Hair Grips for School That Stay Put All Day

A school hairstyle has to cope with more than the walk through the gate. It needs to stay neat through lessons, playground time, PE, wet weather and the scramble to get changed. The right hair grips make those busy mornings easier, holding loose sections securely without pulling at little ones’ hair or clashing with their uniform.

For parents and carers, this small accessory is often a school-bag essential. Hair grips are easy to lose, easy to borrow and surprisingly useful, whether your child wears plaits, a ponytail, a bun or simply needs her fringe kept out of her eyes. A well-stocked drawer of grips in the correct school colour saves a great deal of last-minute searching.

Why hair grips earn a place in every school hair kit

Hair grips are designed to keep smaller sections of hair in place. Unlike a bobble, which gathers all the hair together, a grip gives you control over the details: securing a fringe, pinning back shorter layers, tidying the end of a plait or anchoring a bun. They are especially handy for children whose hair is growing out and has lots of shorter pieces around the face.

For school, the best grips balance hold with comfort. A grip that slides out by break time is frustrating, but one that catches and tugs when removed can make hair brushing a battle. Look for smooth, rounded ends and a finish that feels gentle against the scalp. The aim is secure hair that your child can forget about once the school day begins.

Colour matters too. Black and brown are useful staples, but a school-colour grip can make a hairstyle look much more considered. Navy, bottle green, red, royal blue, burgundy, maroon and yellow options help accessories sit neatly alongside a cardigan, pinafore or hair bow. It is a small detail, yet it makes getting uniform-ready feel simple rather than fussy.

Choosing hair grips that suit your child’s hair

There is no single grip that works perfectly for every child. Hair texture, thickness and hairstyle all affect how much hold is needed. Fine hair may need two grips crossed over each other for extra security, while thick hair may need more grips placed along a twist or plait.

For fine or silky hair

Fine hair can be prone to slipping, particularly when it is freshly washed. Start with clean, dry hair and use small sections rather than trying to pin back too much at once. Slide the grip in with the wavy side facing the scalp, as this usually creates a firmer hold. Two grips placed in an X shape can keep a fringe or side section secure without making it feel tight.

Avoid overloading a small area with too many grips. This can feel uncomfortable and may leave dents in the hair. It is better to use a few carefully placed grips than to keep adding more throughout the morning.

For thick, curly or textured hair

Thicker hair often benefits from sectioning before you start. A grip can hold the end of a twist, keep a plait tidy or secure the shorter hairs around a bun, but it may not be the right choice for holding a large, heavy section on its own. Use a suitable bobble or elastic for the main ponytail or bun, then use grips for the finishing touches.

For curls, place grips gently rather than pushing them through a section repeatedly. This helps preserve the shape of the curl and keeps removal easier at the end of the day.

For fringes and growing-out layers

Fringes are one of the most common reasons parents reach for hair grips. A side-swept fringe can be held with one or two grips just above the temple, while a centre parting can be clipped back evenly on both sides. If your child does not enjoy hair near her face, choose a placement that keeps the grip clear of her ears and does not press into the scalp.

Growing-out layers can make ponytails and plaits look untidy quite quickly. Use grips to tuck in the shorter pieces after the main hairstyle is complete. This gives a polished school look without having to redo the whole style.

How to keep grips secure from registration to home time

A grip works best when it has something to hold on to. If hair is very smooth, twisting the section once before inserting the grip gives it a little more structure. Slide the grip close to the scalp, then push it in along the direction the hair naturally lies. Pulling it straight out from the head or placing it only at the very ends is much more likely to result in slipping.

For a simple half-up style, take two small front sections, bring them towards the back of the head and secure each one with a grip. This keeps hair away from the face but still feels light and comfortable. For plaits, use grips near the crown to hold the start of the braid neat, or tuck in flyaways around the nape once the plait is finished.

PE days call for a little extra planning. If hair needs to be tied back, start with a ponytail, plait or bun that feels firm but not tight. Then use grips to secure loose sections around the hairline. This is often more comfortable than tightening the main bobble too much. A small pouch of spare grips in a school bag can also be useful if one gets misplaced during changing time.

The practical case for school-colour multipacks

Hair grips have a habit of disappearing. They slip into coat pockets, fall behind bedroom furniture and somehow never return from a sleepover. Buying a multipack means there are always spares for the bathroom, school bag and holiday suitcase, without needing to make a special purchase every time one goes missing.

For families with more than one child, coordinated packs are particularly helpful. Keep each child’s colours in a small labelled pot or pouch, and replenish when the supply starts looking low rather than waiting for a rushed Monday morning. A mix of grips, clips, elastics and bobbles also gives you more options for different hair lengths and school activities.

La Petite Princesse makes colour matching easier with school-ready accessories chosen around the shades parents actually need. Selecting a few everyday packs alongside matching bows or clips can take care of the term’s hair essentials in one go.

Gentle removal matters just as much as a secure hold

At home time, resist the temptation to pull grips straight out. Hold the hair close to the grip with one hand, then gently slide it out with the other. If the hair has wrapped around the grip, ease it free rather than tugging. This small habit helps prevent breakage and makes bedtime hair brushing far less stressful.

It is also worth checking grips regularly. Remove any that have bent out of shape, lost their protective ends or started catching in hair. A fresh supply is inexpensive, and comfortable accessories are much more likely to stay in place because children are happy to wear them.

A few well-chosen hair grips can turn an unruly school-morning hairstyle into one less thing to worry about. Keep the right colours close by, use them for the small sections they do best, and let your child get on with the far more important business of her day.