Hair styling tool

Abstract

Styling tools and methods achieve polished-looking, ponytail hair styles even with thick, textured, coiled or kinky hair types. A tubular sleeve of flexible material includes adjustable front and back openings. A user position the sleeve such that the front opening is proximate to the hairline, using the tool to compress and smooth the hair until a desired ponytail style is achieved, at which time the back opening is cinched around the base of the ponytail. Different embodiments facilitate high- and low-pony styles. The tool is easily moved and removed once a desired hair style has been established, reducing excessive manipulation and pulling on the hair, while minimizing stress and breakage to the delicate edges around the hairline.

1 . A hair styling tool, comprising:
 a tubular sleeve of flexible material having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a length between front and back openings;   wherein the dimensions of the openings are within a range enabling a user to pull the sleeve over their head;   wherein at least a portion of the front opening includes a tensioning band; and   a mechanism enabling a user to adjust the size of the back opening.   
     
     
         2 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning band is disposed on the front, lower portion of the sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning band is user adjustable. 
     
     
         4 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning band is an elastic band. 
     
     
         5 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism enabling a user to adjust the size of the back opening comprises a drawstring with a cord locking device. 
     
     
         6 . The hair styling tool of  claim 5 , wherein the drawstring is an elastic drawstring. 
     
     
         7 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein the front and back openings have a circumference in the range of 20 to 25 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein the length is a consistent distance between the front and back openings such that the sleeve forms a cylinder. 
     
     
         9 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein the length between the front and back openings is larger on the upper portion of the sleeve as compared to the lower portion of the sleeve such that the sleeve forms a truncated cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . A method of styling hair, comprising the steps of:
 providing the sleeve of  claim 1 ;   pulling the sleeve over a user's head from back to front with the front opening first followed by the back opening;   pulling the sleeve partially back over the head from front to back such that the front opening corresponds to a user's hairline;   with the front opening remaining in position, moving the sleeve over the hair while reducing the size of the back opening so as to smooth and compress the hair; and   continuing to smooth and compress the hair until the back opening corresponds to the base of a desired ponytail location.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , including the step of opening the back opening and removing the sleeve once a desired ponytail style has been established. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of adjusting the tensioning band prior to, or after, closing the back opening. 
     
     
         13 . A method of styling hair, comprising the steps of:
 providing the sleeve of  claim 7 ;   pulling the sleeve over a user's head from back to front with the front opening first followed by the back opening;   pulling the sleeve partially back over the head from front to back such that the front opening corresponds to a user's hairline;   with the front opening remaining in position, moving the sleeve over the hair while reducing the size of the back opening so as to smooth and compress the hair; and   continuing to smooth and compress the hair until the back opening corresponds to the base of a desired ponytail location.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , including the step of opening the back opening and removing the sleeve once a desired ponytail style has been established. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of adjusting the tensioning band prior to, or after, closing the back opening.