How to Use Sectioning Clips Like You Know What You're Doing

Place clips at the root, not the ends, and work in clean horizontal sections from bottom to top.

1. Start with slightly damp hair. Wet hair slips, bone-dry hair creates static. Towel-dried hair gives you grip without the mess. If your hair is completely dry, mist it lightly.
2. Section horizontally, not randomly. Part from ear to ear across the back of your head first. This creates your base section. Everything above this line gets clipped up and out of your way.
3. Clip at the root, twist if needed. Place the clip where the section meets your scalp, not hanging off the ends like a sad ornament. For thick sections, give the hair a gentle twist before clipping to compress the bulk.
4. Work bottom to top, release systematically. Style your bottom section completely before releasing the next layer. This prevents you from accidentally heat-styling the same piece twice or missing sections entirely.
5. Keep clips clean and tension-free. Don't clamp down like you're angry at your hair. Firm grip, not death grip. Clean clips regularly because product buildup makes them slip when you need them most.