Hair clips (a.k.a. barrettes or hair slides) are back in style, seen on the red carpet and on fashion runways. And of all the types of hair clips, pearl barrettes are the most in demand.
Hair clips have been huge with famous fashion brands like Chanel, who debuted their famous pearl hair clip in March this year, making these accessories have become a must-have. They’re stylish and easy to wear and what’s more, you can find gorgeous designs at ridiculously inexpensive prices.
Let’s check out how to wear a pearl barrette and look amazing.
Types of Pearl Hair Clips
Whether you like a subtle, barely-there look or a loud, statement style, there’s a pearl hairclip that suits. Here are the top types:
1- Single Row Pearl Barrette
A pearl barrette with a single row of pearls set in a yellow or rose gold setting pairs well with almost any outfit, adding glamor to casual outfits and falling in place with workwear or attire for a night out.
You can opt to wear it to hold up your hair on one side, or do a half-up-half-down hairstyle, with the barrette at the back.
2- A Bow-Shaped Pearl Barrette
Elegant with a vintage look, a beaded bow shaped pearl barrette is perfect to dress up a casual hairstyle. With a look straight out of the 1950s, this particular style is a nod to the early days of costume jewelry and looks gorgeous worn today, when all things vintage are back in fashion.
3- Go with Words
Why just stick with pearls when you can make those pearls spell out a word for you? In the style of the famous Chanel pearl clip (that spelled out the word Chanel), choose a clip that says something meaningful or just looks fun. You’ll be having people looking at your hair the whole time.
4- Asymmetrical is Perfect
Instead of the quintessential perfectly round white pearl, why not opt for pearl barrette featuring baroque or irregular shaped pearls? These pearls are unique and stylish, breaking the norms of what we consider perfect. They’re perfectly imperfect!
5- Go Big or Go Home
Really make a statement with large pearl barrette that takes center stage from behind. A barrette like the one featured here is ideal if you want the back of your hair to be the focus in a sophisticated yet minimalist way. Pair with pearl studs for an understated, classic look.
6- The Classic Pearl Barrette
This classic design features rows of pearls covering the surface of the barrette, typically in rectangular or long oval shapes. This kind of barrette is perfect worn with a little black dress or to accessorize a casual outfit.
How to Style the Pearl Clip
A hair clip can do no wrong these days, meaning that you can style it in just about any way and come out on top. However, here are some general guidelines to help you choose the right clip:
- Consider your hair type. For fine, straight or thin hair, pick smaller pearl barrettes as these will not overwhelm your look. But if you’ve got thick or curly hair, larger barrettes will sit comfortably among the curls and not get lost in them.
- Consider your hairstyle. What type of hairstyle do you normally opt for?
If you wear your hair straight, with a part down the middle, a pearl clip to the side of the part will keep the look neat and in place. Add two pearl clips on either side for a symmetrical look.
For a half-up-half-down hairstyle, pick a more substantial barrette that can help hold your hair up.
What about a bun? Stick a barrette across your hair bun for a grown-up look or on the side of your hair part to complement the bun.
This video shows you more ways to easily style a pearl hair clip.
Where to Find Pearl Clips
Pearl clips are so inexpensive, especially if they’re made of costume jewelry materials like faux plastic or shell pearl beads, that anyone can afford them.
This makes them one of the best fashion trends that have come around in a while – because you get to style yourself after a runway model for less than $10.
If you’re into making your own jewelry, these are a very easy DIY jewelry item. If you’d rather not dabble in glue and beads, we recommend searching on Etsy for some amazing finds or Amazon for a wide range.
