Cheap But Gentle Styling Tools & Hair Toys

[Maelyssa]

Alright I'm in desperate need of a new comb & some new hair holders.
I can't afford pricy items was wondering if stores like Walmart, Kmart, Target & Walgreens offer anything that would be considered as gentle for long hairs.
I need a good comb to detangle after the shower & get knots out when it's dry. I can get two different ones if that's recommended.
I also need hair toys that are gentle but strong for my waist length hair so that I can secure braids, ponytails, buns & other updos.
It wouldn't hurt if they looked nice too.

I'm open to your suggestions.

Also if you suggest something briefly explain why you're suggesting.

[Suldrun]

Hi

I got the wood comb from the body shop for about 7 dollars. I love it. In fact I think I like it better then my heavenly harvest horn comb. I would be concerned with buying cheap plastic combs because of the seams.

I also have some hairsticks from Claires they were inexpensive and they work pretty well. I did have to file down the seam on one set but the others were fine.

I only have 2 sets of real wood hairsticks, one from a trade here and one set I got at Renfest. I also have a horn comb 10 dollars from Heavenly Harvest, and a Buff. Everything else is from Claires, Rite Aid, wal-mart or target.

[Anje]

For combs, the key thing is that you want it to be seamless, or if you absolutely cannot find a seamless comb, you can sand down the seams. (If you look at most plastic injection-molded combs, you will see a line down the middle, making it look like two halves have been pressed together.) Some people like the wide-tooth plastic shower combs that you can find at the big box stores, and while they have seams, they tend to be pretty smooth. Other wonderful options are the so-called bone combs (actually bakelite), and wood and horn combs. The Body Shoppe sells a nice wide-tooth wood comb, I'm told. Heavenly Harvest sells a sturdy wide tooth horn comb (http://heavenlyharvestinc.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/80_74_61/products_id/119), and I'm also a fan of the less expensive horn combs I've found on Ebay (Terminator_9999 (http://stores.ebay.com/Terminator-9999s-Store) was nice, in my experience).

For hair ties, you want to look for stuff without metal or glue/melt marks. That's often the "hair hosiery" stuff. (I suggest checking the dollar store for these fabric bands, too. They often have them in large quantities in bright colors.) The little silicone bands work well, too. Finally, you can get some tights or nylons and cut them into rings (make these kinda thick, like 2 inches wide). They roll up a bit and make for extremely gentle hair ties.

Finally, go to the craft section and grab a set of double-pointed aluminum knitting needles (about 0 to 3 gauge). These work well as hair sticks, but what I love them for is "wavelength pins" (after a member here). Bend them in half in a U shape (it's not hard), and use one or two to secure a bun.

[Natalia]

I will deffinatly be watching this thread but i wanted to respond to Anje's suggestion of bending knitting needles. If you dont feel like bending them most higher end stores sell basicly the same thing for pretty cheap (maybe 5 dollors for three) for creating cables in knitting. They are rather fine tubes so be careful as i see that you have curly fairly thick hair. Id never thought of using them for hair but it is a brilliant idea (ive unsed the straight ones in the past)! *Goes hunting through knitting box...* Good luck!

[LovingLife]

This is a very good thread!
I would say baby brushes are a good thing to have if you don't have time to comb (hair metaphor!) shops for a slightly firmer safe brush.

[swirlytresses]

Finally, go to the craft section and grab a set of double-pointed aluminum knitting needles (about 0 to 3 gauge). These work well as hair sticks, but what I love them for is "wavelength pins" (after a member here). Bend them in half in a U shape (it's not hard), and use one or two to secure a bun.

Great recommendation and a cheap alternative to expensive hair forks. Here is a picture of some of mine. I have found some of my double pointed knitting needles at thrift stores for under $2. I have a variety of sizes and I bend them over a drumstick.
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=35636&albumid=2743&dl=1238705903&thumb=1 (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=2743&pictureid=35636)http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=35637&albumid=2743&dl=1238705903&thumb=1 (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=2743&pictureid=35637)
You can also get some cheap chopsticks at a restaurant and sand or file them if you need to, plus you can paint them any color you want (with fingernail polish). Also, here is a kitchen supply place where they have cute chopsticks for under a $1.
http://www.mrslinskitchen.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=1739

I use a shower comb (under $2 at Sally's).
http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/SallyBeauty/SBS-345635?$prodSearch$http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/SallyBeauty/SBS-680505?$prodSearch$
I also use these picks (under $2) from Sally's beauty supply.
http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/SallyBeauty/SBS-354503?$prodSearch$
I have never had any problems with either of these combs/picks snagging my hair.

Here's a link for the combs.
http://www.sallybeauty.com/Cricket-Ultra-Clean/SBS-354503,default,pd.html

I hope this helps you.

[Maelyssa]

What great suggestions ladies. I like! I've already got a few suggestions I'm going to try.