Hair accessories

AntjeH

I'm very into accessories right now, for adding color and "zip". I've never really used hair related accessories, and I have a very short hair. But I was thinking maybe I could try some simple clips in the front, kinda like in the little picture of Angie at the top left corner of this site (my hair is shorter, though, as is hers now in real life, too, by the way :-)) Are there any do's and don'ts around that, and/or other tips for hair accessories that would look with short hairstyles?

In terms of the kind of hairstyle I have, the closest celebrity hairstyles I found are:
Michelle Williams at http://beauty.about.com/od/cel.....hort_5.htm, though mine is a bit more "poufy" (and, okay, I'm not nearly as pretty as Michelle...) or
Sharon Stone from years ago at http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1294425.jpg

Any short haired gals out there use hair clips, hair bands, etc. and can share some tips?

18 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Nicole

Veteran

I love the look of ultra short hair with clips in the front. Short hair just screams confidence.

18 years ago

AnaElizabeth

Active Member

I have had all hair lengths, from a pixie cut to ultra long. My hair is medium length now, but when I had short hair I liked putting a little bobby pin in where "virtual Angie" has hers to pull it back or add some interest. You could also do a headband as an accessory. Don't push your hair back with it (like they are traditionally used for), just style your hair and then slip it into your hair behind your ears. Another thing you could do is try to style it differently. Rather than having it hang straight, you could flip little pieces of it out using a curling iron (if it's long enough), kind of like this:

http://www.short-hairstyles.com/short/s11.htm

Or vice versa--if you currently flip it out, try a sleek style now and then.

Texturizing cream is great if you have very short hair, it can add a lot of interest and structure. Another thing you could do (if you don't already) is go get some highlights. That can make a big difference in your appearance, and it's a relatively small change if you're starting to get bored with your hair.

I would also add that unless you're under 25, I would stay away from anything jeweled or highly embellished (make sure it still goes with your style though--if you're a whimsical sort of person, maybe you could use a bobby pin or clip that is metallic or a bright color instead).

I like to think of hair itself as an accessory, so I say, have fun with it, and if you don't have one already, find a stylist you love--even if it's expensive, it is so worth it. If you develop a long term relationship with one stylist, they will get to know your hair and your personality, and be able to make recommendations, suggestions for something new (if you want) and give you flattering cuts that will fit with your lifestyle and personal style as well.

You have to wear your hair every day, right?

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I know clips Antje! This has been part of my signature style for about 13 years and I am almost 38. My hair is VERY short and very blonde at the moment (I think even shorter than yours Antje cause I had an almighty chop two days ago), and I still wear clips. I only wear very subtle diamante clips and the best place to get these is Claires. I don’t like to have anything compete with my specs (not even earrings) so I keep it neutral and sparkly, but always sophisticated. You like to wear earrings so bear that in mind. Does that make sense?

Lovely suggestions from Ana!

18 years ago

Becky

Veteran

Angie, any suggestions for choosing statement specs? I am about due for another pair, and I'd like to go a little bolder than I have in the past, but I will only have one pair, so I need to keep it neutral enough to work with everything I wear.

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

On the contrary Becky. Your specs needn’t be neutral. They are like an item of clothing that you wear every day. If you choose a purple pair of specs, they do not need to match what you wear. EVER. This might be a hard concept to grasp, but it’s so important. It’s like wearing a pair of yellow shoes that don’t match anything else in your ensemble, but they work beautifully. Does that make sense?

So I’m not saying that you need to get red specs, in fact my specs are all neutral shades. But they are dramatic and have colours on the inside. Do not skimp on your specs. This is when you need to get the best that you can afford. Do you wear them all the time?

18 years ago

mirah

Active Member

ohh Angie..not intending to change the thread topic entirely but could I please have some tips on signature specs too? I wear mine all the time and hate wearing lenses(they wont go in my eyes and its a big drama every morning!) ..neways I have a verry round face and my skin is wheatish. Also my hair is usually shoulder length and is black. I've always worn black or brown frames so as to avoid conflicts with my clothes. But you bring up a very interesting point that they dont necessarily have to match... I do like earrings but I can keep them subtle if I find a great pair of specs. also if it is useful info here, my dressing style is sort of a mix of classic and artsy.

18 years ago

AntjeH

Active Member

Thanks so much for the tips on hair accessories, Ana Elizabeth and Angie, really appreciate it. Ana: I do have highlights already and use quite a bit of product (texture cream or pomade) in my hair to style it. And I'm 40, so yeah, I'm absolutly not looking for something too cutesy. But I'll try a subtle hairband, and like the idea of not using it to push back the hair but just sticking it in. We'll see how that goes.

Now about specs. First of all, congrats to those who are amongst the lucky ones who need specs. I wear specs and love them; they are my favorite accessory - I don't know why I didn't mention that before. Fortunately, my vision hasn't changed in the last years, and I have a great health plan, so I buy a new pair of specs every year and have collected them in a variety of colors and styles now. But I agree with Angie, you can make a statement even if you just own a single pair. First, find a really good glasses store in your area. In Seattle, I'd check out Ottica (downtown), Eye Society (Bellevue), Market Opticals, Colaizzo. And/or just ask friends, acquaintances, colleagues who wear glasses you like for recommendations. That's how I discover new stores. If the store is good, they will help you find good shapes for your face - much better than we can here on this forum! One thing to keep in mind is your lifestyle. I, for instance, am somewhat active, I work out and ski, and I'm also somewhat of a klutz. Therefore, I just can't have glasses that are very fragile, e.g. the ones that only have a wire at the bottom but no frame. Just doesn't work for me; mine need to be more sturdy. Otherwise, go with what you like and absolutely don't be afraid to make a statement with your glasses. People see that you're wearing glasses anyway, so don't try to "hide" it by going too subtle, but just have fun with it and express yourself.

Finally, I wear specs in combination with bold earrings, and it's absolutely fine (even Angie said so even though I know she has general reservations about that combo :-)) However, I don't add a necklace. And I might want to be subtle about those hair accessories, which started this whole thread

Sorry for the long mail. I'm a happy specs wearer and hope to encourage others to treat them as fashion items rather than mere utility. Have fun!

18 years ago

Patience

Veteran

I was just thinking about hair accessories the other day. I don't actually wear them often, but I am also attracted to them. I don't want anything cutesie either but I do like bright. Yesterday I got a jcrew catalog with this :

http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat301262

except the model was wearing a bunch of them together. Is this only for the young? I do have long hair and I wear contacts most of the time (I just see better this way; otherwise, you guys would have convinced me on the glasses as an accessory).

18 years ago

Becky

Veteran

Angie, I do wear my specs all the time. I have short dark blonde/light brown hair with blonde highlights, a squarish face, fair sallow skin, and grayish-green eyes. I do love red, but I'm not sure I could pull it off...

18 years ago

Becky

Veteran

P.S. I think I'd be more comfortable with a bold color than a bold shape.

18 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I always wear my contacts because I can see better. The last time I went to the doctor, I didn't need new contacts so I used my insurance payment on glasses. I picked out these great funky frames. Tried them on with my contacts in so i could see how I looked in them, and took my friend along to help me decide. So, I get the new glasses and I'm all excited to start wearing them, to change my look a little bit. But...the frames were actually too small for my prescription. My peripheral vision naturally travels outside the frame. My vision is quite bad, so walking around like this makes me dizzy, and driving would be downright dangerous. And since I tried them on w/my contacts in, I had no way of knowing it was going to be a problem. So, I wear them around the house at night, but I mostly wear my contacts.

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That sounds like a good strategy Becky. Your specs need to follow the shape of your brows and “lift” your face. Make sure that your cheeks and eyes do not droop. A competent sales assistant will be able to help you. I do not prefer nose pads so I always go for plastic. I also feel it’s more retro and suits my style. But the preference is yours.

You don’t need to go for a bright red Becky. You could go for a dark and more subtle red. Or green to suit your eyes. I cannot stress this point enough - your specs are the most important accessory that you own!

Antje, your earrings work with your glasses because you don’t wear necklaces. They seem to match your very funky style. You are one of the few people I know who can pull this look off. And we love your informative comment!

18 years ago

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