Illustration: Dana Davis; Photos: Catherine Kast and Jasmine Khoury

Claw hair clips are deeply functional beauty accessories. They sweep hair off the neck in a way that is elegant, relaxed, and less severe than a ponytail constricted by a stretchy elastic. But they certainly aren’t all created equal, and a poorly made claw clip that snaps after a few wears is a certified day-ruiner.

Senior editor Catherine Kast owns at least 15 claw clips of various origins, and has discovered a particular favorite: these extra-large ones that clock in at under a buck each. They’re surprisingly durable and actually stay in place. This strength means they’re suitable for long and curly hair, too—a pretty big deal in the claw clip world.

“My hair post-claw clip often looks as beautifully bouncy as a second-day blowout”→

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The best Kindle is also the cheapest one Bring a whole library of books with you→

“This steamy grill brush makes me excited to clean my grill” Made with the same fabric found in firefighters’ gear, this pad brush creates satisfying steam as you clean→

The very best vanilla ice cream Our favorites include a pint that’s rich, eggy, and grown-up→

Powerful fans are often ugly. But this one is beautiful. This handsome metal fan creates a pleasant but powerful breeze→

Photo: Michael Hession

We stuffed, shook, dunked, and examined toiletry bags meant for all sorts of travel scenarios. One of our favorite finds was this versatile kit. Rather than opening at the top, the bag unzips flat like a textbook, so you can stash larger and wider items, as well as keep smaller travel-size items organized—ideal for long trips and short weekenders alike. Use promo code WCSTATE to get it on sale right now, exclusively for Wirecutter readers.

Get the deal→

Photo: Elissa Sanci

TikTokers swear by this uniquely designed hairbrush that gently detangles hair. So we put it to the test—on hair that had been left tied in a bun for several days, no less. And while we don’t always love the viral products we test, we actually agree this time: It’s fantastic.

Knotty hair? Try this→

And for your summer reading list: Let us help you find your next book.

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