Dirty Hair? This Is The Easiest Way To Disguise It Stat. (2024)

When you want to take your hair game up a notch in an instant and on the cheap, you can't beat the versatility of a hair clip. Even better, right now in the world of beauty, hair clips are having a moment again, so they’re an on-trend solution for dealing with anything from pesky bangs to lifeless locks — and everything in between. “As with much of the Y2K fashion coming back in style, hair clips are no different,” says Gregory Patterson, celebrity stylist and DIY expert for Sally Beauty.”They’re easy, effortless, and can still make the wearer look polished from day to night.”

Part of the reason clips are so popular right now lies in their versatility and user-friendliness for creating a salon-worthy style at home or on the go. “Using a clip is an easy but stylish way to look put together with tons of room to play — perfect for the hair pro or hair novice,” adds Patterson. Clips can even be helpful for sectioning off your hair to blow dry, straighten, or curl it, even if you don’t intend to include the clip in your finished look.

All clips aren’t created equally, and certain designs and materials are better suited for particular lengths and types of hair. In general though, it’s best to select something made of metal or a sturdy plastic with a tight point of closure, be that by spring, snap, pin, or clamp. You can find clips in a variety of finishes and colors — with and without embellishments like rhinestones, beads, and even bows— so there’s something out there that’ll appeal to just about every aesthetic.

If you haven’t been using hair clips lately, you probably just haven’t found the right one. Use this guide to hone in on your perfect match and stock up, so you can have a clip in every bag to change up your look on a whim.

Everyone should have a basic claw clip—and this one comes in 12 (!!!) colors for any mood. It works for a variety of hair types, whether straight, curly, or wavy, and with the matte look, it'll hold your hair steady all day long.

Another all-time favorite (for me, at least) is the baby claw clip, working best for half-up, half-down styles. Or, if your hair is v fine, a full Rachel Green updo. Best of all, they work for a variety of hair textures.

Nothing says style like this rhinestone-studded hair clip. It's a statement piece that works for all hair textures, and it can be used in virtually any spot on your head—whether your literal edges, or on the back of your head.

Fruit? In a claw clip? Groundbreaking. These clips are guaranteed to make your day just a bit brighter every time you pull your hair back with one. They work for each of the different levels of hair thickness and the fruits on each clip will remind you of summer and pure bliss.

This banana hair clip is all aces when it comes to holding fine hair. For those with silky hairs that just about every hair accessory seems to fall out of, I present these clips for making your updo stay, well, up, for hours on end.

In case you're not a fan of butterflies, you can still get your Y2K fix in with these little heart clips. Although they're surely a great way to pull back your hair, they're also adorable decorative pieces, in case you're trying to distract from the strands you haven't exactly gotten around to washing in a few days.

Check out the ~pizzazz~ in these little clips! They're simple. They're a statement. They've got it all! They're the perfect accessory to catch everyone's eye with your hair down or in an updo. With the neutral colors, they've complement just about every outfit you could rock.

These barrettes have texture and so will your hair when you use them. They work for a variety of hair types, and will look cute in many styles. If you have fine hair, just be wary of these guys slipping out.

You didn't hear? Metal claw clips are all the rage right now. Not only do they hold your hair up, but they do it in on-trend and in-style. Also, they'll go with quite possibly any outfit you could put together. Game. Set. Match.

Every beauty kit should have a few metal snap clips in it. These have a patented comb teeth design for extra holding power, whether you’re dealing with bangs you want to keep out of your face or are trying to secure a French twist. Though suitable for all kinds of hair, Patterson likes these for baby-fine, wispy strands in particular. “Whether you want to style your hair up or down, this clip will get the job done, and its neutral colors are super easy to wear with any look you throw together,” says Patterson.

Embrace your inner late ‘90s/early 2000’s kid with this set of mini butterfly clips that mark Goody’s first foray into sustainable, plant-based plastic hair accessories. They’re great for tucking small sections of hair behind your ears or securing the small ponytail in the back center of your head if you’re rocking a half-up, half-down style. You can also go full on flower child by stacking a couple instead of using just one at a time. Their petite size makes them great for shorter hair, too.

If you have thick, curly, or wavy hair, Pattern’s octopus-style clip will be your styling BFF, whether your hair’s wet or dry. Reviewers rave about the sturdy, strong spring construction of the clip, which holds a lot of hair, and how curl-friendly its design is: because the finger press tabs are so prominent and far away from the clip’s teeth, zero snagging happens when you take it out of your tresses.

These curved clip-claw hybrids have serious holding power, thanks to their comb-like jaw teeth, no-slip spring hinges, and flat silhouettes, which lie flush to your head. Just twist your hair up and slide the accessory comfortably into place. Three sizes and multiple color options are available, so something should work for you, whether you have shoulder length locks or longer tresses, straight or a thicker, wavy or curly mane. This brand also makes banana clips, too, should you not want this version to leave a dent in your hair or disrupt your curl pattern.

These hard-working clips are the perfect size and shape for sectioning off hair, whether blowing it out or styling it with a hot brush. Their faux tortoiseshell finish provides a trendy touch that more basic models don’t have though, meaning they’ll also up the ante on securing a messy bun, should you want to use them outside of the house.

Looking for a minimalist clip you can use to change up your hairstyle on the go? Then this metal gold circle style from Madewell will be right up your alley. Gather your hair into the open circle design and snap the clip into place, allowing your strands to extend out from the circle as much or as little as you want. There’s a smaller size for thinner hair types, and reviewers have noted that it’s possible to fit a whole or half-pony into this piece depending on the look you’re going for and the length and thickness of your mane.

Patterson loves using the clamp-style PuffCuff on his curly and textured hair clients, and it’s great for locs, twists, and braids, too. “They come in multiple sizes and can gently accommodate so much hair with incredible hold,” says Patterson. To find the right size, measure the diameter of the base of your ponytail — ideally, it should be approximately the same size as your PuffCuff.

These cute velvet bows, which are attached to gold snap clips, may be made for littles, but they’ll add a feminine, festive touch to any adult hairstyle, too. Use one or two to hold back flyaways on the sides of your hair when its up in a high pony, or thread one through the clear elastic tying off your braid for an easy, dressy touch. You get all eight colors in this pack, so one is bound to coordinate with your outfit.

With its glass beads and gold finish, this bejeweled x-shaped clip may look dainty. Make no mistake about it though — the barrette-style clasp is sturdy enough to secure a half-up style with ease.

This brass- and rhodium-plated barrette features overlapping rows of glitzy crystals in a stylish, swirly shape. Use it to fancy up a simple low pony or as a festive touch to crown a chignon that’s reinforced with bobby pins.

Embellished barrettes, clips, and pins are the perfect way to distract from hair that maybe needs to be washed or touched up in terms of color. This trio of pearl-adorned clips will keep your hair out of your face and add a little shimmer and shine to your next Zoom call or IRL meeting.