How do YOU do a braided bun?

[white.chocolate]

Do you braid "normally" as in a French braid, or reverse braid as in a Dutch braid, and then bun? Or do you first split your hair into two horizontally, then split the bottom larger chunk, then braid and then bun? (Is there any other way you do it?)

I'm curious because I can get different results depending on which way I braid. (I can't be the only one...) When I simply braid normally, I get that annoying lump on one side when I start bunning, which is difficult to correct later. Sometimes, my bun becomes off-center, so my braids are often a little bit skewed to one side. I also know that some people braid rather loose so that it's easier to bun, but I tend to braid mine a little tighter. It took me many practices to get my bun looking neat.

[Zesty]

I just braid normally and LWB or Nautilus it. Other than hiding the elastic, I don't have any problems doing it that way.

[spidermom]

Most often, I dutch braid down the center back all the way to the ends, tie the braid off, then put a stick through my braid and wrap the braid around and around the stick. Then I either insert a second stick to pin the ends down or use a couple of roller pins to secure the ends. 2 sticks works the most reliably.

[neko_kawaii]

All of the above. If I'm concerned about fly-aways (like on a windy day) I'll (double) dutch or french. If I want the bun up higher I'll do the top section/two bottom section style. If I need to be quick or it is already in a standard braid and I want it up, then that's that. I think it is just a matter of practice to get things consistent.

[kaydana]

I do an english braid starting in the middle of my head, then cinnabun it. Never had any issues with it being wonky unless I've ignored it telling me it wanted to be coiled the other way (it will only look right done in one direction, which depends on which side went over first when I started the braid).

[melusine963]

I braid normally, but only because I can't French braid yet. I have trouble getting the bun to stay up, unfortunately. I know a French braid would make for a much more secure base by giving the hair pins more to grip on to.

[neko_kawaii]

Melusine, have you tried spin pins?

[melusine963]

Melusine, have you tried spin pins?

Come to think of it, my last braided bun attempt does pre-date my spin pins. I will tentatively give it another go. Thanks for the tip!

[white.chocolate]

Come to think of it, my last braided bun attempt does pre-date my spin pins. I will tentatively give it another go. Thanks for the tip!

Do you mind me asking, what have you held your bun with? Your hair is pretty long, so I'm not thinking your length (or texture) is the problem. I second spin pins. Also, when I use u pins to hold buns, I use up to 12.

[melusine963]

Do you mind me asking, what have you held your bun with? Your hair is pretty long, so I'm not thinking your length (or texture) is the problem. I second spin pins. Also, when I use u pins to hold buns, I use up to 12.

I was using plain bobby pins before that. Unsurprisingly, they ended up bent out of shape more often than not.