I've never really been a hair person and for as long as I can remember, I've been wearing my hair straight and long and down. In high school I pulled my hair back a lot in those banana clips - which I called clippies (don't judge it was the 80s). Now I only use those things around the house but I've started to notice that I like the way my hair looks pulled back. I wouldn't know where to begin with a type of barrette though - and I just turned 40 so I definitely don't want anything cutesy (and headbands don't work for me). I've seen celebrities hair pulled back often in magazines and it looks cute but I can't tell what they are using to pull their hair back. Is it a bobby pin or something similar? Any ideas for something stylish and subtle that I could try - that won't have me looking like I'm stuck in the 80s?? The only barrettes I've bought in the last 10 yrs are those for my 5 yr old daughter. Thanks!!
I would start with bobby pins. Either the regular kind on ones that are fancy, but not adorned. I often pull my hair off my face with them. I side part, so I use one on the tinner side, and two on the thicker side. If you play around I'm sure you will find a way that suits you best.
I have super thick hair, and a lot of it. My face shape demands either an all up or all down do most of the time. Depends on what you want to do. If you want to pull back sections of your hair (not the whole thing into a ponytail), I like the following:
Good ol' bobbi pins work very well.
<not all bobbi pins are created equal. you may have to try out a few different sizes and brands. Be careful when opening them with your teeth when inserting because the silicone tips on some of them can start to peel off the metal after a while.
< these are great cuz they're fun to snap! :)
For whole head:
I used to use these when I pulled back my hair into a big barrette. They hold pretty well, but they sit high off the head. And, since I doubt you're looking to relive the 90s, they won't be of much help. Once in a while you can find a pleasing, simple, quiet, low-slung barrette with which you can pull all your hair back.
For ponytails, I use these. Just buy the color closest to your hair color.
If they are plain/tailored I don't think so...I use ones like this in black or tortoise
They are too small to hold all my hair but they do a good job making a "messy bun" - I twist my hair around and around and use the barrette to clip the ends to my head, either in back, underneath the bun, or on the top of my head in front of the bun, depending on how messy I want it to be.
Thanks, everyone. I have thick hair and only want pieces of it up, so maybe I'll start with bobby pins for now. I have to order this stuff through drugstore.com b/c they don't sell it where I live but usually they have a decent selection. Pollyjean - I have those exact same ponytail holders. I love them b/c they hold my thick hair when I go running - they're the only ones I use. Good old "Goody"! Oh, and the ones that are fun to snap are the kind I buy for my daughter (in kid sizes and girly colors). I never thought about using them for myself (ie in brown), Off to browse. Thanks again, girls!
Yeah, I have fun little bobby pins & hair clips too, maybe ONE headband (they hurt my head). LOL Baby steps, I'm SURE you'll look great! I'll be 40 this year myself, God-willing. :)
-- Edited by TheLovelyLady71 on Tuesday 15th of March 2011 09:40:58 AM
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