Apparatus for holding, securing and styling hair

Abstract

Hair styling accessories are disclosed herein for holding, securing and styling hair. The accessories provide a mechanism for holding a ponytail in a wearer's hair, and/or for allowing hair to be secured, pulled, rolled and styled in a desirable manner. In some embodiments, faceted gem features are displayed. In some further embodiments, synthetic hair-like material is secured to the accessories.

1 . A hair styling accessory comprising:
 a flexible body capable of forming a loop around hair of a wearer of the hair styling accessory, the flexible body having a first diameter in a central portion thereof;   a ball portion at a first end of the flexible body having a ball diameter greater than the first diameter;   a receptacle portion at a second end of the flexible body configured to receive the ball portion therethrough; and   an eyelet between the first end and the second end of the flexible body, the eyelet having an inner diameter configured to receive the ball portion therethrough upon application of a force.   
     
     
         2 . The hair styling accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle portion comprises a keyhole having a portion configured to receive the ball portion therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The hair styling accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible body is composed of a flexible thermoplastic or a rubber-like material. 
     
     
         4 . The hair styling accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising a decorative element secured to the flexible body, the decorative element having an aperture therein configured to receive the flexible body therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The hair styling accessory of  claim 4 , wherein the decorative element is a faceted gem. 
     
     
         6 . The hair styling accessory of  claim 4 , wherein the aperture of the decorative element is configured to allow migration of the decorative element along a length of the flexible body. 
     
     
         7 . The hair styling accessory of  claim 4 , wherein the aperture of the decorative element is configured to retain the decorative element in place in a fixed position along a length of the flexible body. 
     
     
         8 . A ponytail holder apparatus comprising:
 a flexible body having a length and having a height for extending along a height of a ponytail of a wearer's hair, the body having a slot for receiving the wearer's hair therethrough to anchor the body in the wearer's hair, the flexible body comprising:
 a flexible foam material layer; and 
 a flexible decorative layer attached to the flexible foam material layer, the flexible decorative layer including a backing layer that holds a plurality of miniature crystals providing a faceted appearance; and 
   at least one pair of securing mechanisms for closing the body in a wrapped position around the ponytail of the wearer's hair.   
     
     
         9 . The ponytail holder apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one pair of securing mechanisms comprises elastic ropes and buttons on opposite sides of the length of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The ponytail holder apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible decorative layer is attached to the flexible foam material layer by gluing, sewing, or heat adhering. 
     
     
         11 . A hair styling accessory comprising:
 a flexible body having first and second opposite ends and a gap in a central portion between the first and second ends that separates the body into first and second side members, the gap being configured to receive hair therethrough, the flexible body being covered with a synthetic hair-like material;   first and second clasp members at the first and second ends, respectively, of the flexible body, configured to clasp together upon closing the flexible body into a rounded loop shape so as to hold hair in a bun configuration; and   a decorative hair element made up of braided hair-like pieces extending along the first and second side members of the flexible body, the decorative hair element being secured at its ends to the flexible body.   
     
     
         12 . The hair styling accessory of  claim 11 , wherein the synthetic hair-like material covering the flexible body is tied, sewn or glued to the flexible body. 
     
     
         13 . The hair styling accessory of  claim 11 , wherein the synthetic hair-like material covering the flexible body is woven around the flexible body. 
     
     
         14 . The hair styling accessory of  claim 11 , wherein the decorative hair element is secured at its ends to the flexible body by hair-like fixtures wrapped around the flexible body. 
     
     
         15 . The hair styling accessory of  claim 11 , wherein the decorative hair element comprises a first sleeve at a first end thereof having a first aperture configured to receive the first end of the flexible body to secure the decorative hair element to the flexible body. 
     
     
         16 . The hair styling accessory of  claim 15 , wherein the decorative hair element further comprises a second sleeve at a second end thereof having a second aperture configured to receive the second end of the flexible body to further secure the decorative hair element to the flexible body. 
     
     
         17 . The hair styling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible body comprises a plurality of protrusions on the first and second side members.