13 Half-Up, Half-Down Claw Clip Hairstyles We Love

Woman with a half-up, half-down box braid hairstyle — @emijayinc / Instagram

Summer has always been the season of the claw clip. There's a familiar relief that comes with swirling your locks away from the sweat pooling on the back of your neck and into a heap on the top of your head. But the claw clip is good for more than running errands or taking a hot girl walk. In recent seasons it has gone from functional to fashionable, a sophisticated accessory beloved by celebs like Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner.

One elevated way to style a claw clip is with a half-up, half-down hairstyle. Need proof? Scroll on for 13 of our favorite takes on the look. You'll want to add these to your summer hair mood board, stat.

01 of 13

Pearly Glow

A woman with her dark hair pulled half-up, half-down with a pearly claw clip — @eileenbnguyen / Instagram

Sometimes the power of a claw clip is in the material. The pearly color of this clip pops against Eileen B. Nguyen's dark hair. Pick something with an iridescent glow to really shine.

02 of 13

Euro-Summer Chic

A half-up, half-down French curl claw clip style — @glamazondiaries / Instagram

Influencer Makeda Saggau-Sackey makes a compelling case for creating a half-up, half-down hairstyle with your French curl box braids. Check out her tutorial to get the polished, Euro-summer energy she's displaying here.

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Low-Hanging Cuteness

A woman picks an apple, wavy hair loosely held in a claw clip — @alyssamckayyy / Instagram

A looser hold on a claw clip provides an effortless look—perfect for showing off waves.

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Slicked Back and Clipped

A half-up, half-down claw clip hairstyle with a sleek front and twist in the back — @emijayinc / Instagram

Adding a little twist to your style is an easy way to up the elegance. Loosely twist the top half of your hair, then roll it in a tight circle. Slick back the front for a sleek finish.

05 of 13

Blonde Burst

Blonde dreads in a half-up, half-down claw clip style — Killing It Kammy

Claw clips are a great way to show off dyed ends. If you've opted for a balayage or ombré moment, consider twisting your hair into a clip so that the ends can stand out.

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Soft Spill

A loose half-up, half-down claw clip hairstyle — @emijayinc / Instagram

You don't have to sacrifice volume to wear a half-up, half-down style. While many styles are slicked back and snatched, this look on forever hair muse Matilda Djerf demonstrates the appeal of a pulled-back blowout. It's cute and casual.

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Claw-Clipped Coils

Natural hair pulled back with an oversized clip — Emi Jay

Don't think you can't get in on the claw clip game because you have curly or coily hair. With an oversized clip and a half-up, half-down style, it's totally achievable. Leave out a few face-framing curls for a romantic look.

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Clip Sharp

A slicked-back half-up, half-down bun with butterfly clips — @emijayinc / Instagram

Use several clips to add style to a half-up, half-down bun look. Group them or space them out to get your desired effect. Spiky strands add to the Y2k appeal.

09 of 13

Double the Fun

A half up hairstyle with two small butterfly clips — @kartika_ll / Instagram

Creator Kartika Lilia Langi has mastered half-up, half-down hairstyles. She used two small butterfly claw clips to create this fun twisted look. (And shared how she did it.) Couldn't you see this one on Lizzie McGuire?

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Clipped Twists

A half up, half down claw clip twist hairstyle — @curlfriendari / Instagram

Speaking of Lizzie McGuire: Creator Arielle pulled up half her two-strand twists for a fun, youthful look that would be right at home on a '90s sitcom. The swirly, oversized silver clip adds to the vibe.

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Snatched Shell

A seashell claw clip in a woman's long, wavy hair — @emijayinc / Instagram

A seashell claw clip is perfect for summer; you'll look like you just emerged from the sea. Use it to pull back a mermaid haircut.

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Side Swiped

Woman with a claw clip on the side of a top knot — @emijayinc / Instagram

You don't have to hide a claw clip in the back of your head. Fasten your topknot with a side-skewed claw clip for a fun hair moment. Leave out some hair in the front half for an effortless feel.

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On the Edge(s)

Half up, half down knotless box braids — @emijayinc / Instagram

A claw clip is a great way to show off perfectly laid edges. Just pull back the top quarter or so of your braids—don't leave any out—and let your baby hairs take center stage.