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In the year of reemergence after a pandemic-induced quarantine, we’ve embraced dopamine dressing in more ways than one. Nowadays, we’re seeing a boom on the accessory front with the best hair clips, joining the likes of early aughts nostalgia, head-turning colors, and more mood-boosting style experiments.
Many of us, like fashion market editor Madeleine Fass, looked to claw clips as a low-maintenance way to sweep hair back when our manes inevitably grew while we were unable to take trips to salons. But according to Julianne Goldmark, cofounder of the buzzy hair accessory brand Emi Jay, what started as a convenient comeback trend has since transformed into an everyday essential. “During quarantine, when we were all working from home, I felt we loved the effortlessness of the hair clip. Now that we’ve returned to a semi-normal life, it’s become a necessity!” she says, especially with so many designs and prints to choose from to express your mood and match your personal style.
“The accessory offers simplicity while serving as a form of self-expression,” Goldmark says. “They also don’t tug or snag your hair, offering a healthy, heatless way to style. I think that’s what is so loved about them: You can do a sleek updo, a half up-half down, a messy bun, or even use smaller clips to hold a braid.” What’s more, all hair types can sport hair clips. Around the office, we frequently see Vogue staffers with them on hand, and on TikTok we’ve discovered viral tutorials—like this one by influencer Cierra Miller—on how to achieve certain styles whether your hair is long, thick, curly, or whatever else. Not to mention that hair clips have been spotted on our favorite celebrities, from Bella Hadid to Hailey Bieber.
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Goldmark offers a few styling tips too: “For thinner hair, I love twisting and clipping from the bottom of the back of your head, allowing your hair to kind of waterfall over the clip. It gives a more voluminous look and is just so cute.” Curly girls otherwise might prefer to keep a few curls out of the clip for fun face-framing strands, and those with thick hair could lean into half up-half down styles.
All in all, hair clips remain the versatile and cool girl means to amp up any look. Ready to shop for yourself? Below, the best hair clips to keep your tresses up and out the way.
