I want to get a couple of hair toys to use with various updos. There are so many options out there.

I want something that doesn't just sit in my hairbox :rolleyes: , because it is too dressy for most ocassions... and something that doesn't snag the hair. What are some good choices and brands? Thanks!!! :)

Frankly, I think my Ficcare Maximus is the most all-around useful hair toy I have. The EP knock-off is nice, but not as nice as the real thing.

Runner-up for me would be a couple of pairs of totally smooth hairsticks in neutral colors that I can wear in wet hair. (Up with hairsticks in a figure-8 bun is how I usually put my hair up wet.)

A nice plastic/Dymondwood hair fork that can go in wet hair is probably 3rd.

But that's me. It depends on what styles you want to do. :-)

Yeah, it would depend on the styles
you'd want to try.

If you are looking for barrettes, I think
the LHL barrettes I have are the most
hair friendly of all.

Mei Fa hairstix are also nice and smooth
and super hair friendly.

I try to rotate my hair toys. I use the Ficcare classics, the Mei Fa hairstix, or the LHL barretes. These are all very smooth so I would think that they are hair friendly. Sometimes I use just plain scrunchis to make a bun.

BTW, The pink scrunchies from Thinkfirst are gorgeous and would look lovely in your hair. :)

I try to rotate my hair toys. I use the Ficcare classics, the Mei Fa hairstix, or the LHL barretes...BTW, The pink scrunchies from Thinkfirst are gorgeous and would look lovely in your hair. :)

Thanks for the recs everybody! :)

Looks like Ficcare, Mei Fa, and LHL barrettes are some favorites. Where might I find the best prices on the Ficcare and Mei Fa, please?

Yes, Thinkfirst's pink scrunchies are fab!!! I can't wait to try them!!! 8)

I love my bearclaw, and my big wide toothed french twist comb.
The things I use the most are some ponytail holders (The figure 8 kind with the bobbles on the ends) that I crochetd a cover for so they are more hair friendly and more colorful.

my most ubiquitus and hair-friendly hair toys are my hair sticks. My next favorite are those scunci poly bands (for braid ends). I do a lot of braided hairstyles, including braided buns, held in place, with of course, hair sticks.

The toys that I'm always using are my bunjii's. Ponytails or braidenders or bunstarters, they work great.
Then comes my Ficcare Maximus and Evita Peroni knockoff.

Plain small pins (those shaped like the letter U) are great for everyday buns, because they are virtually invisible and hold well. I usually need three or four.

A single wooden hairstick would be my next most common updo-toy.

HTH

Most often found in my hair when it's not down: a Bunjii (big wow, huh? ;-) ) or a large Ficcare Classical Clip (the long beak one). Other hairtoys I find most useful include Scunci polybands and Good Hair Days hairpins. I have a ton of hairsticks and forks, but I find I don't wear them that often (but it is really nice to have that perfect pair when you need'em. ;-) )

HTH!

For everyday styles I prefer non-hinged hair toys without elaborate ornamentation so there's absolutley nothing that could catch hair.

My favourite hair toys:

- ebony two prong fork by blondiesturn (http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&include=0&user id=blondiesturn&sort=3&rows=25&since=-1&rd=1), the quickest accessory for a bun that I own - suits almost any of my clothes, too. I have it in my hair as I type.
- two cocobolo three prong forks by blondiesturn used together for a french twist
- FranceLuxe (http://www.franceluxe.com/) french twist comb (those are awsome, I just ordered two more)
- FranceLuxe hair sticks (great for a damp bun)
- our group order wooden barrettes (sometimes I use one of the barrette sticks alone) and sticks.

For pics of all those accessories (in action, too), just click on my www button below :)

Hair forks and Ficcares are my vote!

Oh, I forgot... I like those little barrette-like things with ponytail elastics across the back instead of plastic or metal clasps, too. Not the kind that are really just decorated pony elastics, but the kind with little hooks to hook the elastic over.

I always drool over the LHL barrettes but I don't really need $30 worth of them, sight-unseen. If they sold them individually I'd buy...