If the hair you have clipped away keeps falling into the piece you are working on, you do not necessarily need a more complicated routine. Start by separating two jobs: holding the rest of your hair out of the way and choosing a small working section.

This guide is about keeping those sections organised. It is not a complete heat-styling or colouring tutorial: follow the instructions for your chosen tool or treatment as well.

Start with holding sections, not dozens of tiny pieces

A simple top-and-bottom split can be a useful starting point. If that leaves too much hair in each bundle, divide it further, for example into four quarters. The right number depends on your hair's density and length, and what you can comfortably reach—not how many clips came in the packet.

Each large section is a holding area. You can release a smaller piece from it as you go, rather than trying to work on the entire bundle at once.

A straightforward sectioning routine

1. Make a clear part. A tail comb can help with a defined line; fingers suit a looser division.
2. Park the hair you are not using. Gather it away from your working area and secure it without pulling tightly at the scalp.
3. Release one manageable piece. Re-clip the remaining hair instead of letting the whole section drop.
4. Work in an order you can remember. For a basic bottom-to-top routine, finish the lower area before releasing the next layer.
5. Keep finished and unfinished hair separate. Move the holding clip as you progress, and open it fully before removing it rather than dragging it through.

Which clip design should you choose?

Look at the holding surface as well as the size. These two options use different designs:

• Framar Super Sectioner Clips 4pk Pink use a silicone strip and self-locking design with cushioned compression. Framar describes them as designed to hold sections without leaving creases—useful to consider when clip marks are your main concern.
• Framar Big Bite Clips 4pk Black have serrated edges and a high-elasticity metal spring. Their gripping design is another option for holding sections apart.

Both are packs of four. Neither replaces choosing a section the clip can comfortably hold.

If the section slips, simplify it

Before adding more tension, try a smaller holding section and check that loose strands from the neighbouring section have not been caught underneath. If the clip cannot close comfortably around the bundle, split the bundle rather than forcing it shut.

If you keep losing track of your place, use fewer sections at the start and release smaller pieces from each. A repeatable order is more helpful than a complicated pattern.

Quick questions

Do I need one clip for every working section?

No. A clip can hold the hair waiting its turn while you work on a smaller piece. Add more holding sections only when that makes the hair easier to manage.

Does chemical-resistant mean heatproof?

Do not assume so. The Super Sectioner description includes chemical resistance, but that is not a heat-rating instruction. Keep clips out of the part you are actively styling and follow your heated tool's instructions.

Where should I start?

Try a simple top-and-bottom division, then adjust the size of the holding sections. Browse our hair pins and clips for the current range.