You may not have given much thought to how you style your claw hair clips over the years, but with the cooler months approaching, you might want to start thinking about ways to incorporate them into your fall and winter outfits. 

With the right tips and tricks, claw hair clips can be worn during any season and even with any outfit. Read on to learn more about how to style claw hair clips this winter. 

1. With a High Ponytail

If you have a high ponytail, your claw clip can either be placed in a low position on the back of your hair or it can be worn in a high position. If you choose the low option, place your claw clip just above where you would usually part your hair. 

If you choose the high option, place it at the top of your ponytail, where most women would tie their elastic. This will give you an elegant and polished look. You can easily buy claw clips online from authentic platforms to give yourself a classy look this winter. 

2. With a Messy Bun

This winter, invest in a claw hair clip and use it as a stylish accessory for your messy bun. First, pull your hair up into a ponytail and make sure it’s tight. Next, take the ends of your hair and wrap them around the base of the ponytail. 

Then, you will have to secure it with bobby pins. You can also do this on dirty-hair days by pulling your hair into a low bun and securing it with bobby pins. 

3. With Side-Swept Bangs

Claw hair clips can be a great way of keeping your hair out of your face and off your neck. However, they can be tricky to style when it comes to a winter outfit. Luckily, there are some simple ways you can use them this season that will work with any hairstyle or outfit. 

First, if you have bangs and want them on the side, clip in one side of your hair so that the other side is free for the claw clip. This style can be worn with winter as well as fall casual work outfits. 

4. With Straight Hair

There can be no classy way to flaunt your claw clips than wear them with straight hair. Claw clips are great for pulling back hair, but they can get lost in your straight locks. There are five ways to style them with your straight hair. 

You can pull a few pieces of hair back and hold them in place with the claw clip. Use two clips on either side of your head and twist them together at the back of your head. Then wrap a section of hair around the clip and pin it down. 

5. With Curls

There are several ways you can wear claw clips with curls. You can curl your hair with a curling iron, twist it into a loose bun and then secure it with a claw hair clip.

Tuck one side of your hair behind your ear and wrap the other side around the back of your head, securing it in place with a claw clip at the back of your neck.

Is it just us, or are diamonds getting more and more confusing to shop for? Diamonds are the ultimate statement of luxury and we love a great shopping trip for diamond jewelry. But with the avalanche of diamond jewelry shops, the big difference between prices, and the confusing choice of natural versus lab-grown diamonds, do you find yourself in a bit of a pickle looking for the right piece of jewelry?

We’ve gathered the 10 common myths about diamonds and have confirmed their validity from a true diamond expert, Brillianteers.com. These are common questions about diamond jewelry, information that we thought to be true (but are not actually correct), and general misconceptions about diamonds that you need to know about. 

Myth: You need to look for FLAWLESS diamonds

The first misconception about diamonds is the fact that most of the internet insists that you look for a FLAWLESS diamond for it to be worth buying. But this is simply not true. 

Natural earth-mined diamonds form deep within the earth’s crust and most diamonds have inclusions and imperfections within the stone. The reason why you are encouraged to buy flawless diamonds is that these are relatively rare, and therefore, are sold at very expensive prices. The more money you spend, the better it is for the shop you’re buying from. 

The reality is that, unless you can afford to buy flawless diamonds, you shouldn’t have to. There are diamonds that are eye-clean that are more affordable than a diamond that is flawless.

What is an Eye-Clean diamond?

An eye-clean diamond has inclusions that are so small, they are only visible under a microscope and a bright light. Their flaws will be so small that they look flawless to the naked eye. VS2 to VVS1 diamonds are eye-clean. You will not see any inclusions with the naked eye. 

Myth: Stay away from Clarity Enhanced Diamonds

Clarity enhanced diamonds are natural diamonds with inclusions that are visible to the naked-eye, and are treated to remove these visible imperfections. The myth around clarity enhanced diamonds is that these are deceitful and should be avoided. The problem with this myth is that it refers to diamonds being sold as “flawless”, but are, in fact, clarity enhanced. This gives jewelers the opportunity to sell cheap diamonds at higher prices. 

On the other hand, clarity enhanced diamonds are a great option if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to the regular price of diamonds. The key to finding the right pieces of jewelry that aren’t sold with a deceitful intention is looking for shops that are transparent with their use of clarity enhanced diamonds.

Have a browse at these 1 carat diamond engagement rings. Some are significantly more affordable because of their use of clarity enhanced diamonds. This is a great choice if you’re looking to buy particularly larger diamonds at a lower price. 

Myth: Lab-grown diamonds are not real diamonds

This is a big topic amongst the diamond community, and has been ever since scientists discovered how to create diamonds in a laboratory. There’s a big misconception that lab-manufacutred diamonds are not real diamonds. This is simply not true. 

Diamonds are prized for the fact that they form for millions of years under the pressure of the earth’s crust. The only way we obtain these natural diamonds is by mining them. But with the high demand for diamonds, scientists wanted to create these in a laboratory setting. 

Lab-grown diamonds are created by mimicking the same conditions in which natural diamonds form. They are produced in a controlled process that uses the same materials, conditions and chemical properties that make up naturally forming diamonds in the earth’s crust. This is why it makes it almost impossible to know or see the difference between a natural diamond or a lab-grown diamond. 

Because lab-grown diamonds form in the same way natural diamond do, they also have similar inclusions and imperfections and earth-mined diamonds. The biggest difference between the two is that lab-grown diamonds are anywhere between 30% to 70% cheaper than earth-mined diamonds; making them a great affordable alternative to earth-mined diamonds. 

The important part: Make sure all your diamonds are ethically sourced!

With diamond jewelry standing as such a big staple in everyone’s every day collection, there’s one important factor you should always consider before shopping. That the diamonds you are purchasing are ethically sourced. Always look for the Kimberly Process Certificate when shopping for diamonds. The Kimberley Process unites administrations, civil societies, and industry in reducing the flow of conflict diamonds in the market. The certificate guarantees that you are purchasing a diamond that is ethically sourced and have not been obtained through unethical processes. 

Consider these myths when shopping for your perfect piece of diamond jewelry. Don’t hesitate to ask questions when it comes to your purchase. Learn more about the jewelers you are buying from and don’t shy away from asking for affordable alternatives such as clarity enhanced diamonds and lab-grown diamonds! Diamond jewelry is a forever-investment, and you should be 100% happy with what you purchase!

When it comes to the cold of winter, few things matter more than warmth and comfort. There are few things that bring you the same amount of joy as your blanketed bed or couch, and there are probably a few things that you would like to do less than go outside. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why you’ll have to, from shoveling the driveway to showing up for parties. For things like shoveling and commuting, you likely have some flats, sneakers and boots that feel like snow slippers on heavy rotation. But what about when you need something special for the season’s celebrations and inevitably turn to the staple high heels in your wardrobe? 

If you’re looking to elevate your ensemble without slipping up this season, comfortable heels for women are still on the table. It’s as simple as understanding how to style them, and how to keep from slipping! 

Keep the Shoe Closed

Come winter, closed-toe shoes will save you from so much snow entering your shoes, as well as keep your toes so much warmer — without having to try! This means less excruciating step-plotting to avoid snow, and more showcasing that you can kick through any little bits of snow like a capable human being who’s not being held back by peep-toes and holes in her heels. 

If you do opt for an open-toe, though, absolutely consider pairing them with extra cute socks that add to the aesthetic! For instance, a cute pair of ruffle-cuffed ankle socks under your strappy heels can elevate your cute ’90s girl look, or a sheer pair of black leotards under your black leather peep-toe pumps can elevate your sophisticated look.

Take Action Against Inevitable Snow Melt

If you’ve ever walked a snowy path, street or parking lot, you know that it doesn’t take long for your shoes to feel cold, heavy and wet — not to mention LOOK cold, heavy and wet! That’s why water-resistant — or pure waterproof — shoes are a must. Naturally water-repellent materials like leather, suede, nylon, neoprene, rubber or otherwise are commonly available in heeled styles, and can be enhanced even further with waterproof sprays and treatments.

Keep Slippery Surfaces in Mind

The most worrisome factor when it comes to wearing heels in the winter is the constant threat of slipping and hurting yourself on the concrete, ceramic or other hard slippery surfaces that the ice has covered. We’ve all had half-slips that scare us half to death, so we all know that an unrivaled tread is imperative. This can be achieved easily through an anti-slip, rubberized sole. 

Unfortunately, this simple solution can be strenuous to try and find on a standard pair of high heels. If your favorite heels don’t feature an anti-slip tread, though, you can consider manually scuffing up the bottom of your shoes to create some. Along with this, extra high or stiletto heel wearers should invest in heel stoppers for extra stability. 

Go for Good Socks or Pantyhose

Base layer materials like cotton, wool and nylon will keep your feet warm, in addition to helping keep them dry. Look for socks or pantyhose in these materials. Along with this, socks and pantyhose will provide added padding and texture that will help prevent your feet from slipping within the shoe itself. And better yet, socks and pantyhose will stop the friction between your shoes and skin to help you avoid blisters!

Add Ankle Support

Both for warmth, and to stop the snow from sliding into your shoe as you walk, boots are the best. Proper ankle support is essential in the winter weather + high-heel style equation — and a big factor in the ankle boot solution. 

Cute ankle boots for winter will be warm, water-resistant, slip-resistant, closed-toed and walled to stop snow from entering, provide intense ankle support and offer always-interesting aesthetics — or, in other words, hit every mark! If you feel that boots really assault your style, consider at least seeking added ankle stability through features like ankle straps on your shoes.

The Slipperier the Surfaces, the Sturdier the Heel

When it comes to the slippery icy cement that lines the sidewalks, or the slick ceramic floors wet with melting snow in every public space, the sturdier and wider the heel, the better! Styles like wedge heels and block heels, in particular, will provide second-to-none stability as far as heeled styles go.

Deep and Dark Colors Will Do Better in Your Outfits 

Thanks to common seasonal aesthetic preferences, and because of the salt and dirt that’s been mixed into the snow, dark shoe colors will do you best! 

Forget Everything You Know About Walking in Heels

“Heel, toe. Heel, toe.” If you haven’t said this at some point in your head as you walk in heels, you’re lying. And while this is normally the most efficient and aesthetically pleasing way to do it, it surely isn’t the most stable when you’re in heels on slippery surfaces! 

Instead, you’ll want to distribute your body weight evenly when stepping on slippery surfaces in your heels. With that in mind, you’re bound to wipe out if you just suddenly switch your stride — slippery streets or not! So make sure you’ve prepared a little bit before you step onto the snowy, icy sidewalk.

Elevate Your Outfit in Every Way

A solid and sexy pair of heels can elevate your outfit in more ways than one. But from boosting your actual height to boosting your overall aesthetic, we believe that the biggest elevation is your confidence! The right pair of heels will make you walk taller and stronger — but not if you’re slipping or freezing in them! Luckily, knowing how to wear your heels in the height of winter is a key that we have, and we’d love to help you unlock that door (and strut through it in style, no matter how slippery it is outside).