Ditch Your Claw Clip For This Tres Chic Hair Accessory

There’s a certain je ne sais quoi to French girl hair. Actually… that’s not entirely true. French girl hair is extremely charming and chic, but I can absolutely describe its qualities. To name but a few: its bounce. Its effortless nature. Its grasp on perfect bang length/wispiness and its ability to be shaped into a perfect updo with the help of a single, simple tool.

I’m not talking about the French pin, though the U-shaped accessory is a star. I’m not even talking about everyone’s favorite claw clip. Today, I’m hyper-focused on the French comb—and so is the internet at large.

Ahead, discover everything there is to know about le French comb styling trend, including how to use one yourself.

The French Comb Trend

The French comb, as we’ve come to call the short, curved combs with straight teeth that you can actually buy in a 12-pack at drugstores everywhere, is a mega-versatile styling tool. Growing up, they were an ’80s dress-up day staple at my school thanks to their volumizing prowess. The accessory is also a bridal updo fave—especially versions with pearls and sparkling gems attached.

They’ve been around way longer though. Think early 1900s. Think art nouveau. And today, we’re using them in the exact same way we always have.

Last fall, Guido Palau utilized French combs for The Row’s Spring/Summer 2026 runway styling. The accessories are now all over TikTok, with the girlies showing off how they use one (or two!) to perfect a number of styles. You can secure a voluminous half updo with a French comb, tackle a French twist, or even slide in two side combs for volume when you want to wear your hair down.

How to Use a French Comb

Available in so many colors, with or without further embellishments, the accessory can do it all. Even if you don’t want to style your hair, you can keep one in your bag and use it like an actual comb throughout the day.

The biggest problem is that, for a simple design, they’re not completely self-explanatory. You have to utilize more of a “flip comb upside-down, scoop hair, then flip comb right-side-up to secure” movement than the one-step, slide-it-in-and-it-stays setup you might be hoping for.

There are some great styling videos online (it can help to see someone actually use one), and I promise that all the trial and error is worth it once you get the hang of it.

Another issue is that the stylers work really well for some hair types and not that great for others. If you notice yours sliding out, one trick is to spray it with hairspray or texturizing spray before tucking it in.

Shop the Look

When shopping for a French comb, keep in mind that they’re not magic. They’ll only be able to hold the amount of hair they’re sized for (or less!), which means the bigger the better if you want to try out more styles.

Besides that… get one that you love and want to wear regularly. It might not clip onto your bag, but you’ll be bringing it everywhere.