ByKat Hours Updated
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Coffee Break – Purple Check Elastic Ponytail Holder

Purple Check Elastic Ponytail HolderI'm always a fan of pretty ponytail holders for those days when you intend to wear your hair back all day. This one walks the line from being really interesting and pretty, but being better priced than a lot of similar things I've seen: it's $6 at Ulta. If only it came in other colors! Purple Check Elastic Ponytail Holder (L-2)

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89 Comments

  1. It’s already been said on this forum, but again: decorative ponytail holders like this almost always seem to come on bands that stretch out horribly even after just one wear. All the ones I have, including some more expensive than this, are now so big that I have to wrap around 3-5 times before they actually hold my hair. The elastic also thins out or frays. Not professional looking, not worth it. I’m a fan of barrettes instead.

    1. really? i have never had that problem with my collette malouf or france luxe things… some of them i’ve had for years. i think the same from similar things i’ve gotten at outlet malls, like random stuff from the liz claiborne store or whatnot.

      1. Sorry you caught me complaining, Kat! Maybe I am doing something wrong, but yes, this is inevitably my result, including with France Luxe. (I don’t have terribly thick hair, so that’s not the issue.) Glad others are able to enjoy these, anyway!

        1. ha – no worries, complain away! fortunately i’ve been blogging long enough that it’s no longer automatically a bad day just if people don’t like what i post (or have differing opinions about it) — it’s why the site community is so great.

      2. My lovely France Luxe clip ($17!) broke after about three uses. Thankfully, I bought it at Nordstrom, so they took it back. I love my France Luxe comfort headband though.

    2. I’ve heard barettes are a lot harder on your hair, so I try to avoid wearing them these days. I do think they tend to look more stylish though.

      And I guess any holder probably ups the chance of breakage to begin with.

      I just can’t stand having my hair in my face sometimes. Live for today, right? :)

    3. I like the look of a barrett, but I’ve never found a nice one that will h0ld all of my hair for more than a few minutes. Any suggestions?

      1. I like France Luxe, for thicker hair. Wearing one now, actually. My advice is to go to the store and try on a few to see what works for you.

        @Monday: I have the exact same problem! I also gave up buying any fancy ones. I stick to goody ones from the drugstore now, or maybe an occasional flowery something for $3 from H&M (and, obviously, I don’t wear flowers in my hair to work ;))

        1. Glad it’s not just me! I was wondering if I did some kind of violent movement while putting up my hair, causing all my elastics to give out. PS–I moved to New York! If you see someone wearing “aubergine” mascara and looking completely lost, it just might be your old Corporette friend :)

    4. I have this problem also, but have solved it by just using a regular, plain, thick elastic to actually hold my hair, and wrapping the decorative one around it. That way I don’t have stretch the elastic on the decorative one, and worry about the fraying and such – I can stop at two or three times around, when it is enough to keep the holder in place, but probably wouldn’t have been enough to keep my hair in place.

      1. That’s a great solution to the problem. I often have trouble getting the decorative part to be centered while effectively holding my hair. I think this would solve that problem, too!

  2. I like it! I’m actually wearing a ponytail holder today and a purple (ish) suit so this would have been perfect! At $6 I wouldn’t mind if the elastic stretched or I lost it. It’s all about the bang for the buck.

  4. Anyone know of a good facial moisturizer with SPF that isn’t oily and looks nice with or without makeup?

    1. I’m a recent convert to philosphy’s Hope in a Jar. I have combination skin (dry-ish except for an oily T-zone) and it can be prone to breakouts if I don’t use the correct type of moisturizer/primer/eye cream, etc. I’m loving Hope in Jar so far – light enough that I can wear it in Texas summer weather, but moisturizing enough that I don’t look dry. And it comes with an SPF option.

      If money is no object, La Prairie makes GREAT moisturizers. Alas, I’d rather have shoes/clothes/gas in my car than their moisturizers.

      1. Unfortunately for me, Hope in a Jar with SPF contains avebenzone which I and many others are allergic to. Sigh. I’ve been using Trader Joe’s Enrich facial moisturizer. It’s oil free, SPF 15 and won’t give me a chemical burn.

          1. FWIW my dermatologist said that many people are allergic to chemical sunscreen ingredients including avobenzone that are triggered by the sun. Redness after being out in the sun may be an allergic reaction and not a sunburn.

      2. La Prairie made me break out all over. Luckily it was a gift otherwise I would’ve been very upset (tho nice department stores will likely let you return it).

    3. I’ve been using the Olay Complete Sensitive (I think it is now called the Classic formula) for years. It doesn’t have avobenzone or any of the other ingredients a lot of people are allergic to. I also use Jouer luminizing moisture tint if I want something tinted.

    4. Skinceuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30 is my fav. Some say it leaves a whitish cast, but I’m so pale even ivory foundation is too dark, so I can’t really speak to that. I’m super sensitive to chemical sunscreens, and I have vitiligo, so sunscreen pretty much rules my life.

      1. I second Skinceuticals! I have medium-toned skin (tan East asian), and this is the best physical sunblock I have found. It is a liquid rather than a cream or lotion, so I mix it with my regular moisturizer in the morning and spread it quickly on my face, neck and chest.

        I haven’t had a problem with a whitish cast (yet). I think the reason it doesn’t leave a whitish cast is because the zinc oxide particles are micro or nano-sized. I haven’t found any scientific evidence that nano-sized particles are actually harmful when applied to the skin, so I’m not worried about it. However, I would be hesitant to use any sort of powder sunscreen, since there is some evidence that inhaled nano-sized particles could lodge in the lungs and cause problems.

        When the sunblock is used without a moisturizer, my skin feels a little dry. I have used powder foundation over the moisturizer/sunblock combination with good results, although the powder goes on more smoothly over a primer. Because my primer has a sunblock in it (MAC Prep & Prime SPF 50), I usually forego the Skinceuticals when I plan to wear foundation.

        My husband uses the Trader Joe’s Olay-like moisturizer with sunscreen, and he seems to like it. The lotion has eliminated dry spots on his skin. It does have a “chemical” sunscreen in it though, which is why I don’t use it. He doesn’t wear makeup (at least not to my knowledge!), so can’t comment on that aspect.

    5. This. Bonus: it’s not expensive so you don’t feel bad using more.

      http://www.amazon.com/Eucerin-Everyday-Protection-4-Ounce-Bottles/dp/B001FB5IIW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1303176816&sr=8-4

      I was using Olay for a long time, and then I noticed that it was just too greasy. This is so gentle and moisturizing. I even wear it to the beach (and wear a sun hat) and I don’t get any color. It has UVA/UVB protection which means no burning or aging. No break-outs.

      1. I second the Eucerin one! I just started using it — feels great, and I like that the SPF is higher than my old standbys (which tend to be 15).

    6. Check out Skinceuticals or Dermalogica – both have very pure, natural ingredients and are excellent quality. I swear by both. I think Skinceuticals is slightly more expensive.

    7. I use Garnier’s new line of moisturizers…they have SPF 30 and the price, quality and ingredients are all good.

  5. A good friend of mine who lives across the country is undergoing radiation treatment for cancer. Since I can’t go visit her, I’m looking for ways to show my support — something I can send her (other than flowers) that would be supportive and useful to her. Does anyone have any ideas? The cancer is early-stage and at this point not diagnosed as terminal. Thanks in advance!

    1. Radiation can be tough on people. She may feel pretty tired and not much like cooking or leaving the house, so some kind of meal delivery might be good, or gift certificates for her favorite restaurants that deliver. Ditto if she may need a cleaning service, or if she needs help with transportation, maybe help her make arrangements for that. They generally don’t recommend people drive themselves to and from radiation therapy.

      I have had a couple of friends now diagnosed with early cancer, and I have found the thing they want most is someone to talk to, who will not recoil in horror or change the subject if they talk about fear of serious illness or fear of death. Maybe call every few days and let her talk when she needs to. People get so into the chirpy “Oh, you’ll be fine!!” mode that sometimes they don’t let the person with cancer talk about their real feelings. Very best of luck to your friend.

      1. All of this times a million. I have way too much experience with loved ones having cancer, and want to echo the core of these two suggestions: 1) the most practical considerations you can think of–including pet care, dealing with the mail, plants, etc; 2) being as open a listener as you can possibly be.

        For both of these things, I will add: nothing hurts more than having someone say “if there’s anything I can do…” and then follow up by showing only what they are NOT willing to do. It’s important to have a sense of what you can offer, and not to represent otherwise. Not saying anything came across at all in your post, this is just a general thought.

      2. I’m so sorry to hear about the diagnoses of your friends, Anon and Ann. One of my co-worker’s daughters was diagnosed with cancer and she found a wonderful service that both of your friends may appreciate. It’s called “Cleaning for a Reason” and provides free house cleaning services for women being treated for cancer. I know my friend’s daughter has found it to be a lifesaver! http://www.cleaningforareason.org/

        My best to both of your friends for a speedy recovery!

    2. Send her favorite take out on a day when she has treatment scheduled. Does she have an ereader? If so, think about getting her a credit to buy books so she has something to read while waiting at the doctor (or while resting at home).

      1. For some reason, I remember that radiation (or is it chemo?) makes people very nauseous, and the hospitals often give people strange foods that they won’t miss if they can never eat it again (after throwing it up, etc). Favorite take out might be better the day before treatment.

    3. A fuzzy blanket embroidered with something nice (Lands End, maybe?)?

      Mom had a red, heart-shaped one in the hospital when she was in rehab (stroke). She loved it.
      (Confession: it said “Purina Dog Chow” and was swag from a festival. It was in still the car and I brought it up to keep her warm in the wheelchair. Mom didn’t noticed and I never told.)

      1. Thanks for sharing this. The women in my family are crafty (including me), and I think making a little fleece blanket would be a great idea.

        If you’re not very crafty, Jo-Ann Fabrics sells some super-easy no-sew kits for soft fleece blankets. My mom knitted a small afghan/shawl for my 90-year-old grandmother once, and when my grandmother passed away years later, it was still on her bed.

    4. I like the idea of gift cards, even in small amounts, for restaurants because she really might not feel like cooking at all. Perhaps one from a national chain will be easiest. You can’t go wrong with Starbucks. Perhaps you could create your own coffee/tea/delish chocolate and shortbread box and send it her way. Or even a pretty pashmina or cardigan – hospitals can be so cold!

      I wish her the best of luck.

    5. A woman I work with was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she immediately went on a tear making sure her finances, will, guardianship for children, etc were all in order. It might be too much reality for some people, but you could offer to pay for her to sit down and talk to an accountant or a lawyer to get stuff in order so she doesn’t have to worry about that while she’s feeling sick from the treatment.

      If she might lose her hair, you could give her a gift card to get a wig. They are so expensive!

      Otherwise, I think the suggestions for blankets, pashminas, and other warm clothes would be good. Movies or books on tape, for days she has to spend in bed. I like to give stand-up comedy CDs too – Mike Birbiglia is one of my favorites.

    6. My cousin died of cancer, and when she was undergoing treatment, she was bored and feeling listless at home a lot. If your friend’s feeling the same, she might appreciate books and DVDs, or even a Kindle so she can take books with her when she’s in the hospital. As others have suggested, services to help her out with cooking, cleaning, etc, would also be needed. Or if she can afford all those things herself, she might appreciate a donation in her honor to a cancer research foundation or to an organization that helps less fortunate people with serious illnesses (like St. Jude’s or the Make a Wish foundation).

    7. I know this would really depend on the person, but I’ve heard a lot of stories about folks (often children) marking milestones in their treatment with beads. (http://www.mdanderson.org/publications/conquest/issues/2010-summer/beads-of-courage.html).

      Perhaps she might find it a source of strength to do something similar? Perhaps you could start a bracelet or necklace and provide a charm/stone/ bead/trinket with a note of encouragement each step of the way to remind her of the strength she is showing as she gets through this.

    8. My mom and sister both have had breast cancer, many years apart. They had chemo and my sister chemo and radiation, and the radiation was not nearly as bad as the chemo. Still, my sister did not feel like doing anything she did not have to do (she teaches college and worked through), such as grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. If you could find a place that delivers groceries or cleans (like the free cleaning service for women with cancer), that would be very, very useful.

      Also, if she is going to lose her hair, and she may well NOT with radiation only, wigs are very expensive and a gift card to a very nice wig shop is also a great idea.
      Otherwise, a kindle and amazon gift card for all those times all she wants to do/ feels like doing is lying in bed reading.

      1. My best friend’s mother was underoing treatments last year, and I sent her some of my favorite classic comedies (think as far back as black and white), which she said were perfect for the days when she didn’t want to move.

    9. Ditto to all the wonderful suggestions thus far, especially for a lovely warm lap blanket or wrap and for gifts of cleaning or meal services.

      When my mother was spending time in the hospital for chemo, after the very first night she asked me to find her a few of those nature sound CDs to help block out the incessant ambient noise of the hospital. If your friend is going to be in the hospital for days at a time, she might enjoy having a white noise machine; the endless quiet din of pagers and gurneys can be really wearing.

    10. Fuzzy socks. I know that sounds weird but if your friend will be spending a lot of time at home, fuzzy socks are cosy and cute and keep your feet warm.

      A work friend of mine recently sent these
      http://www.amazon.com/Womens-Fuzzy-Socks-Assorted-6-Pack/dp/B003YVXAJ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303233973&sr=8-1
      to a college friend of hers going through chemo. Her friend has now called her three times to tell her when she’s wearing the fuzzy socks and how much she loves them.

      Best of luck to your friend.

  6. I got a catalogue today from a company called Edo Popken – slogan “cosmpolitan successwear.” Has anyone ever heard of them? It’s quite pricey, but the designs are customizable. I thought their stuff looks interesting and Corporettes might be interested.

  7. Hey, speaking of hair accessories, has anyone used that “modern updo” thing from Goody? I usually put my hair up for big events, like big deal court dates and interviews, but I always worry that the plastic clip looks, well, too plastic or something.

    1. Ha! I’m a fan, but haven’t been able to get anyone else on board as far as I know. The updo pin is just metallic, not plastic, and it comes in either brunette or blonde (so hopefully one of those colors will work for you). If you have it in correctly, it shows barely or not at all. I find it acceptable for even the most formal events I have (in my case not court, but lectures, etc.)

      1. “(so hopefully one of those colors will work for you)”

        Oh, no, I’m a redhead!

        Actually, I always find brown to blend into my hair fine. I’ve got an interview this week, so I think I’ll pick one up tomorrow and try it out.

      2. You remind me of my least favorite pet peeve.
        PSA to hair product companies: Redheads exist and we spend money, too.

        Grrrr.

        1. ‘Effin’ bunch of racists, is what I say! :)

          Eponine, you might appreciate my recent redhead related story. A friend of mine has a wife who has red hair, but otherwise I wouldn’t say that we look anything alike (her hair shade is even different- mine’s more auburn, she’s more orangey). Anyway, they had just announced that she was pregnant the week before, and I went to a community event that my friend and I are involved with (and his wife, but only a little bit).

          Afterwards, people I didn’t know kept coming up to me and saying “How are you?” really nicely, and I’d respond “I’m fine, how are you?” and they’d be all “Oh, no, no, how *ARE* you?” and I’m all, “I’m *FINE*, how *ARE* you?”

          Anyway, it wasn’t until a mid-aged women, who I’d never met, ran up to me and started shaking my arm going “Babies, babies, babies!” (leaving me blathering “What babies, I don’t have any babies!”) that I realized that the whole darn group apparently had me mixed up with my friend’s pregnant wife. Oy!

          1. Hahaha. Similar things have happened to me, especially because I spend most of my time out of the US in a country filled with thick black hair. But for some reason, in my office we currently have a TON of redheads. Like, easily 10% of the women, and a couple guys too. It’s a little strange not to stick out for once.

    2. Do you mean that plastic clip perky ponytail holder thing? I bought one on the spur of the moment and have the same concern, though I do like the resultant ponytail. (I also bought the modern updo metal pin thingy and cannot for the life of me figure it out.)

      2. I’m more interested in the modern updo thing. The ponytail holder looks cute, though (though I’m not looking for cute for these purposes).

        I got some kind of Hong Kong knock off of the spin pins, and I like them OK, but they don’t keep my hair up very well (I have layers) unless I put it pretty much on top of my head, which isn’t really the look I was hoping for.

    3. Have and love that thing. Better for longer hair, when my hair was just shoulder length it slid out occasionally. Not really a big deal even then, because it’s so fast to redo.

  8. Can anyone recommend comfortable but stylish shoes to wear while touring NYC with family in May?

    1. Sketchers has some really comfortable cute shoes (mary janes, etc). I love most of the ones I’ve bought and can walk miles in them. I had difficulty with one pair that had a weird inside cloth that was kinda slippery and my feet slid around (i.e., not comfortable), so try them on.

    2. What a great time of year to visit! I really like flats, and I have some very comfortable Franco Sarto and Tory Burch ones. With Tory Burch, make sure you wear them a few times first – the elastic across the back can be uncomfortable at first.

    1. I think that they’re perfectly fine, though I would probably make sure that the rest of my outfit was pretty conservative/not girly (no ponytails, big jewelry, cutsie shoes). I personally wouldn’t wear them to something really important (interview, presentation, court arguments), but I tend to overthink those sorts of things. (I read once that blue made you appear more responsible and therefore wore blue to every possible interview/meeting/etc. for years on end).

    2. I think it’s fine and a very pretty shade. Wear it without another thought.
      As long as you’re not wearing it with a matching pink suit, you’ll be fine!

    3. Yes! I don’t understand why so many women are afraid to look like women. As AIMS said avoid the matching pink suit but go for the shirt.

    4. I don’t get what the problem is with wearing pink/lavender. Then again I work in an environment where men seem to feel fine wearing those colors as well, so I guess it’s just not a big deal to me.

    5. Lovely. If dudes can look great in them and not worry about problematic femininity, why should we, who actually are female? No overthinking. Lovely!

  11. Legal Corporettes, what are your thoughts on doc review? I’m going to be studying for the bar this summer and have seen a couple of job postings for doc review, and I honestly don’t know that much about what I’d be doing (can I work from home, etc). Is it possible to do work a few hours a week and study at the same time?

    1. I’ve never done much doc review, so I can’t speak to the particular job you’re thinking about. I did, however, work about 20 hrs/week while studying for the bar and found the routine/schedule of work incredibly helpful both for my sanity and for sticking to a structured study schedule. If you decide to go for it, I’d recommend making sure your employer will let you stop work at least two weeks before the bar. If you’re like most of the people I know who have studied for it, you won’t be interested in doing anything during those last two weeks except cramming law into your head. Best of luck!

      1. On a related note, the BarBri course study recommendations (NY Bar) seem extreme- 5-8 hours in ADDITION to class every day, plus another 5 hours/day for each weekend day. Is this really required? I wanted to take a couple of weekend trips this summer to keep me sane, but I’m worried I won’t have time! Thoughts anyone?

        1. That sounds about right. I remember going to class, eating lunch then studying until dinner. It really wasn’t that bad. You’ll have some free time but I don’t know about it being enough for several trips. Ultimately, do you want to have fun this summer or to pass the bar?

          1. Okay, that sounds more bearable than what it sounded like to me in the first place. I had this thought in my head that I would be studying from 9am-10:30pm every day or something.

            I just have one trip planned RIGHT at the start of the course, and maybe one more in June (both are 2 hour drive destinations).

        2. They recommend this as a CYA – if you fail and are angry they can say you didn’t follow the program correctly. There’s no way you really need to study that much. It takes 2-3 hours per night to complete the homework, or you can catch up on the weekend. After July 4 or so, when BarBri ends then you should treat studying like a full time job and give it 8-10 hours per day, every day.

    2. I worked one day a week while studying for the CA bar. It really helped me to get away for a day and do mindless work (while listening to the CDs, of course!). I just pushed the barbri assignment for the day to the other days and was sure to keep pace with the Barbri schedule.

    3. Most document review projects, at least those in DC, require you to work 40 hours a week and do not let you work from home. State rules differ but here document review is considered the practice of law.

      1. Good to know! The postings specifically ask for either licensed attorneys or unlicensed law school graduates, so I figured they knew that those “graduates” are going to be studying for the bar too. I definitely know I can’t do full time!

        1. They won’t necessarily be studying – unlicensed graduates could be waiting on bar results or licensed in a different state.

          2. Brain freeze.

            … that should have been “Ah, good point. I keep forgetting that it takes 2-3 months to get results!”

    4. If you want to pass the bar on the first try, do not try to work more than 15 hours per week at another job. (Any normal employer should give you time off to study. My job at a state agency gives you a month off.)

      Treat bar study as your full-time job – do it 8-10 hours per day, and spend evenings and weekends relaxing by yourself or with your family. You’ll need that time to re-charge. If you’re working another job, you will not be able to absorb all the bar study.

      Stick to BarBri’s schedule as best you can, but don’t freak out if you can’t make it. I did lectures in the mornings, and then tried to do as many questions as I could in the afternoons. They suggest like 400. You’ll only be able to do like 50. But you *must* take evenings off, otherwise you will go crazy.

      And stop studying the Friday before the exam. If you don’t know something like the Rule Against Perpetuities by then, you will never know it.

      If taking weekend trips will keep you sane, then do it. Do whatever you have to do to keep yourself on track. That’s different things for different people. For me, it was changing locations and drinking beer.

      1. It always amazes me how many people did not have to work before the bar. I am here to tell you that I worked before the bar because I had rent to pay, and I passed.

        1. Also good to know! I’ve worked and interned in addition to law school classes all through law school too–20/hours of non-legal work to pay the bills, and 20 hours of internship to gain legal experience.

          The thought of not working during bar prep kind of makes me wonder what (1) I’d do with all of that free time and (2) about bills, so I’m glad to hear from a lot of you that it’s possible to work a bit and still pass!

          1. I worked full time while studying for the bar and taking BarBri and took the last 2 weeks before the bar off to study full time. I did not do any of the BarBri homework. And by study full time I mean 6 hours per day, 6 days per week. I passed. To be fair I think my state has an easier bar exam (young state = not as much state law to learn).

        2. I lived with my mom and took out a Bar Loan for my living expenses. It was worth it to me. (Your post came off as a little holier-than-thou. I’m sure you didn’t mean it that way.)

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