Bobby Pins

• The classic hair clip is the bobby pin. Bobby pins are the most useful hair clip because they hold small or large amounts of hair in place. These hair clips are long and thin with a dip on one side that goes beneath the hair to hold it in place. These pins can be used when your hair is up or down. They are most ideal for holding layered pieces in place.
  
  

Barrettes

• Another commonly used hair clip is the barette. Barrettes come in a variety of styles, including a kind that is long, thin and simply bends underneath the top piece to hold the hair in place. The second style physically clips the barrette into your hair. Barrettes are generally used to hold up short pony tails or to keep your hair up, off the back of your neck. Depending on the size and style of the barrette, it can hold up all or part of your hair.
  
  

Claws

• Claw clips grew in popularity in the mid '90s. These hair clips resemble a bear claw that grabs your hair and holds it in place. These clips have teeth that scoop the hair off your neck and head and clip it in place. These clips come in a variety of colors and sizes. You can purchase small clips for bangs and short layers or large ones to hold long hair off your neck.
  
  

Banana Clips

• Banana clips are straight out of the '80s, but are forever a classic hair clip. The long, vertical clip has teeth like a comb that meet at the top. This clip pulls your hair together like a pony tail and holds it in place. These clips come in one size and are perfect for hair that is thin to mildly thick.
  
  

Bumpits

• Bumpits are the new trend in hair styles. High dos are in, and Bumpits give you the smooth bump in the front of your pony tail or updo that many desire. The clip is held in place by comb-like teeth in the front of the hair style. These are currently available only online and by infomercial.