Choosing the Right Clips
The world of decorative hair clips is vast, but you don't need anything complex to make an impact. Simple clips like barrettes, claw clips, and snap clips are perfect for the job. Barrettes, which feature a hinged clasp, are excellent for holding back
larger sections of hair or for adding a decorative touch above a ponytail. Claw clips have seen a major resurgence and are perfect for creating effortless updos or half-up styles. They come in various sizes, from mini clips for accenting small twists to jumbo sizes that can hold all your hair. Snap clips, which are easy to press open and snap shut, are great for pinning back smaller sections or bangs and often come in fun colors and designs. When selecting clips, consider their weight and gripping power, especially for use with extensions.
Prepping Your Hair and Extensions
A great hairstyle starts with a solid foundation. Before installing your clip-in extensions, ensure your natural hair is clean and completely dry. To give the extension clips extra grip, especially if your hair is fine or silky, lightly tease or backcomb the roots where you plan to attach the wefts. A spritz of light-hold hairspray or a texturizing spray on the teased roots can also create more friction and prevent slipping. Once your extensions are securely in place, gently brush through to blend them with your natural hair. This creates a seamless base, making it easier to add decorative accessories without revealing any wefts.
Techniques for Secure Placement
The key to a long-lasting style is ensuring both the extensions and the decorative clips are secure. When adding a decorative clip, try to place it in a way that helps conceal the seams or wefts of your extensions. For example, a well-placed barrette can sit just over the top edge of a weft in a half-up style. If you find a decorative clip is sliding, you can add a small bobby pin underneath it (in a matching hair color) to create an anchor point. For claw clip styles, twisting the hair before securing it creates tension that helps the clip grip more effectively. Avoid placing heavy decorative clips on a single thin weft; instead, make sure they are gripping a combination of your natural hair and the extension hair for better support.
Easy Styles to Try at Home
You don't need to be a professional stylist to create beautiful looks. Here are a few simple ideas: The Elevated Half-Up: Create a simple half-up style by pulling the top section of your hair back. Instead of a hair tie, twist the section and secure it with a medium-sized claw clip for an instant, chic look. Stacked Side Clips: Part your hair to the side and add a row of two or three matching snap clips or small barrettes above your temple. This adds a trendy, asymmetrical detail that works beautifully with the added length from extensions. The Decorated Ponytail: Gather your hair into a low or high ponytail. Secure it with a hair tie, then wrap a small section of hair around the base to hide the elastic. Add a statement barrette or a decorative claw clip just above or below the base of the ponytail for a polished finish. The French Twist Updo: A classic French twist becomes much easier with the help of a large claw clip. Gather your hair, twist it upwards against the back of your head, and secure the entire twist with a large clip, leaving the ends loose at the top for a modern feel.
Quick Dos and Don'ts
Do: Match the size of your clip to the amount of hair. A larger clip is needed for thicker hair or full updos with extensions.Don't: Place clips too close to your hairline or part, as this can make the extension wefts more visible. Aim for about an inch of distance.Do: Use accessories to your advantage. A pretty clip or headband can be a stylish way to hide any visible extension tracks.Don't: Overload your hair with heavy products before styling. This can make both your natural hair and the extensions slippery, causing clips to slide out.Do: Experiment with different placements. Placing wefts diagonally around your face can create a more natural, blended look that pairs well with side-swept clips.
