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I shouldn’t have to think this hard about a hair tie, but here we are.
This is something I never really thought about until I started noticing how many hair ties I go through in a week. They either stretch out, snap, or just stop doing what they’re supposed to do.
People always say things aren’t made the way they used to be, and I’m starting to believe that might be true for hair ties. I didn’t have this issue before. It’s really been the last five years or so, around the time everything shut down during the pandemic.
The analytical side of the Blonde Asian wants to blame supply chain issues or cost cutting. I don’t know if that’s actually the reason, but I do know I’ve been blowing out or snapping about one hair tie a week. It’s gotten to the point where I’ll save the blown-out ones and double them up with a fresh one. It’s giving scrappy energy.
I know there’s a school of thought where you split your ponytail in two, stack them, then combine them. That’s an option, but I still end up with the infamous “hair ache,” that pulling, almost headache feeling where it feels like your hair follicles are being redirected.
At that point, it’s not the hairstyle. It’s the hair tie.
I’m over it.
So now I’m on a mission to find a hair tie that actually works for thick, dense Asian hair. I’ve made a real investment in going blonde, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to want to wear my hair in a ponytail when I feel like it, without it hurting or falling apart.
What I’m Comparing Everything To
Like any good experiment, you need something to compare against. This isn’t a science blog though. It’s just me noticing what works and what doesn’t.
So every hair tie I test will be compared to the ones I’ve been using consistently over the last few years. That includes Goody Ouchless Hair Elastics, Scunci Beautiful Blends, and Heliums Large Hair Ties, which I found on Amazon. I’ve linked them so you can see exactly what I’m talking about.
These are the kinds of hair ties you can pick up at any drugstore or major retailer. They’re easy to find, easy to replace, and a reasonable baseline for what a hair tie should be able to do.
What Made the Cut (For Testing)
I specifically looked for hair ties marketed for thick hair. That’s a pretty broad claim, and yes, it is.
Manufacturers can put anything on the packaging, and because this is so subjective, I don’t fully trust it.
After sorting through a lot of look-alikes and known poor performers, I found a few brands that felt a little more unique. They may not be sitting at your local Ulta, but they could be worth sourcing.
I’m trying to do that work for you.
What I’m Paying Attention To
This is where I’m probably taking this further than most people would. But if you’ve landed on this post, I’m guessing you’ve had at least some of the same frustrations I have.
Aside from photographing and describing the hair tie, these are the things I pay attention to when I test a hair tie.
Hold
Does it actually stay in place throughout the day, or am I constantly redoing my hair?
Tension
How does it feel on my head? Not just at first, but over time. I’m looking for tension without pain.
Loop Count
How many loops does it take to secure my hair? Right now it takes me three loopy loops to get anything to hold.
Weight Handling
Can it handle the weight of my hair without slipping or causing that familiar hair ache? I will be thoroughly be surprised if I don’t get one.
Durability
Does it stretch out or snap quickly? At this point, I’d be very disappointed if it snapped considering what I’ve ordered.
Removal
How easy is it to take out? Does it pull, snag, or take hair with it? I don’t usually unwind my hair ties, I kinda just pull them out.
Dent / Crease
Does it leave a dent? I don’t care that much about this, but I know a lot of people do. For me, something has to give. I’ll take a dent over a painful ponytail.
All-day Wear Comfort
Can I wear it all day without thinking about it? I’m highly skeptical when it comes to this.
Versatility
Can I use it in different styles, or is it a one-trick pony?
Would I Reach for It Again
Did it make the cut, or am I done with it? This is really the deciding factor.
Wrist Wear
Is this comfortable to wear on your wrist? I always have on hand. Better have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Conclusion
This shouldn’t be this complicated, but it is.
I think this is something a lot of people take for granted. And I get it. There are bigger things to worry about and put your energy toward. But at the same time, I have a life too. The last thing I want to deal with is a headache from simply pulling my hair back.
In a way, this is less about hair ties and more about not settling for things that don’t work.
My hope is that somewhere in all of this, I find something that actually does. And if it works for me, maybe it’ll work for someone else too.
Here is the first hair tie that got put to the test.
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