Ditch the Claw Clip

Despite the title, I have to confess that I am an avid claw clip user. It’s cute, trendy, and the perfect crutch for an unruly bedhead. However, I can’t deny that a good hairstyle will always turn some heads. Being young and in college, most students have begun curating their own personal style. Whether it be a bold statement or cute and casual, this generation makes it a point to own their outfits. But hair is often the last thing on our minds when it comes to curating these looks. After spending hours looking for the perfect top, we plug in the curler or straightener and call it a day. But we don’t realize just how much of an accessory hair can become to improve our outfits exponentially. With the emergence of vintage hair clips, blow-outs, ribbons, and so much more, this generation has slowly begun to embrace these styles.

The following are some of my go-to inspirations that have drastically improved my daily outfits, along with easy ways to upgrade the hairstyles we wear every day.

From Top to Bottom

Lately, everyone wants an easy formula. Just plug in your factors and get the right answer. Luckily, this new trend of pairing certain hair styles with necklines is a foolproof solution for when you’re feeling uninspired. When I don’t want to think too hard about which hairstyle I should do that day, I remind myself that tube or off-the-shoulder tops go well with loose hair, big fluffy sweaters are flattering with an up-do, and high ponytails were made for turtle necks. Combining my clothes with their perfect hair match has become my favorite game to play during my morning routine.

More is More

A cute outfit instantly makes any day a good day. Letting your hair down can be cute, but sometimes you’re in the mood to do something different, to spice things up. Accessorizing is always the perfect touch—colored hair clips, flowers, or pins. If you want to go big, butterfly clips will always get you some compliments. They can be clipped at the ends of braids, pull your hair back, or my personal favorite, clipped on a low bun. For those who think less is more, a thin clip behind the ear will always be timeless (think Gigi Hadid's hair at the 2018 Met Gala).

Twist

Don’t think I forgot about claw clips. Of course, you’ll have to rip trends out of my cold dead hands, but I also like to throw in some old-school elements. Most of us are familiar with French twists from the golden age of Hollywood. Combining this elegant style with a cute clip will always make you look effortlessly put together. Pulling out some strands for a “textured French twist” will carry the same effect, taking you from office chic to busy and booked. There are countless other ways to twist your hair, just ask the internet and you’ll be surprised.

Haute Couture

Despite popular opinion, you don’t have to be cool and mysterious to pull off a cool hairstyle—you just have to wear it. Spiky buns, micro bangs, and wolf cuts are all about confidence. My favorite pastime is looking for inspiration on Pinterest. If I see something I like, I try to recreate it, despite my lack of experience or healthy hair. It only takes trying something new a couple of times until it looks like you invented it. Go big or go home, I always say. If you’re not getting weird stares in the dining halls, it means you have an excuse to go all out.

There is no greater satisfaction than achieving a new hairstyle a whole can of hairspray and twelve broken elastic bands later. Get out there and experiment! There is nothing wrong with sticking with what you like, God knows I do. But experimenting can lead you to discover something new about yourself. Whatever you end up doing with your hair, make sure it is one hundred percent your style.

Strike Out,

Writer: Ana Guardado

Editor: Isabel Wilder

Tallahassee

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