I'm a newbie to hairsticks, and I'm waiting for my new ones to come in the mail. But I thought I'd mention what I'm using in the meantime. It's called a Bandostick, which is a hairstick with a hole on top, and an elastic holder threaded through the hole. They range from $20 - $60 but you can get an inexpensive one made by Scunci for $3 if you just want to try it out.
Ted Gibson's BandostickScunci's version called the HairdostickThe instructions tell you how to secure a bun, chignon, and french twist. In all honesty, I have never gotten the chignon to stay. But, it holds a french twist really nicely! I like wearing it when doing housework and working out. At the end of working out though, it is a little loose. And it does take some practice figuring out how to get styles to stay.
With some creativity you can use it as a tool. You can loop the elastic to the part of your hair you want to knot, and use the stick as a sort of giant sewing needle (similar to how the
Topsy Tail works.) Also, I have gotten it to work like Scunci's
Pony Wrap Tool.PROS:
- holds some styles more securely than pins or elastics
- nice to wear while doing chores. Can also be used for going out (tho I think I'd prefer regular hairsticks)
- don't need any bobby pins
- versatile - can be used as a holder or a tool
- supposedly works for all hair types, but I don't know by experience since.. I only have my type :-)
CONS:
- if the elastic is used on the outside of your hair (as in a french twist), it doesn't look as nice as if you did the style in pins or sticks.
- elastic MAY stretch (I haven't had mine long enough to find out) and it doesn't look like there is a way to replace it. You'd just have to buy a new one altogether.
- definitely functional but lacks in form. Not that aesthetically pleasing.
All in all, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 (5 being the best).