Tips & Tricks: How to Make a Topsy Tail Tool

January 17, 2011

Since quite a few of my hairstyles use flips, many followers have been asking where they can purchase a Topsy Tail tool. It can be purchased online at Amazon (via the link), on Ebay, or locally at your Claire’s, Wal-Mart, Target, or Sally Beauty supply.

As we all know, things are not made as sturdy as they used to be years ago… in fact, many of the Topsy Tail manufacturers today make them out of cheap plastic. The problem is that if you do not loosen the ponytail enough before you use the tool, the tension while pulling the hair through causes the tool to break.

The Topsy Tail tool that I have been using is very sturdy, because it was one of the originals my mom bought back when I was a little girl. But, you simply do not have to spend $2-5 (not including shipping) online or spend hours hunting through the stores trying to find a Topsy Tail tool. We are going to show you how to make one with stuff you might already have at home!

As you can see, the one we made in the photo above is not pretty by any means… but is is very functional and will last you for forever! You can make on any size you would like, but this one is particularly for large ponytail flips. (You will need to use smaller wire to make a Topsy Tail tool for small pigtail flips on your younger daughters.)

Items Needed: Wire cutters, electrician’s tape, and a dry cleaner’s wire hanger.

Time Requirement: 5 minutes

Not only do we show you how to make the Topsy Tail tool, but we show you how easily the homemade one works on a basic ponytail flip!

If you like this tip… be sure to let us know!

Happy Hairdoing!

* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!

Bathroom Cupboard: Spray Bottle

June 01, 2010

Here is another tip from my “In My Bathroom Cupboard” series, which details the items I use each day in creating my girls hairstyles. From the video tutorials on my hairstyles, I get quite a few questions asking if my girls’ hair is wet. Honestly, most often it is… albeit only damp.

I find that working with damp hair when braiding or twisting helps keep the hair uniform and more manageable. It is easier to comb through, but it also helps prevent flyers and allows you to keep the hair style ‘tighter’ and more crisp. When you are done with the hairstyle, a gentle spritz of hairspray can help keep the hairstyle that way. The next question often asked when I respond to those asking is, “Which hairspray bottle do you use?”

Like most of you, I often used the small spray water bottles (like those pictured above) one can find at stores like WalMart, Target, Walgreen’s, or any other box store. I quickly found that these spray bottles lose their pump ability after awhile, or that my kids chew on the pump straw or the nozzle gets clogged. Obviously, they were not designed for years and years of daily use. I would have to replace these bottles every six months or so.

One day while my hubby and I were shopping at Home Depot, we spotted a package of three industrial spray bottles in the cleaner section. They are sold empty, so you know that the bottles are sterile and clean.

We purchased a 3 pack and have been using them ever since! I have found that the mist spray is wider than the traditional bottles, which means that 3-4 spritzes gets the hair damp rather than pumping 7+ times with the smaller bottles. (One downside is that the bottle walls suck in a little after several days of use. I find that I have to twist open the lid for a second to let air back in so that the bottle keeps its shape.)

I hope you all enjoyed this little tip!  Happy Hairdoing!

* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!

"In My Bathroom Cupboard" – Glitter Spray

March 01, 2010

I thought I would start with glitter spray. Glitter spray is an item all moms-of-girls should have in their cupboard. It’s very useful for dance competitions, cheer or other activities, school crazy hair days, or even just a little “pop” once in awhile.

My twins had a dance competition this weekend and part of the dance makeup for us is always glitter in the hair. When I took the girls to the competition some of the other moms were ohhhhing and ahhhhing over the glitter look. And BAM!!! I decided to throw glitter spray up as my first post.

Here’s my advice. You can go to Claire’s or another girl accessory store and spend about $5-7 for a small can of glitter spray. But who wants to??

I go to Walmart and buy glitter spray from the craft section (sometimes it’s found up by the party supplies too) for about $3 for a big can. They have silver, gold, or rainbow glitter.  It looks like this, and is non-toxic and washes out easily.  The color of the cap is the color of the spray.

Some glitters I have used (before I figured out craft glitter) wouldn’t stick to the hair and would fall out in 2 minutes. Or one question I get a lot is “does it remain sticky in the hair after washing”. The answer is NO! I personally think craft glitter is perfect. It sticks to the hair and stays in, but will wash out with ease too.

Here’s a pict of my daughter with the glitter in. The picts really don’t do it justice since it is much easier to see in person, but look close and you can see it.

Happy Hairdoing!

* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!

Tips and Tricks: A Flower/Bow Wall

February 01, 2010

Items Needed: A few feet of ribbon, plastic O-rings, 3M sticky hooks
Total Cost:  About $5.

When I do my girls hair, I often use flowers or bows to add a little pizzazz (as you may have noticed). However, one problem I am always running into is how to STORE all of those flowers and bows. I don’t have tons of drawer space in the bathroom and do not like that the bows and flowers gett all bent out of shape or crushed.

So… I created a flower/bow wall in my girls’ room. This wall sits directly behind a bedroom door so isn’t easily viewed by everyone. It does, however, create a great “safe” place for my flowers/bows.  I even place it high enough that my 1-year old cannot reach them!

If you want to make the ribbon holders here’s how:

• Get a couple of feet of ribbon, in any color of choice. I think the 1″ grosgrain works the best. (The grosgrain texture seems to hold the hair clips better.)
• Buy a couple of “O” rings (the plastic circles at the top of the ribbon)
• Wrap the ribbon through the O ring and secure by either sewing or hot glue. (Heck, even staples would work!)
• Buy a few of the 3M wall stickies (can’t remember what they are called) at Walmart or Target. They are double sided stickies… one side sticks to the wall, the other side sticks to the little hook (see picture if confused).
• Now hang the O ring off the hook and voila! you have a great place to hang bows and flowers.

**As a side note:  I use the 3M stickies all the time and have never had a problem with them coming off the wall without peeling paint. There is a little tab you pull and they just peel off.

Happy crafting and organizing!

* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!