Scrunchie: A Tale Of A Woman’s Best Friend (Part 1 Of 2)

It wasn’t until I watched the movie ‘Legally Blonde’ in 2014 when I first heard the word ‘Scrunchie’. To me, I thought it was the perfect way to describe such a funky-looking hair accessory. If you ask me, I have always been one to stay loyal to my plain, black hair elastics. But over the years, I developed an affinity with chic hair accessories and am now a self-proclaimed, certified scrunchie junkie. Apart from the scrunchie being a massively popular hair accessory, what’s so special about them? Grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable on your sofa, and let’s find out!

The Scrunchie’s Humble Beginnings

Did you know that in 1963, a man called Philips E. Meyers first invented the scrunchie? However, it wasn’t until the ‘90s when the fabric-covered hair accessory became a huge fashion craze. And we can tip our hats to Rommy Revson for making that happen. Back in the day, people wore plastic or metal hair ties which caused a lot of hair breakage and damage. That’s when our unsung hero, Revson, made a major breakthrough by sewing fabric around a piece of elastic band. Soon, the scrunchie was seen all over the streets and shops. Fun fact, Revson named her invention the ‘Scunci’ after her pet toy poodle, who relentlessly barked at her while thinking of a name for the hair accessory. Perhaps it was time for its daily walk? Or its dinner time? We’ll never know!

The End Of Its Glory Days?

Most fashion trends come and go. During the early 2000s, things took a sharp turn for the scrunchie as its fate was put to the test. What used to be the hottest fashion accessory, suddenly became a controversial fashion “faux pas“. As if the scrunchie wasn’t already despised enough, Carrie Bradshaw followingly decided to add fuel to the fire. According to Bradshaw, she vehemently believes that a classy woman would never be caught dead wearing a scrunchie. Eventually, many stopped wearing the hair accessory as they were deemed embarrassing and irrelevant.

A Grand, Dramatic Comeback

After being branded as hopelessly passé, where did the scrunchie go from there? From 2017 onwards, the scrunchie gods lifted the curse and performed one of the greatest miracles of all time. Yeap, the hair accessory regained the spotlight and even made it to Vogue magazine (December 2017 edition). It didn’t stop there, though. Two years later, Hollywood stars like Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez and even Jason Momoa of Aquaman were spotted wearing them. I couldn’t help but chuckle when Momoa flaunted his little, pink scrunchie and said: 

‘‘One of our hair stylists gave this to me — I freaked out because it was beautiful.’’

JASON MOMOA, aMERICAN ACTOR AND PRODUCER

And who can miss the VSCO girl aesthetic that went viral in 2019? The VSCO girl refers to a “Generation Z” teenager who cares for the environment (especially turtles), and never goes anywhere without her scrunchie. Thanks to these girls, the beloved hair accessory became cool and wildly popular once again.

Reasons Why The Scrunchie Is Winning At Life 

Between you and me, I used to be a sceptic toward scrunchies, but that is no longer the case. However, you might still be sitting on the fence as you grapple to understand the benefits of using a hair scrunchie. So, today I will take you on a journey as we unravel the power of this hair accessory.

1. A Well-Made Scrunchie Is A Healthier Alternative

Ever heard the phrase, “health is wealth”? As someone recovering from thinning hair, I have to be extra wary on how I treat my hair. Therefore, I had to let go of my tight elastics and opted for a scrunchie. As a much healthier alternative, the scrunchie’s additional fabric serves as a gentler, and softer protective layer.

Imagine this: After a long day of having your hair up, you can finally let your hair down. But as you tug at your tight, elastic band, your hair suddenly gets caught in a tangled mess. Before you know it, your hair follicles are screaming in agony as you forcefully try to remove the band. Thankfully, we no longer have to suffer such an ordeal, because the scrunchie involves none of that. Instead, it glides off the hair easily. Therefore, this makes the scrunchie a healthier option as it prevents hair damage and breakage.

2. Less Prone To Causing Headaches

Most scrunchies allow our scalp to breathe easily as they deliver greater comfort and ease. Who would have thought that incorporating a wider diameter of elastic for a hair accessory could spare us from a throbbing headache? Just a pro tip: when tying your hair, try to go for a loose ponytail or bun. Your scalp will thank you for it!

3. Highly Versatile And Fashionable

Sometimes, we find ourselves stuck in a rut and all we need are some hair accessory ideas to elevate our outfits. Whether it be a cute sundress, gym wear, or denim overalls, the scrunchie can be worn with almost every outfit! I love that this hair accessory never fails to complement my outfit and complete my overall look.

Here are some fun examples of how I wear my scrunchies paired with several outfits.

4. A Plethora Of Fabrics To Choose From

These days, scrunchies are available in almost every fabric such as silk, velvet, and cotton. This is what makes the scrunchie so special, especially if you’re having them customised. As you place careful thought and effort into selecting your favourite fabric, this makes the curating process more meaningful.

Speaking of fabrics, I recently caught up with my friend, Easter Setta Gani, who revealed that satin scrunchies are exceptionally hair-friendly. When wearing satin, you won’t have to worry about your hair getting damaged and frizzy. As the material is non-absorbent, it actually keeps your hair healthy and moisturised.

Keen To Get A Scrunchie?

We may or may not realise that, at times, we take our hair for granted. Therefore, we should always treasure our hair and care of its well-being, before it’s too late. Even if it means having to sacrifice our usual, tight hair elastics with something healthier: the scrunchie. If you want to start taking better care of your hair, I’ve got good news for you. T’Ruli Products offers a wide variety of hair accessories that ranges from fluffy, satin scrunchies to batik and floral-themed ones. To reach out to them, you can contact them on Instagram and Facebook.

“But how do I know which scrunchie would look best on me?” Rest assured, I’m here to help you find the perfect scrunchie that will sing praises to your natural beauty. Wanna find out more? Simply visit Part 2 of the scrunchie series to discover the secret in three, simple steps…