by Judy Wood June 18, 2024 4 min read
When it comes to styling your hair, the right accessories can make all the difference. From bobby pins to headbands, there are countless options to choose from. In this complete guide, we will explore the different types of hair accessories and how to use them to elevate your hairstyle.
Some essential hair accessories include bobby pins, hair ties, headbands, hair clips, and hair combs. These accessories are versatile and can be used for various hairstyles, from simple ponytails to intricate updos.
As the name suggests this style of hair accessory is very like a comb with tines which slide into the hair.
These can be plain combs made from metal or resin. More elaborate designs can be purchased with the top part of the comb decorated with embellishments. These are popular for "up-dos" worn in the evening.
These are usual made from metal with two sides and shaped in a "V" or "U". Both sides of the pin are the same.
Often a kink or wave is put into the design to help the pin from sliding out of the hair.
In the 1920s a new bobbed hair style came into fashion. In order to help keep its shape, a pin was invented to aid with this. This new pin became known as the "Bobby Pin" as it was used to create the waves in the new "bobbed" hairstyle.
In the UK it is also known as the "Kirby grip".
The bobby pin has one straight side and one kinked side.
This type of hair accessory is often associated with Japanese and Chinese hair styles where elaborate gold, silver or bone sticks (rather like chopsticks) were used to secure the hair in place. There are records of hair sticks been worn as early as 1600 to 1050 BC.
The ends of these sticks were often embellished with tassles, or charm like objects. Similar styles can still be purchased today.
Hair sticks just have one "prong" which is inserted into the hair
Hair forks have more than one "prong" and and generally more secure.
Like all hair accessories today, they come in a variety of shapes, lengths, colours and styles. Metal and resin seems to be the most popular material used to make hair forks from today.
"Barrette" is a French word meaning "small bar" and that is what a hair barrette is. A bar or long shaped object used to secure hair in place.
The barrette consists of two metal bars which are hinged at one end and secured by a clip at the other.
On top of the bar is glued a wide variety of designs. They are generally elongated or rectangular and generally slightly curved.
Sometimes known as "jaw" clips because of their distinctive "jaw-like" appearance, these hair accessories are ideal for the woman on the go. Usually hair is brushed back into a ponytail, twisted upwards and secured in place by opening the claw and releasing it once in place.
Claws come in a variety of sizes from very small pieces, ideal for young girls, to large and strong clips for women with heavy long hair.
The nature of the claw allows for a variety of shapes and designs to be created and the claw clips of today bear little resemblence the original claw clip invented by Christian Potut in the late 1980s.
You could be forgiven for not recognising some of today's designs as "claw clips"
When choosing a hair accessory, it's essential to consider your hair type. For example, if you have thick hair, opt for larger clips and barrettes that can hold your hair securely. If you have fine hair, choose smaller accessories that won't weigh your hair down.
Currently, some popular trends in hair accessories include pearl-embellished clips, velvet scrunchies, and oversized headbands. These trendy accessories can add a touch of glamour to any hairstyle.
For a casual look, opt for a simple hair clip or headband to keep your hair out of your face. For a formal event, consider embellished hair accessories or a sleek hair comb to add elegance to your hairstyle.
When using hair accessories, make sure to secure them properly to prevent them from slipping out of your hair. Additionally, experiment with different styles and placements to find the look that works best for you.
With the right hair accessories, you can take your hairstyle to the next level. Whether you're looking to add a pop of color or a touch of sparkle, there's a hair accessory out there for every style and occasion.
Frenelle was established in 2018 with the aim to sell high quality but affordable jewellery. This has continued to gain in popularity and continues to grow. Bridal hair accessories were added to their range and since then we have had continued requests for other high quality hair accessories. So a new collection "Hair Jewellery" was set up and we continue to add products to it.
Hair accessories come in a huge range of different varieties and are used in different ways. To help customers understand the terminology, we have put together a "Hair accessory" guide.
Click HERE to view Frenelle's range of hair accessories for sale