What’s the difference between a barrette and a hair clip?

Barrettes and hair clips are often used interchangeably in reference to hair accessories , but there are slight differences. A barrette is usually more ornamental with less gripping power, while a hair clip can typically hold large amounts of hair for a long period of time. Both barrettes and hair clips can be functionable and fashionable. They may be understated and barely visible, or ornate and statement-making.

From open snaps to buckle closures, barrettes are designed to pin back small to medium sections of hair. Different kinds of these compact clips can sweep your fringe out of your eyes, dress up a simple ponytail, or create an instantly polished look, whether you’re walking the dog or getting ready for date night. Here are some of the most popular barrette types: Bow barrettes: These are accented with a silk or fabric bow to give the appearance of the hair being held back with a ribbon. Sectioning barrettes: Sectioning barrettes are used by stylists to portion parts of hair for cutting or dyeing. French barrettes: These keep hair securely in place with a folding lock, that’s released by squeezing two buttons. Ponytail barrettes: These have a similar folding lock, but have a rounded top bar to hold back an entire head of hair in a ponytail.

Hair clips can be small, medium, or large—designed to hold back some or all of your mane. Even the smallest clips can still offer major style and staying power. For example, butterfly clips are famously compact but accent any half-up hairstyle. Clips for thick hair have a wider jaw to grip coarse strands, while clips for thin hair have more compact jaws to grasp delicate locks. Claw clips are one of the most popular accessories, and use a simple spring design to compress and keep hair in its hold. Buns, twists, sprays, and sections pair perfectly with claws and other clips of various shapes and sizes. Popular types of hair clips include: Alligator hair clips: These long tapered clips have jagged teeth for a secure grip. Banana hair clips: Curved to fit the shape of your head, these long clips pull back a whole head of hair in a gentle cascade. Butterfly clips: The wings of the butterfly shape to open and close to secure small sections of hair. Claw hair clips: These have a hinge system and secure grip, used to twist up large amounts of hair. Comb clips: This type of clip pulls hair back and can be elegant, jeweled accessories. Minimalist clips: These are designed to be tucked in buns and ponytails. Setting clips: These clips hold hair in place while it dries or cools after styling. Snap clips: Made of either metal or plastic, these secure hair when clamped shut.

How do you wear barrettes and hair clips?

Barrettes and hair clips elevate your everyday style or dress up your locks for a special occasion. For instance, you can use barrettes to hold back the front pieces of your hair and a tie or elastic to pull back the rest for an easy everyday look. Or, use a claw clip or hair pin to create an elegant updo that keeps your tresses neatly tucked in place.

Decorative hair clips

Some sellers on Etsy make elaborate hair clips. Glam up your look with a pearl hair accessory like an embellished barrette or clip, perfect for wedding hairstyles. Rhinestone hair clips add sparkle to any outfit. Gold or silver metal hair clips can be dressed up or down, holding your bangs back for a quick grocery run or providing the finishing touch to a sleek formal look.

Barrettes & Clips

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Minimalist Metal Hair Barrette, Crescent Metal Bar Clip, Dainty Gold Daily Hair Pin, Hair Clip for Thin Hair, Sisters and Girlfriends Gift

(14,638)

$12.99

From shop AlexKBoutique
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Minimalist gold hair accessories, brass hair clip, round barrette, hair pin, gold hair slide, geometric hair clip

(8,311)

Sale Price $16.15
Original Price $19.00 (15% off)

From shop annielesperance

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BOOKS FRENCH BARRETTE 80mm- Thick Hair Barrette- Hair Accessory- Hair Clip- Hair Barrette- Books Barrette- Barrettes for Women-

(12,268)

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$32.00

From shop PINSwithPERSONALITY
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Miniature book hair clip barrette, bookish gift for book lover, librarian, teacher, bibliophile or reader

(1,508)

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$24.95

From shop BrittsHighlights

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French Barrette in SeaBlue, Cute Hair Clips, Large Hair Barrette, Jeweled Hair Accessory in Turquoise and Amethyst

(1,050)

$36.00

From shop MaineCoonCrafts

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patina copper barrettes for women, hair clip, hair barrette, adult hair clips, medium/large barrette, barrettes for thick hair

(3,620)

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$39.00

From shop DesertAccents

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$Beautiful Unique vintage handmade silver plated hair clip barrette celtic viking knot hair pin\ hair clip for women\ hair pin\ hair jewelry$

Beautiful Unique vintage handmade silver plated hair clip barrette celtic viking knot hair pin\ hair clip for women\ hair pin\ hair jewelry

(96)

Sale Price $17.10
Original Price $57.00 (70% off)

From shop Rishijewelrycreation

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French Gold Hair Barrette, Metal Hair Barrette for Women, Hair Accessories for Thick And Fine Hair

(2,385)

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$16.50

From shop SymilaAccessories
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Blue Kingman turquoise sterling silver barrette / SMALL silver barrette / gift for her / French barrette / blue stone barrette / bangs

(21,817)

Star Seller

Sale Price $41.60
Original Price $52.00 (20% off)

From shop LisasLoveliesJewelry

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Rectangle French Barrette Non-Slip Double Snap Tortoise Shell Colorful Hair Clip

(21,898)

Star Seller

$10.00

From shop FennaAndFei

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full moon large hair clip, gold barrettes for thick hair, moon hair accessories, handmade metal hair barrette, adult hair clips

(3,620)

Star Seller

$39.00

From shop DesertAccents

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Georgeous Long Hanging Pink Floral Barrette by Vintage Jewelry Designer Colleen Toland

(2,150)

$65.00

From shop ColleenToland
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Small braided white acetate barrette, white romantic boho barrette, fine acetate hair accessory, elegant and modern

(47)

$15.55

From shop CannellaBoutique
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Hair jewel bow barrette in red toile de Jouy

(160)

Star Seller

$17.66

From shop AtelierDarra

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Oval French Barrette Collection | Hair Clip Shell Rectangle Snap Barrettes Non-Slip

(21,898)

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$10.00

From shop FennaAndFei

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Maxi bow barrette in iridescent coral crepe

(231)

$30.00

From shop GaelleHayme
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Floral Polymer Clay Hair Clip | Handmade | Clay Hair Clips | Clay Barrette | Barrettes and Clips | for Thick or Fine Hair | Green Barrette

(1,320)

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$9.75

From shop BlushesandNeutrals
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Blush Hair Clip, Large Clip for Thick Hair, Long Hair Clip, Casual Bridal Hair Accessory, French Barrette Clip, Clips for Thick Hair

(1,050)

$28.00

From shop MaineCoonCrafts
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Flower Linen Hair Clips, Handmade Floral Embroidered Hair Clips, Cute Hair Clip, Hair Barrettes, Christmas Gift, Bridesmaid Gift

(1,613)

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$8.00

From shop FinerEmbroidery
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Mini French Claw Collection| Cellulose Acetate Resin Small Tortoise Shell Stainless Steel Hair Clip

(21,898)

Star Seller

$12.00

From shop FennaAndFei

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Flower Clump Leaf try with Pearls Hair Prong French Pin Gold Egypt Leaf Bridal Wedding Leaves Jewelry Silver Hair Accessory Nature Inspired

(2,583)

$45.00

From shop avigailadam

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Etsy’s Pick
mountain hair clip, mountain jewelry, mountians barrette, unique hair clip, large barrette, barrettes for thick hair, metal hair barrette

(3,620)

Star Seller

$47.00

From shop DesertAccents

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Minimalist gold hair accessories, brass hair clip, gold hair clip, round barrette, hair pin, gold hair slide, geometric hair clip

(8,311)

Sale Price $16.15
Original Price $19.00 (15% off)

From shop annielesperance

FREE shipping
Ukrainian Hand Painted Hair Barrette For Woman, Wooden Hair Clip, French Barrette, Handmade Accessories, Petrykivka Gift Ukraine Shop, S211

(2,236)

Star Seller

Sale Price $29.60
Original Price $37.00 (20% off)

From shop HandicraftsMill

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Snake hair clip hair accessories, Side-part hair accessories hair barrette, Metal hair clip, Gold and silver hair clip

(6,025)

Sale Price $3.75
Original Price $5.00 (25% off)

From shop DeeAccessoriesShop
Minimalist circle barrette, pearl, gold twisted circle, circular, golden ring, boho, simple, minimalist, geometric wedding

(47)

$18.89

From shop CannellaBoutique
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Minimalist artistic gold irregular shape hair barrette, Half updo hairstyle hair accessories, Large gold hair clip hair barrette

(6,025)

Sale Price $6.00
Original Price $8.00 (25% off)

From shop DeeAccessoriesShop
unique mountain hair clip, unique gifts for women, hair clips for women, barrettes for women, barrettes for thick hair, hair accessories

(3,620)

Star Seller

$47.00

From shop DesertAccents

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Etsy’s Pick
Colleen Toland Handmade Purple Flower (Hydrangea) Hanging Maiden Barrette romantic hair jewelry hair accessorie flower hairclip

(2,150)

$55.00

From shop ColleenToland
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Purple Hair Accessories For Women, Hair Accessory For Prom, Purple Hair Barrette, Women's Hair Clips.

(2,385)

Star Seller

Sale Price $26.25
Original Price $35.00 (25% off)

From shop SymilaAccessories
Fun Hair Clip, Sea Life Barrette, Ocean Theme Accessory, Beach Hair Clip, Gift for Sea Lover

(6,787)

Star Seller

$5.99

From shop SomethingMinty
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Minimalist hammered gold square hair clip hair accessories hair barrette

(6,025)

Sale Price $5.25
Original Price $7.00 (25% off)

From shop DeeAccessoriesShop
Personalized Named and Flowery Handmade Gift Hair Bow For Girls Kids Hair Bows Baby Hair Bows Clips For Toddlers Bow Birthday Gift Hair Bows

(92)

Star Seller

Sale Price $27.00
Original Price $54.00 (50% off)

From shop Colorfullkidss
Rainbow Millefiori Murano Glass Barrette | Hair Accessories | Made in Italy

(2,121)

$59.00

From shop UnoAllaVolta

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Etsy’s Pick
Sequin and pearl hair bow in yellow - Summer silk velvet bow - Special occasion hair accessory for girls

(481)

Star Seller

$18.00

From shop doodlelidoo
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Black velvet hair bow, hair barrette, maxi hair bow, black hair accessory, vintage dark academia hair clip

(115)

$22.22

From shop rosedaisyShop

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Dichroic Glass Barrette

(12)

Star Seller

$35.00

From shop BakedGoodsLA

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Etsy’s Pick
Minimalist extra long wavy thin bar hair clip, Gold asymmetric hair barrette, Modern women hair accessories large hair clips

(6,025)

Sale Price $7.87
Original Price $10.50 (25% off)

From shop DeeAccessoriesShop
Ukrainian Hand Painted Hair Barrette For Woman, Handmade Accessories, Wooden Hair Clip, French Barrette, Petrykivka Gift Ukraine Shop, S221

(2,236)

Star Seller

Sale Price $29.60
Original Price $37.00 (20% off)

From shop HandicraftsMill

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Ukrainian Hand Painted Hair Barrette For Woman, Wooden Hair Clip, French Barrette, Handmade Accessories, Petrykivka Gift Ukraine Shop, S022

(2,236)

Star Seller

Sale Price $29.60
Original Price $37.00 (20% off)

From shop HandicraftsMill

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silk satin giant hair bow, satin bow clip, oversized bow, hair bow, bow clip. barrette clip, hair bow women, hair accessories

(1,244)

Star Seller

$27.00

From shop TwincraftStore
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Wave Barrette in Watercolor | Teal Yellow Red French Barrette Snap Hair Clip Non Slip

(21,898)

Star Seller

$10.00

From shop FennaAndFei

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Etsy’s Pick
Wave Barrette in Jadeite | Teal Green Jade French Barrette Snap Hair Clip Non Slip

(21,898)

Star Seller

$10.00

From shop FennaAndFei

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Cloud barrette in mother-of-pearl white acetate, Modern barrette, Nordic style, hair barrette, head accessories

(47)

$14.33

From shop CannellaBoutique
Etsy’s Pick
Mother-of-pearl white, brown and green oval barette, fine geometric boho accessory, simple, oval acetate barette

(47)

$18.89

From shop CannellaBoutique
Etsy’s Pick
Triangle - Forest Green Hair Clip 2 pk

(487)

$12.00

From shop natandnoor
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Halloween creepy skeleton hands hair clips with spooky glow in the dark option

(1,508)

Star Seller

$16.95

From shop BrittsHighlights

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Etsy’s Pick
Crystal Bridal Clip • Floral Wedding Clip • Bridal Hair Accessory • Crystal Wedding Headpiece • Floral Hair Piece • Wedding • 2527

(31,445)

Star Seller

Sale Price $29.25
Original Price $39.00 (25% off)

From shop DarethColburnDesigns

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Barrettes & Clips

Barrettes & Clips

Minimalist Metal Hair Barrette, Crescent Metal Bar Clip, Dainty Gold Daily Hair Pin, Hair Clip for Thin Hair, Sisters and Girlfriends Gift

Minimalist gold hair accessories, brass hair clip, round barrette, hair pin, gold hair slide, geometric hair clip

BOOKS FRENCH BARRETTE 80mm- Thick Hair Barrette- Hair Accessory- Hair Clip- Hair Barrette- Books Barrette- Barrettes for Women-

Miniature book hair clip barrette, bookish gift for book lover, librarian, teacher, bibliophile or reader

French Barrette in SeaBlue, Cute Hair Clips, Large Hair Barrette, Jeweled Hair Accessory in Turquoise and Amethyst

patina copper barrettes for women, hair clip, hair barrette, adult hair clips, medium/large barrette, barrettes for thick hair

Beautiful Unique vintage handmade silver plated hair clip barrette celtic viking knot hair pin\ hair clip for women\ hair pin\ hair jewelry

French Gold Hair Barrette, Metal Hair Barrette for Women, Hair Accessories for Thick And Fine Hair

Blue Kingman turquoise sterling silver barrette / SMALL silver barrette / gift for her / French barrette / blue stone barrette / bangs

Rectangle French Barrette Non-Slip Double Snap Tortoise Shell Colorful Hair Clip

full moon large hair clip, gold barrettes for thick hair, moon hair accessories, handmade metal hair barrette, adult hair clips

Georgeous Long Hanging Pink Floral Barrette by Vintage Jewelry Designer Colleen Toland

Small braided white acetate barrette, white romantic boho barrette, fine acetate hair accessory, elegant and modern

Hair jewel bow barrette in red toile de Jouy

Oval French Barrette Collection | Hair Clip Shell Rectangle Snap Barrettes Non-Slip

Maxi bow barrette in iridescent coral crepe

Floral Polymer Clay Hair Clip | Handmade | Clay Hair Clips | Clay Barrette | Barrettes and Clips | for Thick or Fine Hair | Green Barrette

Blush Hair Clip, Large Clip for Thick Hair, Long Hair Clip, Casual Bridal Hair Accessory, French Barrette Clip, Clips for Thick Hair

Flower Linen Hair Clips, Handmade Floral Embroidered Hair Clips, Cute Hair Clip, Hair Barrettes, Christmas Gift, Bridesmaid Gift

Mini French Claw Collection| Cellulose Acetate Resin Small Tortoise Shell Stainless Steel Hair Clip

Flower Clump Leaf try with Pearls Hair Prong French Pin Gold Egypt Leaf Bridal Wedding Leaves Jewelry Silver Hair Accessory Nature Inspired

mountain hair clip, mountain jewelry, mountians barrette, unique hair clip, large barrette, barrettes for thick hair, metal hair barrette

Minimalist gold hair accessories, brass hair clip, gold hair clip, round barrette, hair pin, gold hair slide, geometric hair clip

Ukrainian Hand Painted Hair Barrette For Woman, Wooden Hair Clip, French Barrette, Handmade Accessories, Petrykivka Gift Ukraine Shop, S211

Snake hair clip hair accessories, Side-part hair accessories hair barrette, Metal hair clip, Gold and silver hair clip

Minimalist circle barrette, pearl, gold twisted circle, circular, golden ring, boho, simple, minimalist, geometric wedding

Minimalist artistic gold irregular shape hair barrette, Half updo hairstyle hair accessories, Large gold hair clip hair barrette

unique mountain hair clip, unique gifts for women, hair clips for women, barrettes for women, barrettes for thick hair, hair accessories

Colleen Toland Handmade Purple Flower (Hydrangea) Hanging Maiden Barrette romantic hair jewelry hair accessorie flower hairclip

Purple Hair Accessories For Women, Hair Accessory For Prom, Purple Hair Barrette, Women's Hair Clips.

Fun Hair Clip, Sea Life Barrette, Ocean Theme Accessory, Beach Hair Clip, Gift for Sea Lover

Minimalist hammered gold square hair clip hair accessories hair barrette

Personalized Named and Flowery Handmade Gift Hair Bow For Girls Kids Hair Bows Baby Hair Bows Clips For Toddlers Bow Birthday Gift Hair Bows

Rainbow Millefiori Murano Glass Barrette | Hair Accessories | Made in Italy

Sequin and pearl hair bow in yellow - Summer silk velvet bow - Special occasion hair accessory for girls

Black velvet hair bow, hair barrette, maxi hair bow, black hair accessory, vintage dark academia hair clip

Dichroic Glass Barrette

Minimalist extra long wavy thin bar hair clip, Gold asymmetric hair barrette, Modern women hair accessories large hair clips

Ukrainian Hand Painted Hair Barrette For Woman, Handmade Accessories, Wooden Hair Clip, French Barrette, Petrykivka Gift Ukraine Shop, S221

Ukrainian Hand Painted Hair Barrette For Woman, Wooden Hair Clip, French Barrette, Handmade Accessories, Petrykivka Gift Ukraine Shop, S022

silk satin giant hair bow, satin bow clip, oversized bow, hair bow, bow clip. barrette clip, hair bow women, hair accessories

Wave Barrette in Watercolor | Teal Yellow Red French Barrette Snap Hair Clip Non Slip

Wave Barrette in Jadeite | Teal Green Jade French Barrette Snap Hair Clip Non Slip

Cloud barrette in mother-of-pearl white acetate, Modern barrette, Nordic style, hair barrette, head accessories

Mother-of-pearl white, brown and green oval barette, fine geometric boho accessory, simple, oval acetate barette

Triangle - Forest Green Hair Clip 2 pk

Halloween creepy skeleton hands hair clips with spooky glow in the dark option

Crystal Bridal Clip • Floral Wedding Clip • Bridal Hair Accessory • Crystal Wedding Headpiece • Floral Hair Piece • Wedding • 2527

There's so much more for you to discover

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