Half-Up Claw Clip Hairstyle for Long, Thick Hair

How to do a half-up claw clip, step by step

1. Section off the top of your hair, from the tops of your ears up.
2. Twist the section once or twice so it lies flat and neat.
3. Tie it at the back of your head with a clear elastic.
4. Clamp the claw clip over the elastic, so the clip sits over the knot instead of taking the weight.
5. Press the clip down against your head and smooth the lengths underneath.

The video puts the clip in before the elastic. Tying the elastic first, as both tutorials below do, is easier and holds the same.

Why it slips past the waist

A clip holds by gripping, and the more hair hanging below it, the harder that hair pulls it down. On hair past the waist the top section alone is heavy enough to drag a clip loose by lunch. The elastic takes the weight, so the clip only has to stay put.

What you need

Five inches across, big enough to close over the knot with room to spare. $28.83 for two is more than a chemist clip.

Kitsch 5 Inch Large Claw Clips

Claw Clip · 4.3 / 5 on Amazon AU

$28.83 Check today's price ›

The elastic that does the actual holding.

Goody Ouchless Clear Elastics

Braid Elastics · 4.4 / 5 on Amazon AU

$25.12 Check today's price ›

Steps checked against: 3 Half Up Hairstyles (Missy Sue, checked 2026-10-13); How to Do a Half-Up, Twisty, Flat Clip Hairstyle (Teleties, checked 2026-10-13).