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You’ve probably been tempted to pluck out hair that’s hanging from your face at least once, especially if your hair is overgrown right now. But many of the hair ties on the market actually do more harm than good to your hair. Some ponytail holders can pinch and break very dry or thin hair, while others can leave thick, curly hair wrinkled. As a teenager, I used the wrong hair ties and didn’t realize I was damaging my hair until my hairstylist pointed out a break in the ponytail tie with a handheld mirror. “The main problem with a typical hair tie is that your hair gets tangled in the fibers, and when you pull it out, your hair falls out,” says New York hairstylist Dominic Pucciarello. So to find the best hair ties for every hair type (ones that will treat your precious locks with care), I asked Pucciarello and seven other hairdressers to share their favorite hair ties to help you avoid the same mistakes I made. I also included some of my own favorites that are now well known.
Updated 9/24/2024: We’ve updated prices and verified availability for all products.
While hair ties all serve a similar purpose (keeping hair up and out of your face), you should choose a style that suits your hair type. Traditional elastics are an affordable, versatile option that suits most people, while coil styles are great if you style your hair frequently and want to avoid creases, dings, and bumps. For damaged, thin, or processed hair, scrunchies are recommended. Bungee or snap-style ties are great for natural textures, braids, locs, or if you want to adjust the tension of the tie as needed.
In addition to the style of hair tie, the material also matters. If you want a firm hold, traditional elastic materials are best, but if you want less frizz and tension, softer materials like polyester, microfiber, and stretch are best. Also, people with weak hair should almost always opt for silk.
Style: Scrunchie | Material: Silk
Slip, a brand known for their silk pillowcases, also makes great hair ties made from the same mulberry silk. If you’re looking for the gentlest hair tie on the market, look no further than Slip’s Silk Skinny Scrunchie. Not only does it look beautiful, silk is gentle on your hair. The smooth silk glides smoothly without snagging, reducing breakage and shedding. It also helps keep your hair’s moisture and natural oils intact. After trying a few different brands, I now trust only this brand because it protects my fine (and prone to breakage) hair from damage.
Dominique’s hair is tied back with a Slip Silk Scrunchie. Photo: Dominique Parisot
Style: Scrunchie | Material: Silk
For something a little cheaper, try these silk scrunchies from Crown Affair, the same makers of my favorite hair towels. They sell for $5 each, but the Slip scrunchies pictured above are $6.50 each. They’re not super soft, but they do offer great protection. I especially love how the neutral yet sophisticated sage green looks against my brown hair. They also come in black for a more classic look.
Style: Traditional Hair Tie | Material: Elastic
If you like a good old-fashioned elastic, Scünci No-Slips are great for basically any hair type and texture. Whether you have thick, heavy hair or brittle, thin hair, No-Slips will hold your hair in place without damaging it. They also work well with wavy and curly hair. They have the same snip-resistant qualities as Scünci’s traditional Damageless Ties, but are made from a thicker, less slippery material to hold curls in place. I don’t think they’re as gentle on your hair as the silk options above, but they are significantly cheaper if you’re on a budget. I also recommend varying your hair styling method when using them to minimize damage. For example, wear them in a low ponytail one day and a high ponytail the next.
Style: Coil Style | Material: TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
Invisible Bobble’s coiled hair ties have become increasingly popular over the past few years, and they look like an old-fashioned phone cord, making them suitable for a variety of hair types. They’re great for those who want a hair tie that won’t leave dents or bumps in their hair, or for those who like to sleep with their hair ties in. After deciding to upgrade my hair ties, these were the first ones I tried. I was impressed with how well they held in place without leaving any wrinkles, and I personally haven’t lost any hair when I took them off at night, although they can get caught in a zig-zag pattern. If you’re a fan of scrunchies, the brand has just released a scrunchie with a trusty coiled hair tie sewn in.
Style: Traditional Hair Tie | Material: Microfiber
If you have thick, naturally curly hair, we recommend Gimme’s No Break Thick hair ties, as they are wider than the Scuncis mentioned above. This is Gimme’s thickest style and is best for very thick, curly hair, but if you like this style and don’t need a tie as sturdy, Gimme offers a variety of hair ties to suit your hair density, which is one of the benefits of this drugstore staple. For medium hair types, there are thin fits, long fits, and all fits, and Gimme offers them in a variety of colors. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, there is a “fitting kit” that contains a mix of four different hair ties.
Style: Traditional Hair Tie | Material: Rayon Elastic
This set of rayon elastic hair ties is perfect for delicate or damaged hair because they are super smooth and won’t snag like traditional elastic-only hair ties. They also come in a variety of colors. In addition to the black shown, there are 28 other multi-sets in a variety of hues, from pastels to rainbow colors.
Style: Snap Hair Ties | Material: Non-stretch, stretch fabric
Snappee Hair Ties are perfect for anyone with natural textured hair, braids, or lox because they don’t use traditional elastic tension found in traditional ties that can damage your style. The softer texture also helps reduce frizz. The snap style closure can be customized to fit any hair thickness and bounces back to its original shape after use. If you need more length, you can even combine two Snappee Hair Ties together.
Style: Bungee style hair tie | Material: Polyester
Another option with adjustable tension is this ponytail holder. Because it’s literally open ended, the elastic band that fastens with a little hook can be as tight or loose as you like. This flexibility reduces stress on your hair.
Style: Traditional Hair Tie | Material: Silicone
Unlike traditional scrunchies, silicone hair ties are easy to clean and don’t require any drying time (though of course, other hair ties still need to be washed and dried regularly). They’re much easier to maintain and don’t need to be tossed out when they get dirty like other elastic hair ties. While you might think silicone hair ties will slip out of place, hairstylist Cassandra Normil promises they’ll stay in place all day and work for all hair types and densities.
Style: Traditional Hair Tie | Material: Elastic
If you don’t want your ponytail holder to show, try this clear elastic. This elastic helps you achieve styles that require strong tension, like tight ponytails, without tugging or snagging your hair. It’s flexible yet durable, so it won’t break. It’s not great when it comes to damage, so save it for occasional styling and avoid daily use.
For short cuts, braids, and other smaller twists, try PolyBands. They’re easy to slip on and off, and come in five compact sizes that work well for smaller ponytails and buns. Clear, reusable hair ties blend into even the most intricate styles. “Always PolyBands. Always,” says hairstylist Laura Porco.
Style: Knotted Hair Ties | Material: Elastic Ribbon
Because the elastic is thick and flat, Emi-Jay knotted elastics won’t leave creases in your hair. Therefore, if you’re the type of person who changes your hairstyle throughout the day, these knotted elastics may be a good choice. If you’re handy, they’re easy to make at home. If you’re thinking of making your own, it’s best to buy a few yards of spandex elastic ribbon, cut it to about 2 inches long, and tie a knot at the end.
Style: Double Scrunchie | Material: Satin Polyester
Sleepy Ties are designed to be worn overnight (hence the name) to help prolong blow-drying and other dry styling. The design reminds me of an overnight, heat-free DIY hair styling hack I’ve tried in the past, paired with a scrunchie. As instructed in the how-to guide, I first put my hair in a ponytail at the top of my head, then wrap the hair around the arch and twist the scrunchie into a figure-eight to secure the bun. I first used Sleepy Ties the night after I got a haircut, and while they definitely help my blow-dry hair last a day, I also wear them to tame bedhead and frizz. They come in three sizes (small, medium, and large) to fit any length or thickness of hair.
Style: Scrunchie | Material: Silk
In addition to the thin slip scrunchies above, I also love their thicker styles. The elastic inside the scrunchies is sturdy, and the silk protects my thin, highlighted, and fragile hair from breakage due to tension. Plus, the silk is slippery so it doesn’t get pulled. I always have one in my hair or on my wrist. They’re a bit pricey, but they last for years without the elastic coming too loose.
Dominique’s hair is tied back with a Slip Large Scrunchie. Photo: Dominique Parisot
Style: Scrunchie | Material: Microfiber
Hair is at its weakest when it’s wet, so when you step out of the shower and want to tidy it up, you may be unsure of what to do. Microfiber towels are made from a material that dries hair without damaging it, and they won’t leave wrinkles behind when they dry.
• Jasmine Burnside, celebrity hairstylist and hairdresser
• Andrew Fitzsimmons, hairstylist
• Cassandra Normil, New York-based session hairstylist
• Dominique Parisot, Strategist Writer
• Laura Porco, hair stylist
• Dominic Pucciarello, hairstylist
• Nelson Bircher, senior stylist at Rita Hazan
• Beth Weber, hairstylist and founder of Refuge Hair
• Liana Zingarino, stylist at Serge Normand at John Frieda in New York
Additional reporting by Chloe Anello, Lisa Corsillo and Rachel Jacoby Zoldan.
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