Six Trusty Items to Keep Your Hair in Check when the Weather Tries to Ruin It

Chicago weather is unpredictable, which usually means Chicagoans can't plan how their hair will look by the end of the day. One day the Windy City is showing off its nickname. The next day it may be forty degrees followed by a day of seventy-degree weather. But rainy, windy days can be the worst to try to keep your hair maintained. This is why hair conscious people should keep the following items on hand to rescue their hair when the weather would rather mess it up.

Hair chopsticks (not pictured): Comb your hair straight down and twirl it around until it connects completely to the back of your hair. Then, use hair chopsticks to hold it in place. It's a decorative way to pull your hair back. Be careful of using hair chopsticks with decorations on them. If you're in a business suit but only have hair chopsticks with butterflies on them, it may look a little out of place.

Ponytail holders: Avoid rubber bands that yank out more hair than they hold into place. Use loose ponytail holders that can easily be pulled off, and make sure they stretch enough so your hair can be held into place.

Clips: Here's the tricky part about clips. If your hair is really thick or doesn't curl well, the tips of the hair will shoot straight up in the air. It looks a little juvenile that way. Avoid your hair pointing north by turning the tips of it so it's still inside the clip area. Leave a few strands out to compliment your face. Using a roller or a curling iron on the tips of the hair makes your hair look a little more dressy.

Barrette and stick (pictured left): I like the leather, oval barrettes that fasten hair in place with a small stick. Unlike clips, you don't usually have to constantly fasten them into place.

Bobby pins, hair pins: While bobby pins are great for fastening French rolls into place, they can be unattractive if unintentionally noticeable. If you want to use them to decorate your hair instead of just holding it in place, try using the pins that open in the shape of the letter "v" with one side that's fatter than the other. Some people like to wear different color pins to purposely show them off. Keep neutral colors like black, light brown and dark brown to match different outfits. Avoid wearing too many of them. One on each side is enough.

No matter what hair accessory you use, keep one on hand in your purse. Wouldn't you hate to wear a great outfit, great shoes and your hair looks like you forgot to do it? Don't let the rain or wind ruin your style.