I’m a sucker for some Facebook targeted advertising (call me a geek) so when a photo of a quirky headband popped up in my newsfeed, I just had to check the company out!

When I opened the Hippie Runner Headband package, the first thing I was greeted with was a rubbery smell.  I’m not sure if this is from the manufacturing process, but it quickly went away.  My package contained two headbands- each had a fun, colorful pattern that seemed pretty versatile.  It was early morning and I hadn’t yet done anything with my hair (*sigh* not like I do that much with it these days, anyway!) so I decided to give it a shot before Willow and I headed out for our morning walk.

The Hippie Runner Headband is actually pretty basic and simply designed.  It’s a wide, thin piece of moisture wicking fabric that you would typically find associated with fitness apparel.  When I say the band is thin, I mean it’s really thin.  If you have thick, curly hair, you’re going to get some… well… texture through the top of the band.  There isn’t anything remarkably “hippie” about it (I supposed that’s probably a stereotype, but I can assure you that I did not get feelings akin to a Phish concert whilst wearing it).  In fact, there isn’t anything really remarkable about the headband at all.

The band is a LOT wider than what I would consider to be a normal athletic headband.  It also does not have rubbery grips like many other brands.  My mid-back length hair is fine and wavy- but there’s a lot of it.  I typically wear it in a high ponytail or bun during activity (or, you know, eating some Doritos).

So, we went on our walk.  Within minutes, I noticed that the band had begun to slip from the front of my fivehead (it’s a bit larger than a forehead).  I readjusted and kept moving.

A few minutes later, the same thing happened.  Okay, I thought, I can work with this.  I adjusted again.  And again.  And again.  Soon, I was adjusting the headband so frequently that I had begun to master the art of steering Willow’s stroller with my torso, as my hands were otherwise occupied.

Finally, I took it off.  And immediately chucked it into the basket under the stroller.

Thinking it might have just been me (or a super slipper hair day, I don’t know) I tried it on unwashed, next day hair.  The same thing happened.  No matter what I did (even hairspray) the band would not stay on my head.

One of the unique things about the Hippie Runner Headband is the design factor.  Each piece comes in solid, patterned or with a fun slogan.  That’s about as far as the appeal goes for me.  The price is right (only $5 for most bands) so it isn’t much of an investment.

Overall, I would not recommend this product for functionality, based on my personal experience.  I do, however, enjoy the designs and slogans, so I would recommend them if you’re just hanging around or running errands (and don’t actually require the headband to stay on your head).

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Pretty
• Quick shipping
• Fun slogans

Cons:

• Doesn’t actually stay on your head
• Material seems like it would stretch out over time
• Not sure how it would fit on the head of a 2- year old (the website states that each band can fit from 2- year old to adult)

Note:  Author was supplied with two complimentary headbands for the purpose of writing this review.
Repeat: I received these products complimentary from Hippie Runner for testing purposes.