A decorative hair accessory has a hinged, substantially cylindrical attachment base assembly and at least one interchangeable decorative component. the base assembly includes a curved, elongated first clasp element and a curved, elongated second clasp element forming a hinge along a first longitudinal edge on the first clasp element and a second longitudinal edge on the second clasp element. The first clasp element has a first latching element along a third longitudinal edge and the second clasp element has a second latching element along a fourth longitudinal edge. The first latching element and the second latching element mate. At least one of the first clasp element and the second clasp element have a way to attach on an exterior surface. The decorative component has a second way to attach. The first and the second way to attach couple together. The decorative component has indicia opposite the second way to attach.

A hair accessory device for decorating hair is provided. The hair accessory device comprises at least one bead having a top end, a bottom end, and a first bead half and a second bead half. A hinge mechanism is mounted between the first bead half and the second bead half between the top end and the bottom end of the at least one bead. A releasable locking mechanism releasably secures the first bead half and the second bead half in the closed position. The first bead half and the second bead half are movable from a closed position to an open position to receive at least a portion of the hair and from the open position to the closed position about the at least a portion of the hair. The at least one bead enables an effortless change of the at least one bead.

A gem applicator assembly including a dispenser supporting a plurality of gems and an applicator. Each gem has an adhesive backing. The applicator includes a body with a support assembly supported by the body and configured to receive and support the dispenser with one of the gems alignable with an application target area. A plunger is supported relative to the body and movable relative thereto between an initial position and an application position wherein the push rod engages the aligned gem and pushes the gem such that the adhesive backing of an aligned gem moves toward the application target area. The gem dispenser may include a disk configuration with a plurality of spaced apart gem openings extending through the disk. Each gem is aligned with a respective gem opening.

A biodegradable hair ornament is made of a composite material comprising 50-90 wt % of polylactic acid, 5-40 wt % of a toughener, and 5-30 wt % of a nucleating agent. The toughener is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, thermoplastic elastomer ester resin, polyester polyol resin, vinyl ester resin, and combinations thereof. The nucleating agent is selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, talc, silicon dioxide, mica, and combinations thereof.

A bead (10) comprising first and second members (12, 14) pivotally secured adjacent first sides (16) thereof such that the first and second members (12, 14) are pivotable between a closed position and an open position. First and second openings (28) are defined between the first and second side members (12, 14) when in the closed position. A first resilient pad (33) is provided on the first side surface of the first member (12) and a second resilient pad (35) on the first side surface of the second member (14). The first and second resilient pads (33. 35) include complementary ridges (42) on adjacent inner surfaces (40) such that when the first and second members (12, 14) are in the closed position, the ridges (42) engage to deflect the hair (11) passing through the bead (10) from the first opening (28) to the second opening (28).

A biodegradable hair ornament is made of a composite material comprising 50-90 wt % of polylactic acid, 5-40 wt % of a toughener, and 5-30 wt % of a nucleating agent. The toughener is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, thermoplastic elastomer ester resin, polyester polyol resin, vinyl ester resin, and combinations thereof. The nucleating agent is selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, talc, silicon dioxide, mica, and combinations thereof.

A gem applicator assembly including a dispenser supporting a plurality of gems and an applicator. Each gem has an adhesive backing. The applicator includes a body with a support assembly supported by the body and configured to receive and support the dispenser with one of the gems alignable with an application target area. A plunger is supported relative to the body and movable relative thereto between an initial position and an application position wherein the push rod engages the aligned gem and pushes the gem such that the adhesive backing of an aligned gem moves toward the application target area. The gem dispenser may include a disk configuration with a plurality of spaced apart gem openings extending through the disk. Each gem is aligned with a respective gem opening.

An applicator apparatus is adapted to individually and sequentially apply one or more hair bands to strands of hair. The applicator apparatus incorporates first and second band lifters which undergo a sequence of movements to engage hair bands supported by a band cartridge and advance the hair bands along the band cartridge for release on the strands of hair. The band cartridge supports the hair bands in spaced relation for sequential engagement of individual hair bands and maneuvering by the first and second hair band lifters.

A bead (10) comprising first and second members (12, 14) pivotally secured adjacent first sides (16) thereof such that the first and second members (12, 14) are pivotable between a closed position and an open position. First and second openings (28) are defined between the first and second side members (12, 14) when in the closed position. A first resilient pad (33) is provided on the first side surface of the first member (12) and a second resilient pad (35) on the first side surface of the second member (14). The first and second resilient pads (33. 35) include complementary ridges (42) on adjacent inner surfaces (40) such that when the first and second members (12, 14) are in the closed position, the ridges (42) engage to deflect the hair (11) passing through the bead (10) from the first opening (28) to the second opening (28).

A gem applicator assembly including a dispenser supporting a plurality of gems and an applicator. Each gem has an adhesive backing. The applicator includes a body with a support assembly supported by the body and configured to receive and support the dispenser with one of the gems alignable with an application target area. A plunger is supported relative to the body and movable relative thereto between an initial position and an application position wherein the push rod engages the aligned gem and pushes the gem such that the adhesive backing of an aligned gem moves toward the application target area. The gem dispenser may include a disk configuration with a plurality of spaced apart gem openings extending through the disk. Each gem is aligned with a respective gem opening.