What type of hair tie/elastic do you use?

[elea]

ALSO wanted to ask the question: if anyone has used ribbon, what kind actually stays put?

The velvet on one side and fabric on the other. Because of the weave of the fabric it does not slide like other fabrics do.

[LeMimi13]

Invisibobble all the way! For the enf of my braids, I like tiny children hair ties, just so that thsy're not bulky on my layered hair

[longsword]

The 'ouchless' ones with no metal parts. When they stretch out to the state of uselessness, I repurpose them. one use is in the kitchen, holding bags of food closed.

[ovalgal]

I use those fabric elastics that have a knot tied at the end. They have become very popular recently and are being sold everywhere, but I used to buy them on amazon or make them myself from rolls of fabric elastic from the craft store. I find them to have less snag on my fine hair and there are so many cute color options!

[Anje]

ALSO wanted to ask the question: if anyone has used ribbon, what kind actually stays put?

The big trick with ribbons and anything else that ties on, is to braid it into your hair for at least a couple passes before tying it. You just lay the ribbon across the back of the braid and integrate each side into a strand and braid for a bit. I tend to then pull the ribbon/leather/whatever out and braid a few more passes, then wrap the ribbon around the braided ends and tie it, letting them then unbraid as they will.


Oh, I remembered 2 more of my odder braid-enders:

Teeny jaw clips work, if they're the right size. If nothing else, I find them rather useful to temporarily hold a braid while I tie it with something cooler or while I coil it into a bun (because my hair is slippery and will unbraid halfway in the time it takes to bun it).

Strips of that sticks-to-itself stretchy bandage material (especially the latex-free variety, which seems to hold up better for multiple uses) are great. Just cut it down to narrow strips, wrap it around a few times and go on with life. The only trouble with it is finding the ends to unwrap it again. Very, very gentle stuff! (This stuff, though this is an absurdly huge supply of it. You can buy it at any store with a first aid section, though it might only be white or beige there.)

[ovalgal]

The big trick with ribbons and anything else that ties on, is to braid it into your hair for at least a couple passes before tying it. You just lay the ribbon across the back of the braid and integrate each side into a strand and braid for a bit. I tend to then pull the ribbon/leather/whatever out and braid a few more passes, then wrap the ribbon around the braided ends and tie it, letting them then unbraid as they will.


Oh, I remembered 2 more of my odder braid-enders:

Teeny jaw clips work, if they're the right size. If nothing else, I find them rather useful to temporarily hold a braid while I tie it with something cooler or while I coil it into a bun (because my hair is slippery and will unbraid halfway in the time it takes to bun it).

Strips of that sticks-to-itself stretchy bandage material (especially the latex-free variety, which seems to hold up better for multiple uses) are great. Just cut it down to narrow strips, wrap it around a few times and go on with life. The only trouble with it is finding the ends to unwrap it again. Very, very gentle stuff! (This stuff, though this is an absurdly huge supply of it. You can buy it at any store with a first aid section, though it might only be white or beige there.)

I never thought of the tiny jaw clips as a way to keep the ends of braids! I will have to try that. I am a nurse, so I feel it is cleanly and appropriate to keep my hair up at all times, but sometimes the clear ties rip at the ends of my fine braided hair. I hope the clips would stay in my hair though. Do you know anything about the "no slip" clips that have the grip on the inside of the clip? Are those damaging?

[Anje]

I never thought of the tiny jaw clips as a way to keep the ends of braids! I will have to try that. I am a nurse, so I feel it is cleanly and appropriate to keep my hair up at all times, but sometimes the clear ties rip at the ends of my fine braided hair. I hope the clips would stay in my hair though. Do you know anything about the "no slip" clips that have the grip on the inside of the clip? Are those damaging?

My luck is hit-or-miss with getting the little claws to stay in, but I haven't tried the no-slip ones. I imagine they wouldn't be damaging as long as you don't forcibly slide them out (say, if the hair gets caught under a strap and you try to slide it through, slipping the clip off). As braid enders, little jaw clips are REALLY good at training you to keep your braid over your shoulder rather than lean against it when sitting, which is better for your hair anyway.

[ovalgal]

My luck is hit-or-miss with getting the little claws to stay in, but I haven't tried the no-slip ones. I imagine they wouldn't be damaging as long as you don't forcibly slide them out (say, if the hair gets caught under a strap and you try to slide it through, slipping the clip off). As braid enders, little jaw clips are REALLY good at training you to keep your braid over your shoulder rather than lean against it when sitting, which is better for your hair anyway.

Since I have never really had long hair before, I don't have the natural training that some have grown up with of keeping your hair over your shoulder when doing certain things or not leaning back against it. I love that idea to help train myself! Seat belts are my biggest struggle Thank you so much for the advice. Off to the store!

[Larki]

Usually small terry cloth ones for the ends of braids, and small clear silicone Goody ones for milkmaid braids. I also have a few small scrunchies that I sometimes use for the ends of braids.

[Lauraes]

I occasionally use typical metal free hair bands (the bigger ones, because the smaller ones are too tight). To avoid damage though, I use a floral silk scrunchie shaped like a bow (I love it!), or those cute little knotted hair ties (These things: https://img0.etsystatic.com/016/0/67...62110_ep1y.jpg). If I want to tie off a small braid while leaving the rest of my hair down, I'll use tiny clear elastics I get from my orthodontist, because I get bags of them at a time.