French hair accessories size guide — handmade barrettes, combs and clips by MC Davidian
Every MC Davidian accessory is handmade in France — finding the right size is the first step to a perfect hold.

Choosing the right hair accessories size is the single most important step toward a hold that lasts all day. Too small and the barrette slips; too large and it sits awkwardly on the scalp. This accessories size guide covers every category in the MC Davidian collection — French hair barrettes with matic, tiges-boules, headbands, hair clips, combs, and elastics — and pairs each size with the hair volume and style it is designed for. All our accessories are handmade in France from non-allergenic cotton acetate. Find your match below.

Quick Reference: All Accessories at a Glance

Not sure where to start? This summary table maps every accessory type and size to the right hair profile. Detailed sections follow below.

Accessory Size range Hair volume Typical use
Tige-boule 4–7 cm Fine Small side or back strands
Barrette matic 5–6 cm PM Fine Half-up, side ponytail
Barrette matic 7 cm MM Fine to medium Mid-height ponytail
Barrette matic 8 cm GM Medium to thick Classic ponytail, bun, banana
Barrette matic 10 cm TGM All types, especially thick Side, back or mid ponytail
Barrette matic 11 cm TTGM Very dense / abundant High-volume ponytail, chignon
Headband 5 mm–40 mm wide All types Everyday styling, updos
Hair clip 3–6 cm PM–MM All (incl. children) Side or back detail
Hair clip 8–10 cm GM–TGM All types Mid-high ponytail, bun
Hair clip 10–12 cm TGM–TTGM Thick to very thick Medium-high ponytail, bun
Elastic / Scrunchie 5 cm ⌀ All types Mid-high ponytail, bun, braid
Acetate comb 5–10 cm Normal to thick Side hold, bun, banana

Tiges-Boules (Ball Rods)

The tige-boule — literally “ball rod” — is a miniature metal pin topped with a decorative acetate element. Ranging from 4 cm to 7 cm, it is the most delicate accessory in the collection and is specifically designed for fine hair. Use it to hold a small side or back strand, to secure a loose piece within a more complex updo, or to ornament a braided section.

Because of their light weight (typically 5 g) and small footprint, tiges-boules do not create pressure points on the scalp. They can be worn individually or grouped in multiples for a layered, jewellery-like effect. The metal used — gold-plated for warm tones, nickel for cool tones — is the same quality found on all MC Davidian accessories.

Tige Boule Feather Light PM — handmade in France by MC Davidian, 7.5 cm, fine hair

Tige Boule Feather Light PM

Length: 7.5 cm • Fine hair • 6 colours

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Renaissance Sparkling Tige Boule PM — Swarovski rhinestones, handmade France, 7 cm

Renaissance Sparkling PM

Length: 7 cm • Fine hair • Swarovski® • 12 colours

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→ Browse the full hair accessories collection, which includes all tige-boule models.

Hair Barrettes with Matic System

The matic — also called système auto — is the curved metal clasp that runs along the back of a French hair barrette. Press it open, slide your hair through, release: it snaps shut automatically, gripping every strand firmly without slipping or pulling. It is an ancestral French mechanism, forged in France, available in five standard lengths at MC Davidian.

How to read the size code: the matic length (e.g. 8 cm) is always shorter than the overall barrette length. A 9.5 cm Timeless Ponytail GM, for example, uses an 8 cm matic. The matic length is what determines the holding power: a longer matic grips more hair at once.

Matic length Size code Hair volume Ideal style
5–6 cm PM (small) Fine or light hair Half-up, side or back small ponytail
7 cm MM (medium) Fine to medium hair Mid-height ponytail, side or back
8 cm GM (large) Medium to thick hair Classic low ponytail, bun, banana clip
10 cm TGM (very large) All types, especially thick Side, back or mid-height ponytail
11 cm TTGM (extra-large) Very dense or abundant hair High-volume ponytail, large chignon

ⓘ The matic finish follows the acetate colour: gold-plated for warm tones (caramel, cognac, coral), silver-plated / nickel for cool tones (black, grey, blue, ivory).

Little Cat Barrette PM — 5 cm matic, fine hair, handmade France

Little Cat Barrette PM

5 cm matic • Fine hair • 8 colours

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Timeless Ponytail TGM — 8 cm matic, 33 colours, medium to thick hair, MC Davidian

Timeless Ponytail TGM

8 cm matic • Medium–thick • 33 colours

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Peonies Sparkling Ponytail TGM — 10 cm matic, Swarovski, thick hair, MC Davidian

Peonies Sparkling TGM

10 cm matic • Thick hair • Swarovski®

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Double Loop Simple Ponytail TGM — 11 cm matic, very dense hair, MC Davidian

Double Loop Simple TTGM

11 cm matic • Very dense hair • 30 colours

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→ See all sizes in our ponytail barrettes collection and read our in-depth article on the French hair barrette to learn how the matic works.

Headbands

MC Davidian headbands range from 5 mm to 40 mm in width and suit all hair types and volumes. A narrow band (5–15 mm) sits almost invisibly in the hair and is ideal for everyday wear; a wider band (20–40 mm) adds structure, keeps hair off the face more securely, and makes a bolder style statement. All widths are handmade from cotton acetate in France.

Ivory Headband MM — handmade acetate headband, 11 cm, all hair types, MC Davidian

Ivory Headband MM

11 cm • All hair types • 10 colours

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Width guide

  • 5–15 mm — Discreet everyday wear, all hair types
  • 16–25 mm — Medium hold, elegant for office or evening
  • 26–40 mm — Strong hold, thick or unruly hair, statement piece

All widths: cotton acetate, handmade in France.

→ Explore the headbands collection.

Hair Clips (Pinces)

Hair clips at MC Davidian come in three size ranges, each designed for a specific hair volume and styling intention:

  • 3–6 cm — suitable for all hair types, including children. Ideal as a side or back detail, to secure a small section, or as a hair ornament at any age.
  • 8–10 cm — suitable for all hair types in a mid-high ponytail or bun. The most versatile range: enough grip for thick hair, light enough for medium hair.
  • 10–12 cm — designed for thick, voluminous hair in a medium-high ponytail or bun. These larger models provide firm, all-day hold without causing pressure points.
Sorbet Brillant Hair Clip MM — 6 cm, all hair types, Swarovski rhinestones, MC Davidian

Sorbet Brillant Hair Clip MM

6 cm • All types • Swarovski® • 16 colours

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Rock Sparkling Hair Clip TGM — 11 cm, thick hair, full Swarovski, MC Davidian

Rock Sparkling Hair Clip TGM

11 cm • Thick hair • Full Swarovski® • 4 colours

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→ Browse all hair clips.

Hair Pins and Hair Peaks

Hair pins and hair peaks are designed for normal to thick, long hair that needs to be held in a bun. Unlike a barrette, the pin is inserted vertically or diagonally through the chignon, locking the mass of hair against the scalp from the inside. The hair peak (pic à chignon) works on the same principle. Both are made from metal with an acetate or decorative element, and are comfortable enough for a full day of wear.

ⓘ Hair pins and peaks are not suited to fine or short hair — they require sufficient volume to lock in place. For fine hair styling, choose a tige-boule (4–7 cm) instead.

Elastics and Scrunchies

MC Davidian elastics and scrunchies are 5 cm in diameter and suit all hair types in a mid-high ponytail, bun, or braid. Originally from the Auvergne region of France, the French-style elastic is woven from elastic bands — far more comfortable against the scalp than rubber straps — and does not contain any metal component, making it 100% non-allergenic.

Unlike a standard elastic, the acetate accessory element does not stretch and deform over time: the band is hidden inside a cotton acetate housing that retains its shape, colour, and decoration wash after wash. Each piece can hold a large volume of hair without slipping — a guarantee on all MC Davidian elastics.

Original Camellia Lace Brillant Elastic GM — 5 cm diameter, all hair types, handmade France

Original Camellia Lace Brillant Elastic GM

⌀ 5 cm • All hair types • 6 colours

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→ View the full elastics and scrunchies collection.

Hair Combs

Acetate Combs — 5 cm to 10 cm

Acetate hair combs from 5 cm to 10 cm are designed for normal or thick hair in a side hold, bun, or banana. The teeth are cut from the same cotton acetate block as the decorative crown — no metal parts to loosen or corrode. They slide into a gathered section of hair and lock in place by friction, holding the style all day without any pulling sensation.

Metal Combs — 4 cm to 7 cm (Rock ‘n’ Roll / Piano-wire teeth)

Metal combs — including the Rock ‘n’ Roll comb with piano-wire teeth — offer an incomparable hold even in the thickest, most slippery hair. The fine metal teeth grip individual strands far more effectively than acetate teeth, making them the professional’s choice for updos that must last hours. “Even those who thought they couldn’t use a comb cannot do without them” — a phrase we hear from customers daily.

Banana Clips with Metal Teeth

Banana clips with metal teeth provide an impeccable hold for normal or thick, voluminous hair. Their elongated shape spans more of the head than a barrette, distributing the weight of thick hair evenly. They are the preferred choice for full-length or wavy hair that tends to escape a standard clip.

For more detail on combs and how to use them, read our guide: How to use a French hair comb.

Holiday Shiny Comb PM — handmade acetate hair comb with rhinestones, MC Davidian France

Holiday Shiny Comb PM

Small size • Normal to thick hair • 5 colours

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→ Browse the full hair combs collection.

MC Davidian handmade French hair barrette worn in a ponytail — size guide accessories
The right size makes all the difference. Handmade in France by MC Davidian since 1980.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size hair barrette should I choose?

Start with your hair volume: fine hair → PM or MM model (5–7 cm matic); medium hair → GM model (8 cm matic); thick hair → TGM model (10 cm matic); very dense or abundant hair → TTGM (11 cm matic). When in doubt, always size up — a slightly larger barrette is more comfortable than one that is too small.

What is the matic system?

The matic (or système auto) is the curved metal clasp on the back of a French hair barrette. Press it open, slide your ponytail through, release — it snaps shut automatically. MC Davidian’s matic is forged in France, gold- or silver-plated to match the acetate, and available in five lengths: 5–6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm, and 11 cm. Read the full explanation in our article on the French hair barrette.

What accessories are best for very thick or dense hair?

For very thick or dense hair, choose: a barrette with a 10 cm or 11 cm matic (TGM/TTGM range), a hair clip from 10–12 cm, or a banana clip with metal teeth. These are specifically engineered to grip a large volume of hair firmly without slipping. All are available in the MC Davidian collection.

What is the difference between a tige-boule and a barrette?

A tige-boule (4–7 cm) is a miniature decorative pin for small strands — fine hair, side sections, styling details. A barrette with matic (5–11 cm matic) can hold an entire ponytail or chignon. The tige-boule is ideal for fine or short hair; the barrette suits medium to thick hair in ponytails and updos.

What size headband is right for me?

Narrow headbands (5–15 mm) are discreet and suit everyday wear with any hair type. Medium bands (16–25 mm) offer a stronger hold and an elegant look for the office or evening. Wide bands (26–40 mm) provide maximum hold for thick or unruly hair and make a bold style statement. All widths are made from cotton acetate in France.

Are MC Davidian accessories suitable for children?

Yes. Small hair clips (3–6 cm) and tiges-boules are safe and comfortable for children. They are made from non-allergenic cotton acetate — no petroleum-based plastic, no metal parts against the scalp — and are hypoallergenic by design. The handmade construction ensures they last through daily use.

Ready to find your perfect accessory?

Every piece is handmade in France. Every size is engineered to hold. Browse the collection and find the one made for your hair.

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