In serious need of some hairstyle inspiration...

**Anya15** · April 10th, 2016, 09:18 PM

Hello! I am looking for hairstyle ideas that I can add to my (limited) repertoire.

The major problems I am facing are:

1. My length. Unstretched, it is BSL+ and heavily layered. This makes most buns off limits to me. I can do an LWB but I have to be careful with the layers and it falls apart sometimes if my hair is silky (usually on wash day or the day after)

2. My thickness (I am a iii). Buns are a problem because of both length and thickness. The only updo I can manage is a peacock twist (now that my hair is a bit longer, I think this updo looks weird on me)

3. The climate. It is summer here, very hot and humid so I prefer styles that keep the hair away from my face and neck area.

So far, the hairstyles that I can do are:

1.French braid (usually becomes messy because of the layers). Sometimes I fold the braid and tuck it under if it's hot outside.
2.Dutch braid (same problem as french braid)
3.Fishtail braid (less messy than french/dutch braids)
4.Regular english braid

I would also like to sometimes wear my hair down (like in a half-up?) if it's not too hot out, so that I can show off my waves.

But most of the time I'd like to use protective styles because I want my hair to grow

Show me your styles, people!

**Simsy** · April 10th, 2016, 09:29 PM

I'm a fan of the Nautalis bun, and you can change the height. Since length is an issue at the moment, have you considered stacking buns? Nautilus, LWB, or pencil buns should all work rather well. Disc bun might work, I haven't yet worked this one out but your mileage may vary. Cinnibuns might be possible, may have to stack these.

One of my tricks with braids was to tie the braid off, then feed it back up through itself. With a french braid, I managed to get the whole thing up and off my neck just by winding around the bulk of the braided section on my head.

**pailin** · April 10th, 2016, 09:48 PM

I think I only just started wearing buns around BSL. Simple cinnabon; I was able to manage a lazy wrap but couldn't make it stay for long (stays better now at waist). Still can't manage a nautilus without pulling my hair. I'm on the thick side of ii, so you may need your hair to be longer to bun easily.
What about a frame bun? Basically, make a bun with the top half of your hair only; secure it then take the bottom half of your hair and wrap around the base. Use pins or mini-claw clips to keep the ends in as needed. I think it has a similar effect to doing 2 buns, for enabling you to bun your hair at a shorter length, but you still end up with only one bun.
And in general, I'd consider mini-claw clips or pins to get the layers under control.

**spirals** · April 11th, 2016, 01:49 AM

Twin french braids might work better than one and they are very cute. Also, buns are easier if you divide your hair first and use the second half as the tail. I still have to do that at waist+ because of thickness and lots of taper (due to layers I'm still trimming out).

**Anya15** · April 11th, 2016, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by Simsy

I'm a fan of the Nautalis bun, and you can change the height. Since length is an issue at the moment, have you considered stacking buns? Nautilus, LWB, or pencil buns should all work rather well. Disc bun might work, I haven't yet worked this one out but your mileage may vary. Cinnibuns might be possible, may have to stack these.

One of my tricks with braids was to tie the braid off, then feed it back up through itself. With a french braid, I managed to get the whole thing up and off my neck just by winding around the bulk of the braided section on my head.

What exactly is a stacked bun? Sorry if it's a silly question, but I am a non-native english speaker

I don't know how to do a disc or a pencil bun, will look them up! But I really doubt I'll be able to do it properly. Even an LWB pulls on my scalp a lot because of the thickness issue.

Originally Posted by pailin

I think I only just started wearing buns around BSL. Simple cinnabon; I was able to manage a lazy wrap but couldn't make it stay for long (stays better now at waist). Still can't manage a nautilus without pulling my hair. I'm on the thick side of ii, so you may need your hair to be longer to bun easily.
What about a frame bun? Basically, make a bun with the top half of your hair only; secure it then take the bottom half of your hair and wrap around the base. Use pins or mini-claw clips to keep the ends in as needed. I think it has a similar effect to doing 2 buns, for enabling you to bun your hair at a shorter length, but you still end up with only one bun.
And in general, I'd consider mini-claw clips or pins to get the layers under control.

This is actually a good idea. I am going to try it out!

Originally Posted by spirals

Twin french braids might work better than one and they are very cute. Also, buns are easier if you divide your hair first and use the second half as the tail. I still have to do that at waist+ because of thickness and lots of taper (due to layers I'm still trimming out).

I tried them once and they made me look younger than my age (which may or may not be a good thing.) But they are cute!

Also: practically no one wears buns here. No one my age I mean. Any tips on what kind of outfits generally go with buns?

**lapushka** · April 11th, 2016, 05:35 AM

I'm a iii and I wore a peacock twist from around APL all the way to waist/hip, because buns weren't at all comfortable, and at longer lengths still way too tight for my liking. A peacock twist was also called a "tails up" by the late flexi8 site.

**Anya15** · April 11th, 2016, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by lapushka

I'm a iii and I wore a peacock twist from around APL all the way to waist/hip, because buns weren't at all comfortable, and at longer lengths still way too tight for my liking. A peacock twist was also called a "tails up" by the late flexi8 site.

I've been wearing peacock twists a lot! The problem is the "tail" - my hair has gotten longer so the tail part sort of flaps around on my head like a weird poofy ponytail...is there some secret to making it work as the length gets longer?

**browneyedsusan** · April 11th, 2016, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by anou

I've been wearing peacock twists a lot! The problem is the "tail" - my hair has gotten longer so the tail part sort of flaps around on my head like a weird poofy ponytail...is there some secret to making it work as the length gets longer?

Wrap the tail around the base - like you do with a nautilus bun- until it's short enough.

**Robot Ninja** · April 11th, 2016, 07:31 AM

Disc buns can be done with shorter hair because you split the hair in half to make the bun. So you're not dealing with as much thickness at once.

You might also want to try a sock or donut bun; they might actually be easier with shorter hair.

If you want to wear twin French braids without looking too young, you could start them low, just above the ears, braid toward the back, and then bun them.

Or a French twist might be doable, if you want something that is really grown-up and sophisticated.

**Horrorpops** · April 11th, 2016, 08:36 AM

Ok so you've already got braids covered - awesome!

I personally am loving wearing:
- a half up top knot style (like this braided one, or this one)
- Milkmaid braids (like this)
- Twin Dutch braids (like this)

These are both cute styles that are fun to do, I could do on BSL iii hair and are a little different than just the same old braids day in day out. I see you're 23 (me too) and I know it can be hard to find trendy looking hair styles for longer hair that don't use a lot of heat etc, but these both do the job