Nostalgia has been reigning all year, and no accessory has made a bigger comeback than the claw clip. A claw clip, as its name implies, is a hair accessory that comes in the shape of a claw. Made from plastic, silicone, or metal, they are also called hair jaws, hair claws, or hair claw clips. The clip comprises two claws held together by a spring that makes it easy for them to open and snap close with a firm grip. The edges of the clip are smooth and, as such, do not tug or pull out your hair, nor do they cause pain when their teeth are clasped onto the hair.
Although usually large, they can also come in mini and medium sizes. Due to their bold look, the large ones can function as a lone hair accessory without any extras. They’re easy to use, and you can create a variety of hairstyles with them, like buns, updos, twists, etc. Their versatility makes it easy to go from a casual to a chic look, depending on the type of clip you use and how you style them in your hair. Although claw clips work with nearly all hair lengths, for short hair, a bit of talent is required to use them on the hair effectively.
If you’re new to the claw clip trend, we’re going to break down simple and easy ways you can use them to create your next enviable style in just a few steps.
Pre-stretched hair is hair that has been stretched out, thus reducing shrinkage to a minimum and making it easier for you to work with. For naturals, the advice is to use heatless methods to stretch your hair, as heat curling tools can cause heat damage to your hair. These heatless methods include putting your hair into four or more large braids, twists, and tying with wool or African thread, among others.
Step Two: Section Hair
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Run the tail of the rattail comb to create a neat vertical middle part, starting from the hairline and stopping a few inches away from the middle part of the head. Section the hair horizontally in the middle from where the middle part stopped (that is, from ear to ear) and tie the hair in the middle in a puff. Also, make sure to section the back of the hair in a horizontal part, but instead of tying it, leave it loose.
Spritz your hair with water from the spray bottle, apply the hair gel to the hair on both sides of the middle part in front, and sleek it down with the hair brush. Brush all the way to the back. For short hair, you’ll have to braid in cornrows on both sides, from the middle part all the way to the back, to keep them laid down. Roll (or braid or twist) the ends of the hair together with the loose hair at the back and secure them to the puff with the claw clip.
If there’s one thing that 2024 gave, and to be clear, it gave many things, it was head-turning hair moments and drops that expanded the haircare industry. There were new innovations in hair tools and technology, big celebrity drops (cough Cécred and Fenty Hair), more products moving towards sustainability, and prioritizing hair health. When it came to haircuts, colors, and styles, the goal was main character energy.
There was a bigger move towards creating hair looks that weren’t only trendy but timeless. Celebrities and influencers continued to use major award shows, red-carpet moments, concerts, and album releases to debut fresh and innovative approaches to their styles that had everyone running to the salon.
Let’s look back at how 2024 became a standout year for outstanding looks that we all loved.
Platinum Blonde
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Platinum blonde was everyone in 2024. Whether it was Beyoncé ushering in a new era of Country with Cowboy Carter, Camila Cabello transforming from her signature dark tresses, or the pop princess Sabrina Carpenter, platinum blonde was a mainstay hair color this year.
Old Hollywood Bob
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Low maintenance looks like the Old Hollywood Bob was on the menu all year, and here’s why: it blends nostalgia and chicness. Ice Spice turned heads at the BET Awards when she went from her signature copper curls to channeling this stunning style. Sydney Sweeney, Zendaya, and Elsa Hosk are just some women who opted for this sleek, shiny, and voluminous trend.
Nostalgic Updos
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Updos have always been a pivotal hairstyle for any evening look, but we transition from sleek styles to more effortless styles that embrace volume. Most notable celebrities like Lori Harvey, Meg Thee Stallion, and Kim Kardashian channeled 90s icons like Pamela Anderson to create a “messy upo” that showcased texture and body.
Braided Topknots
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Braids never go out of style, but how we innovate them does. The topknot has always been a signature style that is easy and effortless, but braided topknots helped elevate the updo. Marsai Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and Issa Rae were just a few of the beauty mavens who sported this look in 2024.
Nothing Like Natural
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Calling all naturals. Ditching the wigs, weaves, and extensions and putting your natural coils, curls, and waves front and center were all apart of the healthy hair conversation in 2024. Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Simone Biles made headlines by giving fans a peek behind the scenes and letting us see their real textures.
Nara Smith Bob
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Nara Smith became a social media darling in 2024, but it wasn’t just for her signature voiceovers. The bob made a big comeback, and her one-length style is chic, effortless, and reflects the luxury glam that we all wish to channel.
Single Braid Ponytail
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If you’re a ponytail girlie, then you know dressing it up can help add dimension and personality to the classic style. The key to a single braid ponytail is ensuring your hair is slick in the front and then using extensions or weaves to really add length that you can wear to the front or back. Gabrielle Union, Zendaya, and Selena Gomez made this no-fuss hairstyle a fan favorite.
Bombshell Blowouts
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Sabrina Carpenter was the espresso on everyone’s lips in 2024, and it wasn’t just because of her catchy tunes. Her voluminous, blonde bombshell hairstyle quickly became the talk of the town, and many influencers and stylists shared their tips on how to style and maintain this Marilyn Monroe-esque look.
The Wet Look
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Who would have thought that making your hair appear wet (on purpose) would be so popular? The wet look. What’s great about this style is that it can be achieved with any hair texture, as seen by beauty queens like Coco Jones, Kim Kardashian, and Megan Fox. The secret to this style lies in a perfect combination of products like gel, glossing spray, and serum.
Pastel Hues
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There aren’t many times when we get new hair colors that make us do a double-take, but this was definitely a head-turner. Megan Fox set the internet ablaze by debuting a series of pastel hues in blue and pink that ignited new hairstyles for the festival season.
Voluminous High Ponytails
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The higher the hair, the closer to…perfection. Sky-high ponytails are elegant, timeless, and give snatched a whole new definition. Keke Palmer, Taraji P. Henson, and Laverne Cox showed how versatile this hairstyle is, whether you’re storming the streets of NYC or slaying the red carpet.
Flipped Bob
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Sophistication was an integral part of how people approached their hair in 2024. The flipped bob was a short style that took over the summer due to its softer finish and upward flick reminiscent of 60s GOGO girls.
Powerful Pixies
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Pixie cuts have taken over the fall season. This style reflects sheer confidence and is perfect for putting your face front and center. Whether you’re aiming for old-time glamour like Audrey Hepburn or sexy sirens like Halle Berry, pixies are great for those wanting to go short.
Baby Bangs
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Baby bangs or micro bangs are often known for being super blunt, short, and can be worn across all textures. Zendaya turned heads with this style during Fashion Week, and we’ve seen even more celebrities like Oliva Rodrigo, Julia Fox, and Zoë Kravitz following suit.
Cloudy Curls
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Cloud curls have taken over the fall season since they are cut and are designed to complement your hair’s natural texture and movement. The “cloud” effect comes from embracing the halo effect or frizz that gives a youthful look. Yara Shahidi is the queen of cloud curls and is a great example of a celebrity who continually serves in this fanciful style.
Textured Updo
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Your natural texture is beautiful, and that’s why we saw more celebrities aiming to ditch the heat tools and creating updos with their curls, coils, and waves intact. A little mousse and hairspray went a long way for celebrities like Tyla, Jordyn Woods, and Anna Taylor Joy, who used their natural tresses to create jaw-dropping styles.
Which hairstyle took your breath away in 2024? What are you looking forward to in 2025? Let us know in the comments.
