Spiral hair ties (the coiled, phone-cord-style rings) have become a staple for anyone who wants a ponytail without the kinks or headaches. Invisibobble is the original brand, but at roughly $11 for a 3-pack, they're not cheap for something you'll inevitably lose at the gym. This guide covers where to buy invisibobble in Canada, how to find an invisibobble sale, and which spiral hair ties Canada shoppers can grab for a fraction of the price.
What Makes Spiral Hair Ties Different
The spiral shape distributes pressure more evenly around your ponytail than a flat elastic. Instead of gripping the hair at a single tight point (which causes creases and tension headaches), the coil holds the hair in place without squeezing it. The result: no kinks when you take it out, less pulling on your scalp, and less breakage over time.
Invisibobble's version is made from a non-absorbent polyurethane resin, so it doesn't soak up sweat or pool water. That makes these hair rings Canada gym-goers and swimmers tend to prefer over fabric elastics.
Where to Buy Invisibobble in Canada: Price Comparison
The standard Invisibobble Original 3-pack retails for approximately $11 CAD at most major Canadian retailers. Here's how prices compare across the main options:
| Retailer | Product | Approx. Price (CAD) | Price Per Ring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoppers Drug Mart | Original 3-Pack | ~$15.00 | $5.00 |
| Walmart Canada | Original 3-Pack (in-store) | ~$11.00 | $3.66 |
| Chatters | Original 3-Pack (sold out) | ~$11.00 | $3.66 |
| Amazon.ca | Original 3-Pack | ~$12.00 to $14.00 | $4.00+ |
Amazon tends to run slightly higher per ring, but also carries bulk packs (8 to 10 rings) that can bring the cost down to under $2.50 per ring. Note that online marketplace prices (especially on Walmart.ca and Amazon.ca) can be significantly higher than in-store retail when the listing comes from a third-party seller rather than the retailer itself. Always check who the seller is before buying online.
How to Find an Invisibobble Sale
The standard retail price doesn't move much, so the real savings come through loyalty programs and seasonal events:
- Shoppers Drug Mart: Use your PC Optimum card and time your purchase for a "20x the points" event.
- Sephora Canada: Wait for the seasonal VIB/Rouge sales (typically April and November) for 10% to 20% off, depending on your membership tier.
- Amazon.ca: Look for "Value Sets" or multicolour packs that bundle more rings at a lower per-unit cost. Prime Day (July) and Black Friday (November) often bring temporary price drops on hair accessories.
The Top Invisibobble Dupes in Canada
At $3.66 per ring, losing an Invisibobble under the couch or at the gym stings. If you're not attached to the brand name, these invisibobble dupes offer the same spiral design at a lower price point.
Quo Beauty Spiral Hair Ties (Shoppers Drug Mart)
Quo is Shoppers Drug Mart's house brand, and their spiral hair ties are one of the more popular invisibobble alternative options in Canada. A pack of 6 to 8 rings typically costs $10, putting the per-ring price at around $1.25. You still earn PC Optimum points on the purchase, and they go on sale regularly. The tension is slightly firmer than the original Invisibobble, which some people with thick hair actually prefer.
Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties (Amazon and Walmart)
Kitsch is probably the most recognized Invisibobble competitor. You can find them on Amazon.ca and occasionally at Walmart. An 8-pack runs about $12 to $13, which works out to roughly $1.50 per ring. They come in a wider colour range than the original, including metallic and "nude" shades designed to blend with different hair tones.
Dollarama Generic Spiral Hair Bands
For the absolute lowest price on spiral hair bands, Dollarama carries generic spiral hair ties in packs of 4 to 22 for $1.25 to $2.25. At pennies per ring, these are fine for gym bags, car consoles, or kids who will lose them within a day. The trade-off: the plastic tends to be harder, and there's often a visible seam where the material is fused together. That seam can occasionally snag hairs, which partially defeats the purpose of using a spiral tie in the first place.
Invisibobble vs. Cheap Dupes: Is There a Real Difference?
The short answer: yes, but whether it matters depends on your hair type and how long you expect a single ring to last.
The original Invisibobble uses a flexible polyurethane that holds its shape longer and has a seamless finish. Cheaper spiral hair ties Canada dollar stores sell often use a harder plastic that can become brittle and snap after a few months. All spiral ties will stretch out with use, but the brand-name version tends to hold its "snap back" ability longer than the discount alternatives.
If you have fine or fragile hair, the seamless construction of the original matters more (no seam to catch and pull individual strands). If you have thick hair and go through ties quickly anyway, the Quo or Kitsch options at $1.00 to $1.50 per ring deliver solid value.
How to Shrink Stretched-Out Spiral Hair Ties
Every spiral hair tie will eventually stretch out to twice its original size. Before you toss it, try the hot water method to reset it. This works on both brand-name and generic rings.
- Boil a cup of water (or use the hot setting on your water dispenser).
- Place the stretched ring in a heat-proof bowl.
- Pour the hot water over the ring and let it sit for 10 to 15 seconds.
- The heat causes the plastic to contract, and the ring shrinks back toward its original size.
- Remove with a spoon and let it cool before using.
You can also hold the stretched ring under a hair dryer on high heat for 15 to 20 seconds for the same effect. This trick extends the life of each ring significantly, which makes even the $3.66 original a more reasonable purchase when you're getting months of extra use out of it.
Which Spiral Hair Ties Should You Buy?
Here's a quick breakdown based on how you'll use them:
| If You... | Buy This | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Have fine or fragile hair | Invisibobble Original | Seamless design is gentler, less snagging |
| Work out frequently | Invisibobble Power | Stronger grip designed for high-intensity activity |
| Lose hair ties constantly | Quo Beauty or Kitsch | $1.00 to $1.50 per ring, solid quality |
| Have thick hair | Quo Beauty (firmer tension) | Slightly stronger hold than the original |
| Need emergency backups | Dollarama generics | Pennies per ring, disposable |
| Want specific colours | Kitsch | Widest colour range including metallic and nude shades |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Invisibobbles cost in Canada?
The standard Original 3-pack retails for approximately $11-$15 CAD at Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, Walmart (in-store), and Chatters. Amazon.ca prices tend to be $12 to $14 for a 3-pack, though bulk packs bring the per-ring cost down.
Are invisibobble dupes worth buying?
For most people, yes. The Quo Beauty spirals at Shoppers Drug Mart and Kitsch on Amazon.ca are around $1.00 to $1.50 per ring and perform well. The main difference is durability: the original Invisibobble holds its shape slightly longer, but at three to four times the per-ring price, the dupes offer solid value for everyday use.
Can you really shrink stretched-out spiral hair ties?
Yes. Dropping a stretched ring into a bowl of hot water for 10 to 15 seconds causes the plastic to contract back toward its original size. A hair dryer on high heat works too. This extends the useful life of each ring by months.
Do Invisibobbles work on thick hair?
The Original version works for most hair types, but for very thick or heavy hair, the Invisibobble Power (a thicker, stronger version) or the Quo Beauty spirals (which have firmer tension) tend to hold better.
