What are hair barrettes and hair clips?

Hair clips and barrettes are generally worn on the back of the head or to the side of the face to hold hair in place. A barrette is a type of hair clip and can include many variations of clasp. Most of our barrette clasps are made of metal and featured in gold and silver tones, depending on the hair accessory. We also have a number of plastic clasps as well. Where the barrette is worn traditionally depends on the size of the clip. Small barrettes, such as tige boules, are typically worn on the side to hold small pieces of hair out of the face. Large barrettes are generally worn towards the back of the head to secure more hair, such as a french twist, bun or ponytail. Other popular types of hair clips include claw clips, pinch clips, banana clips, cascade clips, ponytail clips, and more! Shop our Hair Clips & Barrettes.

What is a tortoise shell clip?

Traditionally, a tortoise shell barrette or hair clip was just that - a barrette or clip made of tortoise shell pieces. This has been an extremely popular hair accessory material and look for many years. We do not carry any genuine tortoise shell accessories, however, our fine artisans in France have crafted an attractive faux tortoise shell made of high quality cellulose acetate. These tortoise hair accessories are polished to a beautiful sheen. These classic hair accessories will fit right into your everyday look. Shop our Tortoise Accessories.

What is the difference between all of your regular barrettes?

All of our regular barrettes feature a traditional French barrette style clasp, many of which where made in France. The main differences between our regular barrettes is the size. See the chart below for measurements on some of our popular barrettes.

What is a French Barrette?

Our genuine French barrettes are made in France. Most feature strong, secure, smooth base with a tension bar to hold your hair in place. The claps is made of two prongs that latch to the arm, holding your hair between the tension bar and arm. Our France Luxe Brand specializes in handmade, high quality cellulose acetate, which we decorate many of the barrettes with. These luxury French barrettes come in several sizes and shapes and many styles! They are one of the most popular types of hair clip and will last for years. Shop France Luxe Barrettes made in France.

What is a Tige Boule Barrette?

Tige boule barrettes are typically intended for fine or thin hair. Most tige boules are small in size and they are often worn on the side of the face, delicately holding a small piece of fine hair. However, tige boules are also popular amongst women with thick, textured hair as a decoration. The phrase “tige boule” is French and translates as “ball stem.” A tige boule clasp is made of a metal hinge and wire arm and a small metal ball or button for the arm to fit gently over. Both pieces are affixed to the front decoration. Because these are separate pieces without a base plate, the tige boule clasp is a great choice for designing a cutout barrette. Shop tige boule barrettes.

What is a Magali Barrette?

Magali barrettes are similar in style and shape to tige boules. However, a magali clasp features a metal base which the button and hinge are both attached to. A wire arm fits over the button, securing it in the same manner as a tige boule. Many magali base plates include a tension bar to hold your hair tightly in place. Shop Magali Barrettes made in France.

What is a slide barrette?

A slide barrette is a versatile clip which can be used in a variety of hair styles. The clasp is easy to use, the arm simply sliding into an opening on the base, with a slight pressure holding it in place. Slide clips are commonly made of metal, but can also be made with acrylic or cellulose acetate as well. Shop slide barrettes.

What is a ponytail barrette?

Ponytail barrettes are rounded on top to accommodate all of your hair, pulled together into a ponytail. While the clasp is similar to a regular French barrette, the tension bar is located on the arm, rather than the base of the clip. This ensures that your gorgeous hair looks voluminous and full. Shop ponytail barrettes.

What is a volume barrette?

Volume barrettes are made specifically to hold thick hair. Barrettes for thick hair have a high arch base, allowing for textured or thick locks to be held securely while easily latching the clasp. These hair clips come in a variety of styles, sizes and shapes to fit a range of hair styles. Shop volume barrettes for thick hair.

The term hair clip is a broad term that includes a wide variety of hair accessories that hold your hair back, each has a clasp or closure of some sort. These include barrettes, jaw and claw clips, banana clips, cascade clips, ponytail clips, butterfly clips, click clack clips, pinch clips and more! Shop hair clips.

A jaw or claw clip features prongs on two sides that come together like fingers clasping. They are held together by a simple spring making them one of the easiest and most versatile hair clips on the market. Also known as butterfly clips, these clips are perfect for everyday looks and are quick to style, even for a hairstyle newbie! Popular styles include twists, buns, updo, or half-up, the possibilities are endless. Claw clips come in a wide range of styles and sizes, from mini to jumbo. Ours range from about ½” to 5” long. Tiny butterfly clips are often used in multiples to accent a bun or updo or just one to pin a small bit of fine hair to the side. Medium jaw clips are perfect for half-up, half-down hair dos. For those with fine hair, a medium size clip can hold all of your hair, making it functional with so many different styles. Larger claws are generally used for people with thick, textured hair, great for a hair twist or bun. Shop jaw and claw clips.

Mini Jaws: ~½”-1¼”, ideal for holding small bits of hair around the face and accenting updos, often worn in multiples, great for accenting all hair types, well loved by women with fine hair. (9889 model image, LI6453 model image) Small Jaws: ~1½” - 2½”, half-up dos, bun, twist, ideal for most hair types including fine or thick hair depending on the hair style. Medium Jaws: ~2½” - 4”, bun, twist, ponytail, ideal for all hair types. Large Jaws: ~4 - 5”, bun, twist, ponytail, for all hair types, best with thick hair. Jumbo Jaws: ~5”+, ideal hair clip for thick hair.

What is a ponytail clip?

Ponytail clips are any hair clip that holds your hair in a ponytail fashion, hair pulled together at the back of the head. These include ponytail barrettes, banana clips, and cascade clips.

What is a banana clip?

Banana clips are a type of ponytail hair clip named for their shape, oblong and curved slightly, like a banana. On one end there is a hinge, the two pieces feature long comblike teeth that come together as you close it with a simple slip hook clasp. These hair clips are traditionally worn vertically on the back of the head, with the hinge down and the clasp at the top. It is common to see it worn high in the back, like a high ponytail, or low at the nape of the neck.

What is a cascade clip?

Cascade clips are a type of ponytail clips as well, however, they differ from banana clips in the clasp and shape of the clip. Our cascade clips use a French barrette style clasp. Similar to the banana clip, the cascade clips are easy to use and they are designed to be worn at the back of the head, holding up a large bunch of hair. Shop cascade clips.

What is a click clack clip?

Click clack clips (also known as cliq claq or snap clips) are small metal clips, meant to be worn on the side of the face, holding hair out of the face. They are very easy to use, slip them into place and click it closed! These clips are great for simple and quick hair fixes, not to mention a stylish signature look! Popular amongst girls and teens, as well as adult fashionistas. Click clack clips are often featured in fun and trendy colors, something for everyone!

What is a pinch clip?

Pinch clips are not just for getting your hair cut! As the name implies, pinch clips are held together in pinching fashion, using a spring. They come in many styles and sizes, from everyday looks to luxury, red carpet worthy hair clips. Shop pinch clips.

What are butterfly clips?

There are two types of butterfly hair clips. The first type is just another name for Jaw or Claw Clip, often referring to the widely popular mini clips. The second - also very popular - hair accessories featuring butterflies! We have both to satisfy anyones butterfly clip hair needs.

Hair pins are long, narrow hair accessories used to pierce through a bunch of hair, pinning it in place. Hair pins are typically a narrow U or V shape, and come in a variety of sizes, styles, and materials, including simple hair sticks, bobby pins, pins with more than two prongs, pins with a cuff to slide into, chignon pins and more! Some hair pins are decorative and meant to be seen, while others are meant to be tucked away, hidden in the hair. One of the most popular ways to use a hair pin is in a bun. A bun can be sophisticated and sleek or a messy bun - the right hair pin will do the trick! Another popular type of hair pins are bobby pins. Shop hair pins.

What is the difference between bobby pins and hair pins?

Bobby pins are made of a long narrow piece of flat metal, folded in half to press back against itself, holding hair between the two sides with a slight pressure. Some bobby pins have ridges to help secure your hair without slipping, while others have a modern sleek, flat look. Standard hair pins, on the other hand are not pressurized together, but are instead open in more of a U shape. These U shaped hair pins are most commonly used to hold a bun or updo in place. Bobby pins are generally used for pinning hair away from the face or down to the head, IE taming the flyaways. Rumor has it, they were designed to be used with the bob hair style, and aptly named after it. We offer a variety of bobby pins, including your basic bobbys (the hair accessory we've all come to know and love) and stylish embellished bobby pins for accenting a hair style or outfit.

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