I’ve been experimenting with doing my hair in casual updos, and what has become abundantly apparent to me is that I need more clippy/pinny things (and also more strength/flexibility in the armular region, but one thing at a time). I have a large clip; and I have two smaller clips that together are just barely enough to hold up my hair; and I have a side-claw clip. Annnnd….that’s about it. Oh, and I have an assortment of barrettes and elastics, too, and some hairpins I’ve never successfully used for structural support.
I don’t want to go too wild with decorativeness. Or rather, I DO, but I’m worried it’ll take the look from “Casual Updo” to “Thinks She’s Going to the Prom.”
On the other hand, something fully practical like the Caravan Thick-Hair Tortoiseshell Barrette (photo from Amazon.com) in my shopping cart doesn’t exactly stir the soul. What I’d like to find is some clips that are sensible (i.e., hold up big chunks of hair comfortably) but also pleasing (i.e., PRETTY)—without overdoing it (i.e., PROM). It’s a fun challenge.
I noticed that Caravan hair clips were in general getting good reviews, so I browsed that section longer and found some good possibilities. The Tortoiseshell Flowers barrette (photo from Amazon.com) seems like exactly the sort of thing I’m looking for: the tortoiseshell makes it casual/plain and goes well with my shades-of-brown-and-blonde hair, and the flower shape makes it a little prettier than a rectangular barrette.
Or the Engraved Tortoiseshell Barrette with Stone (photo from Amazon.com) works too, I think: decorative but casual.
And one more from the fancy tortoiseshell category. This one (photo from Amazon.com) might be too large (5.5 inches) or might be great, I can’t tell. I wish it weren’t $6-15 each to experiment with this kind of thing.
As soon as we leave the tortoiseshell/plastic category, I find myself less certain. Is this floral barrette (photo from Amazon.com) too dressy? Or is it perfect for spring? Would the metal make it too heavy? I’ve had metal barrettes before that gravity dragged slowly and painfully out of my hair.
I immediately love this green fabric barrette (photo from Amazon.com). But would it look odd? ’80s? upholstered? weird with jeans? (Oh, darn, the green one is out of stock now. Well, the turquoise, then. But it was the green I wanted.)
I think sparkles that blend into the hair color seem less sparkly than sparkles that don’t. So I wonder if this brown/yellow sparkly barrette (photo from Amazon.com) would be pretty without being prom-y?
This peacock clip (photo from Amazon.com) seems like it’s probably too fancy AND would be cheap and full of lead. But I want it.
Ever since you wrote your post looking for more updos that were casual and easy I’ve been slightly obsessed myself. I’ll find something that looks reasonably easy to accomplish with little skill and you know what gets me every time? {whine whine whine} My weak puny arms. I get tiiiiired. And then I get disgusted with myself and ditch the whole effort.
I did manage a loose bun yesterday with oh I guess I should find a link…
http://www.amazon.com/Twist-n-Clip/dp/B008OJXO02/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362575007&sr=8-1&keywords=as+seen+on+tv+hair+clip
I like these very very much. I hide them from my daughter.
Amanda | March 6th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Ooh, I really like the last two.
Jesabes | March 6th, 2013 at 9:03 pm
My aunt used to wear a lot of leather-patch-with-wooden-stick holders, kinda like: http://www.theinnerbailey.com/accessoriesbarrettes1.htm or http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/vintage-hippie-flower-child-60s-70s-large-leather-bun-holder-barrette
I think the leather/wood combo makes it nice but not fancy. Upon a quick google images search, I didn’t see any picture of people wearing it the way I would wear it. I’m picturing just below the “splay” of ends in your casual French twist or over a narrow bun.
Karen L | March 12th, 2013 at 11:43 pm
I am all for sparkley hair do dads. Mostly because the little girl in me , looooooooves them. I don’t care that I am an adult, I don’t care that I am a mom, I don’t care if they are overstatment for my yoga pants. Most sparkley stuff is made of metal which A) last longer than platic B) is sparkley, C) holds my heavy hair better. My only issue with the peacock is that is looks a little on the smallish side meaning it would be good for half up , half down
Sorry for the novel, but have you looked into several small claws. Your hair seems abundant and that requires support and achoring. I find that sometimes a single clip just wont do but several small clips do. Plus you can mix and match .
Monique | March 15th, 2013 at 10:16 am