Need secure updos ASAP!

[christine1989]

I am taking a chemistry class this summer :rolleyes: (starts in 2 days) and I really need some updo ideas that are very secure and will last for at least a few hours. The last thing I want is to be touching my hair during class and getting nasty chemicals in it. I can't seem to think up much as my hair is just a little past APL so I'm hoping someone has some good ideas. :)

[JenniferNoel]

I like very tightly secured lazy wrap buns. :) May not work on APL hair though, I did them at BSL. If not, an updo tech will answer your question. Stay tuned.

[kwaniesiam]

French braids or a vortex bun maybe? Something held with lots of pins should stay put, rather than trying to secure it with a single stick or fork.

[pepperminttea]

French or Dutch braids?

[ifyouforget]

I second (third?) french braids. Also doubled over ponytails if you want it off your neck. At your length, they'll likely be more secure than buns.
Also if you have whispies around your face, I'd consider stretchy headbands to hold them back (the thin kind that have been in vogue lately) Not super stylish, but they'll do the trick.

[Alvrodul]

I am taking a chemistry class this summer :rolleyes: (starts in 2 days) and I really need some updo ideas that are very secure and will last for at least a few hours. The last thing I want is to be touching my hair during class and getting nasty chemicals in it. I can't seem to think up much as my hair is just a little past APL so I'm hoping someone has some good ideas. :)

I used to do a very secure updo - secure as in "guaranteed not to fall down until you take it down yourself". I used to sleep with it, too, and would usually not take my hair down for 2 or 3 days.

First, I would make two ordinary pigtails
Then, I would take one long ribbon (about 3,5 meters worked best for me), and thread through the root of both braids, using a bodkin. I wanted one long and one short end - the short end just hitting the floor when I was standing.
Then I would pin my braids up over the top of my head, using ordinary bobby pins - I would ensure that the tassels were tucked under the braided parts. (I think I started with this updo when my hair was about your length - as long as you can get your braids up to the top of your head, you are golden!)
Once the braids were pinned, I would sew the braids to my head using the ribbon (hair taping technique). I would start on one side, "sew" a bit past the middle, then start with the other end of the ribbon, sew all the way across, then do the remaining bit. I would remove the bobby pins, then wrap the ends of the braids around the "sausage", then tie it in the back. I would not snip the ends, if I had long ends hanging down, I would usually loop it around the 'do again.

I would end up with a sort of horseshoe-shaped roll on my head.
I used to get a lot of compliments when I did my hair this way, and it is both practical and comfortable. And certainly bombproof - the hair would stay up until I took it down myself.:)

It did take me some time to put it up when I did it, though.

[Fairlight63]

I like that idea Alvrodul, sounds very pretty.

I didn't know what a bodkin was until I qoogled it. It looks like a pretty handy sewing item to have on hand.

[goodenough]

Ballerina bun:

Put your hair in a ponytail (not too low), then fan out your hair as if you were going to do a sock bun. Twist the hair around into a bun. Secure another elastic around the base. Wrap a hairnet around the bun twice. Then pin the bun securely to your head with about six pins. Maybe overkill for lab, but great for dancing-lol. Or you could just do a sock bun.

Just a note about elastics--I found them necessary when my hair was APL and shorter. I just varied the ponytail height and made sure I stopped using them once I got closer to BSL.

[In2wishin]

I like that idea Alvrodul, sounds very pretty.

I didn't know what a bodkin was until I qoogled it. It looks like a pretty handy sewing item to have on hand.

Oh, they really are handy. Plastic yarn needles are also great to have on hand!

I have a decent tool box but I found that many of my sewing supplies are very handy household tools.

[In2wishin]

My most secure updo when my hair was shorter was: I would pull my front hairs (a third to a half of all my hair) back and secure them with a flat barrette which was my everyday style. When I needed to secure all of the hair I would pull all of my hair into a tails up but fold the ends down and secure it with a large flat barrette. When I was done, I would take out the large barrette and be ready to go. I would sleep in this, swim in this, etc and it never came down.

[Pierre]

A Dutch braid takes a while and would have to be clipped to the scalp to be safe for chemistry. I suggest a simple nondescript bun or two held with a Flexi (or two). Flexis hold tight and they hold for days. Of course, you could use the Flexi to hold the end of the braid up.

[klcqtee]

Can you english/french braid your hair? I find the most secure updo is to braid my hair, then fold the braid up to my scalp, and skewer it with some hairsticks. Stays like a rock for everything from jump roping to cleaning.

[teela1978]

I'd just shove it up in a ponytail :shrug: Braids work too, but at APL I remember a ponytail being my most secure style.

[Zéphine]

Good suggestions here...I'd also recommend wearing a bandana to protect your hair from the elastic in your lab goggles. I took chemistry not too long ago and got a bit of breakage, though not enough to be noticeable long term. I also spilled a couple drops of hydrochloric acid on my hair once. It survived just fine, but covering your head might be a good precaution. (Fortunately, most people are not as clumsy as me.)