Hair "pouf" achieved in front

[Madora]

I've always intensely disliked hairstyles that were "skinned back", making the wearer look like an otter. After several attempts, I finally learned of a way to do a slight "pouf" at the front (and a trifle on the side). I am one happy camper!



How to "pouf" ..would probably work best on hair that is at least waist length

1) Bend at the waist
2) Bring all hair in front of you, like a curtain
3) Detangle all hair carefully
4) Bend head down so it is facing the floor
5) Grasp hair in hand, then divide in 3 parts for braiding.
6) Do not start the braid too close to the scalp! Try to start the braid half an inch or an inch up from scalp. This helps create the "pouf" at the end
7) Braid hair down to ends/secure with hair friendly elastic
Hold braid flat on top of head (a trifle towards the back of the head), coil. Pin with hairpins at the 4 directions.
9) With any luck, you have a braided bun..with a little "pouf" in front!

[Sarahlabyrinth]

Thanks for this, Madora. I wonder if it would work for other buns....

[Sarden]

double post

[Sarden]

making the wearer look like an otter.

Hahaha, this literally made me laugh out loud. I'm not ever going to see one of these women again and not think of an otter....

Thanks for the instructions though, they sound good. Will be attempting a non-otter style sometime soon!

[Madora]

Thanks for this, Madora. I wonder if it would work for other buns....

I haven't the foggiest idea, Sarahlabyrinth. The secret is to have your head as far down as possible, and then when you do the braiding, start to braid an inch or so from the scalp, so that the hair next to the scalp is the teensiest bit "saggy". The "sag" is what creates the pouf when you are finished.

I don't know for certain, but I bet this might have been used by Victorian and Edwardian ladies, many of whom had beautiful poufs (much taller than mine).

@Sarden, please post your "pouf" picture when you can! I'm curious to see how it turns out on other long hairs.

[meteor]

Great stuff, Madora! Thank you so much for sharing!

Thanks for this, Madora. I wonder if it would work for other buns....

Yes, you can do poofs in different buns, just use accent braid/twist in the front for that effect:
1) make a small-ish braid or twist with front hair as if you are making a half-up of sorts - but don't braid/twist too close to your hairline;
2) push the twist/braid forward (to your forehead) a bit and either just leave it there or pin it down with bobby pins or a small barrette in that position for better hold;
3) incorporate that braid/twist into your bun;
4) if the accent braid/twist got flattened, pull it out gently forward (to your forehead).
It holds better on freshly washed hair or with some dry shampoo in the roots area.

If you do it in a braided bun, it will look a little bit like the simplified Ellingwoman bun, but it works with any bun!

[rags]

As an "otter woman" (that made me laugh!) I'm going to try this. My ultra fine and thin hair doesn't "poof" very well however. But maybe I can escape the drowned rodent look?

[Kitten1030]

Otter checking in Might have to try this. I always cheat and use one of those teeny tiny claw clips but then when my gray roots start to show you can see them on the sides. Like an otter with racing stripes.

[embee]

embee=otter

My stick straight thin fine hair does not poof nicely.

My best bet is to make a part, either center or on the side.

[Lyv]

Ohh I'll have to remember this for the future! When I could do a bun I rarely did it because I couldn't stand how flat it was in the front.