Cellulose Acetate Claw Clips vs Plastic: Why the Material Matters

Cellulose acetate claw clips are made from plant cellulose, and every NOGU hair claw is crafted from organic cellulose acetate rather than basic plastic. The result is a clip with rich, dimensional color that looks as good in your hair as it does on your vanity.

You can see the difference the moment you hold one. A typical plastic claw is a thin, injection molded shape in one flat color. A NOGU acetate claw carries its tortoiseshell, marble, or pearl pattern right through the material, for a finish that feels like an accessory, not an afterthought.

Choose from two sizes. Deluxe claws measure 11.8 x 5.8 x 4.6 cm, and our smaller claws measure 9 x 4.4 x 4.6 cm. Both are organic cellulose acetate, and both are $36 USD.

In this guide

What is cellulose acetate?

Cellulose acetate is a plant-based plastic made from cellulose, the natural fiber found in wood pulp and cotton. Because color can be blended into the material itself, tortoiseshell and pearl patterns look embedded and luminous instead of printed on the surface.

Acetate accessories are traditionally cut from colored sheets and polished, which is why the material is loved for its depth and glossy feel. Every NOGU claw starts with organic cellulose acetate, so you get that same rich look in a clip you will reach for every day.

Meet the Amber Cloud Deluxe Hair Claw, our warm amber tortoiseshell. It is organic cellulose acetate, 11.8 x 5.8 x 4.6 cm.

Amber Cloud deluxe cellulose acetate hair claw in amber tortoiseshell worn on a brown hair bun with hand adjusting by NOGU
Amber Cloud's deluxe 11.8 cm claw brings warm amber tortoiseshell to an effortless bun.

Look closer and you will spot Amber Cloud's curved teeth design and an engraved NOGU logo, small details that make it feel special every time you twist your hair up.

How does acetate compare with plastic?

Basic plastic claw clips are usually injection molded in a single color. Cellulose acetate is a plastic too, but one made from plant cellulose, with color and pattern that live inside the material. Here is how they stack up:

What you can check NOGU cellulose acetate claws Typical basic plastic claw
Material Organic cellulose acetate Often labeled only as plastic
How this kind of material is typically made Acetate is traditionally cut from colored sheets and polished Injection molded
Color and pattern Tortoiseshell, marble, pearl, and mottled color in the material Often one flat color, or a print on the surface
Sizes 11.8 x 5.8 x 4.6 cm, or 9 x 4.4 x 4.6 cm Varies by brand, and is often missing
Price $36 USD Usually a few dollars somewhere else

Every claw in our cellulose acetate hair claws collection is acetate, and every one is $36 USD, so you can choose purely by color and size.

What do NOGU's acetate claws actually look like?

The material matters because you can see it. Each claw carries its pattern in the acetate itself: amber tortoiseshell, purple and amber swirls, green and black mottling, and pearly ivory.

Flame at Dawn is a deluxe organic cellulose acetate claw, 11.8 x 5.8 x 4.6 cm, $36 USD, with translucent amber teeth and a purple marbled body. It looks stunning holding a twisted updo.

Flame at Dawn deluxe cellulose acetate hair claw securing brown hair in a twisted updo by NOGU
Flame at Dawn, in the same deluxe size as Amber Cloud, holds a twisted updo with a flash of purple and amber.

Forest Canopy is our green and black deluxe claw, also 11.8 x 5.8 x 4.6 cm and $36 USD. Its glossy finish and mottled design catch the light beautifully, finished with an engraved NOGU logo.

Forest Canopy deluxe cellulose acetate hair claw holding brown hair with glossy finish by NOGU
Forest Canopy's glossy green and black acetate in the deluxe size, rich against brown hair.

Every claw is organic cellulose acetate, so whichever pattern you fall for, you are getting the same rich material and the same polished finish.

Which size should you order?

Think about the styles you wear most. The deluxe size is the one holding the buns and updos above, and the smaller size is the one in the half-up look below.

Deluxe, 11.8 x 5.8 x 4.6 cm, $36 USD. Amber Cloud, Flame at Dawn, Forest Canopy, Sandstorm, Sunbeam, and Original Leopard. Sandstorm swirls with soft beige, and Sunbeam features curved teeth.

Smaller claw, 9 x 4.4 x 4.6 cm, $36 USD. Ivory Mirage, Mint Beach, Leopard Party, Pink Cinnamon, Confetti Fiesta, and Midnight Aether.

Ivory Mirage cellulose acetate hair claw with iridescent pearl finish, securing long brown hair in a half-up style.
Ivory Mirage, our 9 x 4.4 x 4.6 cm claw, adds a pearly glow to an easy half-up.

Ivory Mirage glows with a pearlescent finish and an engraved logo. In the same 9 cm size, Mint Beach blends turquoise and amber, Leopard Party brings a playful leopard-inspired pattern, Pink Cinnamon mixes pink, black, and amber, Confetti Fiesta is our brightest marble (finished with a gold-tone spring hinge), and Midnight Aether shimmers in navy, violet, and turquoise.

Love a full bun or a twisted updo? Go deluxe. Prefer an easy half-up? The 9 cm claw is your match. And if you can't choose, one of each covers every hair day.

How do you care for the clip, and what pairs with it?

If your claw gets wet, dry it thoroughly, then wipe away hairspray and oils with a soft cloth. Cellulose acetate can soften in high heat, so keep your clip out of a hot car and away from a blow dryer nozzle. Open the hinge only as wide as you need to keep it working beautifully.

To finish the look, pair amber tortoiseshell with a pop of pink on your wrist. The Pink Silver Mermaid Glass Bead Bracelet is hand-strung with authentic 6mm Mermaid Glass beads, a silver finish, a stainless steel base, and a clear elastic cord at 7.8 inches around, and one size fits most. NOGU pieces are plated, so your bracelet is fine to get wet and will not turn your skin green. Just dry it off, give it a gentle wipe and store it somewhere dry.

Pink silver mermaid glass bead bracelet worn on wrist with matching necklace showing iridescent beads and silver accents by NOGU
The Pink Silver Mermaid Glass bracelet, with iridescent beads and silver accents, styled with a matching necklace.

Twist your hair into a bun with Amber Cloud, slip the pink bracelet onto the wrist you use to adjust your clip, and you have a warm, polished look that works from morning coffee to dinner out.

Acetate claw clip questions before you buy

Are NOGU claw clips cellulose acetate or plastic?

Every NOGU claw clip is made from organic cellulose acetate, a plant-based material, rather than basic molded plastic. Each one comes in a clear size and is $36 USD.

Which acetate claw clip size should I order?

Choose a deluxe claw, 11.8 x 5.8 x 4.6 cm, for fuller styles like the Amber Cloud bun and the Flame at Dawn updo. Choose a smaller claw, 9 x 4.4 x 4.6 cm, for an easy half-up like our Ivory Mirage look.

What should I know before pairing a claw with the Pink Silver Mermaid Glass bracelet?

The bracelet is hand-strung with 6mm Mermaid Glass beads, a silver finish, a stainless steel base, and a clear elastic cord at 7.8 inches around, and one size fits most. It is fine to get wet and will not turn your skin green. Just dry it off and store it somewhere dry.

What do I do if my acetate claw clip gets wet?

Dry the clip thoroughly, then wipe it with a soft cloth. Rain and a damp bun are no problem. Keep it away from high heat, such as a hot car or a blow dryer nozzle, because cellulose acetate can soften. Open the hinge only as wide as you need.

Are all of these hair claws the same price?

Yes. Every NOGU cellulose acetate hair claw is $36 USD, in both the deluxe and the smaller size.

Shop Acetate Hair Claws