Are you currently repping your signature pony? Ponytails have been the go-to hairstyle of women for decades. From ’50s teens headed to the drive-in to elegant celebs on the red carpet to millennial moms rushing to get their kids to soccer, this updo has proven to be a style that is both useful and convenient for women of all generations. Despite the ease, practicality and cheap price tag of the ponytail, there seem to be some hidden pitfalls in this supposedly staple trend.
Recent studies have shown that hair ties actually wreak havoc on your hair. Ever pulled out a ponytail holder to find it knotted with your strands? Well, studies have shown that hair ties constrict the natural flow of your hair, creating friction, pulling and keeping your strands in a constant state of stress. This can lead to breakage, thinning and even hair loss.
With that in mind, here are some alternatives that will keep your hair healthy and happy for years to come.
The concept of a hair fork is simple: Wrap your hair up in a bun and plunge the multi-pronged fork into your locks. With multiple arms to hold the hair in place, your hair will really do all the work. Not only is this updo easier than a hair tie, but hair forks come in a variety of different styles. From wire wrapped with stone inlays to hand-carved wooden forks, the possibilities are endless. Better yet, the hair fork gives a vibe of casual elegance and class opposed to its stretchy elastic counterpart.
While you may be having an ’80s flashback right now, don’t let yourself be distracted from the utility and ease of a scrunchie. Though its main concept is predominately the same as that of a hair tie, the wide and soft fabric of a scrunchie decreases stress on the hair itself. Since it has a larger surface area, the pull from the elastic is more spread out and thus less likely to damage and pull hair. Even better, the current ’90s revival has made scrunchies widely available in a diverse range of textiles and fabrics to suit any occasion!
Though this style may remind you of a Disney princess (or Violet from “A Series of Unfortunate Events”), tying your hair with a ribbon is an elegant and viable alternative for a hair tie. The trick is to tie your strands while your head is upside down. This way, the hair keeps its place more effectively. The bonus of this style is that it is equally as cheap as hair ties with much more variety. (For those of you with thick manes, be wary! Your hair may require a textured or ribbed ribbon to pull off this hairstyle.)
Used by Ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, chopsticks are another easy way to hold your hair with minimal damage. Plus, they’ll fit in your purse or bag with little space needed. What’s best about this method is that it can be utilized with a variety of objects. (That means pencils and pens, for us desperate office-dwellers!) If you’re looking to achieve this style by more formal means, you may want to search for a set of hair pins, which tend to be more ornate and decorative, making it an everyday and every-occasion style that works for everyone.
With these super cute alternatives to ponytails, you can finally toss your harmful elastics and get on track for a more luscious mane. You know you want to.
