Are Banana Clips Better For Your Hair?

Banana clips are back — and better than you remember. Whether you're after a voluminous ponytail, a loose updo, or a casual half-up look, the right banana clip gets it done in seconds without the scalp pull or crease of a regular elastic.

At Bayside Brush Co., we carry Camila Paris banana clips handmade in France from biodegradable cellulose acetate — available in tortoiseshell, black, and a range of colors. Here's everything you need to know about using them.

The most popular and easiest way to use one is to pull your hair into a ponytail, slide the banana clip underneath, lock it at the top, and voila! But there are plenty more ways to style it with a bit of creativity.

History of Banana Clips

Historians can date hair clips similar to banana clips back to the Stone Age when people used combs to hold their hair in place. During the Tang Dynasty in China, rhinoceros horns were shaped into hair combs for tying up hair. The Ancient Romans used combs made of tortoise shells, and the Japanese used wood.

We've come a long way since then. The modern banana clip is very similar to a pair of hair combs, with the key difference being a hinging mechanism that allows it to open and close while staying attached — giving you a secure, adjustable hold that ancient hair combs couldn't match.

Why Choose a Banana Hair Clip?

If your main goal is to make your ponytail look loose, voluminous, and even longer, banana clips are the answer. This is achieved through the clip's length and tooth spacing — it works far better than a standard hair elastic, with none of the damaging side effects like creasing or breakage.

Probably the best part: once you find one that fits your hair's thickness, it won't slip. No need to redo your hair throughout the day — this clip holds, whether your hair is thick or thin.

How to Use a Banana Hair Clip

Whether you're an expert or trying one for the first time, here are the basics:

1. Brush all of your hair back into a loose ponytail
2. Place the opened clip underneath the ponytail with the clasp facing the top of your head
3. Close the teeth at the base of the ponytail
4. Twist the top together to lock it in
5. Adjust the hair as needed for the look you want

Short hair? You may need to opt for a smaller style, like the Marie banana clip, but it's still very doable. Instead of a full ponytail, a half-up, half-down look works beautifully with a smaller clip and shorter length — same effect, no compromise.

Thick or curly hair? A banana clip with more space between the teeth is your best option — that way, more hair can fit in the clip at once and still be held securely. The Camila Paris Interlocking Ponytail Banana Clip is an excellent example of this.

When to Wear a Banana Hair Clip

The banana clip works as well at a cocktail party as it does at a casual lunch. A loose ponytail is always in style, and the banana clip delivers that look effortlessly. Dress it up or dress it down — it's entirely up to you.

A good accessory stands the test of time, and the banana clip is no exception. It came back once already, and it's here to stay.

Which Banana Clip Is Right for Your Hair?

All three Camila Paris styles are handmade from smooth cellulose acetate, but each is built for a different hair type:

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