Duckbill Clips vs Alligator Clips: Which Sectioning Clip to Use

Duckbill clips are long, slim and flat, with smooth jaws. They slide in easily, hold small or fine sections, and are used for pin curls, finger waves and detail work. Alligator clips are larger, with a hinged jaw and teeth, so they grip thick sections of hair firmly and keep them out of the way during cutting, coloring or blow-drying. For light hold and precision, use duckbill. For heavy hold, use alligator.

Duckbill vs alligator at a glance

What are duckbill clips best for?

• Setting curls. Roll a warm curl into a loop and pin it flat with a duckbill clip while it cools.
• Finger waves and vintage sets. The flat jaws hold each ridge without crushing it.
• Holding a fringe or face-framing pieces back while you style the rest or do your makeup.
• Fine or thin hair, where a big clip slides out.
• Small subsections during braiding, highlighting or detailed cutting.

What are alligator clips best for?

• Holding whole layers up during a blow-dry.
• Thick, heavy or long hair that needs a firm grip.
• Hair coloring, to keep finished sections separate.
• Haircuts, to hold everything except the section being cut.
• Wet hair, which is heavier and slippery.

Which should you choose for your hair?

• Fine hair: duckbill for most jobs. Small alligator clips for layers.
• Medium hair: a few of each covers everything.
• Thick or curly hair: alligator clips for sectioning. Duckbill only for small pieces.
• Short hair: duckbill. There is rarely enough length to need a large clip.

How do you use a duckbill clip?

1. Comb the section smooth.
2. Press the end of the clip to open the jaws.
3. Slide the lower jaw under the hair, flat against the head.
4. Release so the upper jaw closes over the section.
5. For pin curls, slide the clip through the center of the loop so it holds the curl against the scalp.

To avoid a line in finished hair, place the clip where the mark will not show, or put a small piece of tissue under the jaw.

Plastic or metal duckbill clips?

• Plastic: light, comfortable, available in colors, and will not heat up under a dryer.
• Metal: thinner and springier, with a firmer hold. Metal conducts heat, so keep it away from hot air aimed directly at it and from the plates of hot tools.

The Uexim plastic duckbill sectioning hair clips are candy-colored plastic duckbill clips for sectioning and holding hair while styling. Each is approximately 7.5 cm (about 3 inches) long, there are two clips per pack, and they come in single-color and mixed-color packs.

How many clips do you need?

• For blow-drying: four to six alligator clips.
• For a pin curl set: one duckbill clip per curl, often 20 or more for a full head.
• For everyday use: two to four duckbill clips for fringe and face-framing pieces.

Other sectioning clips you may see

• Butterfly or claw clamps: hold a large twist of hair quickly, with less precision.
• Double-prong clips: thin metal clips for pin curls, similar in use to duckbill.
• No-crease clips: flat, wide clips designed to hold hair without leaving a mark.

Care

Wipe clips after coloring or using styling products, wash them in warm soapy water and dry them. Dry metal clips well so the spring does not rust. Replace clips that have lost their spring.

Frequently asked questions

Are duckbill clips and alligator clips the same?

No. Duckbill clips are slim with smooth jaws. Alligator clips are larger with teeth and a stronger grip. The names are sometimes used loosely, so check the photos.

Which clip leaves fewer creases?

Duckbill clips, because the jaws are flat and smooth. No-crease clips are designed to leave even fewer.

Can I use duckbill clips on thick hair?

For small pieces, yes. For holding whole sections, alligator clips grip better.

What size duckbill clip is most useful?

Around 7 to 9 centimeters suits most styling jobs.

The bottom line

Duckbill for small sections, curls and detail. Alligator for big, heavy sections. Most kits benefit from a few of each.