What Exactly Are Elastic Cords?
Often called hair bungees, these are not your typical looped hair elastics. An elastic cord is a single piece of specialized elastic with a small hook on each end. Instead of stretching a loop around your hair multiple times, you anchor one hook into
the base of your ponytail, wrap the cord around to your desired tightness, and then secure it with the other hook. This simple but effective design is a long-held secret of runway and session hairstylists for creating pristine looks, and its practical benefits make it a perfect fit for athletes.
The Ultimate Hold for Peak Performance
The primary advantage of a hair bungee on match day is its unparalleled hold. Standard elastics often stretch and lose their grip during intense physical activity, causing ponytails to sag or come undone completely. This can be a major distraction, forcing an athlete to break focus to fix their hair. Elastic cords allow for a completely customized tension. You wrap it as tightly as needed for your hair type and activity level, and the hook system locks it in place. High ponytails stay high, and thick, heavy hair remains secure without constant readjustment, allowing you to keep your head in the game.
A Sleeker Style With Less Damage
Beyond security, elastic cords deliver a noticeably sleeker and more polished finish. Because you are wrapping the hair instead of pulling it through a band, you can smooth down bumps and flyaways as you go, creating that sharp, intentional look. Furthermore, this method is often gentler on your hair. Traditional elastics can create a single point of intense friction and pressure, leading to the dreaded “ponytail breakage” over time. The wrapping motion of a bungee distributes pressure more evenly, and the removal process—simply unhooking it—eliminates the need to yank and pull a tangled elastic out of your hair, which can snag and break strands.
How to Master the Hair Bungee
Using a hair bungee might seem intimidating, but the technique is straightforward. First, gather your hair into a ponytail with one hand. Take the hair bungee and insert one of the hooks down into the base of the ponytail, anchoring it against your scalp. Make sure the hook is secure. Then, holding your ponytail firmly, wrap the elastic cord around the base as many times as needed to achieve your desired tightness. Once it feels secure, lock the second hook into the base, often by hooking it into the wrapped cord or near the first hook. The hooks should be hidden beneath the ponytail for a seamless look.
Are There Any Downsides?
While hair bungees are a fantastic tool, proper use is key to avoiding issues. Overtightening the cord can still place excessive stress on the hair follicles, so it's important to find a balance between security and comfort. Removing it carelessly by yanking it can also cause snagging. People with very fine hair may find it tricky to get a secure anchor point with the hooks. For those who don't have a bungee on hand, some stylists create a similar tool by threading a standard fabric hair tie through two bobby pins, using the pins as makeshift hooks to achieve the same wrapping technique.
