16 Very Cute, Very Giftable Hair Accessories

In this edition of The Gift, we share the cutest hair accessories we’ve seen lately. Plus, our favorite gifts for frequent travelers and the very best vanilla ice cream.

I am basically allergic to heat, and humidity renders me useless. This makes me unbearably cranky when we head from San Francisco to the East Coast every July to visit family.

My coping mechanisms for dealing with summer heat do go beyond complaining: I sneakily turn the AC at my in-laws’ house below 80 (I know) after they go to bed; I drink a lot of icy beverages; and I avoid all movement that isn’t in water. But mainly, I try to keep my hair up and off my neck as much as possible. Long hair is the enemy of a comfortable summer.

If you’re also heatphobic, or shopping for someone with a penchant for cute summer updos, I have a plethora of favorite hair accessories to keep tresses up and out of the way, and summer crankiness at a minimum.

Note: To reap the full benefits, all giftable hairware should be combined with cola slushies, lake swimming, frigid movie theaters, and soft serve.

• I am already on the record as a big fan of bandanas. In summer, they play many roles, including jaunty ponytail ornament, headband, and Rosie-the-Riveter (or perhaps, Coachella hipster?) head wrap. These bright, patterned silk and cotton versions have stolen my heart. But they’re expensive, so for everyday use, I turn to these much cheaper lightweight cotton beauties with embroidered flourishes. I’m also fond of these bandanas that double as game boards — they’re cute and handy for corralling a group of children drooping in the heat. Also! When styled as a classic triangular head scarf, bandanas can help prevent sunburned scalps.
• I don’t know if it’s the shape of my head or the texture of my hair, but headbands don’t stay put on me — unless they have claws. These toothy plastic ones keep my curtain bangs under control with no slipping. My son, who has inherited my slippery hair and large head, wears these utilitarian metal ones to keep his ’90s-era flop out of his face.
• On the subject of keeping hair in place: I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this little box of 30 sturdy bobby pins colorfully coated to prevent snagging. I use them to hold up my Heidi braids. I also love these formidable hair claws made from plant-based plastics, especially the one for horse girls (your inner 9-year-old will thank you).
• In lieu of messy buns, I go for the messy French twist held to my head with this sleek and sophisticated barrette, which is both prettier and better made than drugstore spring clips.
• For lying on the beach or by the pool, I go for a baseball cap. My current faves include this hometown pride trucker hat and these colorful, bookish dad hats from Brooklyn. I also recently started wearing this handwoven straw number, which has everything I need: chin strap, straight brim, and cute styling.
• Finally, there are the decorations. Little touches that, yes, hold up your locks, but mostly just add a bit of pizazz to hair that spends the summer limp, damp, frizzy, or otherwise regrettable. These cheerfully bright contrasting micro clips hold a half-updo all day long. This sparkly strawberry clip adds bling, as does this set of bobby pins adorned with colorful stones. And, if you simply can’t be bothered, this sleek, oversized hair pin makes a three-second updo look St.-Tropez-ready.

from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/8NdRe9y
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