Korean Hair Clips: 8 Styles and How to Do Them on Kids

What are Korean hair clips, exactly?

Strip away the hashtags and there are two ideas behind it.

The first is more, smaller. One big clip holding back a fringe is ordinary. Three small ones in a neat row, or two crossed into an X, look styled, even though it took the same thirty seconds.

The second is soft and playful. Pastels, glossy finishes, matte claws, little bows, pearls, cartoon prints. Nothing too shiny. Nothing that looks like it came off a wedding counter.

Most of the clips involved are ones you already know. Snap clips (our tic tac clips), claw clips and barrettes, just worn differently. If you need a refresher on which is which, our guide to the types of hair clips has the full list with names.

It's not a new clip. It's a new way of wearing the clips you already own.

8 Korean hair clip styles, and who they suit

1. Stacked snap clips

Two to four snap clips placed parallel, one above the other, just over the ear or along a side parting. This is the look from that paused K-drama scene, and the one you'll spot most often. It suits every hair length and it's very forgiving: if one clip goes slightly crooked, the row still reads as deliberate.

2. Criss-cross clips

Two snap clips crossed into an X, usually above the temple. Good on a fringe that's growing out, because the X pins more hair than a single clip does. Takes a little practice: put the first clip in flat, then slide the second over it at an angle.

3. Mini claw clips

Tiny claw clips, around 2 to 3 cm, used in a row to hold small twists along the head, or five or six dotted through a half-up. Lovely on teenagers and adults. Fiddly on younger kids, and the small size isn't for toddlers.

4. Ribbon bow clips

A satin or velvet bow on an alligator clip or barrette, worn at the back of a half-up or at the end of a plait. Very "coquette", very Pinterest. For school, keep the bow small, or it ends up in the lunchbox.

5. Pearl clips

Barrettes or slides lined with faux pearls, often worn in pairs. The grown-up version of the stacked look. Great for a family function. Less great for a child who plays kabaddi at recess.

6. The matte claw clip

A medium or large claw clip in a flat, chalky finish, holding a low twisted bun. If you've seen a Korean actress at the airport with "effortless" hair, this is usually it. It's the quickest Korean look there is for mums.

7. Flower claw clips

A claw shaped like a flower, often in pastel or tortoiseshell. Same job as a claw clip, with more personality. Better on thick hair; on very fine hair they tend to slide.

8. Cute printed clips

Kittens, puppies, candy stripes, polka dots, little breakfast foods. The kawaii end of the trend. Printed snap clips are what make a stacked row look playful rather than plain, and they're the easiest way to let a child pick her own style.

IN: three small clips in a neat row / OUT: one heavy diamante clip for school

How to do the stacked clip look on kids in 2 minutes

This is the easiest Korean look to do on a child, so here it is step by step. It works on straight and wavy hair, from about age 4 up.

1. Part the hair to one side. A deep side parting gives the clips a clean line to sit along.
2. Take a thin section above the ear. About the width of the clip. Twist it once, backwards, away from the face.
3. Snap the first clip over the twist. The twist gives the clip something to grip, so it doesn't slide out by second period.
4. Add the next clips just above, parallel. Leave a finger's width between them. Two clips is neat, three looks styled, four is a statement.

Tip: mix two prints from the same family, say candy stripe and candy swirl, instead of matching every clip. It looks chosen, not bought as a set.

For a criss-cross, do step 1 and 2, put one clip in flat, then slide the second over it at roughly 45 degrees. Done.

A word on comfort. Tight is not better. The Raising Children Network notes that constant pulling from tight styles can cause patchy hair loss called traction alopecia. Clip small sections, change the side now and then, and take the clips out after school.

Two clips is neat. Three looks styled. Four is a statement.

Korean clips for grown-ups

The trend isn't only for kids, and the adult version is even quicker.

• Office: a matte claw holding a low twist, or two pearl slides behind one ear.
• Weekend: mini claws along a half-up, or one ribbon bow at the back.
• Twinning: mum wears two printed snap clips, daughter wears three of the same print. It's a cheap, sweet family-function photo.

Buying cheap Korean clips? Check these four things

A pack of 20 for ₹99 is tempting, and some are fine. But before a pack goes into a child's hair, run your thumb over it.

1. Edges. Run a finger along the underside. Any sharp seam or rough metal will scratch the scalp.
2. The snap. It should click firmly both ways. A weak snap opens on its own; a stiff one hurts small fingers.
3. The finish. Paint or glitter that flakes when you scratch it with a nail will flake into hair too.
4. Size for age. Small clips and tiny claws aren't for children under 3. If there's a toddler around, keep clips out of reach and never leave them in at bedtime.

Our clips, if you want the look

We'll be honest about what we make. Everything in our hair clips collection is a snap clip: a glossy printed clip on a metal snap clasp, with smooth edges and light enough for fine hair. We don't make pearl clips or claws. But for looks 1, 2 and 8 (stacked, criss-cross and cute prints) these are exactly what you need.

Every print comes in a pack of 2 for ₹199, a pack of 4 for ₹299 or a pack of 6 for ₹439. For a stacked row on both sides, the pack of 6 is the one to get. Prices checked on our store on 16 October 2026.

Good prints for a Korean-style row: Candy Stripe and Candy Swirl for pastel, Circles Pastel for soft dots, and Kittens Day for full kawaii.

They're decorative clips, so open the clasp to take one out rather than tugging it through hair, keep them dry, and take them off for sports and bed.

Going for the full look? Pair the clips with a patched denim jacket. Our guide to iron on patches has the 7-step method.

Want her name printed on the clip? Our sister store makes personalised name hair clips. To see name clips as a gift, look inside our Rainbow Diva hamper, and for the bigger picture this season, our festive accessories trends issue.

Done a stacked row you're proud of? Show us in the Fussy Moms Club.