A ponytail is one of the easiest and quickest to create hairstyles. Ponytails are making a big comeback this year, being worn by some of the most visible stars and celebs.

Ponytails can be worn high or low, back center, off center or to the side. They can be styled for long, sleek hair or soft curls that fall sensuously about the shoulders. Hair that is day-old actually works better for styling a ponytail so they are twice as time-saving.

Ponytail holders can be made into a fun accessory, but no scrunchies, they have definitely gone out of style. Instead, today’s ponytail holders are less bulky, but come in expressive styles and colors. Or, leave some of your hair out of the ponytail elastic and use it as a wrap around.

For a sophisticated version of a ponytail, don’t wind the elastic too close to the scalp but instead, place it a few inches down the hair shaft. Then, with your two thumbs make a “hole” in the hair above the elastic and flip the ponytail through the hole. Slide a hairstick into the center to add a little pizazz.

New MAXeye eyeshadow combos contain three shades of eyecolor that can be applied dry for subtle day wear or with a wet brush for bolder evening color. The tricolor compacts come in 15 color combinations, everything from naturals to metallics.

With the fall season upon us, I love the foliage colors of the Queen Bee trio of hues.

Max Factor makes a dual purpose applicator brush with a sponge end for dry and a brush end for wet application. The drawback is that the brush does not come with the eyeshadow but must be purchased separately. Any good dual applicator will do though, so if you have one already, save the extra expense.

The drugstore shelves are full of acne products for teen skin. But what if you are an adult and still suffering from blemishes, whiteheads, blackheads and acne?

L’Oreal has introduced a new line of acne products designed specifically for adult acne. Whether you have the occasional breakout or a persistent acne condition, L’Oreal says their products will lead to smoother, clearer skin.

The Special Care Acne Response Daily Adult Acne Regimen features a six week supply and is for daily use to keep pores clean and prevent new breakouts. The kit contains:

* Pore-Clearing Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
* Skin-Clarifying Toner
* Blemish-Fighting Lotion

The Special Care Acne Response Intensive Adult Acne System kit is a six week supply of 3 products designed to rapidly clear breakouts, minimize acne scars and boost new cell turnover for younger-looking skin:

* Pre-Peel Prep Treatment
* Intensive Peel
* Post-Peel Neutralizing Moisturizer

Both kits sell for $24.99.

How long does it take to style your hair? Do you spend more time on your hair than you do on dressing or putting on makeup? A poll conducted by a British company in advance of marketing a new home hair-straightening product says that women in the UK do spend more time on hair than on other aspects of their appearance.

According to the Daily Mail, British women spend two years of their lives on fixing their hair. This includes 41 minutes a day spent washing and styling. This is based on a poll of 2,500 women in the UK. The straight look is preferred by two thirds of women and they spend a lot of time and money trying to achieve it.

I don’t think it comes as any surprise that women spend a lot of money on shampoos, conditioners and other styling aids or that they spend so much time trying to achieve “perfect” hair. A third of the women polled said their hair is the most important part of their appearance. Is two years of your life reasonable to spend on your hair?

Well, I read once that we spend two years of our lives in checkout lines at stores. I wonder if we are shopping for all those hair-care products?