Introduction
Rubber bands, those humble and versatile elastics, have long been a staple in hairstyling. From simple ponytails to intricate braids, rubber bands offer endless possibilities for creating stylish and functional hairstyles. Whether you’re rocking short, medium, or long locks, there’s a rubber band hairstyle out there to suit your needs.
10 Quick and Easy Rubber Band Hairstyles
For those mornings when you’re short on time, these 10 easy hairstyles can be whipped up in minutes:
- High Ponytail: Gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a rubber band. Wrap a few strands of hair around the base of the ponytail to hide the band.
- Low Ponytail: Create a low ponytail at the nape of your neck and secure it with a rubber band. Pull a few strands of hair loose around your face for a soft, undone look.
- Braided Top Knot: Braid the top section of your hair and tie it into a ponytail. Wrap the braid around the base of the ponytail and secure it with a rubber band.
- Messy Bun: Pull your hair into a high ponytail and leave a few strands loose around your face. Twist the ponytail into a messy bun and secure it with a rubber band.
- Half-Up Bun: Separate the top half of your hair from the bottom half and tie it into a ponytail. Twist the ponytail into a bun and secure it with a rubber band. Gather the rest of your hair and tie it into a ponytail beneath the bun.
- Twisted Headband: Create a small ponytail at the top of your head and secure it with a rubber band. Twist the ponytail into a rope and wrap it around your head like a headband. Secure the ends with a bobby pin.
- Faux French Braid: Create a small ponytail at the top of your head and tie it with a rubber band. Divide the ponytail into three sections and braid them together for a few inches. Secure the end of the braid with a rubber band and repeat the process down the length of your hair.
- Bubble Ponytail: Gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a rubber band. Tie a second rubber band a few inches down the ponytail and gather the hair above the band into a bubble. Continue tying rubber bands down the length of the ponytail, creating multiple bubbles.
- Braided Pigtails: Divide your hair into two sections and braid each section. Tie each braid into a ponytail with a rubber band.
- Half-Up Pigtails: Divide the top half of your hair from the bottom half and tie each section into a ponytail.
20 Elegant Rubber Band Hairstyles for Special Occasions
For formal events and special occasions, these elegant rubber band hairstyles will turn heads:
- French Twist: Tie your hair into a low ponytail and twist it loosely. Wrap the twist around the base of the ponytail and secure it with bobby pins.
- Chignon: Create a low ponytail and divide it into two sections. Twist each section clockwise and wrap them around each other to create a chignon. Secure the chignon with bobby pins.
- Ballerina Bun: Pull your hair into a high ponytail and wrap it into a tight bun. Secure the bun with bobby pins and hairspray.
- Crown Braid: Create a small braid at the top of your head and tie it with a rubber band. Divide the rest of your hair into two sections and braid them. Wrap the braids around the top braid to create a crown.
- Fishtail Braid: Divide your hair into two equal sections. Take a small section of hair from the outside of one section and cross it over to the inside of the other section. Repeat on the other side. Continue braiding until you reach the end of your hair.
- Rope Braid: Divide your hair into two equal sections. Twist one section clockwise and the other section counterclockwise. Wrap the two twists together to create a rope braid.
- Twisted Ponytail: Tie your hair into a low ponytail and divide it into two sections. Twist each section and wrap them around each other to create a twisted ponytail.
- Dutch Braid: Divide your hair into three equal sections. Cross the left section over the middle section and then under the right section. Repeat on the other side, always crossing the outside section under the middle section. Continue braiding until you reach the end of your hair.
- Waterfall Braid: Divide your hair into three equal sections. Cross the left section over the middle section and then let it fall down. Take a small section of hair from the bottom of the left section and add it to the middle section. Repeat on the other side, crossing the right section over the middle section and letting it fall down. Continue braiding until you reach the end of your hair.
- Half-Up, Half-Down Styles: Gather the top half of your hair and tie it into a ponytail or bun. Leave the rest of your hair down or style it into waves or curls.
10 Creative Rubber Band Hairstyles for the Adventurous
For those who love to experiment with their hair, these creative rubber band hairstyles will inspire:
- Braided Headband: Braid a small section of hair at the top of your head and tie it with a rubber band. Pull the rest of your hair back into a ponytail and wrap the braid around your head like a headband.
- Twisted Crown: Divide your hair into two equal sections. Twist each section clockwise and wrap them around each other to create two twisted ropes. Pull the ropes up to the top of your head and wrap them around each other to form a crown. Secure the crown with bobby pins.
- Figure-Eight Ponytail: Tie your hair into a low ponytail and divide it into two sections. Cross the left section over the right section to create a figure-eight. Tie the ends of the sections together with a rubber band. Repeat the process until you reach the end of the ponytail.
- Braided Mohawk: Create a small braid at the top of your head and tie it with a rubber band. Pull the rest of your hair back into a high ponytail and divide it into two sections. Braid each section and wrap them around the top braid to create a mohawk.
- Reverse French Braid: Create a small ponytail at the bottom of your hair and tie it with a rubber band. Divide the hair above the ponytail into two sections and cross the left section over the right section. Take a small section of hair from the bottom of the right section and add it to the top section. Cross the left section over the new top section and repeat the process until you reach the top of your head.
- Zigzag Braid: Divide your hair into three equal sections. Cross the left section over the middle section and then under the right section. Cross the right section over the new middle section and then under the left section. Continue braiding in a zigzag pattern until you reach the end of your hair.
- Criss-Cross Braid: Tie your hair into a low ponytail and create two sections. Criss-cross the sections over each other, creating an “X” pattern. Tie a rubber band at the bottom of the “X” and repeat the process until you reach the end of the ponytail.
- Double Braid: Tie your hair into two low ponytails at the nape of your neck. Divide each ponytail into two sections and braid each section. Tie the ends of the braids together with a rubber band.
- Braided Bun: Tie your hair into a low ponytail and braid it all the way to the end. Wrap the braid around the base of the ponytail and secure it with bobby pins.
- Knotted Ponytail: Tie your hair into a low ponytail and divide it into two sections. Tie the two sections together into a knot. Pull the ends of the knot through the loop at the top to tighten it. Repeat the process until you reach the end of the ponytail.
Tips for Using Rubber Bands in Hairstyles
- Choose the right size: Use rubber bands that are the appropriate size for your hair type and texture. Smaller rubber bands are best for thin, fine hair, while larger rubber bands can accommodate thicker hair.
- Use snag-free rubber bands: High-quality rubber bands are designed to be gentle on your hair and prevent snags or breakage.
- Avoid over-tightening: Tightening rubber bands too much can damage your hair. Leave a small amount of slack so that your hair can move freely.
- Apply hairspray: Spray your hair with hairspray after styling to keep it in place.
- Remove rubber bands carefully: When removing rubber bands, hold the hair above the band and slide off gently to avoid tangles.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using metal rubber bands: Metal rubber bands can damage your hair and cause breakage. Stick to rubber or plastic bands.
- Tying your hair too tightly: As mentioned earlier, over-tightening rubber bands can damage your hair.
- Leaving rubber bands in your hair for too long: Leaving rubber bands in your hair for extended periods of time can cause breakage and matting.
- Not using hairspray: Hairspray is essential for keeping your hair in place and preventing it from getting frizzy or messy.
- Ignoring your hair’s needs: It’s important to take your hair’s health into consideration when styling with rubber bands. Avoid overusing rubber bands and opt for gentle hair care products.
Conclusion
With their versatility and