The Updo Idiot...Please Help!

[Maelyssa]

I normally like to have my hair pulled up for work & around the house as I'm a busy mom but my problem is that I seem to lack the proper technique to do all the beautiful styles I see in the forums & blogs that use the hairsticks & other gentle hairtoys.
Instead I normally do a simple braid, bun or pony tail which I've just noticed has probably led to the noticeable breakage I"m experiencing.
The breakage is right about where I would normally place an elastic hairtie.

That said what are the best tips for getting some hairsticks & hairtoys for someone new to them?
Also is there a page or pages which very clearly explain how to use these things for updos?

I read all sorts of styles & cool names & beautiful pictures but am absolutely CLUELESS.
Any help would be appreciated.

[HairColoredHair]

Try varying where you put your updos (higher on the head, lower on the head, instead of the same place every time) or using different bindings (I use the bindings that are like rolled fabric, no seams. Yes, they wear out eventually, but they do less damage. Some people cut rings of pantyhose.)

Also, try leaning to bun and braid without a binding at the top where a ponytail's binding would be, that can help minimize damage at the top.

Hairsticks can be found relatively cheaply at Claires or you can use chopsticks! They do take some practice (remember, insert in the 'wrong' direction to snag scalp hair before weaving the stick into a bun). Depending on how long/thick your hair is a fig-8 is relatively simply to hold with a stick.

Wavelength pins (Double pointed knitting needles bent into U shapes) can be used like 'sticks' to hold buns and hold rather securely.

The biggest issue is practice, practice, practice.

[kdaniels8811]

Check out the articles section, there is a bunch of "how to" do up do's. I even learned and I am an official member of the hair idiots club! Good luck and let us know how you do.

[Rhea]

On "YouTube" you can look videos , that is helping too !

[Akiko]

Hair style dictionary search (http://hairstyledictionary.ztn.net/)
Hair Style dictionary thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=11763)

These are really helpful for me.

[Avalonna]

Here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=99) is a great article about using buns and sticks. Here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=106) is one about buns in general. The Hair Style Dictionary links posted above are very helpful for finding videos of different styles. Have fun!

[BranwenWolf]

Thanks for starting this thread, I will check the links when I have more time!
I can't seem to get a bun to stay up and need more schooling. :)

[Maelyssa]

Thank you all so much for you responses, advice & the links...it's absolutely PERFECT. I'll spend some time this weekend practicing & when I get one that looks good I'll try to take a pic....now posting it online is a whole other story...LOL :D

[MotherConfessor]

Play with your hair and use good pins. Seriously, just grab it and start twisting it on your head, braid it and do the same. Experimentation is key here. Eventually it will just be second nature to you.

The pins are really important, I use the long rolling pin type bobby pins and really like them. I love wavelenths but they tend to fall out of my hair. You might also consider amish pins...

good luck