A Sewing Magnet: I have to thank my big sister, Amy, for passing this tip on a few years ago.  Bobby pins and metal clips are staples in lots of little girl hairstyles.  Instead of digging them out of the bottom of your bathroom drawer, try keeping one of these cheap little magnets on your counter.  It will catch the stray pins and keep them close at hand when you’re trying to secure a bun or hair section.  You can buy one for a few dollars at any craft store or in the craft section of Walmart.

A Pony Loop: Okay so I made up that name…I have no idea what this thin metal ring is called, but I find it indispensable.  I use tons of these little, clear elastics in my girl’s hair and used to keep them in a basket in the bathroom.  The problem was they never seemed to stay there.  They end up on the floor, down the sink, and any number of other places.  A few years back I found one of these little rings and decided to use it to help me win my battle with wandering ponies.  As a side benefit, the ring travels incredibly well.  Whether you’re trying to do a french braid on the way to church or packing for a trip to Grandma’s this little ring will save you tons of trouble.  I haven’t been able to find them for ages then, at Walmart today, I noticed them attached to a package of Goody-brand pony tail holders.  I snatched up two just in case they disappear from the market again.

A Seam Ripper: I have one of my brilliant blog commenters to thank for this one.  When I published my post on pixie flips last year a reader named Toshia recommended using a seam ripper to remove the little clear elastics from hair.  I loved the idea and made a run to Walmart that very day to pick one up.  One year and countless pixie flips later I still use it as a painless alternative to yanking.  Needless to say, Toshia, if my daughters could thank you they totally would.

Well, there you have it.  Three very cheap ways to make your mornings a little easier.  If you’ve got other easy hair tips to share or sites to recommend I hope you’ll add them to the comments area.  Heaven knows my girls would be thrilled if I could pick up a few more pain-free solutions.  Just thought I’d pass it on.

When it comes to summer hairstyles for my kids…I’m all about simplicity. For my son, that means a buzz cut and a lot of baseball hats. For my girls, it means a summer full of pixie flips.

Although they look tricky, these simple little wonders are actually really easy to do. Now I know what you’re thinking…hey, Maria, how does this fancy-looking hairstyle fit into your simple-summer intro? I’ll admit, these flips do take a little longer to create than your average pony tail, but they last for days and that makes it all worth it. It’s kind of like doubling your lasagna recipe and sticking one in the freezer. The time it will save you down the line is well worth the extra effort.

Step 1: Wet hair with detangling spray. The store kind is too expensive, so I make my own by filling a spray bottle with warm water and then adding about a tablespoon of kid’s conditioner (we like Suave’s ‘Go Go Grape’ because it’s cheap and it smells like grape bubble-gum).

Step 2: Use a rat tail comb to divide hair into sections. Create simple pony tails towards the back of each section. I like to use Goody’s Mini-Ouchless rubber bands because they’re clear so they disappear into the hair and match with everything.

Step 3: Grab your comb again and use the long handle to divide a section of hair into two even sections. Use your finger or the handle of the comb to gently slide the rubber band up and create a small ‘tunnel’ in the hair.  The diameter of your tunnel should be roughly the diameter of a Crayola marker.

Step 4: Flip the pony tail forward and push it through the tunnel by pushing the rubber band through first with the tip of your finger. Next, slide the tip of your comb under the rubber band area to pull the remaining pony tail through. Divide the hair and pull to tighten the pony tail and cause the rubber band to slide down and hide under the flip.

I know it sounds complicated, but trust me, once you get the hang of this you’ll whip them out in no time. If you’re in a hurry, just do two at the top of the head or part hair on the side and do one large and one small. To take them out, just push the rubber band back through the tunnel and slide it out. If you’re daughter’s hair has more texture, you may want to give it a quick squirt of detangling spray first.

In addition to looking cute, they’re also a great way to keep growing bangs out of your daughter’s eyes. My girls have been growing their bangs out for over a year so we’ve done a lot of pixie flip variations. Generally they last around 3 days before they need a touch-up. They’re washable too. If I’m too lazy to pull them out when it’s time for the tub, I just wash their hair with the flips in and then touch them up after the bath.

They’re simple, durable, versatile and work on nearly every hair type. They’ve been a summer staple in our house for years. For more cute summer hair styles, check out the July 17, 2007 post on one of my favorite blogs: The Lazy Organizer. Just thought I’d pass it on.