Review title is Cute and functional, but velvet coating makes operation rough [SEP] You can tell that they were closed tightly when they were coated in the velvet, because they are difficult to initially open and once they are, there are non coated portions visible.  One was also received a little roughed up, and they appear to have been this way prior to packaging (none of the velvet was in the bag and the bag had no scratches or damage).  Having said that, these do work well to hold your hair and they're very cute.  Once you pry them open the first time they're much easier to open and close on subsequent uses.<br /><br />They fit a small bun or a large ponytail and they don't move much.  Even  with the damaged one (which was the least fun color), it's still a good purchase and they'll match virtually anything.