need help with safe hairtoys?

[luthien_belewen]

When I used to have long hair, I abused it with things that made it pull, break and tangle (I've got thick hair, but fine in individual hair size). Now I'm at shoulder length and starting to put my hair up, but have snapped a few elastics already on my hair, and the weaving comes undone and exposes the rubber O_o

Can I get advice on safe hairtoys and what materials are the gentlest on hair? I know hairsticks are great, but my hair isn't long enough yet for those. What about those plastic jaw clips? I think the metal springs may catch on hair? Any advice (or links to threads) will be appreciated! ^_^

[AstrayStar]

I can't say with 100% surety about all hair types, but I have been pretty much exclusively using the little plastic claw clips and don't seem to see any damage. I have not cut my hair since May and don't see a single split end in sight! (which makes me very happy)

I have been experimenting with hair sticks a bit, and could be doing it wrong, but seem to hear strands of hair breaking every time I try to insert a hair stick, so if anyone else commenting on this post has any corrections/suggestions I would love to hear them!

I am also curious about other hair toys.... :)

ETA-- that's a year ago May!

[Blandine]

Claw clips should be fine. Small ones, big ones - heaps of options for varieties.

U-shaped hair pins, smaller and bigger, up to small metal forks. You can easily make a small fork by bending a double-pointed knitting needle round a door knob.

Thick hair elastics, those fluffy ones.

Scrunchies are a bit out of fashion, it seems, but also hair-friendly.

[ravenreed]

When my hair was short enough to wear claws, I used them frequently and I never noticed any damage from them or hairs getting caught. The types of elastics I use are usually soft ones, more like rolled up hosiery, than covered elastic bands. I also like Goody's Ouchless Barrettes:

Soft Hair Elastics (http://www.goody.com/#/grid/ouchless/products/gentle_ponytailers)

Ouchless Barrettes (http://www.goody.com/#/grid/ouchless_flex/products/comfort-flex_updo_barrettes)