7 Easy Hairstyles You Can Create Using This No-Crease Accessory
1/9Inspiration comes in many forms — and one of those forms resembles an old telephone cord. Just ask Sophie Trelles-Tvede; the founder of Invisibobble made this year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for her game-changing invention.
If you haven’t seen one of these in action, the Invisibobble is a multiloop hair tie made from the artificial resin polyurethane. Sophie got the idea while she was still in school, when she grabbed an old phone cord to complete an outfit for a costume party. “The next morning, I woke up and realized I didn’t have a headache,” she recounts. “The phone cord was still firmly held in my hair, and after untying it, I saw that the dents in my hair were a lot less visible than usual. That’s when I knew I was on to something.” After plenty of “testing and re-testing,” she upgraded the material and design to produce the Invisibobble — in a range of brights, pastels, and neutrals that easily beat out phone-cord color.
The secret to the product’s success is in the unique shape. “The Invisibobble places uneven pressure around the ponytail, allowing it to be held strongly without being too tight,” she explains. “This gives individual hairs more space within the ponytail and leads to a traceless result.” Another plus is that the material is non-absorbent, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic. It also reacts to heat, so when it begins to lose its shape, just blast it under your blow dryer for a few seconds to retighten. The design comes in three sizes: nano, original, and power — but we’ve found that the original works for almost every hair scenario. And since each size is sold in a set of three, you’ll have enough for any style you want to try.
Need some inspiration? We hit up Invisibobble’s stylist squad for their best tips and tricks for getting more mileage out of these little hair wonders. And should you have the urge to keep it simple, go ahead and follow your instincts; the no-frills ponytail is where it all began.
2/9Half-Up Braid Bun
This is one of those hair looks that looks way more complex than it actually is — always a plus. “The inspiration for this braid bun was something fast, fun, and trendy,” says Jenny Strebe of Confessions of a Hairstylist. “You can dress it up or down depending on your outfit.” To get the look, gather your hair into a half-up ponytail and secure. Do a simple, three-strand braid and begin wrapping it into a bun once you reach the bottom. When the bun’s done, tuck the ends into one of the loops of your Invisibobble, and let the hair drape down.
3/9The Twisted Topknot
Invisibobbles are the secret to #messybungoals. “This is a casual, quick updo that is super simple,” shares Jenny. Gather your hair into a high pony, and section it into three parts. Twist each part, loop it into a loose mini-bun, and secure it in one of the Invisibobble’s loops. You get a breezy vibe, plus a style that stays put. “I always recommend using products in your hair that add grip, like a salt spray or dry shampoo,” she adds. “Sometimes hair can be a bit slippery, so you need to grunge it up a bit with some product prior to attempting fast styles.”
Mareike Tocha4/9The Retro Roll
If you have some extra hair skills, this one’s for you! When attempting a chignon, you’ve got a choice between two Invisibobbles or (approximately) one million bobby pins. You’ll need a sock bun as well, to help provide structure and volume. Gather most of your hair into a low pony, and secure. Push the sock bun around your ponytail — kind of like an inflated scrunchie — and loop your pony over the bottom half of the doughnut. To finish the look, wrap your ponytail and remaining hair over the sock bun to hide it, and use the loops like you would bobby pins to keep the hair in place. “It’s inspired by the ‘40s, and perfect for prom,” notes Invisibobble chief global ambassador Denise Bredtmann. “If you need more grip, prep the style with medium-hold mousse and medium-hold hairspray.”
Mareike Tocha5/9The Multi-Loop Pony
On those occasions when you’re feeling bored of your usual pony, dress it up with Denise’s chic upgrade. “I wanted to decorate a simple ponytail with a little something special,” she says. Section one triangle of hair in the middle of your head, and keep it loose from your low ponytail. You’re going to pull this section up, loosely knot it, then wrap it around the base of your pony — using the loops to keep it in place. “Use a dry shampoo to give it a little bit of a messy look,” she instructs.
Mareike Tocha6/9Tousled and Teased
We love this style as an everyday ‘do, while Denise loves it for a party. “It’s an homage to Brigitte Bardot,” she explains. Translation: think lots of tousled, textured volume. Gather half of your hair, and tie it back, leaving some face-framing pieces out at the front. Now, gather the pieces from the sides and pull them through the Invisibobble’s loops, loosening them to create eye-catching shape. Denise likes to switch up the vibe of the style by pairing it with different textures, from slightly mussed to softly curled. “Finish off with a volume powder to complete the look and stabilize the shape,” she says.
7/9Beginner’s Beach Waves
“This is a great hair hack for festivals, when you have no access to electricity,” says pro stylist Richard Phillipart. That’s right: heatless beach waves. To get the look, style your hair into buns before bed. “The heat from your head will help set waves overnight,” he explains. In this tutorial, he creates three buns in a vertical line at the back of the head, but you can definitely experiment with two side-buns or a single, high bun if you’re not a side sleeper. If you don’t feel like keeping the style in overnight, then say hello to heat tools — but no worries, a warmup with your blow-dryer is all you need to set those waves.
8/9The Pixie Plait
Braids and half-up hairstyles just look so good together. “It’s a modern option for prom,” says Richard. “It’s inspired by Grecian styling, with hints of festival cool.” Create two, face-framing braids, and tie them back. If you want to conceal your Invisibobble, take a small strand of hair and wrap it around the base of your half-up pony. “A good texturizing spray is essential,” he advises. “I love L’Oréal Next Day Hair. My top tip is to definitely make sure you have some texture, or you’ll struggle to create volume.”
Our top tip? Never use a hair tie again.
9/9
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