I started selling braided hair headbands around 2006. In the very beginning, I only made black ones, and they were just for myself. However, people often gave me compliments and asked me where I got them from. Considering the low-price that I knew people paid for commonly seen headbands made overseas, I always told people they weren’t for sale. Even though I had a price in mind, one that would fairly compensate me for the work that goes into making a headband, I was afraid to say it because of the prevailing market rates. I would rather not sell at all rather than cut my labor costs to below minimum wage.
However, over the years, people kept asking about my headbands. So, I started making the braided hair headbands for other people and sold them at local stores in NYC for the lowest price I could sell them to cover my costs. In addition to black hair, I gradually added more color variations such as auburn, copper, dark and light brown, and two different shades of gray. Today, I offer nine different shades of gray hair headbands, which have been my best sellers.
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I make my braided hair headbands in my studio in Brooklyn. These headbands are durable and machine washable, and they are made to last for many years. Below is the step-by-step process I take to create my braided hair headbands.
1. Shopping for material
I only use synthetic hair made of a type of fiber called Kanekalon, which was invented in Japan in the 1950s. Out of all Kanekalon fibers, I only use the most realistic looking fibers that are the closest to human hair.
For the same reason why I don’t use fur for my creations, I don’t use human hair for my headbands. (The reason is something related to spirituality. I will talk about it in a different occasion.)
I can order most materials online nowadays, but I still cannot order the elastics online. The kind I get cannot be found online because the elastic’s elasticity and quality cannot be verified without actually touching them with my own hands. Since I’m sewing over the elastic, the elastic fibers inside the fabric cover should not be too thick. If they are thick, they can be ripped after sewing over them. That will cause the elastic to stretch out. Yet, if the elastic fiber is too thin, the elasticity will not be strong enough to last for many years.
The best elastics I have found so far have the right quality and variety of colors that even match the nine different shades of gray hair headbands. Those elastics are awfully expensive, so I don’t get them in bulk. Therefore, I still take the train to go get these elastics when I run out of them.
2. Disinfecting the material
This is just part of the new normal.
3. Washing and airing the synthetic hair
When you buy new dishes, you would wash them first before using them. Likewise, I do wash the synthetic hair that will come in contact directly with my customers’ hair and skin. The completed headband is also machine washable, but I want to make sure that the fibers I use are free from chemical residue.
4. Blending fiber colors
For the gray hair headbands, I offer them in nine different shades. All nine shades are made with three colors of fibers—soft white, black, and dark brown. Each of the nine shade variations has a different portion of these three colors. Fibers of each color must be exactly measured per shade variation. Once the exact portion of each color has been measured, I split the lock in half, then combine the different colors together, all by hand. I repeat this until the colors are blended into a natural shade. This process takes about 30 minutes per headband.
5. Securing the edge and braiding
After the hair has been blended, I secure one end of the lock and start braiding. Braiding can take an average of 45 minutes per headband. The most realistic looking synthetic hair that I use is voluminous when unbraided. Loose hair can also be messy, so I carefully take every strand of hair in and braid, all while gently combing the hair with my fingernails. I comb each weave with my fingers about seven times before going to the next. Shiny straight synthetic hair is easier to braid, but I do not use those faux-looking fibers for my headbands.
Pictured is the Narrow Modest Headband.
6. Storing the braids
I keep the braids straight without closing the circular ends until I receive an order. Storing the braids straight makes it easier to keep them in the best condition.
7. Re-braiding the edge
Upon receiving an order, I freshly redo a third of the braid from the end to make the braid look even neater.
8. Measuring and closing the headband
Then, I bring the two ends together to close the circular headband to the requested size. I offer headbands in small (19 to 20 inches), medium (21 to 22 inches), and Queen size (up to 24 inches). This is done with a sewing machine and finished with invisible hand stitches. I do not use any glue because I want my headbands to look as natural and real as possible.
9. Inspecting and finalizing
When the headband is completed, I cut off any rebellious pieces of hair that are found sticking out.
10. Packing and going to the post office
Once I pack the headband in a sterile zip-top bag with a care instruction sheet, it’s ready to be shipped.
Washing Directions: The headbands I make are machine washable. However, each headband needs to be placed in an individual washing net bag. This is for separating the headband from other items to prevent the hair from being pulled. These headbands should not be put in a dryer. They should be air-dried.
Narrow headbands and thicker Jumbo headbands can be used in two different occasions. Narrow Modest headbands can be used everyday to add a subtle accent to your hair. These headbands are even suited for the most conservative business meetings. In person or through Zoom, the Braided Hair Headband looks as natural as your own hair.
The wider and thicker Jumbo Queen headbands are perfect for special occasions such as parties, photo shoots, and afternoon tea at home. Unlike bags and shoes, headbands can still be used during the current pandemic. Investing in a couple of good quality headbands to be used at home could boost your productivity.
Transparent Cost Breakdown
Below is the cost breakdown of one Narrow Braided Hair Headband as of October 2020.
Obviously, I’m not doing this for a business since I’m not making any profit after paying myself very low hourly salary for my labor. I consider this more as a charity work and I love helping others in this way. However, I will continue as long as it’s enjoyable for me to make these items.
I am opposed to outsourcing production to countries that pay their workers low wages. If I outsourced the production of my headbands overseas, the labor cost for one headband would be less than $5 including overheads, and I would earn about $30 per headband as profit without actually making headbands myself. Manufacturers usually require a minimum order, so it would be a mass production. Therefore, I would be able to offer my headbands for an even cheaper price.
It’s made by a true designer who makes everything herself
In spite of that, I will never outsource my production. I would like to continue producing the highest quality headbands made by me in small batches. I am a true artisan. If I ever feel that I won’t be able to produce anymore, then I would just stop making than to depend on outsourcing. I make each piece responsibly in a positive environment without compromising any part of the process. These headbands are special pieces. Only those who encounter my headbands—not everyone—are meant to have them.
In any case, it’s great that I can reach customers directly nowadays online. This way, the price that customers pay is much less than what they used to pay to get my headbands at brick-and-mortar boutiques. The boutiques I used to sell my items placed a 130% markup on them.
Though it’s not exactly direct sales using Etsy, the middleman fees charged by Etsy are much less compared to the physical stores. So, I get to offer these headbands for around $55. It’s a bargain for you in a sense! 😉
Update as of Spring 2022: I decided to discontinue these headbands due to excessive cost increase (both raw material and my labor). But I still have some in stock! I recommend you to get one of these rare collectible items that last for your lifetime while I still have your color. 🙂
