Calling All Bun Experts!

[Pixna]

Hello, there! Yes, it's me again...Pixna, whining about bun help. :o

I'm a short gal with a tall request. :)

My hair is a couple of inches longer than in my current avatar pic. It is fairly thick (bordering on iii), and the ends are blunt. I am left-handed (i.e., bun challenged) and would like to do SIMPLE, VERY SECURE, flat (close to the head), uncomplicated buns that hold with a SINGLE hair stick and do NOT need an elastic or pins or clips or anything else.

I am currently able to successfully do a Pencil Bun, the Magic Knot Bun, and a messy figure 8/infinity bun.

Are there any other suitable buns for someone at my length and with these parameters? Any and all suggestions (that fit the above criteria) would be greatly appreciated!! :flowers:

[MandyBeth]

Can you manage the split bun or not? I find if I twist the base, it holds better. But since I'm a no-good-coney-head, forks work better than sticks do for me.

[Loreley]

I wear my hair in a simple cinnamon bun almost every day. It's very secure and I use only one stick to do it.

[LZYJO]

I'm also left handed and bun challenged. I found a super tutorial on youtube for using the hairstick. There are a ton of good ones. (here's two that helped me the most

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roL-8kqQXOw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw6EUxfcl94

My method is

make a loose ponytail with your right hand.

Hold the hairstick in your left hand and place it over the ponytail pointing down (4 o'clock)

With your right hand wrap the ponytail over the stick. (Bottom to top.)

With your right hand again hold the tail of your hair and twist the stick as many times as you can. (I do 2 to 3 twists)

Poke the stick through the hair next to your scalp, in a downward motion. You can go to either side or straight down.

The most important part is grabbing hair next to the scalp. This is what keeps it secure.

Good luck. It's fun to do once you get the hang of it. I remember when I got my first hair sticks my pun kept falling out. LOL! Now I can keep it up all day.

P.S. Don't let the videos confuse you, those right-handers do everything backwards!

[cmnt831]

I going to watch this thread. I need some ideas that fit those parameters, too. :)

Pixna, are there links to instructions for the buns you mentioned above? I don't know how to do any of those.

[LZYJO]

I also wanted to include these expert videos from French hair gurus Isa and No. They have tutorial videos for all the best buns. Chinese, infinity, etc.,

http://www.youtube.com/user/isaetno

[Dreams_in_Pink]

...How in the world can a SL do a figure 8 bun??? Are you sure you're not APL?

[Pixna]

MandyBeth, do you have instructions for a split bun (or a video link)?

Loreley, how do you get your cinnabun to be very secure with just a single stick?

LZYJO, thank you SO much! :flower: Those links are terrific, and I also appreciate your instructions for the twist. I don't know exactly what I did, but I just tried it (following your instructions) and I now have a very secure twist going! Woohoo! I'd like to try the suggestion in the second video you sent, but I'll have to wait until later since I don't want to take this down yet. :) And darned if you aren't correct -- those righties do everything backwards!! ;)

cmnt831, yes, here are the links: Pencil Bun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0k3dD4qX34) and Magic Knot Bun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftpvK9OA1wI). I needed to watch these and practice them each about 50 times before I could get them to work for me, but now that I have, they are my staples! (Make sure your speakers are on when you watch the Magic Knot video -- the music will make you want to dance! :))

Dreams_in_Pink, my hair is longer than in my avatar. I'm about 1.5 inches away from APL, but as I'm not quite there, I didn't want to put it in my details yet. My figure 8 bun is on the messy side and far from perfect, but I can do it (it will get better once I have more length). However, I don't know how to make it super secure. Any suggestions anyone??

[MandyBeth]

Split bun - http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=159 I start mine with the ponytail, then give it a twist or two for the "base", wrap up over 2 fingers, wrap the tail around, split loop, tuck left under right, use stick.

Otherwise, I use LZYJO's method for a stick or similar idea, but using a fork, I flip the bun so it's under the fork sort of which gives me the appearence of way more hair than I have.

[Pixna]

Split bun - http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=159 I start mine with the ponytail, then give it a twist or two for the "base", wrap up over 2 fingers, wrap the tail around, split loop, tuck left under right, use stick.

This is kind of similar to the Pencil Bun, except the Pencil Bun seems to turn out neater. Thanks, MandyBeth!

[MandyBeth]

...How in the world can a SL do a figure 8 bun??? Are you sure you're not APL?

I'm not quite at SL yet and I can do eadwine's cheater figure 8 bun pretty well.

Pixna, have you tried that version yet? It's over in the later article pages (I think page 9?)

[restourceful]

Hi Pixna.:waving:

Once again, I'll be watching this thread since I have the same issues you have, except that I am right handed. I can do the ones you can do, with my shortest layers not quite shoulder length. I have sticky-outy parts that make most of my buns messy so I just stick a pin or two in to help them lay down.:pins: I know you want to use only one stick (or fork). I got the figure 8 to stay secure for about 4 hours last week, who knows how, but that was the only time. I can get the cinnabun to stay rock solid with one stick but it's so tight it can hurt. :headache:

Can't wait to see what suggestions you get this time! I love it when you start a new bun thread. You inspire me!:hifive:

[Pixna]

Hi, Restourceful! Your post made me laugh. I think I'm a thorn (or hair stick) in everyone' side when it comes to buns. I just won't disappear! :magic:

Isn't it funny how we can get a bun to stay rock solid sometimes, but we can't figure out how we did it? But even when we get them nice and secure, it can feel like we're getting a mini face lift in the process! :blueeek: I run into that all the time with my buns. One of these days, you and I will have the neat, secure (but comfortable) buns we are seeking.

MandyBeth, do you have a link for Eadwine's cheater figure 8 bun?

[cmnt831]

cmnt831, yes, here are the links: Pencil Bun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0k3dD4qX34) and Magic Knot Bun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftpvK9OA1wI). I needed to watch these and practice them each about 50 times before I could get them to work for me, but now that I have, they are my staples! (Make sure your speakers are on when you watch the Magic Knot video -- the music will make you want to dance! :))

Thanks! That music was cute. :cheese:

[Pixna]

Thanks! That music was cute. :cheese:

I know. It puts me in a good mood every time I watch that video! :p

[MandyBeth]

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=40

This is how I manage a figure 8 :) Thanks to eadwine for posting it :)

[restourceful]

I found one that uses NO hairtoys that I have tried and tried but my hair is just too slick for it. Maybe it will work for you or someone else and y'all can tell me what I can do to get it to stick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N08Ikn5lcyA

[ArienEllariel]

I found one that uses NO hairtoys that I have tried and tried but my hair is just too slick for it. Maybe it will work for you or someone else and y'all can tell me what I can do to get it to stick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N08Ikn5lcyA

I'm excited! I did this and got it to stay... once. :P

[Pixna]

Thanks, MandyBeth!

Restourceful, I've watched that video quite a number of times before and I can't get it to work either. I think, for me at least, my hair isn't long enough yet. I'll have to keep trying this one, though I can't imagine doing it without the hair stick (or pencil).

ArienEllariel, well, once is one more time than I've been able to do it! :p But knowing you could do it at least once is encouraging. That's how I feel about any bun -- if I can do it once, I can do it again (I just have to figure out how!).

[Blandine]

This one introduced me to the world of buns and hairsticks and quickly became my standard updo style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9tUzrxEBVg The result is similar to the Lazy Wrap Bun but the wrapping technique is different, to me easier and more secure. Explanations on the video are in German but watching her doing the bun should be understandable without text, too.

[Pixna]

This one introduced me to the world of buns and hairsticks and quickly became my standard updo style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9tUzrxEBVg The result is similar to the Lazy Wrap Bun but the wrapping technique is different, to me easier and more secure. Explanations on the video are in German but watching her doing the bun should be understandable without text, too.

This looks like a wonderful and EASY bun (and the woman's hair in the video is phenomenal) -- thank you! Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to do it left-handed and for my length. I think my hair might be to short for this right now. :(

[restourceful]

Way to go ArielEllarien! :bowtome: Now can you 'splain it to those of us who can't get it to stick? I think it would work at mine and Pixna's length, but I just can't seem to find the right spot to *hook* it under maybe? And is there a tuck or turn we're not getting right?

Blandine, I think we may still be too short for that one, at least I am. I can't wait until I can do that one, though. It's so pretty!:D

[Pixna]

Way to go ArielEllarien! :bowtome: Now can you 'splain it to those of us who can't get it to stick? I think it would work at mine and Pixna's length, but I just can't seem to find the right spot to *hook* it under maybe? And is there a tuck or turn we're not getting right?

That's my problem, too. I can't figure out which part of the hair (or is it part of the bun?) to hook it under. Color me confused. :confused:

[MandyBeth]

Pixna, not sure if you are willing to go to this - but for buns that I have just enough hair to get the twist/knot in, but not quite enough to get it "stuck" - I've found a beak clip *or Ficcare as my preferred since the gap gives me enough room for my hair* or a Flexi-8 works better than a stick/fork. Closing over the bun locks it more.

[ArienEllariel]

That's my problem, too. I can't figure out which part of the hair (or is it part of the bun?) to hook it under. Color me confused. :confused:

Well I hooked mine under a section of hair on the top left (I twist my bun counterclockwise). If you twist clockwise then you'd grab a small section from the top right. At least, that's how I kept mine from unwraveling. Let me know if this helps any.

[Tresses]

Pixna, have you tried a Nautilus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS-BQ5OMV2Y)bun?

[restourceful]

OK, I just got it to stay...for 4 seconds.:( I am thinking there must be some sort of twist or turn that I'm not doing because my twist just comes undone as soon as I stick it under the section of hair. I may try this with some AVG or just damp hair later.

ArielEllarien, your hair is finer than mine, and maybe a bit shorter? How do you get it to *stick?* Is your hair very slippery? Maybe my hair is too long?:confused:

ETA: Pixna, Hypnotica puts her stick in from the left in the Nautilus video Tresses posted.

[Pixna]

MandyBeth, thanks for the suggestion. My goal is really to master several one-stick bun styles, so although I could use other toys, I'd prefer not to right now.

ArienEllariel, that's what I did (or tried to do), but I just can get it to work without ripping out half of my hair. :blueeek:

Tresses, thank you!! I think my hair is still a wee bit too short for it, but I've been trying it anyway, and I have a Sort-of-Almost-a-Nautilus Bun in my hair as we speak, and it's holding really well. Yay!!! Now if I can only make it happen again and again! By the way, I love that the video is in English (i.e., left-handed). I could actually figure this one out! Thank you, again! :flower:

Restourceful, it's funny that you said that. I was thinking that my hair is too short and thick to do it. :shrug: The gal in the video has fairly long hair, so I don't think your hair is too long to do it. Thanks for noticing that Hypnotica puts her stick in from the left. I noticed that, too, and I was thrilled that I could actually follow the video!! :redgrin:

[ArienEllariel]

I don't know then. I don't consider my hair to be slippery fine. Ummm since I couldn't do it twice in a row, I'm not sure on how to explain it anymore. My hair is around 20.5-21" long.

[Tresses]

Tresses, thank you!! I think my hair is still a wee bit too short for it, but I've been trying it anyway, and I have a Sort-of-Almost-a-Nautilus Bun in my hair as we speak, and it's holding really well. Yay!!! Now if I can only make it happen again and again! By the way, I love that the video is in English (i.e., left-handed). I could actually figure this one out! Thank you, again! :flower:

You're welcome! I'm glad it's working for you. :) Hypnotica also has a video for her Artemis Bun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBjLxJF1zIc), which is basically a rotated Nautilus. I love this bun. :inlove: While we're at it, She also has the Hypno Bun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFeNYl-OK6Q), which may work at your length. Hypnotica rocks. :rockerdud

[Pixna]

You're welcome! I'm glad it's working for you. :) Hypnotica also has a video for her Artemis Bun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBjLxJF1zIc), which is basically a rotated Nautilus. I love this bun. :inlove: While we're at it, She also has the Hypno Bun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFeNYl-OK6Q), which may work at your length. Hypnotica rocks. :rockerdud

She does indeed, Tresses!! Plus, she is LEFT-HANDED!!! I can't tell you what a HUGE difference it makes for me to see left-handed videos! It's like finally someone is speaking my language! :p

I can barely, sort of, almost do the Nautilus bun, and I am truly thrilled. I love it, too. It's not vastly different from how I've been doing the Pencil Bun, so I think it's going to be a keeper for me. The Artemis, even though it's not all that different from the Nautilus, and the Hypno bun require more length than I have right now. But it's really good to know I've got some great buns to look forward to. Thanks again, Tresses!!

[time_on_fire]

You asked about simple buns.... are braids disqualified from this?

[Pixna]

You asked about simple buns.... are braids disqualified from this?

Yup. I'm really just looking for simple, flat, very secure buns that can be held with a single stick. No braids, no clips, no elastics, no pins, no forks. It's a challenge, isn't it? But definitely doable, since I've gotten some good suggestions that should work for my length and thickness. Of course, I want MORE, MORE, MORE -- so if you have ideas, fire away!! :gabigrin:

P.S. I just adore your avatar!!! :inlove:

[restourceful]

Here's another one to try, Pixna. I'm not sure what length you must have for this but it may work. And there's a variation by Eadwine that might work, too. If I had something other than a mechanical pencil right here I'd try it myself, but I'm too lazy to get up and go get a hair stick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8BAbYHqr-Y

[Pixna]

Hmm....that looks interesting, Restourceful. I'll have to give that one a whirl tomorrow. I finally have a Nautilus bun (or an Almost-Nautilus Bun) that is holding well, so I don't want to take it out just yet to try this one. Thank you! :heart:

[restourceful]

I have bun envy, Pixna. I haven't been able to get anything to hold today. But then I washed yesterday so I'm still pretty slippery.;)

[Pixna]

I have bun envy, Pixna. I haven't been able to get anything to hold today. But then I washed yesterday so I'm still pretty slippery.;)

I had bun envy of everyone at LHC yesterday -- my hair wouldn't hold in a bun no matter what I did. It's weird that some days I'm so successful at them and others I'm totally bun-challenged. When my hair is freshly washed, it's super fluffy, which makes it harder to bun. It gets easier a few days after I wash.

[MandyBeth]

Try being a no-good-coney-headed short haired person who is trying to put up chin-length, fine, freshly washed hair.....

[habioku]

What about the lazy wrap bun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTt771qkO24 ?

[Pixna]

What about the lazy wrap bun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTt771qkO24 ?

That's definitely worth a try!! Thanks, Bluna!! :)

[habioku]

I'm glad, that I could help ;).

[restourceful]

Oh, cool, Bluna. That looks a little like the Pencil Bun without the twist. I'll give that one a try tomorrow.

[time_on_fire]

My hair was barely BSL when I started the lazy wrap. It holds very well with a lilliputian mermaid tail; in fact, that's what I'm wearing today. Not that I'm addicted to Grah-toes or anything.

But I know you are looking to use sticks. I just found this style most secure (ie, super secure) with this particular fork. I wish I could figure out why....

[habioku]

Thank you restourceful :). Could you post the link of this pencil bun, i don't find it (sorry i'm a newbee :o)

[restourceful]

Thank you restourceful :). Could you post the link of this pencil bun, i don't find it (sorry i'm a newbee :o)
Bluna, here's the Pencil Bun. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0k3dD4qX34)

And welcome to LHC!:waving:

[walterSCAN]

She does indeed, Tresses!! Plus, she is LEFT-HANDED!!! I can't tell you what a HUGE difference it makes for me to see left-handed videos! It's like finally someone is speaking my language! :p

I can barely, sort of, almost do the Nautilus bun, and I am truly thrilled. I love it, too. It's not vastly different from how I've been doing the Pencil Bun, so I think it's going to be a keeper for me. The Artemis, even though it's not all that different from the Nautilus, and the Hypno bun require more length than I have right now. But it's really good to know I've got some great buns to look forward to. Thanks again, Tresses!!

You know what's weird... I'm right-handed, and I never noticed that Hypnotica is left-handed!:p I do her buns/ the french twist the same way she does and everything... :confused:

[Tresses]

You know what's weird... I'm right-handed, and I never noticed that Hypnotica is left-handed!:p I do her buns/ the french twist the same way she does and everything... :confused:

I'm right handed, too, and never noticed it. Funny thing is, I can't do the Nautilus or Artemis buns the way she does, but I can do the Hypno bun her way. Weird.

[walterSCAN]

I'm right handed, too, and never noticed it. Funny thing is, I can't do the Nautilus or Artemis buns the way she does, but I can do the Hypno bun her way. Weird.

Huh. I haven't tried the nautilus or artemis yet (I don't think my hair is quite long enough yet), but I've got a hypno-bun in right now... I wonder if I'll be able to do the others the way she does when the time comes?

Isn't it weird that we never noticed? I'm starting to wonder if I'm not an updo-lefty despite being a righty for everything else... I already know I braid upside down. :shrug:

[habioku]

@ restourceful: Thanks for welcoming :D

[MerryKat]

I love a flipped cinnabun - it looks more elegant than a normal cinnabun and it holds like a dream.

[Pixna]

Tresses and walterSCAN, that's pretty funny. I can't do 99.9% of bun styles because the instructions are right-handed and I can't invert them. You must be more ambidextrous than you realize! :roll:

MerryKat, thank you for that suggestion! I'll definitely give a flipped cinnabun a try. My hair might not be quite long enough for it yet, so when my hair gets longer and I start yet another bun thread (yep, they can't get rid of me that easily!), you'll probably have to remind me about this one again! :smirk:

time_on_fire, thank you for another vote for the Lazy Wrap Bun. Heh-heh--you know of my little addiction, eh? Shhh! :lipssealed: Plus, you're an enabler! ;)

[sherigayle]

Here's another one to try, Pixna. I'm not sure what length you must have for this but it may work. And there's a variation by Eadwine that might work, too. If I had something other than a mechanical pencil right here I'd try it myself, but I'm too lazy to get up and go get a hair stick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8BAbYHqr-Y

That's how I put my hair up in the shower to keep the conditioner from being washed off my ends. It's very protective and easy.

[rags]

A third for the Lazy Wrap. Although being a finey and sometimes no-good-coneyhead I have to use a fork instead of a stick.

And I can do Hypnotica's buns the same way she does too! But then, I'm only slightly right-handed; I'm fairly ambidextrous.........

[Pixna]

And I can do Hypnotica's buns the same way she does too! But then, I'm only slightly right-handed; I'm fairly ambidextrous.........

"Only slighty right-handed." :laugh: That cracked me up. Is that like being "slightly old" or "slightly short"? Um, not that I could POSSIBLY relate to either of those examples! ;)

[MandyBeth]

I claim to be slightly short - I'm not really that short, even fairly tall for the women in my family - but it's a bit of a stretch to call me average :)

[rags]

"Only slighty right-handed." :laugh: That cracked me up. Is that like being "slightly old" or "slightly short"? Um, not that I could POSSIBLY relate to either of those examples! ;)

Pixna, you made me LOL! :rollin:
No, I was actually truly ambidextrous as a child; when I entered school I was taught that I must write, etc. with my right hand. So now I favor it for certain things. But the things the teachers or my mother didn't beat into me - I'm pretty much ambidextrous.

And I'm only 'slightly old' :rollin:

[Pixna]

No, I was actually truly ambidextrous as a child; when I entered school I was taught that I must write, etc. with my right hand. So now I favor it for certain things. But the things the teachers or my mother didn't beat into me - I'm pretty much ambidextrous.

And I'm only 'slightly old' :rollin:

Aha!! So you really ARE "slightly right-handed" and are actually one of US (a lefty) in disguise. Cool -- and good for you for not letting Big Brother totally knock the left-handedness out of you!! :brickwall

You're only "slightly old"? Uh-oh. That makes me what....volcanic ash??? :blueeek:

[MandyBeth]

You're only "slightly old"? Uh-oh. That makes me what....volcanic ash??? :blueeek:

Now, now. Some of us have had gray hairs since we were 12.

417 days until I turn 30....

[Pixna]

Now, now. Some of us have had gray hairs since we were 12.

417 days until I turn 30....

Just a babe, m'dear, just a babe! :smirk:

[MandyBeth]

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=4611&pictureid=65855

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=4611&pictureid=65856

Lookie, lookie!!!! My very first wrapped around the stick bun!!!!! All from this thread. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

[Pixna]

Cool! Congratulations, MandyBeth! :applause

[Anje]

Do you have enough length to do a celtic knot bun? They're not the flattest, but can be quite comfortable and very secure.

ETA: Here are two views of it. Both right-handed, but since the left hand does most of the work, you might not even have to flip it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POe9Bs5yNGE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og3VfxAf-jA (Wow, CinnamonHair's is long!)

[Pixna]

Thank's Anje. I don't have quite enough length yet, so this one will have to go on my buns-for-the-future list.

It's funny how similar many of these buns are, but how different they end up looking. And just the most subtle shift can create a completely different outcome. Watching these makes me think I can follow the directions, but translating it from video to hand and head isn't always as easy as it looks to me. Thank you, again! :flower:

[restourceful]

I love a flipped cinnabun - it looks more elegant than a normal cinnabun and it holds like a dream.

Ok, MerryKat, I wanna know how you do a flipped cinnabun. Do you have a picture or instructions please?


"Only slighty right-handed." :laugh: That cracked me up. Is that like being "slightly old" or "slightly short"? Um, not that I could POSSIBLY relate to either of those examples! ;)

...or slightly pregnant! That one always slayed me.

[Pixna]

...or slightly pregnant! That one always slayed me.

LOL!! That one always cracks me up, too!! Except at my age, it doesn't quite apply like the other two examples I gave. :p

[evegrimm]

restourceful, here is hypnotica's "flipped bun" tutorial:

Video (http://www.youtube.com/user/4ypn0tica#p/u/13/Up3ftEV45_c)

I found it very easy to do, but I am used to doing Cinna-buns all the time, so YMMV. I found that it is very secure, even with a bit of fiddling, but must be started fairly low on your head because it is flipped up! Otherwise it would probably end up near your bangs. :P

Hope that helps!

[Purdy Bear]

Pixna Thanks for bringing this left problem to my attention.

My preschool days were left handed, then at school I was forced to be a righty. Im now trying to re-establish my leftism, consequently Im ambidextrous in some things (writing etc).

I will have to experiment with some updos using my left hand.

Thanks again
Purdy

[Pixna]

Thanks for the video link, evegrimm!

Purdy, I get so confused watching bun videos that when I do finally see left-handed instructions (as with Hypnotica's), I don't always realize at first that they are indeed already left-handed and I don't have to flip them around. I think most lefties are somewhat ambidextrous (to a point). It's one of the qualities that makes us fantastic (in my humble opinion, of course :laugh:).

[jane53]

I'm a bun whiner.

I have plenty of length--past my waist--and I've been trying to learn new styles here, but my hair seems to slip out of everything but the tightest bun with a hair stick. None of these nice, loose, lazy buns for me. Sigh.

[Rowanne]

Jane53, have you tried with different sticks? I have a slipperiness issue with my hair and I thought I couldn't get it into a bun that would hold it the whole day until I tried using my least favourite sticks. They are quite even in thickness from both ends and their surface isn't too slippery. Lazy wrap bun is still out of the question though, I need something a little more tighter.

Please bear in mind that I'm not anywhere near your length. My hair is only slightly past BSL so I don't know if any of this applies to you.

I haven't found a way to use my favourite sticks. They're slippery and thicken considerably toward their blunt end. I get easily scalp pain from them if I push them too deep into the bun. Often my hair just decides to slip out of the bun I've just made with them. Too bad, the sticks are made of beautiful dark wood and I really like them.

I've also heard that sticks that are square in diameter hold the hair better than round ones.