flattening your curls.
