There are a million different types of hair accessories for girls on the market and it’s hard to figure out which type will work best for your little girl, not to mention unless you make them yourself who really knows what the difference is between the different ones. clips: alligator, french pin, snap clips, huh? Well, depending on what you want to do with them, there are definitely some that will work better than others for what you need, so it’s a good idea to have an idea of what each type of hair accessory is for so you can make the best choice. .
The most used hair accessory by girls is the crocodile clip. The reason it is called an alligator clip is because it resembles the mouth of an alligator. You press one end and it opens. They are typically made of metal and come in a variety of sizes, typically 1-1/4″ to 2″. They are very easy to put on, so they are practically no problem for moms. Many are made with ‘non-slip grips’ so they won’t fall out of even fine hair and are more difficult for your little one to pull out. You can get these clips in a simple and elegant style, made with just ribbon, or ruffled and fancy with bows. They work on all hair types and are great for keeping hair out of your girl’s face, especially if her bangs are coming out!
Another type of clip is called a snap clip. This basically snaps into place. You will find many baby and girl hair accessories made with the snap. I find these more difficult to put on because they don’t open as wide as alligator clips, but they are perfect for babies with only peach fuzz or less than 1 inch of hair. You can certainly get them in larger sizes (they usually range from 1″ to 4″) for bigger kids too, but they’ve never been my favorite type of clip for anything other than as an accessory. However, there are many that are super cute with bows and stuff, but are really meant more to add to a cute hairstyle than to hold hair back.
The next popular type of hair accessory for girls is the barrette, sometimes called a French barrette. These are especially good for older girls with more hair. Barrettes are different than alligator clips because they lock at both ends and actually snap together. This holds a secure section of hair, even down to the amount of a ponytail. They come in a range of sizes too. They are great for thick hair and for holding up a more defined section of hair.
Another type of clip is the jaw clip. These come in a wide variety of sizes, from small ‘mini’ jaw clips that can go even in toddlers’ hair to large clips that moms can wear instead of wearing a pony. These are great for taking up entire sections of hair and keeping it out of the way or just pinning back one or both sides. Little minis are great even for moms just to pull back a narrow section on each side for a modern casual look.
Beyond clips and barrettes, of course, are headbands and elastics. I’m sure you already know what they are! One thing you may not know is that headbands are also great for those little babies who barely have any hair if you don’t want to go the clip route. You can get fabric or crocheted headbands with pretty flowers that go around your head from front to back instead of the usual way. You may want to try this especially if you are tired of hearing “what a cute boy he has” over and over again. We’ve come a long way since my mom used to stick a bow on my bald head, not a pretty bow, but one of those you use on gifts!
For older girls, headbands should go over the head, of course, and end at the ears if it’s hard plastic, or go all the way around the head if it’s fabric. This is probably the easiest route for the older girl trying to grow out her bangs!
So there you have it. Now you’re ready to go shopping for the perfect girls’ hair accessories! Have fun!