Every fashion-forward individual knows the frustration: that perfect, expensive, or sentimental hair clip snaps, the spring pops out, or the clasp simply refuses to hold your hair anymore. Instead of contributing to the massive pile of plastic waste or spending money on a new one, you can bring your favorite accessory back to life. As of December 2025, the latest DIY repair methods are surprisingly simple, often requiring just a few household items and a few minutes of your time.

This comprehensive guide, based on the newest and most effective techniques, will walk you through the precise steps to fix the three most common types of hair clips: the ubiquitous claw clip, the elegant French barrette, and the simple snap clip. You’ll learn the best adhesives, clever spring replacement hacks, and simple reassembly tricks to make your clip feel brand new.

The Essential Toolkit: What You Need for Hair Clip CPR

Before diving into the specific fixes, gathering a small, specialized toolkit will ensure a smooth and lasting repair. The right materials are crucial, especially when dealing with the stress and tension of a functional hair accessory.

• Adhesives: For plastic clips (like those made of Cellulose Acetate), a strong, fast-drying adhesive is a must. The best options include high-quality Super Glue (cyanoacrylate), specialized 2-Part Epoxy (like JB Plastic Bonding Epoxy), or even a UV-curing resin like Bondic for a quick, gap-filling weld.
• Reinforcement Material: For thin or high-stress breaks, a small piece of cotton wool or baking soda can be used with super glue to create a reinforced patch, significantly increasing the bond strength.
• Precision Tools: A pair of fine-tipped tweezers is invaluable for handling tiny springs and pins, especially in a claw clip's hinge mechanism.
• Replacement Parts: For a broken or missing spring, you can purchase generic replacement springs online, or use a similar-sized spring salvaged from an old, disposable pen or small mechanical toy.
• Cleaning Agent: Isopropyl alcohol or nail polish remover to clean the broken surfaces before gluing, ensuring the strongest possible bond.

The Ultimate Guide to Fixing Broken Claw Clips

The claw clip, or hair claw, is perhaps the most popular accessory, and its primary points of failure are the hinge (where the two halves meet) and the internal spring.

1. How to Fix a Snapped or Broken Plastic Hinge (The Glue Method)

If your plastic claw clip has snapped clean in half, usually at the top of the hinge, a strong adhesive is your only solution. This method works best for plastic or acetate clips.

1. Clean the Break: Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to thoroughly clean both broken surfaces. Any residual oil or hair product will weaken the bond.
2. Apply the Adhesive: For the strongest, most professional fix, use a 2-Part Epoxy. Mix a small amount and apply a thin, even layer to one side of the break. If using Super Glue, apply sparingly.
3. Clamp and Cure: Carefully align the pieces and press them together. Use a small clamp, rubber band, or tape to hold the pieces firmly in place. Allow the epoxy or glue to cure fully—this may take several hours, or even overnight, and is critical for a lasting repair.
4. Reinforcement Trick: For extra durability, especially with thin plastic, you can apply a second layer of super glue over the seam and immediately press a tiny layer of cotton wool into it. Once dry, trim the excess and apply another drop of glue to saturate the cotton, creating a plastic-reinforced patch.

2. Replacing or Reattaching a Detached or Busted Spring

A detached spring is a common issue that makes the clip lose its tension. This is one of the easiest fixes.

1. Reattaching the Spring: The spring is typically a thin, coiled wire that sits in a small groove or slot in the clip's hinge. If it has simply popped out, use tweezers to gently reposition the spring back into its slot. Ensure the ends of the spring are correctly seated in the corresponding holes on the clip halves.
2. Replacing a Broken Spring: If the spring is bent, rusted, or snapped, you need a replacement. You can buy a pack of small replacement springs, or you can repurpose a spring from an old, click-style ballpoint pen.
3. Installation: Clear out the broken spring. Cut the replacement spring to the correct length if necessary, and use your tweezers to thread it into the clip's hinge mechanism. This simple part swap can make your clip feel like-new instantly.

Reviving French Barrettes and Snap Clips

French barrettes and snap clips are generally more durable, but they can suffer from a loose clasp or simply fall apart.

3. Reassembling a French Barrette That Has Come Apart

A French barrette base is typically made of three pieces: the decorative top, the curved bottom piece (the "tongue"), and the small, straight pin that holds them together. When they "break," they often just come apart.

1. Identify the Components: Lay out the three pieces. The tongue has a hook on one end and a slot on the other. The top piece has a small hole and a catch mechanism.
2. Align the Pieces: Insert the hook of the tongue piece into the small hole on the underside of the decorative top piece.
3. Insert the Pin: The small, straight metal pin (sometimes called the "wire") is the key. While holding the hook and hole together, slide the straight pin through the loop created by the two pieces. This locks the hinge together. The clip should now open and close smoothly.

4. Tightening a Loose Barrette Clasp

If your barrette closes but slips out of your hair because the clasp is too loose, the solution is to adjust the tension of the metal clasp itself.

1. Locate the Clasp: This is the curved metal piece that snaps shut.
2. Apply Gentle Pressure: Using a pair of pliers, or even just your thumb and forefinger, gently squeeze the two sides of the clasp together. You are aiming to slightly decrease the space between the top and bottom of the clasp when it is closed.
3. Test the Tension: Close the barrette and test the snap. Repeat the gentle squeeze until the clasp holds securely and requires a firm press to close, ensuring it won't slip out of fine or thin hair.

Beyond the Break: Creative and Lasting Upgrades

Repairing a hair clip doesn't just mean restoring its function; it's also an opportunity to elevate its style and ensure its longevity.

5. Masking the Repair with Stylish Embellishments

If your repair leaves a noticeable seam or mark, turn it into a feature. You can use strong craft glue to add decorative elements right over the repair site.

• Rhinestones and Pearls: Glue-on rhinestones, small charms, or half-pearls can be strategically placed to cover a glued seam on a plastic clip, turning a flaw into a beautiful, custom design.
• Fabric or Ribbon: For a barrette, you can wrap the entire base in a decorative ribbon or fabric, completely hiding the metal mechanism and any signs of repair while giving the accessory a fresh, new look.

6. Replacing Clips on Hair Extensions

If you use clip-in hair extensions, the small snap clips can wear out or lose their grip. The latest advice is to replace them entirely for optimal security.

1. Purchase New Clips: Visit a beauty supply store to buy new, high-quality replacement snap clips and weaving thread.
2. Remove the Old Clips: Carefully use a pair of scissors to cut the old clips out of the hair extension weft.
3. Sew in the New Clips: Using a needle and the specialized weaving thread, sew the new clips securely onto the weft. This ensures your extensions remain firmly in place.

7. When to Let Go: The Repair vs. Replace Equation

While most clips are repairable, it's worth considering the cost and time. For very cheap, mass-produced plastic clips that have shattered into multiple pieces, the repair may not be worth the effort or may not last long. However, for high-quality Cellulose Acetate clips, French barrettes, or sentimental accessories, the small investment in time and a tube of epoxy is almost always worth it for a lasting fix.