Both get your hair up and out of the way without a tight elastic. But a French pin and a claw clip work in very different ways, and each one suits a different kind of morning. Below, we compare them side by side so you can pick the one that fits your hair and your day. You'll find both in our shop: French Hair Pins and the Elegant Claw Clip.
The quick answer
- Choose a French pin if you want a sleek, polished twist or bun, like the look of a single pin, and don't mind a little practice.
- Choose a claw clip if you want the quickest way to get your hair up with almost no learning curve, or you prefer a softer, more casual shape.
- Choose both if your days vary: a claw clip for errands and the school run, a French pin for work or dinner.
How each one works
The French pin
A French pin is a long, U-shaped pin with two prongs. You twist your hair up, then weave the pin through the twist and a little hair near your scalp. It holds by catching both layers, not by clamping. Ours is about 13 cm (5.1 in) long, as listed by our supplier.
The claw clip
A claw clip has two rows of teeth on a spring hinge. You twist or gather your hair, open the clip and close it over the hair so the teeth catch both the twist and the hair at the base. It grips by clamping, so there's very little technique involved.
Side by side: 6 things to compare
1. Learning curve
The claw clip wins here. If you can twist your hair, you can use one. A French pin takes a few tries to learn the "flip and scoop" move, and once it clicks it becomes quick. Our step-by-step guide, How to Use a French Hair Pin, walks you through it.
2. The look
A French pin gives a smooth twist that sits close to your head and reads polished, almost like jewelry in your hair. A claw clip sits on top of the twist and gives a fuller, more relaxed shape. Both can look elegant. It comes down to the style you like.
3. Leaning back
Because a French pin sits almost flat inside the twist, there's very little to press against a car headrest, a sofa or an airplane seat. A claw clip sits on the back of your head, right where most headrests are. If you drive or commute a lot, this may matter more than you'd think.
4. Hair length
A French pin usually works best with hair around shoulder length or longer, because you need enough length to fold a twist. A claw clip is more forgiving: you can clip a half-up style or a short twist.
5. Thick or fine hair
With thick or long hair, a single French pin carries a lot of weight. Using two pins from opposite sides spreads it out. With a claw clip, size matters: a clip that's too small for your hair won't close comfortably, so check the size before you buy. With fine hair, both work better with a tighter twist and a little texture spray at the roots.
6. Bag and travel
A French pin is slim enough to slip into a pocket, wallet or makeup bag. A claw clip is bulkier, but you can clip it onto a bag strap when your hair is down.
At a glance
- Quickest to learn: claw clip
- Sleekest, most polished look: French pin
- Easiest to lean back in: French pin
- More forgiving on shorter hair: claw clip
- Easiest to carry: French pin
- No elastic, so no elastic dent: both
When a French pin is the right choice
- You wear your hair up for work and want it to look finished.
- You spend a lot of time leaning back: driving, commuting, long flights.
- Your hair is shoulder length or longer.
- You enjoy a small morning ritual and don't mind practicing a few times.
When a claw clip is the right choice
- You want your hair up quickly with almost no technique.
- You like a softer, more casual twist.
- You often wear a half-up style.
- You switch between hair up and hair down during the day.
Can you wear them together?
Yes, and it's an easy way to get more from both. Two simple ideas:
- Half-up with a claw clip, pinned twist underneath: twist the bottom section of your hair and pin it at the nape with a French pin, then gather the top section and clip it with the claw clip.
- Swap through the day: start with a claw clip for the school run or commute, then switch to a French pin twist before a meeting or dinner when you want a sleeker shape.
Caring for your pin and clip
- Store both somewhere dry, away from direct sun and high heat.
- Don't force a claw clip closed over more hair than it fits comfortably.
- Take hair accessories out before you sleep.
- Keep them away from young children and pets: they're adult accessories, not toys, and small pieces can be a choking hazard.
A note on our pieces
We currently carry one claw clip style, the Elegant Claw Clip in a tortoiseshell pattern. We'll add its exact size to the product page as soon as we've measured our samples. Our French Hair Pin comes in four colors: Tortoiseshell pattern, Black, Olive Green and Burgundy.
Why not both?
You don't have to choose. A French Hair Pin ($38) and the Elegant Claw Clip ($42) come to $80. Our automatic 2-item discount takes 10% off at checkout, so you pay $72, and orders of $60 or more ship free in the US. The discount can't be combined with other discount codes.
Still unsure which one suits your hair? Email a photo to support@havendoa.com and we'll help you decide.