I’m planning on keeping my hair long and bang free as long as I can, because I know once I cut it off I’ll never grow it out again (I tease my sister frequently that I’m going to grow it out until it reaches my bum!), but I’m getting bored with the way I’ve been doing things. I’d like to start using accessories, playing with colored clips and headbands a bit, but I’m not sure where to start! I’m hoping that some of you might have some cute Etsy items and sellers favorited that you wouldn’t mind sharing with me! Or maybe you’ve seen blog tutorials on how to make your own stuff that you would like to pass on, I’m in a crafty mood and willing to give handmade stuff a try if it is easy.
Keep in mind that I’m looking for subtle changes, not huge flowers stuck to the side of my head. I’m not really a fan of doing things because they are trendy and I don’t want to regret my purchases later on.
I’d like a few different things:
1. Something to wear when my hair is all down with the front strands tucked behind my ears.
Maybe something like this pinwheels headband from Etsy seller Daris Day? What are some things you can wear in your hear when it’s down other than headbands?
2. Something to cover the bobby pins when I pin it half up.
This poppy barrette from Etsy seller Amerie Rose is pretty, but maybe a bit bigger than I would like? Although it will be the back of my head so I guess I could be more dramatic!
3. Something to wear when I have my hair in a ponytail (especially since I usually wear my hair all up for photography shoots and I’d like to dress things up a bit and show some style).
This felt heart stretch headband from Etsy seller madelyneteacup is oh so sweet but still nice and subtle.
I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas! Don’t be tempting me with dreamy expensive stuff. I’m thinking somewhere around $10 (less would be better!) for items like this.
November 6th, 2009 on 9:49 am
I’m the same way right now!! My friend actually has an etsy shop and I love her bows. http://www.etsy.com/shop/SerenaBeeFrills
they are darling. And all the bow names are Jane Austin characters which makes it all the better:)
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November 6th, 2009 on 10:15 am
They may not be super cute and crafty, but I live in colored plastic headbands from Forever 21. I got a couple sets for super cheap…like 5 headbands for $3. They just opened the new 2 story huge-a-mongous Forever 21 in the Galleria, its fabulous.
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November 6th, 2009 on 10:20 am
I really like http://www.flexi8.com/
They are so great!
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November 6th, 2009 on 10:43 am
I am making fabric flowers for my wedding bouquet, and I actually made the organza flowers in my tutorial smaller and hot-glued them on to bobby pins. They’re not as big as that red barrette, but still pretty! You can make them in any color you can get organza in, and then add even more color with beads or pearls in the center. Here’s the link to my tutorial:
http://stacymaried.blogspot.com/2009/10/layered-organza-flowers-how-to.html
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November 6th, 2009 on 11:02 am
You’ll have to share what you find out. I’m in a hair rut too. I wear it bunned up everyday because mine takes a little more work to wear down. My hair isn’t nearly as long as yours is anymore, but I’m headed back to that.
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November 6th, 2009 on 11:13 am
I wear headbands almost everyday, because I always have to wear the most boring stuff to work and because I love them. I get almost all of my headbands at Forever 21 because they are usually $3.80 each, sometimes they go up to $5.80. Sometimes they have too much metal and hurt my head so I just put bandaids on the end.
Also, at the end of the season J.Crew puts all of their headbands on sale. They have beautiful, quality headbands.
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Emmie Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Oh and Target, but they are usually $9 dollars. Ann Taylor Loft has a few cute ones on sale as well.
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November 6th, 2009 on 11:16 am
i love a chance to share etsy faves
i have clips from here…
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MiaBeads
and a headband from here..
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mylavaliere
and here are a few i drool over…
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31991516
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31732087
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27731630
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LovMely
http://www.etsy.com/shop/IndieAndChic
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November 6th, 2009 on 11:32 am
I chopped my hair off and I love it. It’s so freeing!
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November 6th, 2009 on 11:39 am
The felt stretch headband would be an easy one to recreate with the stretchy headbands from Target (usually around 5 bucks for a pack of three). It is super cute!
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November 6th, 2009 on 11:54 am
You know you want the “bump it”
hahaha!
I joke…
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November 6th, 2009 on 12:17 pm
Headbands are great because they are so versatile – you can wear them with your hair down, in a high ponytail, low ponytail, bun, braid down your back, etc. Just take care when you are choosing them – I’ve had headbands (usually the thicker ones) that have given me headaches.
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November 6th, 2009 on 1:37 pm
I have that bum-length hair you razz your sister about, and I definitely rely on accessories to avoid falling into a boring hairstyle rut.
I create hair accessories on the fly using brooches, feathers, flowers, etc. on basic headbands. The easiest way is to take a stretch or fabric-covered headband, and simply pin a ready-made brooch or flower pin right onto it. It dresses it up a bit, but you’re free to to trade the embellishments out. That way, if you buy a few basic headbands in neutral colors, and craft or buy some inexpensive cute/trendy pins, you can mix-and-match to coordinate with many more ensembles.
For something more permanent, I go to Michaels or Hobby Lobby and buy feathers. Often in the floral department you can get the decorator picks that already have complimentary colors of feathers bound together, if you don’t want to assemble them yourself. Just dab some hot glue on an old headband, place the feathers to your liking, and cover the base where the gluing might look messy with a fabric flower, button, or some other piece of flair to create a fascinator-type band. I often use brooches with broken clasps, or other repurposed pieces for the cover-ups.
I also fully embrace hats. I used to think that people with shorter hair were the only ones who could pull them off, but now I rock hats all the time, especially when I don’t have the time or energy to shampoo. Throw your hair in pigtail braids, a side-pony or a messy side-bun, pop on a beret, slouch, newsboy, or cloche, and you’re chic with minimal effort. I decorate my hats with the same brooches and pins as the headbands, though I try not to go too big with the flowers and risk looking like Six from Blossom.
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November 6th, 2009 on 1:59 pm
make your own!
i make small flowers out of felt. it’s super cheap…a square of felt costs like 25 cents…and i can make them the size/color/style i like. (i embellish mine with a cute button or acrylic gem and glue them to a bobby pin, pin back, or headband.) if it goes out of style, i don’t care because it only cost me a few minutes and a few cents to make!
it would be SOOOO easy for you make that stretchy felt heart headband yourself. buy a stretchy headband and a square of felt at walmart (or wherever), cut out a heart shape, glue it on.
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November 6th, 2009 on 2:03 pm
Pretty bobby pins work well when your hair is down but you want to make sure it stays out of your eyes. I have one with a glittery flower on it – I just wore it yesterday and got a ton of compliments!
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November 6th, 2009 on 2:16 pm
I second Forever 21. They have a huge selection of headbands, clips, ponytail holders, etc. Some are pretty trendy (the big puffy flowers you’re not into) but they also have some more subtle peices. Plus, at $3-$4, you can afford to try a few styles!
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November 6th, 2009 on 5:35 pm
I love all of them. And don’t cut your hair anytime soon!
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November 7th, 2009 on 1:34 am
I wish you all the luck in your quest for hair accessories. I always wish I had fun ones, but when I start collecting cute headbands I forget to wear them. Maybe they’re just not cute enough to keep my attention – so I hope you have better luck than me!
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November 7th, 2009 on 9:36 am
Wal-Mart has some super cute feather headbands for around $4 right now. They can go with either dressy or casual outfits!
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November 7th, 2009 on 12:07 pm
I second the not spending a ton of cash on hair accessories. Trends change quickly.
My husband likes my hair au natural — no headbands.
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November 8th, 2009 on 10:43 pm
I hope you’re able to find some great stuff. I’ve never used hair accessories – I have no idea how to do so without looking like I’m channeling either a five year old or an uber hip fashionista who is so not me. But adding a bit of fun and interest to long hair just seems so enticing.
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November 9th, 2009 on 7:52 am
I am a huge fan of headbands and bobby pins!! I love, love, love the first headband!!
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November 9th, 2009 on 9:19 am
i just read about these on the pioneer woman’s blog: http://www.etsy.com/shop/featherbyfeather
a LITTLE pricier, but not horrible. sorry to tempt if they are too much, but they were too cute to resist!
Anne
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November 9th, 2009 on 9:56 am
I wish there were a way to block posts like this from my Google Reader! I’m trying to not spend money on clothes and accessories right now, but OH – the pretty things!
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November 9th, 2009 on 10:47 am
Thanks for linking my shoppe and featuring my headband. I am the owner of Daris Day. My friend sent me the link to this post. Love your blog
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November 9th, 2009 on 11:13 am
I think the last picture with the headband and heart is just the sweetest! Get one!
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November 11th, 2009 on 12:07 am
Love the first headband! I’ve been trying to find cute ones that have feathers because I think the kind with feathers are too adorable.
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November 11th, 2009 on 11:10 am
Do check out my etsy shop for super fun supplies to make hair accessories and headbands.
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November 15th, 2009 on 1:31 pm
check out miss ruby sue at etsy – i think her stuff will intrigue you
i had her make naomi a head band for her newborn pictures. they are beautiful and she is very talented. she lives here in rexburg
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February 5th, 2010 on 8:31 am
[...] Etsy shop, The Redheaded Actress several times over the past few months. Back in November I wrote about my desire to explore the world of hair accessorization, and though I haven’t [...]