You'd think buying a hair clip would be simple. But if you've ever ordered one online and thought "this is way smaller than I expected" — you're not alone. "Large" means different things to different brands, and the wrong size won't hold.
Here's how to get it right the first time.
Size by Hair Type & Length
- Fine to medium hair, 12–16 inches (shoulder to collarbone) — A clip in the 3.5–4 inch (9–10 cm) range works well. You need enough arch clearance to gather the hair without the clip gapping open.
- Medium to thick hair, 16–22 inches (collarbone to mid-back) — Look for 4.3–4.5 inches (11 cm) with a high-tension spring. Most "large" clips on the market fall short here — the arch isn't wide enough and the spring can't handle the weight.
- Thick, heavy, or 22+ inch hair — or high-density hair at any length — You need a jumbo clip, 5 inches (13 cm) or larger. Anything smaller will pop open or leave you re-clipping all day.
The GLAMUP Size Guide
The Kendall — Available in Large (4.4 inch / 11 cm) and Jumbo (5.1 inch / 13 cm)
Best for medium to thick hair, collarbone to waist length. Choose Large for everyday wear, or Jumbo if the Large feels just a little snug.
The Taylor Jumbo — 5.5 inch / 14 cm (XL), available as a 2- or 3-clip set
The largest in the GLAMUP lineup. Multi-row teeth and a high-tension spring built for the heaviest hair loads. If you've broken clips before, this is what you've been looking for.
Still Not Sure? Try These Before You Buy
The Ponytail Test — Pull your hair into a low ponytail and wrap it around your fist once. If your fist feels packed, you need a jumbo. If there's room to spare, a large will do.
The Wrist Wrap Test — Wrap your ponytail loosely around your wrist. One full wrap with hair left over = jumbo territory. Barely one wrap = large is fine.
The Clip Gap Check — When clipped in, the two sides of the clip should close fully with no visible gap. A gap means the clip is too small for your volume — it's working against itself.
When in doubt, size up. A slightly larger clip on finer hair looks intentionally relaxed. A too-small clip on thick hair just doesn't work.
