Hair Elastics

Store this one in the why-didn't-I-think-of-that hair files: a Connecticut woman has come up with a way to make wearing hair elastics all the more convenient. After years of wrapping elastics around her wrists just in case ponytails might be an option for the day's needs, marketer Karin Zannella grew tired of the unsightly red marks they left behind. Enter her new invention: Hairbanglez. Available in two sizes (skinny for $16, classic for $20), the just-released jewelry is designed with special grooves to hold a single elastic band in place. While the bangles are currently only available in black, Zannella has plans to launch more colors in the future. So spare the hair (your arm hair, that is), and give these clever cuffs a try. Oh, snap.

It's the eternal hair quandary: you need a way to contain your mane, but there's no elastic to be had for love or money. If you're currently looking for something — anything — to hold your hair back, there's an easy solution that's effective and almost certainly available. Simply use a twist tie. You know, the ones you usually find at the top of bread bags and other food products.

Just twist it around your hair the same way you would to seal a bag, then wrap the loose ends around to conceal them. It might seem goofy, but no one will be able to tell the difference. Besides, they won't tear your hair out like a rubber band, will work on any texture or thickness, and are just about ubiquitous. In fact, if your hair is hard to hold in clips or bands for styling, try substituting a twist tie; everything will stay exactly as it should.