How to Mix and Match Hair Claw Clips in One Hairstyle

Quick answer

Use one large claw clip as the anchor, then add one or two smaller clips placed away from the anchor. Keep a single color family or one shared material so the clips look collected, not cluttered. For most hair types, two or three clips total is the sweet spot.

Stacking clips can look playful or chaotic, and the difference usually comes down to size contrast and placement. If you have ever pinned three clips into your hair and felt like you were wearing a drawer of leftovers, the fix is not fewer clips. It is a clearer plan.

This guide walks through a repeatable method for a multiple claw clips hairstyle, using real Jenny Lemons pieces as examples. You will learn how to choose an anchor, where to place accent clips, and which combinations tend to work on fine, thick, short, and long hair.

Start with one anchor clip

Every layered hair clip styling begins with a single anchor. The anchor does the holding, so it should match your hair volume. A large claw clip like the Large Orange Slice Hair Claw Clip measures 4 inches by 2.5 inches and is built for thick hair or a full twist. If your hair is fine or short, a mini clip such as the Mini Pumpkin Hair Claw Clip at roughly 2 inches is a better anchor because it will not slide.

Place the anchor first, then decide if you actually need more. Many people add clips before the base style is secure, which leads to over-clipping. A good checkpoint: shake your head gently. If the anchor moves, fix it before adding anything else.

• Anchor near the crown or at the back of a half-up style for the most stable hold.
• If your anchor is a large clip, keep accents small so the scale difference reads as intentional.

Add contrast with size, not just color

The easiest way to make several clips look deliberate is to vary size. Pair a large claw with a mini claw, or a large claw with a small barrette. The Large Pickle Hair Claw Clip at 4 inches by 1.5 inches is narrower than the orange slice, so it can sit closer to the head without competing. A Mini Yellow Gummy Bear Hair Claw Clip at 2 inches by 1 inch works as a small accent near the temple or above the ear.

Avoid using two large clips of the same size and shape in the same style unless you are deliberately going for symmetry. Two identical large clips can look like a costume rather than a styled choice.

• Aim for one large clip and one or two minis, or two minis and no large clip for a subtle look.
• Check the silhouette in a mirror from the side, not just the front.

Balance color and material

Color is where mixing gets fun, but it also gets messy fast. A simple rule: pick one dominant color and one accent color. If your anchor is the orange slice, an accent in yellow or green keeps the palette in the same family. The Large Lime Slice Hair Claw and Large Pineapple Hair Claw Clip both sit in that citrus and tropical range, so they can share a hairstyle without fighting.

Material matters too. All of these clips are made from cellulose acetate, a plant-based alternative to plastic, so they share a similar sheen and weight. That consistency helps a stacked look feel cohesive even when the shapes are different.

• If you use two fruit shapes, keep them in the same color temperature, such as warm orange and yellow.
• Skip mixing a high-shine metal clip with matte acetate clips unless you want a deliberate contrast.

Place accents where they flatter your face shape

Placement changes how a stacked style reads. A small clip above the ear adds width, which suits long or narrow faces. A small clip near the temple draws the eye upward, which can balance a rounder face. A clip at the back of the head keeps the look clean and works well for short hair.

For how to wear several clips without looking overdone, keep accents below the anchor and slightly off-center. Symmetrical accents on both sides can look formal, while a single off-center accent feels more casual and modern.

• Use a mirror and turn your head slowly to check that no clip pokes or pulls.
• If a clip feels tight, reposition it rather than forcing it closed.

Match the combination to your hair type

Fine hair holds minis better than large claws. A Mini Pumpkin Hair Claw Clip or Mini Yellow Gummy Bear Hair Claw Clip can anchor a half-up style without weighing hair down. Thick hair can handle a large clip plus one mini, but three large clips will likely slide.

Short hair often looks best with two small clips and no large anchor. Long hair can support a large anchor at the back plus a mini near the front. If your hair is slippery, add a little texture spray before clipping so the teeth grip better.

• Fine or short hair: two minis maximum, placed on opposite sides of the part.
• Thick or long hair: one large anchor plus one mini accent is usually enough.

Step-by-step: build a three-clip hairstyle

1. Step 1: Style your base: Create the hairstyle you want to keep, such as a half-up, low twist, or side part. Smooth flyaways with a light mist of water or texture spray. Checkpoint: your base should hold for a few seconds without any clips before you add the first one.
2. Step 2: Secure the anchor clip: Place your largest clip at the crown or back, depending on your style. For thick hair, try the Large Orange Slice Hair Claw Clip. For fine hair, use a Mini Pumpkin Hair Claw Clip instead. Mistake to avoid: forcing a large clip onto fine hair, which causes sliding and pulling.
3. Step 3: Add one accent clip: Place a mini clip above one ear or near the temple, slightly off-center. The Mini Yellow Gummy Bear Hair Claw Clip is a good size for this. Checkpoint: the accent should sit flat against the head and not overlap the anchor.
4. Step 4: Add a second accent only if it balances: If the first accent leaves one side visually heavy, add a second mini on the opposite side. If the style already feels balanced, stop at two clips. Mistake to avoid: adding a third clip just because you have one, which usually tips the look into cluttered.
5. Step 5: Do a final comfort and mirror check: Turn your head left and right. Adjust any clip that pinches, pokes, or slips. Check the back of your head with a second mirror or your phone camera. Next step: if a clip keeps sliding, move it closer to the crown where there is more hair to grip.

Clips used in these combinations

• Large Orange Slice Hair Claw Clip: Measures 4" x 2.5" and is made from cellulose acetate, a plant-based, plastic-free material. Handmade and hand-painted with color variations. The wide 2.5-inch body makes it a strong anchor for thick hair or a full twist, and the handmade color variations mean no two look exactly alike.
• Mini Pumpkin Hair Claw Clip: A plump orange pumpkin with hand-painted details and a green stem, made from cellulose acetate. Designed for half-up styles, fine or short hair, and kids. At a mini size, it works as a low-weight accent or as a standalone anchor for fine hair without pulling.
• Large Pickle Hair Claw Clip: Measures 4" x 1.5" and is made from cellulose acetate, a plant-based alternative to plastic. Handmade and hand-painted. Its narrower 1.5-inch width sits closer to the head than wider large clips, so it layers well under or beside a wider anchor.
• Mini Yellow Gummy Bear Hair Claw Clip: Measures 2" x 1" and is made from cellulose acetate, a plant-based alternative to plastic. Part of the Candy Couture Collection. A true mini accent that adds a playful pop without adding bulk, ideal for a second or third clip in a stacked style.

Mixing clips works best when one clip clearly anchors and the others support it. Start with two, add a third only if the balance calls for it, and let size contrast do more work than color. With a little practice, a stacked style looks collected rather than crowded.