How to use a BANANA HAIR CLIP

Style your hair with the chic and versatile banana clip the next time you need to create a casual or elegant hairstyle. The banana clip is named for the shape the clip imitates -- the banana. Available in metal and plastic materials, the clip comes in various sizes to accommodate different hair lengths and thicknesses. Inserting the clip into your hair is a simple procedure that takes less than a minute to accomplish; however, it creates instant flair and panache.

Things You'll Need

• Bobby pins
• Elastic ponytail holder

Instructions

1. Create a hairstyle before inserting the banana clip. Style your hair into a classic bun, or French pleat, and secure with bobby pins for a fancy updo, or simply pull your hair back into a ponytail and secure with an elastic ponytail holder. The clip is merely an accessory; therefore, create your hairstyle and then insert the clip. The hair clip may loosen or fall as the day wears on, so keep the style in place by securing it before the clip.

2. Hold the banana clip handle in your hand and squeeze the handle. The handle will push together while the claw opens to reveal "teeth" inside. The teeth will hold the clip into place on your head. When opening the clip, avoid placing a lot of pressure on the handle because this could cause a plastic clip to break or snap.

3. Insert the clip vertically into your hair while it is in the open position. The "teeth" of the clip will fit over the hairstyle and clamp shut to secure the look. To clamp the banana clip, simply release the handle. If you are fashioning a ponytail style, then you may want to loop the long hair around the base of the ponytail so the end of the ponytail is upward toward the crown. Hold the hair in place with one hand while you use the other hand to clamp the banana clip shut.

4. Make any adjustments to the clip and spray the style with a light-hold hairspray to secure.

Tips & Warnings

• Banana clips that are made of a heavy material, such as metal, may not hold thin or short hair.

• Thick, long hair will need a longer banana clip.

References

• Long Hair Girl: How to Use Banana Clip
• The Hairstyler; Hair Accessories: The Definitive Guide; June 2009