Options for putting hair up?

[LadyCelestina]

My situation is,I am on a fairly tight budget and hair sticks/forks are somewhat hard to purchase in my country.I have a friend who likes to work with wood and he made me some toys for a fair price,but right now he is busy with other things and I feel like I desperately need something new in order to keep me interested in keeping this furry herring on my head long-ish in other words, to keep myself from cutting.

Is anybody else in a similar situation? Are there any non damaging things to keep hair up with,besides sticks? I know claw clips,but I don't know how can I make them hold the bun.
I wish I'd know some pretty self-hold updos.
I also tried making my own sticks by using a sharpener on actual chopsticks,but they don't slide well into hair.Can I do something to make them slide in better?

[Arien]

If you sand chopsticks down with very fine sandpaper and then oil or wax them, (whichever you prefer the finish of, there are various different ones) they are absolutely fine. I sand the ends to a point too, I dont sharpen them. I have two of mine in today and they are perfectly smooth :). You can decorate the ends with carving or notches too if you want.

I'll see if I can show you a picture later :).

[Firefox7275]

What about pretty scrunchies or satin covered head bands from eBay? They are super cheap and can be used alongside Spin Pins if needed. Or some brightly coloured satin or silk ribbon in a braid?

[Lippytoes]

Also, to keep yourself excited about your hair, try new updos like crown braids/coronet braids (require bobby pins, but still hair-friendly), or spruce up your usual buns with accent braids or lace braiding?

There's a self-made hair toys thread somewhere here - perhaps you can check that out and ask people for advice re making your own toys.

[Tota]

What about spin-pins? They're fairly inexpensive and amazing for buns. And pretty invisible, too.

[browneyedsusan]

I use spin pins. You could get some hardwood--oak or maple--dowel rod from the hardware store, cut and sand down?
Crochet hooks from the craft store work in a pinch. I've also heard of members bending double pointed knitting needles around pipes to make 2-prong forks, and wiring beads and things to them?

[Leeloo]

Oh boy, so many options: using paranda to braid and bun (yarn is pretty cheap over here, not sure how it is over at your place), maybe twin French braids with ribbons (you can pick some up for like a buck at a craft store usually), two small claw clips to hold a bun from two sides, just braids and elastics (if you use them) or ribbons.

[LadyCelestina]

If you sand chopsticks down with very fine sandpaper and then oil or wax them, (whichever you prefer the finish of, there are various different ones) they are absolutely fine. I sand the ends to a point too, I dont sharpen them. I have two of mine in today and they are perfectly smooth :). You can decorate the ends with carving or notches too if you want.

I'll see if I can show you a picture later :).
One fork my friend made me was oiled,I believe,but it still sort of snagged in my hair.I guess I should try wax,then?


What about pretty scrunchies or satin covered head bands from eBay? They are super cheap and can be used alongside Spin Pins if needed. Or some brightly coloured satin or silk ribbon in a braid?
Ooh,that's actually a nice idea! I borrowed my sisters scrunchie right now,it is very comfortable and looks so,ballerina,eh :D.Slipped out of my hair easily though.


Also, to keep yourself excited about your hair, try new updos like crown braids/coronet braids (require bobby pins, but still hair-friendly), or spruce up your usual buns with accent braids or lace braiding?

There's a self-made hair toys thread somewhere here - perhaps you can check that out and ask people for advice re making your own toys.
Not long enough for a coronet braid yet.I like to put accent braids in my hair,but I have very few choices with what I am going to make that bun hold with.

What about spin-pins? They're fairly inexpensive and amazing for buns. And pretty invisible, too.
They seem not to sell them where I live :(


I use spin pins. You could get some hardwood--oak or maple--dowel rod from the hardware store, cut and sand down?
Crochet hooks from the craft store work in a pinch. I've also heard of members bending double pointed knitting needles around pipes to make 2-prong forks, and wiring beads and things to them?
Sounds like a nice crafty project! Must try! I wonder if I can find double pointed needles at a reasonable price here.

Oh boy, so many options: using paranda to braid and bun (yarn is pretty cheap over here, not sure how it is over at your place), maybe twin French braids with ribbons (you can pick some up for like a buck at a craft store usually), two small claw clips to hold a bun from two sides, just braids and elastics (if you use them) or ribbons.
Do you just use the paranda to hold the bun up by itself? Also,regarding claw clips,I figure I should slide them in so that they hold both the bun and some scalp hair,am I right ??

[jessicac1]

I am in a similar position to you, I used to always wear my hair down but I am now trying out more styles.
Sock buns are great (youtube it) and look professional, I don't think they are damaging to the hair at all.
Channels I use for inspiration:
http://www.youtube.com/user/cerinebabyyish
http://www.youtube.com/user/lilithedarkmoon

Most of those styles all you need are bobby pins and small elastics :)

[Vrindi]

I'm about to buy some paint brushes (cheap ones that I wouldn't actually use for painting), pull off the brush part, and make hair sticks out of those. I've also made a set of fork/pins from the double-pointed knitting needles, and I'm a big fan of parandas. If you can find yarn, you can make one. Or strips of silk. Some people have even made them with floss and beads, and those look beautiful too.

Other things I've used for hair sticks - letter openers, pretty pens, those small glitter wands with the water and glitter in them, find a good-size stick in the woods and strip the bark and sand it. Next time I'm at the beach I'm on the lookout for driftwood for this purpose, pencils, an actual fork. Check out the self-made hair toys thread.

[neko_kawaii]

Here is the oft mentioned self made hair toys thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=131).

Here is a thread on updos that require no devices (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=111759).

You can easily thread shank buttons onto a bobby pin to make decorations, or make your own fabric flowers and put a loop on the back to thread those onto pins.
Fancy Japanese flowers (http://kimonoreincarnate.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-make-japanese-kanzashi-style.html).
A variety of flowers (http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/03/22/10-beautiful-fabric-flower-tutorials/).
Many more like these on the internet.

The trick to those chopsticks that wont slide is sand paper. You'll need a couple different grits ending with the smoothest. A hard object like a smooth stone or a bottle cap can be used to put a final smooth polish on the stick once it is sanded.

And then there are the endless possibilities for updos (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=112682).

[kpzra]

Here is the oft mentioned self made hair toys thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=131).

Here is a thread on updos that require no devices (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=131).

These go to the same link/thread, just a heads up. ;)

[Ravenwind]

Do you have tights or stockings you don't use? You could cut strips from them to make a hair tie. Or use a sock for a sock bun.

[akilina]

Sorry if someone mentioned it but what about dpn forks? You just get a double pointed knitting needle and bend it into a U shape over a doorknob.

It's my favorite hair toy by far and they hold the best for me.

[chen bao jun]

Chopsticks for hair sticks--I sand mine with sandpaper and then paint with nail polish, and then rub with wax paper. They are very smooth. the nail polish has stayed on so far and you get colorful hairsticks then too.
sew your own scunchies--minimal sewing skills required:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-your-own-hair-scrunchies/2009/06/28/

[PetuniaBlossom]

I use double-pointed knitting needles as hair sticks, just by themselves. Here's a good idea of what they look like and cost:

http://www.fabulousyarn.com/needles_brittanydp.shtml?gclid=CM-e-4aJ3bgCFYie4AodzSwAyA

They're great for the buns I make, Nautilus and Infinity.

Also, I've heard of people painting sanded-down sticsk with enamel to make them super smooth.

[neko_kawaii]

These go to the same link/thread, just a heads up. ;)

Oops! Fixed it. I think.

[jacqueline101]

I agree paint brushes scrunchies and chop sticks are the cheapest. You could go to some dollar shops and find some hair items. I bought side combs once for two dollars at family dollar I got 4 colors.

[LadyCelestina]

I'm about to buy some paint brushes (cheap ones that I wouldn't actually use for painting), pull off the brush part, and make hair sticks out of those. I've also made a set of fork/pins from the double-pointed knitting needles, and I'm a big fan of parandas. If you can find yarn, you can make one. Or strips of silk. Some people have even made them with floss and beads, and those look beautiful too.

Other things I've used for hair sticks - letter openers, pretty pens, those small glitter wands with the water and glitter in them, find a good-size stick in the woods and strip the bark and sand it. Next time I'm at the beach I'm on the lookout for driftwood for this purpose, pencils, an actual fork. Check out the self-made hair toys thread.
I took a damaged brush and tried to pull it out with my teeth...ouch! I think I should venture to the show me your paranda thread.I don't know what are the glitter wands...I once used an actual stick in my hair,lol :D We were visiting a zoo and it was an emergency as it was really hot!

Here is the oft mentioned self made hair toys thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=131).

Here is a thread on updos that require no devices (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=111759).

You can easily thread shank buttons onto a bobby pin to make decorations, or make your own fabric flowers and put a loop on the back to thread those onto pins.
Fancy Japanese flowers (http://kimonoreincarnate.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-make-japanese-kanzashi-style.html).
A variety of flowers (http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/03/22/10-beautiful-fabric-flower-tutorials/).
Many more like these on the internet.

The trick to those chopsticks that wont slide is sand paper. You'll need a couple different grits ending with the smoothest. A hard object like a smooth stone or a bottle cap can be used to put a final smooth polish on the stick once it is sanded.

And then there are the endless possibilities for updos (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=112682).
Thanks for these very useful links!

Do you have tights or stockings you don't use? You could cut strips from them to make a hair tie. Or use a sock for a sock bun.

This is something I used to do to hold sleep braids :)


Sorry if someone mentioned it but what about dpn forks? You just get a double pointed knitting needle and bend it into a U shape over a doorknob.

It's my favorite hair toy by far and they hold the best for me.

Good to know they hold well! So no slipping out of hair?


Chopsticks for hair sticks--I sand mine with sandpaper and then paint with nail polish, and then rub with wax paper. They are very smooth. the nail polish has stayed on so far and you get colorful hairsticks then too.
sew your own scunchies--minimal sewing skills required:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-your-own-hair-scrunchies/2009/06/28/
Thanks!

I use double-pointed knitting needles as hair sticks, just by themselves. Here's a good idea of what they look like and cost:

http://www.fabulousyarn.com/needles_brittanydp.shtml?gclid=CM-e-4aJ3bgCFYie4AodzSwAyA

They're great for the buns I make, Nautilus and Infinity.

Also, I've heard of people painting sanded-down sticsk with enamel to make them super smooth.
They are,but also very slippery then,not so much an issue with sticks as with forks :(


I agree paint brushes scrunchies and chop sticks are the cheapest. You could go to some dollar shops and find some hair items. I bought side combs once for two dollars at family dollar I got 4 colors.
.Drug stores here carry some hair accessories,but they usually are ...ugly.But hey,I once found a very nice claw clip! Maybe I just have to look harder.

[catamonica]

I put my hair in a low braided bun. I use enclosed & wide bobby pins. The bun stays. It's comfortable.

[Anje]

Rather than disposable chopsticks (which tend to be really splintery, the reusable variety are quite nice. I cut them short and file them to a comfortable, glossy point with one of those 4- or 6-texture nail file/buffer things.

Alternatively, if you're OK with ordering online, children's chopsticks are the perfect size and quite cheap. (http://www.asianideas.com/kidschopsticks.html)

[PrincessBob]

I am really picky about what goes into my hair. If it is wood I probably re-sanded it once I got it and then moistened it and sanded it again. I find this necessary for even many well sanded items, because it seems one property of my hair is immense snag-ability. I would suggest getting some 1200 grit sandpaper and trying to smooth any edges or raised grain. This could help alleviate snagging issues.

[MadameV]

Dip pens (or just the holders) work well as sticks, in my experience. I wear those more than I wear my one actual hair stick. You can find them in art stores. I don't draw or do calligraphy, but I write some so friends and family buy me pretty pens. They tend to be smooth and tapered, and you can find them in a variety of materials. My daily one is painted wood and I have a steel one and a blown glass one for fancier things. They're sometimes on the longer side, but I like that. They will catch on the world around you if you don't take the nibs off, though.

[spirals]

My mom shortens chop sticks with a pencil sharpener, sands them, and then paints them with acrylic paints. Then they get a topcoat of varnish. My favorite pair is featured in my avatar. She did detailing on the ends with gold metallic paint.

I really like the paintbrush handle idea. I have some cheap ones I don't use.