first time using a stick...

[mzlbcmami]

Yay. I love how it came out...but my hair is so heavy. It hurts my neck. :( and suggestions?

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o569/julzyjulz/Mobile%20Uploads/20150424_113133_zpssfrltphy.jpg

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o569/julzyjulz/Mobile%20Uploads/20150424_112301_zpsdrokvmy3.jpg

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o569/julzyjulz/Mobile%20Uploads/20150424_112032_zpspxgskb0x.jpg

[Anje]

Wow, that's some BIG hair!

If you can get it properly secure and balanced, it should be more comfortable. There's something of a learning curve with that, and you might have more luck with 2 sticks.

Beyond that, I think someone with bigger hair than I have might be more helpful. Meteor might be a good reference for you. :) I think her hair is fairly similar to yours in thickness, texture and maybe length.

[meteor]

Mzlbcmami, gorgeous updos and hair! :thud: Can't believe it's the first time using a stick - it came out really great! :applause:

1) Is this the first time you put hair up with any tools? If so, it's absolutely normal to feel some scalp discomfort. Just take it down after a while (and do a light scalp massage) and try to stretch the time you wear it up every day. (e.g. 10min - 30 min - 1 hr - 2 hr - 4 hr - 8 hr...) It took me probably ~1-2 months to get used to hair follicles being pulled in new directions... but after that, it's smooth sailing. :D

2) If it's just a question of sticks, add something to help anchor the buns and help spread the weight - a claw-clip or 2, U-pins, spin pins, second stick, even bobby pins... Try a few combinations and see what works best for taking off some of the weight for you.

3) Another thing that helps is placing the bun really high up on top of your head, so your head is carrying the weight of the bun, without any pulling on scalp. You'll need to start braiding or bunning close to forehead for this to work, so beginning the braid/twist with head upside down really helps.

4) If the hair is too heavy anyway, try double/triple buns, and bun sectioning - usually from half-up buns.
Check out this video by Torrinpaige:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZvXrEOfJ4w

The Jamie Leigh (pinless bun), the Masara (French antenna braid), Elling Woman Bun,... there are lots of good braided and sectioned or semi-sectioned ones out there!

For sectioning, I think these approaches can be pretty useful:
- half-ups to buns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZvXrEOfJ4w
- braided beehive (2 or more braids - each going on top of the other bunned braid): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEdMa1HvQmA
- hair-taping (2 coronet braids, taped together): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlwnlfDYzk8
- Amish braids (2 braids woven into pockets, forming an updo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PYjubahR6g
- faux hawk (3 or more buns stacked on top of each other in a Mohawk-ish way): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHsFIslbwkM
- bun + coronet(s): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQXu9enBrK0 (Regency updo), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOHj74Kk7DU (Renaissance updo)
- double/triple/multiple buns side by side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgXwdARH_oM
- etc...

HTH! :flower: And let us know how it goes! :D Anje is 100% right, there is definitely a learning curve to this process, and I hope it's going to be fun experimenting! :cheer:

[Lippytoes]

Wow, mzlbcmami, looks like your hair is definitely iii thickness instead of ii/iii! I agree with the others - using two sticks or sectioning (+ extra toys to grip the hair) might help. Also, I find that if I first Dutch braid my hair in two braids, I get a nice secure base to make a bun with. That might be something to try as well.

[mzlbcmami]

lol i changed it to iii, thanks for the help everyone. And yes, it was my first time using hair tools to keep it up. I mean besides a scrunchie.

[meteor]

^ Oh, another thing I forgot to mention is that quite a few long-hairs (LadyLongLocks/JJJLongHair (https://www.youtube.com/user/JJJLonghair)and Torrinpaige (https://www.youtube.com/user/torrinpaige)come to mind) like to start their buns with a ponytail - then you get a good base with a pony first and then put hair up with a stick or fork or claw-clips, etc, etc... It takes quite a bit of the weight off, however, ponytails can be damaging...

May I suggest Chinese bun and Braided Chinese bun for a well-distributed stick bun which starts with a ponytail-base. Or you can do it from 2 side-by-side braids without a pony, it distributes weight very well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRoxdOPQvdE

[laceyfairy]

Your hair looks lovely, first of all. Stick wise, you can use two sticks to help distribute the weight. A scrunchie held ponytail can make a great bun base if you want to include them.

[mzlbcmami]

^ Oh, another thing I forgot to mention is that quite a few long-hairs (LadyLongLocks/JJJLongHair (https://www.youtube.com/user/JJJLonghair)and Torrinpaige (https://www.youtube.com/user/torrinpaige)come to mind) like to start their buns with a ponytail - then you get a good base with a pony first and then put hair up with a stick or fork or claw-clips, etc, etc... It takes quite a bit of the weight off, however, ponytails can be damaging...

May I suggest Chinese bun and Braided Chinese bun for a well-distributed stick bun which starts with a ponytail-base. Or you can do it from 2 side-by-side braids without a pony, it distributes weight very well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRoxdOPQvdE



I was attempting the chinese bun. I put a ponytail, parted it in half and made 2 braids. lol it looks more oval than like a circle though.

[Remi]

My goodness! You just look so fancy! It really is fun to try new styles. You seem to have a good skill at it!

[mzlbcmami]

Mzlbcmami, gorgeous updos and hair! :thud: Can't believe it's the first time using a stick - it came out really great! :applause:

1) Is this the first time you put hair up with any tools? If so, it's absolutely normal to feel some scalp discomfort. Just take it down after a while (and do a light scalp massage) and try to stretch the time you wear it up every day. (e.g. 10min - 30 min - 1 hr - 2 hr - 4 hr - 8 hr...) It took me probably ~1-2 months to get used to hair follicles being pulled in new directions... but after that, it's smooth sailing. :D

2) If it's just a question of sticks, add something to help anchor the buns and help spread the weight - a claw-clip or 2, U-pins, spin pins, second stick, even bobby pins... Try a few combinations and see what works best for taking off some of the weight for you.

3) Another thing that helps is placing the bun really high up on top of your head, so your head is carrying the weight of the bun, without any pulling on scalp. You'll need to start braiding or bunning close to forehead for this to work, so beginning the braid/twist with head upside down really helps.

4) If the hair is too heavy anyway, try double/triple buns, and bun sectioning - usually from half-up buns.
Check out this video by Torrinpaige:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZvXrEOfJ4w

The Jamie Leigh (pinless bun), the Masara (French antenna braid), Elling Woman Bun,... there are lots of good braided and sectioned or semi-sectioned ones out there!

For sectioning, I think these approaches can be pretty useful:
- half-ups to buns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZvXrEOfJ4w
- braided beehive (2 or more braids - each going on top of the other bunned braid): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEdMa1HvQmA
- hair-taping (2 coronet braids, taped together): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlwnlfDYzk8
- Amish braids (2 braids woven into pockets, forming an updo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PYjubahR6g
- faux hawk (3 or more buns stacked on top of each other in a Mohawk-ish way): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHsFIslbwkM
- bun + coronet(s): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQXu9enBrK0 (Regency updo), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOHj74Kk7DU (Renaissance updo)
- double/triple/multiple buns side by side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgXwdARH_oM
- etc...

HTH! :flower: And let us know how it goes! :D Anje is 100% right, there is definitely a learning curve to this process, and I hope it's going to be fun experimenting! :cheer:

Thank you for the video. I Love her personality! I'll be checking out more of her. :)

[Adiro]

Your hair is incredible! Omg! Easily an iii, gravelly have I seen so amazing richness!

Your stick is super long, you might get caught into things, or poke some people in the eyes, if they are not careful.....
And then, you got plenty of great advise,
If I could say something, sometimes the buns feel less heavy wearing 2 sticks, or wearing a fork with a head curve....

[Knifegill]

I'd keep it on top of your head instead for balance. That looks really heavy.

[mzlbcmami]

Your hair is incredible! Omg! Easily an iii, gravelly have I seen so amazing richness!

Your stick is super long, you might get caught into things, or poke some people in the eyes, if they are not careful.....
And then, you got plenty of great advise,
If I could say something, sometimes the buns feel less heavy wearing 2 sticks, or wearing a fork with a head curve....



It's actually a chopstick LOL...that's probably why it's so long. :P
I will experiment with 2 sticks. :)

[mzlbcmami]

I'd keep it on top of your head instead for balance. That looks really heavy.

It was indeed, I had to take it down.