20 Butterfly Clip Hairstyles That Stay Put All Day
Butterfly clip hairstyles look effortless in photos and slip out by noon in real life. The clip itself is rarely the problem. Placement, size, and prep decide whether a style holds.
This guide covers 20 styles built around grip first. Each one stays put through work, errands, and evenings out.
Most clip failures come from one mismatch. A tiny clip cannot hold a thick section. A smooth section gives teeth nothing to grab.
Fix the mismatch and the same clip holds for hours. The 20 butterfly clip hairstyles below each name the clip size, the section size, and the grip trick.
Butterfly clip hairstyles are styles that use small spring-loaded butterfly-shaped clips to hold, pin, or decorate sections of hair.
What Makes A Butterfly Clip Hold
A butterfly clip has two wings, a metal spring, and a row of inner teeth. The spring snaps the wings shut. The teeth bite into the hair and stop sliding.
Grip fails when the section is too thick for the spring or too smooth for the teeth. Texture gives teeth something to catch. That grip is what separates butterfly clip hairstyles that last from ones that slide out.
Celebrity hairstylist Lara Polko told Harper’s Bazaar that claw clips cause less breakage than hair elastics. It grips without the tight wrap of an elastic. Her placement advice fits butterfly clips too. Twist small one-inch sections back, then set clips on either side of the part.
Hairstylist Sara Yousif told Today to check three things in any accessory. It must hold the weight of your hair, grip well, and stay put once placed. Both points shape this guide. Pick the clip for the weight it must carry, and anchor each clip in twisted or textured hair.
Clip material changes the feel. Plastic minis are light and cheap, and they suit accents and fine hair. Acetate clips weigh a bit more and read polished. Metal clips grip hard and suit thick sections, but they can snag if the teeth run rough.
Y2K butterfly clips made the mini size famous, and minis still suit accents best. Test a new clip on a small section first. If it pulls, it will pull all day.
1. The Double-Twist Crown
Take a one-inch section from each temple. Twist each section back toward the crown. Cross the twists at the back of your head.
Pin the crossing point with two mini butterfly clips, one on each side. The twist gives the teeth texture to hold. The pair of clips shares the load, so neither one carries the full section alone.
Best for: Medium and long hair that needs face-framing pieces held back.
Ask your stylist for: Face-framing layers cut to sit outside the twist, so loose ends frame the face.
2. The Half-Up Clip Stack
Gather the top half of your hair. Secure it with a small clear elastic first. Place three mini butterfly clips in a vertical line down the gathered section. Space them about an inch apart.
The elastic carries the weight. The clips dress the section and stop stray hairs from slipping loose. That backup is why half-up butterfly clip hairstyles hold longer than clip-only versions.
Best for: Second-day hair that needs a quick lift without a full restyle.
Ask your stylist for: A blunt trim on the top layers so the gathered section sits flat.
3. The Low Twisted Bun With A Butterfly Clasp
Gather all your hair at the nape. Twist the length into a rope. Coil the rope into a low bun. Tuck the ends under the coil.
Close one medium butterfly clip over the base of the bun. The twist tightens the coil and gives the clip a ridge to grip. One clip holds the whole style when the coil sits tight and the hair runs fine or medium. For more bun ideas, see our winter messy bun hairstyles guide.
Best for: Fine and medium hair that coils into a compact bun.
Ask your stylist for: Long layers that coil without bulky ends poking out of the bun.
4. The Side-Swept Clip-Back
Part your hair on one side. Take a two-inch section from the heavier side of the part. Sweep it back past the temple. Pin it with one mini butterfly clip behind the ear.
Leave the rest of the hair loose. This style takes under a minute. Side-swept butterfly clip hairstyles suit fine hair because the section stays small.
Best for: Fine hair, since the small section matches the grip of a mini clip.
Ask your stylist for: A side part cut with enough length at the temple to reach behind the ear.
5. The Braided Clip Ladder
Braid one side section into a simple three-strand braid. Tie the end with a small elastic. Clip a mini butterfly clip at the top, middle, and end of the braid.
Butterfly clips hairstyles with braids work because the braid ridges stop clips from sliding. The ladder effect reads playful without looking fussy. It works on straight, wavy, and curly hair.
Best for: Long hair that needs a braid dressed up for an event.
Ask your stylist for: A trim that keeps braid ends even, so the last clip sits clean.
6. The Bubble Ponytail With Butterfly Markers
Tie a mid-height ponytail with an elastic. Add a second elastic four inches down the tail. Add a third elastic four inches below that. Gently pull each section outward to puff it into a bubble.
Clip a mini butterfly clip over each elastic. The clips hide the elastics and mark each bubble. The elastics carry the weight, so the clips only decorate. Bubble ponytails rank among the sturdiest butterfly clip hairstyles because elastics do the real work.
Best for: Thick hair, since the elastics hold the weight and the clips ride on top.
Ask your stylist for: Layers through the tail, so each bubble has shape instead of falling flat.
7. The Clip-Secured French Twist
Gather your hair low at the nape. Roll the length upward against the head in a French twist. Tuck the ends inside the roll. Place two medium butterfly clips along the seam, one near the top and one near the bottom.
The seam gives the clips a fold to bite into. This style reads polished with no pins showing. It suits dinners, offices, and formal events.
Best for: Straight and slightly wavy hair that rolls cleanly against the head.
Ask your stylist for: A length that reaches the nape when rolled, so the twist holds its shape.
8. The Pineapple Puff With Butterfly Accents
Gather curly or coily hair into a high puff at the crown. Secure the base with a loose elastic or a fabric band. Let the curls fall forward over the band. Place four mini butterfly clips around the base of the puff.
The clips sit where the elastic or band meets the hair. They add color without crushing the curl pattern. Puff butterfly clip hairstyles keep volume because clips sit on the band, not on the curls.
Best for: Curly and coily hair that needs a lifted, open shape.
Ask your stylist for: A rounded shape cut that lets the puff sit high without flat sides.
9. The Low Pigtail Plaits With Butterfly Ends
Part your hair down the middle. Braid each side into a low plait. Tie each plait with a small elastic. Clip one mini butterfly clip over each elastic.
The clips finish the plaits and stop the elastics from showing. Keep the plaits loose for a soft finish. Pull a few strands free at the front for a relaxed frame.
Best for: School runs, festivals, and days when hair must stay put.
Ask your stylist for: Even ends on both sides, so the plaits match in length.
10. The Messy Top Knot With A Butterfly Clasp
Pull your hair into a high ponytail. Twist the tail loosely. Wrap it around the base to form a knot. Pin the knot with two medium butterfly clips on opposite sides.
Leave a few ends sticking out for texture. The two clips balance the knot, so it does not tilt. This style suits errands, coffee runs, and lazy weekends.
Best for: Thick hair that needs a knot held by more than one clip.
Ask your stylist for: Textured ends that give the knot a piecey finish.
11. The Zigzag Part Trail
Part your hair in a zigzag with a tail comb. Work from the hairline to the crown. Place a mini butterfly clip at each turn of the zigzag. Use four to six clips in matching or mixed colors.
The zigzag line gives each clip a clear seat. The zigzag part recalls Y2K butterfly clips, and the placement here follows grip first. The trail reads deliberate, and each clip marks a bend in the part. Keep the rest of the hair loose and smooth.
Best for: Straight hair, where the zigzag line shows cleanly.
Ask your stylist for: A clean center part as the base, so the zigzag starts from a straight line.
12. The Butterfly Scatter
Leave your hair down in loose waves. Pick up small half-inch sections at random points. Clip each one with a mini butterfly clip. Scatter six to eight clips through the hair.
Place some near the face and some toward the back. The small sections keep each clip light, so none drags the hair down. The scatter effect looks like butterflies resting in the hair. Scatter butterfly clip hairstyles like this one use many small clips, so no single clip carries much weight.
Best for: Wavy hair with enough texture to hold tiny sections.
Ask your stylist for: Soft waves that give each small section grip.
13. The Face-Framing Tendril Clips
Leave two thin tendrils free at the front, one on each side. Twist each tendril once. Clip each twist above the ear with a mini butterfly clip.
Leave the rest of the hair down or tied back. The clips hold the tendrils in place without flattening them. This style fixes the common problem of tendrils falling into the face by midday.
Best for: A soft frame that keeps the face open.
Ask your stylist for: Tendril-length front pieces that reach past the cheekbone.
14. The Waterfall Braid With Butterfly Stops
Start a waterfall braid at one temple. Drop a strand at each step and pick up a new one. Work across the back of the head to the other side. Pin the end behind the ear.
Clip a mini butterfly clip at every third drop point. Butterfly clips hairstyles with waterfall braids use clips as markers along the braid. The braid carries the weight, so the clips only decorate.
Best for: Long hair that shows the full braid across the back.
Ask your stylist for: Long layers that drop cleanly through the braid without tangling.
15. The Sleek Center Part With A Butterfly Stack
Straighten the hair or smooth it with a brush. Part it down the center. Take a one-inch section from the top of the head.
Clip it with a mini butterfly clip. Take another section an inch below and clip it too. Repeat for three clips down the center.
The stack draws the eye down the part. The smooth hair makes the clips the focal point. Keep clip colors matched for a clean finish. For a full sleek routine, see our clean girl hairstyles guide.
Best for: Fine, straight hair that shows a sharp center part.
Ask your stylist for: A precise center part cut with balanced length on both sides.
16. The Curly Halo
Refresh curls with water or a light curl cream. Let the curls settle into their natural pattern. Place mini butterfly clips at the tips of six curl clumps. Set the clips near the crown and sides.
The clips ride on the curl clumps instead of pulling them flat. The halo effect frames the head with color. Curly butterfly clip hairstyles need clips on clump tips, where they grip without flattening the curl.
Best for: Curly hair with defined clumps that can carry a clip.
Ask your stylist for: A cut that keeps curl clumps distinct, so clips sit on separate clumps.
17. The Short-Hair Temple Clips
Take a small section from one temple. Twist it once. Clip it behind the ear with a mini butterfly clip.
Repeat on the other side. Leave the rest of the short hair natural. The two clips keep the sides tidy and add a focal point.
Short hair often defeats clips because sections run thin. The twist thickens the section enough for the teeth to grip. Short butterfly clip hairstyles depend on the twist, since thin sections slip out of smooth clips.
Best for: Bobs, lobs, and pixie grows-outs that need the sides held back.
Ask your stylist for: Temple pieces long enough to reach behind the ear.
18. The Wedding-Guest Twist
Smooth the hair and part it on one side. Twist the front section on the heavier side back toward the ear. Pin the twist with two pearl or crystal butterfly clips. Leave the rest of the hair in soft waves.
The pearl clips read formal without the fuss of an updo. This style suits weddings, showers, and dinners where hair must look finished for hours. Formal butterfly clip hairstyles like this one work because two clips share the load.
Best for: Wedding guests and event looks that need polish without pins showing.
Ask your stylist for: Soft waves that hold their shape through an evening.
19. The Gym-Proof Double Clip Ponytail
Tie a high ponytail with a strong elastic. Split the tail into two halves. Twist each half once. Clip each half at the base with a medium butterfly clip.
The two clips brace the ponytail from both sides. Hair clips hairstyles for workouts need a backup, and here the elastic plays that role. The twist stops the tail from swinging loose. This style survives workouts, commutes, and long days because the clips back up the elastic.
Best for: Workouts and active days when a ponytail must stay put.
Ask your stylist for: A ponytail base set high enough to clear the neck during movement.
20. The Overnight-Ready Loose Braid With A Butterfly Tie-Off
Braid your hair loosely before bed. Tie the end with a soft elastic. Clip a mini butterfly clip over the elastic. The clip marks the end and keeps the elastic from snagging on bedding.
Sleep on a silk pillowcase to cut friction. In the morning, remove the clip and the braid. The result is soft waves with no heat. Overnight butterfly clip hairstyles work best with a loose braid and a silk pillowcase.
Best for: Anyone who wants heat-free waves by morning.
Ask your stylist for: A trim that keeps braid ends smooth, so the tie-off sits flat.
Match The Clip To Your Hair Type
In butterfly clip hairstyles, clip size decides hold more than clip color does. A clip that matches the section holds. A clip that fights the section slides.
Butterfly hair clips come in three useful sizes: mini, medium, and large claw. Use the table to match your hair to the right size before you style.
| Hair type | Best clip size | Grip trick |
|---|---|---|
| Fine or thin | Mini (about 1 inch) | Twist the section first, then clip |
| Medium | Mini or medium | Clip on second-day hair for natural grip |
| Thick | Medium or large claw | Split the section and clip each half |
| Curly or coily | Mini on clumps | Clip the clump tip for grip |
| Short | Mini only | Twist the section to thicken it |
Dry hair holds clips better than wet hair. Wet strands slip through teeth. If your hair runs silky, add a light dry shampoo at the roots before styling.
The grit gives teeth something to catch. If your hair runs thick, split every section in two. Two small clips hold better than one strained clip.
What Butterfly Clips Cost
Butterfly clips cost little compared with most hair tools. Butterfly hair clips sell in two main formats: bulk mini packs and smaller acetate sets. As of fall 2026, bulk packs of 100 mini plastic butterfly clips sell for around $10 on Amazon.
Treat that as a rough US guide. Acetate sets of four sell for around $20 to $25. Fashion two-packs from high-street brands run higher per clip.
Prices vary by brand, material, and retailer, so check current listings before you buy. Start with one bulk mini pack and one acetate set. That pair covers accents and polished styles for most hair types.
Clip Care: Keep The Springs Strong
Rinse clips in warm soapy water once a month. Hair clips hairstyles stay neat longer when the clips themselves stay clean. Product buildup coats the teeth and weakens grip. Dry them fully before storage, since a wet spring rusts.
Store minis in a small pouch or jar so they do not scatter. Toss any clip with a bent tooth or a loose spring. A weak clip pulls hair without holding it. Replacing a tired pack costs little and saves tangles.
Troubleshooting: Why Your Clips Slide Out
In butterfly clip hairstyles, clips slide when the section is too thick, too smooth, or too heavy. Twist the section to add texture. Split a thick section into two clipped halves.
Anchor the style with an elastic first, then add clips as decoration. Clips that snap shut with a weak click have a tired spring. Replace them.
Clips that snag on removal need a slower hand. Open the wings fully, then slide the clip out along the hair. Never yank a clip free from a tangle.
Butterfly Clip Hairstyles FAQs
Quick answers to common butterfly clip hairstyles questions.
Do Butterfly Clips Damage Hair?
They can, if used with force. Gentle clipping on dry hair rarely causes harm. Avoid yanking clips out, and skip tight clips that pull the scalp. Rotate styles to spread wear.
Why Do My Butterfly Clips Keep Sliding Out?
Smooth hair gives teeth nothing to grip. Twist each section before clipping, or add dry shampoo for grit. Split thick sections in two. Anchor the style with an elastic first.
What Size Butterfly Clip Should I Buy?
Minis suit accents, fine hair, and short sections. Medium clips suit half-up styles and buns. Large claw clips suit thick hair and full updos. Minis get the most use.
Can Butterfly Clips Hold Thick Hair?
Yes, with the right setup. Split thick sections into halves. Clip each half with its own clip.
Back the style with an elastic. One mini clip alone will not hold a thick section.
How Do You Remove Butterfly Clips Without Tangling?
Open the wings fully first. Slide the clip out along the direction of the hair. Work from the bottom clip upward. If a strand catches, loosen it with your fingers before pulling.
How Many Butterfly Clips Do I Need For One Hairstyle?
Most styles in this guide use one to three clips. Scatter styles use six to eight minis. A bulk pack of 100 covers months of daily wear.
Can I Wear Butterfly Clips To Work?
Yes, with restraint. One or two clips in pearl, tortoiseshell, or matte black read polished. Keep scatter styles for weekends. Match the clip color to your outfit for a clean finish.
Final Thoughts
Butterfly clip hairstyles reward good prep more than good luck. Twist the section, match the clip to the weight, and anchor with an elastic when the style needs it. Pick one style from this list and try it today.
Start with the double-twist crown if you want one style that works on most hair. Notice which clip size holds best on your hair, then build your kit around that size.
