Side-Swept Clip
One clip, out of her eyes.
Follow it step by step in the free app.
- Time
- About 2 minutes
- Steps
- 5
- Level
- Easy
- Hair type
- Every hair type
- Ages
- Toddlers to pre-teens
- Hair length
- Hair between her ears and her chin, or longer
You'll need wide-tooth comb, tail comb, fine-mist water bottle, snap clip. For curly and coily hair, also leave-in conditioner.
The front hair swept across from a side parting and clipped flat above one ear. Made for short hair and a fringe that's growing out.
Her job
She chooses which clip.
The steps
Where the method changes for curly and coily hair, the step says so underneath. In the app, choose Curly or Coily under “her hair today” and you only see the steps for her hair.
Step 1 of 5
Comb the front through
Comb the front hair from her hairline to the ends.
Before you move on
The comb runs through with no catching.
Curly and coily hair
Detangle it damp
Mist her hair until it's damp, not dripping, and smooth a little leave-in through with your fingers. Work in sections, ends first, fingers then the wide-tooth comb.
Before you move on: Your fingers slide through each section, root to tip.
Technique: Detangling curly and coily hair
Step 2 of 5
Make a side parting
Use the pointed end of the tail comb to draw a parting on her left side, straight back from her hairline above the outer corner of her left eye, about two fingers' length.
Before you move on
A clear line runs back from her hairline on her left side.
Step 3 of 5
Sweep the front across
With the comb, sweep the front hair from the parting across the top of her forehead towards her right ear.
Before you move on
The front hair lies flat across her forehead, clear of her eyes.
Curly and coily hair
Sweep the front across
Sweep the front hair across towards her right ear with your fingertips, not the comb, so the curls keep their shape.
Before you move on: The curls lie across her forehead, clear of her eyes.
Step 4 of 5
Clip it above her ear
Hold the swept hair just above her right ear. Slide a snap clip over it, catching a little of the hair underneath so it grips. Keep one finger under the clip as you snap it shut.
Before you move on
The clip lies flat and doesn't pinch.
Step 5 of 5
Check from the front
Stand in front of her and look.
Before you move on
Her eyes are clear and the clip doesn't show above her hairline.
If it goes wrong
What usually happens: The front hair springs back into her eyes.
The fix: The clip is holding too little hair, or it sits too far forward. Take a little more of the front hair into the clip, and clip it just above her ear, not at her temple. On very silky hair, mist it first so it has some grip.
More in Fix It: It won't stay in: falls out within an hour · It doesn't look right
Common questions
How long does Side-Swept Clip take?
About 2 minutes once you know it, in 5 steps. The first few times take longer; the steps tell you what to check before you move on, so you are never guessing.
Does Side-Swept Clip work on curly or coily hair?
Yes. Side-Swept Clip suits every hair type. Where the method changes for curly and coily hair, the step above gives that version: detangle it damp, work in sections and keep the hairline soft. In the app, choosing Curly or Coily shows only the steps for her hair.
What do I need for Side-Swept Clip?
Wide-tooth comb, tail comb, fine-mist water bottle and snap clip. For curly and coily hair, add leave-in conditioner. Each one is on the Kit page with what it is for and what to avoid.
What usually goes wrong with Side-Swept Clip?
The front hair springs back into her eyes. The clip is holding too little hair, or it sits too far forward. Take a little more of the front hair into the clip, and clip it just above her ear, not at her temple. On very silky hair, mist it first so it has some grip.
What if Side-Swept Clip won't stay in?
Fine or smooth hair doesn't grip a single elastic. Wrap it one more time than feels right. It should be firm. Then take a second elastic and wrap it 3cm below the first. Two anchor points hold far better than one through a school day, especially on fine hair. Fix It has the full set of checks for a style that falls out.
Do this in the app
The page tells you how. The app does four things a page cannot:
- Her hair, not hair in general. Choose Straight, Wavy, Thick, Curly or Coily under "her hair today" and the steps and pictures change to the method for her hair.
- A check before every step. Each step ends with what it should look and feel like, so you know it is right before you move on.
- Fix It, mid-style. When something is not right, "Something's not right" opens the fix for it without leaving the step.
- The diary. Add a photo and a note when you finish, and see what you have done and what to try next.
Free, with six everyday styles and all eight techniques. No account, no ads, no tracking.
