A few years ago, when the wide elastic hair tie came into vogue, I was skeptical. It seemed unlikely that the wider band was better than the thin, brown Goody hair ties that I used. It also seemed unlikely that I would ever agree to give Shopbop $45 to own 18 of them.
That’s $2.25 for a hair elastic. Basically, you can either buy a hair tie or a Frappuccino.
Obviously, the only way I was going to try one of these new fangled hair elastics was if someone else gave me one. So when my August Birchbox included a wide elastic, I decided that I should see what all the fuss was about.
The first thing that I noticed about the wider bands is that they don’t pinch as much as the thin ones do. As a result, the post-ponytail hair crease is less pronounced and can usually be brushed away in moments. I also notices that I have less breakage with the wider ties vs. the thinner ones.
Additionally, I think the ponytail looks a little nicer when I use the wide elastic. And the tie also looks a little nicer on my wrist than a traditional hair tie.
But while I like the wider hair ties, I don’t think I’m going to be spending money on them. I’ll probably just ask my Mom to make a run to Jo-Ann’s Fabrics and buy me a spool of brown elastic so that I can make my own. Because, judging from this DIY, they are exactly as easy to make as it looks like they would be.
If push came to shove and I did decide to pay someone for them, I would buy them from one of the many Etsy sellers who offer them at more palatable prices. Instead of $2.25 a pop, this seller has them for a little more than a dollar each. Because, honestly, if I’m going to overpay someone for something that I can make at home, I’d like it to be a college student trying to make a little money on the side.
Bottom line, these hair ties are better than the thin elastics, but their not so much better that I can justify paying more than two-dollars a piece for them. I’d rather make them myself or buy them on Etsy.
Belle, so glad someone else isn't as enthralled with the hair tie. I'm not really a fan of the wider elastic tie that came in my Birchbox; given my thick, heavy hair, it doesn't hold very well. Sure for sitting around on the couch and light housework it does, but not for working out or running around town when I don't want my hair to move.
I have thick hair and can't stand seeing even a black elastic band in my hair which is why i swear by the 4mm Blax elastic bands (they also have a thinner 2mm version). I don't know what kind of magic is in these things but the clear stretchy plastic slides out of my hair with no breakage and is thicker than normal clear hair ties to keep my hair in place all day and at the gym. They also conveniently can be looped around my keychain or wrapped around my phone so i don't need to scour my purse for one.
https://www.amazon.com/Blax-Snag-Free-Elastic-Clear/dp/B0002SV874
i may have to try these. i am always a bit annoyed with the hair crease.
I feel a little guilty, but I threw away the one in my Birchbox without even trying it on. It looked like a sloppy wide piece of elastic tied together (which I guess is exactly what it was). The loose ends sticking out seemed very strange to me. Seeing your review makes me regret tossing it without giving it a shot!
I loved the DIY tutorial and bought some of the material to make some of these hair ties over the rainy weekend. I got the goods at G Street Fabrics in Seven Corners.
I just saw ones like these at Lulu on Connecticut Ave NW dear DuPont Circle. I think they were a dollar apiece. I considered buying a few, but am putting that money towards a goodwill treasure hunt this weekend.
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