Headbands Are A+ For Securing Strands: Just Don't Make This Cringey Mistake

Ah, headbands. They expertly toe the line between chic and practical: You can surely make a statement with a bejeweled accessory, or you can stick to a stretchy, athletic elastic. Whether embellished or no-fuss, headbands do a fabulous job of keeping your hair away from your face—especially those with a short 'do or bangs, which may give you a harder time securing the strands. 

"Headbands, for the most part, are really gentle on your head," hairstylist Levi Monarch once told mbg about the best hairstyles for working out (read: If you have shorter hair or want to secure bangs, he touts headbands as a great option). "But if you have those fine, little baby hairs, just be aware of if your headband has the rubber grip on the lining, which can pull on those." 

Essentially, sliding that lining along your hairline causes similar damage to using a too-tight hair elastic: The rubber causes friction on the hair, which can result in physical stress and breakage over time. Rubber-lined headbands can wreak a special sort of havoc on the feathery baby hairs, as those face-framing wisps are super delicate to begin with. 

Of course, if your band does not have the rubber lining (wide cloth options and fashion headbands generally skip it), this does not pose as much of a problem. You'll still want to be gentle as you slide on the headband, but softer, water-absorbing fabrics, like nylon or cotton, can offer a non-slippery experience without tugging too hard on the hairline.