So far in 2024, bows and claw clips and headscarves have crowned our updos. And though we’re not shoving them to the backs of our drawers just yet, currently, it’s all about THE cuff. And there is one golden (and silver) accessory that is shining extra brightly in the spotlight on our TikTok For You Pages: The Lelet New York Pony Cuff for —drumroll, please—$158! (Yes, that deserves an exclamation point.)
Sure, you could buy 30 hair ties for $3…or a pack of scrunchies for $10…or even a single oversized scrunchie for $20. We have—and we will continue to make those purchases. But this is an objet d’art, and will most likely not be worn to the gym or to secure a bedtime topknot. More fashion than function—though we can confirm that it does serve its purpose (even on the thickest of hair)—Lelet’s design belongs in a jewelry box.
I first caught a glimpse of Lelet’s accessory on my late-night TikTok scroll. This video—which begins with a shot of a bubble ponytail complete with a waterfall of cuffs—captured my undivided attention. Click. Click. Straight to the brand’s website I went. And a quick scroll further brought me to that dollar sign and three-digit number.
Important to note: This wasn’t my introduction to the concept a hair cuff. (Case in point: Allure’s 2024 Met Gala beauty trend prediction video, in which I practically spoke the trend into existence…but I digress.) Alas, up until this point, I couldn’t find a chunky statement hair accessory that would actually support the weight and thickness of my ponytail, or the braided styles and space buns that I regularly wear. I once even went so far as to DIY my own design with a spare bangle bracelet. (Spoiler alert: It didn’t go well.)
Lelet’s gem of a hair tie has been around since the end of last year, but it wasn’t on my radar until TikTok did the Lord’s work. When I finally got my hands on the $158 Lelet New York Glossy Double Arch Pony in Silver (made with rhodium silver and 14K gold), I was immediately impressed by the strong elastic attached to the metal glob. (If you have thick, coarse hair like me, you know this is the foundation to keeping an updo in place.) The cuff itself has some weight to it, although nothing that felt heavy or weighing down my ponytail more than my own head of hair already was doing. The cuff’s weight and shiny finish both add to its luxe appeal. And to keep it scratch-free, I store it in its luxe storage pouch.
I pulled my hair into a high ponytail with an elastic before going in for extra hold with my new accessory , wrapping the elastic around the base three times, then shifting the cuff to exactly where I wanted it to sit. To my surprise, the elastic looped onto my ponytail like any other without any hassle, tying my hair up on the first try. The cuff hugged my ponytail—about 2 inches in diameter—without flopping to the side throughout the day with no adjustments needed.