You might associate plastic hair clips with the 1990s, but Duchess Kate doesn't.
The Duchess of Cambridge, whose perfectly bouncy hair is a source of fascination — and envy — is sometimes spotted with her shiny tresses pinned back with tiny, plastic jaw clips. Yes, the same ones you probably wore in middle school ... and then vowed to never wear again a few years later.
OK, we'll admit they're not the most attractive hair accessories.
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But there are plenty reasons to love them: hair clips are cheap and available in the hair aisle at most drugstores and, in this writer's experience, they're pretty sturdy. While fine hair might slip from a ponytail holder, a plastic clip keeps even the most unruly styles exactly in place. Can you really say the same about a bobby pin? We think not. (Especially if you're using them the wrong way. Not sure? Read this.)
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Duchess Kate has relied upon hair clips at the Diamond Jubilee tour in 2012, for example, and more recently while visiting the Anna Freud Centre in London, usually opting for the half-up-half-down look by using the clips to pin back two locks of hair on either side.
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Duchess Kate's royal style
If you're eager to test the trend yourself, the good news is that you don't have to spend lots of cash. Try these budget-friendly options to start.
Budget-friendly clips:
If you already know plastic hair clips are your thing (hey, if they're good enough for royalty, they're good enough for us!), and simply want to upgrade, here are a few fancier options.
Fancy clips:
So what do YOU think about plastic hair clips? Do you wear them at home while sleeping or washing your face, but draw the line at wearing them out in public? Or, do you embrace the trend, like Duchess Kate? Let us know!