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Ask any stylist what they can't live without, and you'll find that duck-bill clips are a must have for most stylists. Sure, they're originally meant for keeping magnetic rollers in place, but they have so many more uses -- they are indispensible. The long, narrow clips -- affectionately called duck-bill clips because of their beak-like shape -- serve a function in almost every salon service.
Cutting
Duck-bill clips are perfect for sectioning off hair and keeping it out of the way during a cut. The narrow nose of the clip slices easily through hair; there's no need to use a comb to part off the hair before reaching for a clip. It can all be done in one, fluid motion. This greatly decreases the amount of time it takes to do a cut. Duck bills are a must have during any cut that requires parting and sectioning of the hair.
Styling
Yes, they can be used to hold hair out of the way while putting in braids, curls or some other intricate design, but duck-bill clips have other style uses as well. Clip one to the underside of any roller -- right against the scalp -- and the roller won't budge. Love finger waves and pin curls? Place a clip right in the depression of each finger wave or use one to hold several pin curls in place.
Chemical Services
Color, perms, relaxers -- oh, my! What a mess you will make if you don't approach chemical services in an organized manner. Clips help section off hair and hold it so you can focus on small amounts of hair at a time. Color, foils, relaxers, perms -- all are easier with duck bills.
Placing the Clips
When you use a clip always run the bottom of the clip -- with the beak open -- along the scalp. Let the hair, roller, foil or whatever else you're trying to hold out of the way fall into the mouth of the beak before closing the clip softly. You can part hair and hold it in place the same way.
