APL+long layers Updo success?

[spitfire511]

Hey folks - if there's a thread with this, I am having a hard time finding it - sorry!

I have APL with just a couple of long layers in it. However, my hair is relatively slick. I'm trying to work on some updos so that it's not just hanging (not practical for several reasons, not the least of which is my 10 mo DS trying to pull it out!)

I gather that straight up ponytails are no good for your hair, but right now about all I can manage is a bun held up by an elastic (just on the outside, not starting with a pony to make the bun.) It winds up being a messy bun - just because it comes apart. I can manage a decent cinnamon bun with a ton of pins, everything else just seems to unravel. :(

Has anyone had successes with any updos with hair like this at all or is this just a frustrating time to grit my teeth through? I have some good pins, so I'm more than willing to use those. I would just like to look a little pretty Tired of feeling like a slob. :(

(Sorry again if this info is there somewhere and I'm missing it!)

TIA!!:D

[LILBERT]

Im apl with a few long layers, ive just managed this bun for the first time today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0k3dD4qX34

Im holding mine with a ficcare so you dont have to use a hairstick if you dont have one, this girl uses a pencil! lol!

[kristymarie87]

I like claw clips, you can get quite sophisticated looking ones and they dont pull on the hair too much. I usually twist it up and clip - But mine is SL with layers so the layers hang out....i twist them around my fingers while drying for some waves.

Fig 8 clips could be good too

[spitfire511]

lilbert- yay!! :-) This one works! (sort of) My hair could be just a bit longer, but it stays up with one stick I've NEVER been able to do that before! Thanks!

kristymarie - I love claws (have a ton!) but I have just a teensy bit too much hair - they wind up popping out. :-( But the figure 8 clips are a great idea. I had a small one years ago that just broke recently. I'll have to go on the hunt for more. Thanks!

[tinti]

Had a signature style for years when I had SL to APL hair, when I get mor mini claws I'll make a tut on it. It's just a ponitayl and then I take random sections and clip them on to my head, or twist them first, or curl them around my finger and clip them :) sounds kinda weird, bur it isn't, it's just me that's bad on explaining things :)

[TrudieCat]

I find the Goody spin pins work well for me to hold up a cinnamon bun, and they are hidden in your hair which to me makes an updo look more elegant. I assume any similar type hair screw would work as well. :shrug:

[ptnicole]

I'm in the same boat as you, but between APL and BSL. I don't know what I would do with out my ficcares and flexi-8s. I do a peacock twist or french twist and hold it with ficcare or flexi-8. Other days, I do half up french braid or full french braid. On days where I want it down, but want my chinlength bangs out of the way...i do a french braid just along bang line or bobby pin back in a twist.

BSL has got to be just around the corner right??? :rolleyes:

[klcqtee]

When I was at about APL with long layers, I did a challenge where I wore a different updo every day for an entire month. You can see my list in my blog: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/blog.php?b=55759 You may not be able to do all of them, especially if your hair is more slippery than mine, but my list might have some things you can do.

[Capybara]

What about a banana clip? Those are pretty, and seem to hold hair well.

You could also do something like a peacock twist, an up-do that doesn't matter if some layers/pieces of hair fall out because it adds to the effect :)

Have you tried braiding your hair? French braids look really cute on APL hair, IMO :)

[Shany]

klcgtee, how come I can't view your blog? it says that I don't have the permission ... Maybe my account isn't old enough

[spitfire511]

Thanks for all the ideas! I guess it's amazing how easy it is to get stuck in a rut and not realize there are a lot of simple solutions out there.

Tinti - I think I get what you're talking about, but I'd love to see a tut or pics because it sounds really cute!

Trudy - I almost picked one of those up at the store the other day, but didn't know if they'd work worth a darn - now I'll have to go back and grab one!

Ptnicole - I just can't believe that I'm almost 4 inches from bottom of BSL :( But we will get there!! What size of flexi 8 are you using?

klcqtee - I can't see your blog yet :-) But as soon as I am able, I'm definitely checking it out!!

Capybara - I haven't tried a banana clip in a long time, but I never had much luck with them unfortunately. I get back to that slick thing - they just slip out. :( BUT thanks for reminding me about french braiding! :)

[julliams]

I can't find the thread for this one but this hairstyle would work I would think if you can braid. I find it to be a very comfortable style and it's not too hard to do.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4504935356_677bdf3f87.jpg

Also Torinpaige has an updo that I tried when my hair was APL and long layered that worked quite nicely. It's three ponytails fashioned into buns with a quoiff at the front (does that make sense???)http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4815185866_3803ddae98.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4815186052_501e3bbb6c.jpg

This one is a version of a ponytail where you pretty much do a half up but you take the hair from the nape of your neck as well so it looks like a ponytail. First image is my ponytail at the time as a real ponytail (short because of layers) and the second is the "do".
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/4059105493_3368378521.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/4059103801_ae150b6141.jpg

Finally, the pencil bun or lazy wrap (just google these) would be the first new kinds of bun you should be able to do soon.

Hope this has helped.

[klcqtee]

I think you need 25 posts. You'll be there soon though! I know I don't have it blocked from anyone intentionally, so it must just mean you need more posts.

[spitfire511]

klcqtee - I did finally get to 25 and am looking through now! (I didn't know how much I was missing!!) :) Thanks!

julliams - I actually got here through Torrin's YouTube, so I'll have to go back and look for the vid on the three buns. Too cute! Thanks! :D

[klcqtee]

Good! I hope at least some of the styles work for you. Good luck!