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Why I Finally Tried Burlybands
After buying some Gimme hair ties, Burlybands were another similar type that kept popping up. Visually, they looked so similar that I didn’t think I needed to go there. But I checked out their website and watched some of their marketing.
They seemed geared toward people who are constantly moving, and I was still like, meh.
Then I clicked into their shop and saw the title: “Burlybands Hair Ties for Thick Hair – 3 Pack.” That made me pause. Maybe this was something to look into.
Then I saw they were made of 100% silk. Like… what? A hair tie made of silk that looks like that and is supposed to hold thick hair?
Add to cart. Immediately.
I tried these purely because those things don’t seem like they should go together.
A Quick Look at the Brand
Burlybands is a family-owned business. The founder created them out of pure frustration from spending her life trying to manage her thick hair.
Sound familiar?
After reading their story, I actually related to what she was saying. It made me more interested in trying them.
What I Bought
I bought a 3 pack of Burlybands in light brown. I know I’m the Blonde Asian, but it looked like it would match my hair best.
They also offer fun colors like pink and blue.
These look hauntingly similar to Gimme hair ties, but that was the point. I wanted to compare apples to apples. I’ve never used hair ties like these, so trying another brand in the same lane felt reasonable.
I mean, this is a hair tie experiment, right?
What I Thought Before Trying It
At this point, I was already using Gimme hair ties and my experience had been overall positive.
I wasn’t sure what to expect here.
I was intrigued by the fact that Burlybands are 100% silk, but I also think of silk as something like a dress fabric that doesn’t stretch.
So I really had no idea what this was going to feel like.
What I Found
Hold: YES. Burlybands stay in place. If this were pass/fail, they pass easily. I didn’t have to touch my ponytail at all.
Tension: I felt like I got a facelift. It’s tight. I can see why their marketing leans athletic.
Loop Count: I got it to 3 loops. It wasn’t easy, but I got there. I did have to stretch the band a bit beforehand.
Weight Handling: No issues at all. It handled the thickness and weight of my hair without needing to be tightened. That said, I did get that familiar hair ache when I took it down.
Durability: This feels like a durable hair tie. I do stretch it each time before using it, which makes me think it’s less likely to lose effectiveness over time.
Removal: You can’t just slide it off. It holds too well. I have to undo a loop first, then it comes out easily without snagging.
Dent / Crease: It does leave a dent. I have very straight hair, so I’ve accepted that this is just part of life.
All-day Wear Comfort: Yes and no. Yes, in that I’m not constantly fixing my hair. No, because the hold is tight enough that I’m always aware of it.
Versatility: For me, this isn’t very versatile. It leans sporty.
Would I Reach for It Again: Yes, but in specific situations. For example, when I’m moving soon and need my hair to stay put all day, this is something I can trust.
Wrist Wear: Its not snug, snug. But it stays where you put it. Not my personal preference but still wearable.
Other Things I Didn’t Expect
I didn’t expect Burlybands to be this sturdy.
I know you’re not supposed to judge things by how they look, but I had the same expectations I would for other nylon hair ties that look similar.
Also, these are washable. Not “washable but then they’re ruined.” Actually washable and still hold up.
This is the first hair tie I’ve used that explicitly says it’s machine washable.
The Potential Negative
Burlybands have a strong hold. I thought maybe doing just 2 loops would make it more comfortable, but it didn’t hold my ponytail that way.
That might not be the case for everyone. I think I just have too much hair, which is what leads to that facelift-level tightness.
Conclusion
Burlybands made a hair tie that can actually handle thick, long hair. After years of keeping my hair long and blonde, I can tell Burlybands understood the assignment and delivered.
I wouldn’t have expected something like this to work as well as it does. I assumed it would slide around constantly.
I’m learning that if you can, let curiosity win and try something you haven’t tried before. As a result, this isn’t the last hair tie I’ve tried.
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