as pictured the negative reviews are a bit harsh [SEP] i can only make one potentially negative comment about this purchase one of the headbands specifically the white jeweled one is sized larger than the others it does not bother me much as i tend to wear these over buffs at times but for a small headed individual it may result in uselessness of one of the headbands otherwise they are as pictured and quite a steal i wear headgear constantly for super long hair and the whole thing about them coming apart will happen with any headband from any manufacturer from time to time or with repeated wear it is just how it works you have to replace items like this like you do anything else you wear if you want something more expensive or for the lace ones to be super soft treat them yourself or find ones to purchase that are not part of a set where all the focus is on the single headband you are choosing you can go to places like earthbound trading or headbands of hope for these types of purchases laces are softer for sure but they are still unlikely to stay pristine forever no matter where you buy them