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claywithme
February 24th, 2012, 09:28 PM
I've been experimenting with using a pencil as a hair stick in my APL length hair and would like to try something that doesn't serve double duty as a writing utensil. I did realize that I like the shorter pencils because I don't like the end sticking out the bottom of my updo. Any recommendations for a starter stick under $20? Thanks!

skaempfer
February 24th, 2012, 10:39 PM
I've been experimenting with using a pencil as a hair stick in my APL length hair and would like to try something that doesn't serve double duty as a writing utensil. I did realize that I like the shorter pencils because I don't like the end sticking out the bottom of my updo. Any recommendations for a starter stick under $20? Thanks!

I highly recommend children's chopstick. Whereas normal chopsticks are way too long, I find kid sticks just right, and ranging in price from 50cents to three bucks and up. Try Asian import shops, or google if you want to order over the net. When you figure out how they work for you, you can check out some etsy sellers for special pair.

Roscata
February 24th, 2012, 11:17 PM
Like skaempfer said etsy, and chop sticks are a good place to start, knitting needles are also good and cheap. Good luck finding something you like! :)

Sundial
February 25th, 2012, 02:01 AM
For under $20, I'd like to suggest a Ketylo stick (Ketylo.com). They actually worked very well on my heavily layered then-APL/BSL hair. I always had problems with regular sticks at that length and read that some members find the cockscrew design of Ketylo sticks held their updos better so I went ahead and ordered some. I really love mine :inlove: they're very well-made, sturdy, ooth and doesn't catch on hair. Their ends are nicely rounded too and doesn't poke into the scalp nor rip through hair strands when I insert them into buns.

I think they're about $14 each but usually there's a buy 4 get 1 free (or was it buy 3 get 1 free? :confused:) deal so if you're ordering more then it makes each stick cheaper. However, I did remember reading a thread somewhere here where a member said she saw some hair sticks with ketylo's type of cockscrew design and it was supposedly cheaper. I don't recall the exact details though. Hope you manage to get a valid search result on that if you're keen!

lostchyld
February 25th, 2012, 03:59 AM
I really like my quecraft dragon from etsy. It took forever to get here, but it was under 10 with shipping, IIRC. They may have gone up a bit. It's secure on my almost BSL hair with room to grow a little. It has about 5 inches of usable space, so while it works on my buns, I prefer it in a French Twist.

Definitely do a little exploring. I'd also say don't rule out hair forks, although they run a little more expensive.

Mina17
February 25th, 2012, 04:21 AM
For shorter hair sticks, I second the recommendation for Ketylos. They are my favorites, great hold and lots of choices for colors. Outnumberednovelties and Pacific Merchantile on etsy also have short sticks in acrylic and wood that come in pairs for less than $20.

Long_hair_bear
February 25th, 2012, 06:27 AM
Aliarose has some gorgeous ones for under $20.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Aliarose?order=price_asc&page=1

rock007junkie
February 25th, 2012, 06:32 AM
Another vote for ketylos. They are very sturdy.

claywithme
February 25th, 2012, 07:24 AM
Do you use a hair fork with the "twist and turn" method like a stick?

Do wood sticks hold better than acrylic or horn ones?

And thanks for the recommendations!

Georgies
February 25th, 2012, 07:36 AM
Crystal mood (http://www.crystalmood.com) has inexpensive sticks and forks of all lengths. I have some very tiny forks and super short sticks from them for my very short hair! Wood holds the best for me.

Neorah
February 25th, 2012, 07:40 AM
Another vote for Ketylo (http://www.ketylo.com/servlet/StoreFront)! They were my first hair sticks, and they are still my go-to sticks.

claywithme
February 25th, 2012, 07:55 AM
I'm learning so much here - thanks!

Do most of you tend to wear hairsticks in a pair or should I just buy a single stick?

Memza
February 25th, 2012, 08:10 AM
My first sticks were from Pacific Merchantile, they are really good value and he often does special LHC deals. Also if you are a first time customer he will send you an extra stick of the same type, so you can try wearing 2 without the additional cost.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PacificMerchantile?section_id=7120943

To answer the other question I normally only wear one stick.

lostchyld
February 25th, 2012, 08:23 AM
I just wear one. Once I get it seated right, that's usually all it takes.

Moonlake
February 25th, 2012, 08:23 AM
**********

QMacrocarpa
February 25th, 2012, 08:25 AM
I exclusively use one stick at a time (almost always oriented horizontally). I've never figured out a way to use a second stick to make an updo more secure, and I don't really want to use an extra one just for decoration, but that's personal preference. Crossing sticks seems like it would be uncomfortable. I've seen tutorials where a pair of sticks is used in parallel, for instance to secure a french twist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlPt81TzFn0), so if you do French twists, you might try that. I get inexpensive hairsticks by making them myself! :) If I didn't enjoy making them, I would definitely be checking out children's chopsticks!

About forks, yes, I think they are generally inserted with the reversing motion you mention. You can search "hair fork demo" on youtube to see forks in action.

Neorah
February 25th, 2012, 08:26 AM
Do most of you tend to wear hairsticks in a pair or should I just buy a single stick?
Well, what do you do right now-- do you just use one pencil, or do you need to use two? Keeping in mind that a stick like a Ketylo will hold better than something straight, if you can get by currently with just one, you may be fine sticking with just one.

delsh
February 25th, 2012, 08:27 AM
Oh, you enablers! :laugh: I've just bought my first real hairstick! I'm not sure the cheap bits of plastic from Claire's I already have really count.

CarpeDM
February 25th, 2012, 08:38 AM
Another ketylo fan here!

Madora
February 25th, 2012, 08:59 AM
Sally's Beauty Supply carries hair sticks..plain, dark, under $12.00 for a pair.

You might want to try those to see if you get the "hang" of using hairsticks before springing for something more expensive.

claywithme
February 25th, 2012, 09:05 AM
My first sticks were from Pacific Merchantile, they are really good value and he often does special LHC deals. Also if you are a first time customer he will send you an extra stick of the same type, so you can try wearing 2 without the additional cost.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PacificMerchantile?section_id=7120943

To answer the other question I normally only wear one stick.

I was actually looking at this shop and found a few that I like. How do I let him know I am new and from LHC? Is there a coupon code or something?

Lipbalmbabe
February 25th, 2012, 09:07 AM
Does anyone have a link on how to use them?:) thanks

lostchyld
February 25th, 2012, 09:15 AM
Does anyone have a link on how to use them?:) thanks

Hair sticks or hair forks or both? Youtube is where I learned. I just searched.

torrilin
February 25th, 2012, 02:15 PM
In addition to knitting needles... www.yarn.com has shawl pins that are actually hair sticks, with about a 4" working length... for about $6.

lostchyld
February 25th, 2012, 02:17 PM
In addition to knitting needles... www.yarn.com (http://www.yarn.com) has shawl pins that are actually hair sticks, with about a 4" working length... for about $6.

Oh, love. That's a dangerous website for me. I don't usually leave it without in imminent shipping notice... :D Now it'll only get worse with a hairtoy addiction in addition to my wool addiction

Viola88
February 25th, 2012, 02:21 PM
I was actually looking at this shop and found a few that I like. How do I let him know I am new and from LHC? Is there a coupon code or something?
Here's the special I bought from PM. He gives directions on how to get the $5 hair stick. http://www.etsy.com/listing/87427519/hair-sticks-reserved-for-lhclhnutt-maple

I really like mine because they are dark brown so I can wear them with my work uniform :D

Kat
February 25th, 2012, 03:32 PM
I like metal double-pointed knitting needles. For me, they're just the right length, and they're sturdy (I usually use at least a 5 or 6, I believe). (also pointy enough that if threatened, I could whip one out of my hair and put someone's eye out, lol)

(Of course, I once got a long lecture from a lady in a store about how I shouldn't wear them because if I fell and hit my head, I'd brain myself, and yada yada.)

I wear in pairs... the first usually mostly holds my hair, but the second is backup.

Lipbalmbabe
February 25th, 2012, 03:33 PM
Try a shush kabob stick! Does the job great!! :D

Madora
February 25th, 2012, 04:40 PM
Does anyone have a link on how to use them?:) thanks

This might help:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=20

Video how to by Torrin Paige on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWf4ElyLAAE&list=PLF3508F6411A91FDE&index=49&feature=plpp_video