OK, I admit it (and so does Christine - thanks for the idea), I have been known to purchase hair toys that looked like a good idea, but in reality they were a distaster for me.  (They might work for someone else, just not for me).  

Hair lacer:  made from leather thong and pony beads, this contraption is looped around the twisted around your ponytail.  In my case, it loops and twists my hair into knots that require outside assistance to detangle!

I also have some "hairsticks" that looked really neat on ebay, but when I received them, I knew right away they were a mistake.  What attracted me to them were the lampwork beads on the "sticks".  The sticks. however were just metal rods.  The ends were very rough.  I tried to put them in my hair ONCE and vowed never again.  Now if I could just figure out how to get the beads off the metal rods.......

Looking into the vault:

1.  A beautiful green barrette - with a metal French-clip clasp.

I actually wore that for a long time. And now you know why my hair is barely past my shoulder blades.

2.  One of those ponytail-elastic coverers made of stamped leather with a pointed stick that runs through it. It's actually pretty - I bought it at a Renaissance fair - but somehow, it just doesn't fit into my life back.

3.  And, of course, the leopard-print headband.

That *would* fit into my lifestyle if only headbands weren't so utterly wrong for my face shape!

It's sooo cute and retro-chic - and just so wrong for me.

Okay, this is starting to sound like a different thread  ;)

Christine

Hm,let´s see:
* a beautiful scrunchie made of many small pearls-took me an hour to separate hair from all those pearls.... :P
*a cute rhinestone plastic hairstick with sharp edges-just sliced through several hairs...
*a lovely barrette with gold/black brocade-unfortunately with a metal clasp(rough on my hair and I´m also allergic to that kind of metal :P )
I´m sure there is more...........

Anne-Marie -
ooooh, I've seen those scruncies with the beads.  They look soooo pretty  :) and soooo dangerous >:( .  I've been afraid to try them for fear of my hair becoming permanently entangled.

I've got another one to add......
a headband made of wire with little prongs or teeth to hold the hair.  It took me an hour to get this hairtrap out of my hair!

You are so right-those pearl-scrunchies are a real killer for long hair,but so lovely :'(
I´ve also got another useless toy,it´s called the Hair Scroo (looks like a small spiral) and is supposed to hold up updos,but just kept either falling out of my hair or getting tangled...........

wrote on Feb 20^th, 2004 at 8:30pm:

You are so right-those pearl-scrunchies are a real killer for long hair,but so lovely :'( I´ve also got another useless toy,it´s called the Hair Scroo (looks like a small spiral) and is supposed to hold up updos,but just kept either falling out of my hair or getting tangled...........

I have a set of Hair Twisters - I wonder if they are the same thing?  The two ends of the spiral are at the same end?  I actually like my set - two will hold my bun up all day - I can even sleep with them holding my bun.  Or is yours a single spiral that you wrap your hair into to dangle?  (I've tried those, and they slide right out of my hair).

Hm,it´s a single spiral,about 1,5 inches long,and it´s put in the hair in a corkscrew like motion(sorry,not a good explanation!).It just doesn´t work for me,or maybe I´m doing something wrong-the instructions consisted of a tiny leaflet with tiny illustrations and even tinier explanations  ;D

the worst hair toy i've ever had was a a headband that on the underside had about four metal clasps with hooked teeth.  because it was a present my mom tried to put it in just once (at the time my hair was just above my butt) and when she tried the clasp the underside thingys the teeth caught the clips and my hair both.  it took hours and it wouldnt get off the last 5 inches of hair so the stylist had to cut those off.  Never again.......................

My cousin has one of those scrunchies with beads.  I've always steared clear because I could tell that it would take a couple hours to get my hair out of one of those things.   ::)

I have a couple of beaded french twist combs I never use because a) I can't do a french twist properly, the front bit of hair is always loose and b) they aren't strong enough to hold my hair up.

I also have a bear's claw and octopus claw that I can't use because they aren't large enough to hold my hair, without the added danger of metal springs.  Note to self- try all hair tools before buying ;D