Where Can One Get Petroleum-free Hair Elastics?

**QueenAnne'sLace** · March 6th, 2010, 08:00 PM

So I really enjoy being able to put my hair up in a mid-head ponytail. Gives it a bit of fluff and keeps it out of the way.

However, I HATE things made from oil, plastics and synthetic fabrics being some of them.

This limits my hair elastic pool significantly. Actually, it currently limits it to zero.

Anyone know where I might find natural rubber hairbands either bare or with a bamboo/organic cotton outer? I've been looking online and can't seem to find any. Perhaps I'm using the wrong search parameters?

Believe it or not, Whole Foods carries the synthetic kind!!

Any help would be AWESOME.

**SimplyViki** · March 6th, 2010, 08:35 PM

Well, I have no idea what Scunci's No Damage ponytail elastics are made of, probably nylon or something. They're basically a nylon stocking type tube cut into sections, each section rolling up a bit and becoming a ponytail elastic. Maybe you can't find a petroleum free ponytail, but I was just thinking you might be able to buy some bamboo or cotton stockings and try and make your own like Scunci's. They would probably be bigger and looser, and you'd have to loop it around more times, but it might work.

ETA: Another idea. You can find natural office rubber bands, and cover them. If you crochet, you can cover them with crochet stitches. Or you could sew a cover for them. I used to crochet covers for regular ponytails, I'm sure you could do the same with a rubber band.

**Roseate** · March 6th, 2010, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by SimplyViki

You can find natural office rubber bands, and cover them.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest! Making your own scrunchies isn't difficult, and it's probably your best bet for a non-synthetic hair tie. Natural rubber is sensitive to oils, but encasing it in a scrunchie would protect it pretty well, and you can always replace the rubber-band part when it breaks.

I don't think I've ever seen a non-synthetic hair elastic for sale.

**Anje** · March 6th, 2010, 10:29 PM

I've seen small rubber bands available for braiding. Most of them say that they're made out of latex rubber.

Be aware of course that these things have a LOT of friction with hair and can break it pretty readily. You might be better off going with silicone-based hair ties. Blax may make some in ponytail sizes. Otherwise you could make your own scrunchies out of rubber bands or whatever non-petroleum clothing elastic you can find. A nice satin or silk fabric would protect your hair from getting torn to bits by the rubber band.

ETA: I don't want to start a big debate, but you are aware that petroleum is a naturally-occurring product, right? Yes, it has to be dug out of the ground and refined and all that stuff. Plant oils need to undergo all sorts of refining to be made into plastics too.

**melikai** · March 6th, 2010, 10:37 PM

Apparently Scunci has some "eco" hair accessories out now, including bamboo hair bands: http://green-behavior.com/green-orga...s-elastics.htm

**QueenAnne'sLace** · March 7th, 2010, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Anje

ETA: I don't want to start a big debate, but you are aware that petroleum is a naturally-occurring product, right? Yes, it has to be dug out of the ground and refined and all that stuff. Plant oils need to undergo all sorts of refining to be made into plastics too.

Yeah, it's not the oil itself that I don't like, it's the fact that once it's plastic, it won't break down and return to the earth. In general, I like things that are as close to their raw state as possible. I view our planet as having some level of self-awareness and purpose, an approach not everyone takes.

Soooo.. the boiled sap of the rubber tree is about the only thing I can think of that's stretchy.

**QueenAnne'sLace** · March 7th, 2010, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by SimplyViki

ETA: Another idea. You can find natural office rubber bands, and cover them. If you crochet, you can cover them with crochet stitches. Or you could sew a cover for them. I used to crochet covers for regular ponytails, I'm sure you could do the same with a rubber band.

This is an AWESOME idea!!!

I have some wool and I definitely can crochet.

**QueenAnne'sLace** · March 7th, 2010, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by melikai

Apparently Scunci has some "eco" hair accessories out now, including bamboo hair bands: http://green-behavior.com/green-orga...s-elastics.htm

I did see these at the store the other day, and I'm happy they are recycling plastic for their jaw clips and such (for people who use that kind of thing) but I'm not sure what kind of core they use inside the bamboo. Bamboo sure is soft, though...

**QueenAnne'sLace** · March 7th, 2010, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Roseate

I don't think I've ever seen a non-synthetic hair elastic for sale.

Someone could make a boatload of money marketing one to natural stores!

**Carolyn** · March 7th, 2010, 03:35 PM

I always thought natural office type rubber bands were terribly damaging when used to band a ponytail. They cling to the hair and rip and tear at it. Or that's my experience with them in the distant past. I have some small scrunchie's that are elastic with a narrow fabric tube covering. I don't know why a real rubber band couldn't be substituted for the elastic. You could use any fabric to cover the rubber band.