need tips for gibraltar bun?

[Sherri]

I have read Cortese's instruction again and again and I just can't seem to get the bun to turn out. I was wondering if someone could (hold my hand) while I learn this bun?

[LeaM07]

Is there a particular step you're having trouble with? I tend to run into trouble right at the beginning, grabbing parts of two different loops (instead of both sides of the same loop), and it ends up looking like an upside-down pretzel with a big sticking out part in the middle. It helped me to make sure I was starting my cinnabun loose enough so that the loop I wanted was easily accessible.

If it's wanting to fall out, you might want to practice with a half-up or maybe try securing underneath at the bottom with a hairpin to help hold it together while you do the next step. Starting the cinnabun with a ponytail elastic might help with stability also.

Here's how I do it:

1. Make a cinnabun (not too tight).
2. Grab the inner loop and spread it out so it covers the bun.
3. Secure by putting a hairstick in one side of the loop, sliding it under the center part of the bun, then out the other side.



Hope this helps.

[Sherri]

By George i think I got it
That is so funny when something like that just won't click for me and then someone else can explain it and you have the ah ha moment when it becomes clear. i wonder if my hair is just a little short for this updo. Is it better with longer than waist length hair? Anyways thanks so much for holding my hand lol.

[LeaM07]

By George i think I got it
That is so funny when something like that just won't click for me and then someone else can explain it and you have the ah ha moment when it becomes clear. i wonder if my hair is just a little short for this updo. Is it better with longer than waist length hair? Anyways thanks so much for holding my hand lol.

Yay, glad I could help!

My hair was already past classic when I discovered updos, so I can't say for sure, but more length probably will help make it more secure. I can see shorter hair falling out when you start pulling at the inner loop.

It might help to use the stick rather than your fingers to spread out the loop, more like cortese does in her illustration. On taking a second look, that's probably the more correct way to do it, and might make it look more like a Gibraltar and less like an inside-out bun (where the inner loop goes around the bun rather than across it, I think).

[sapphire-o]

Mine does look like a pretzel. 80% of my hair is in the first loop, there isn't much hair to wrap inside. I still like it though as it's more secure than cinnamon bun.

[frizzinator]

I must have misinterpreted those instructions, because I don't cover the bun with that inner loop. Mine looks just like a cinnamon bun.


I insert the stick in the coil that is next to the outside coil, then push the stick along the scalp and exit through the coil that is next to the outside coil on the opposite side of the bun.


I put the ends under the bun and catch them inside the stick. I can also use a 2 prong fork to hold this bun. If the cinnamon bun was made too loose, I pick up some hair from the inner coil with my stick.

[LeaM07]

I must have misinterpreted those instructions, because I don't cover the bun with that inner loop. Mine looks just like a cinnamon bun.


I insert the stick in the coil that is next to the outside coil, then push the stick along the scalp and exit through the coil that is next to the outside coil on the opposite side of the bun.


I put the ends under the bun and catch them inside the stick. I can also use a 2 prong fork to hold this bun. If the cinnamon bun was made too loose, I pick up some hair from the inner coil with my stick.

Yeah, I think I actually took the "use the inner coil as a hair slide" part a little too far by pulling it apart and over the bun with my fingers. If you just let the stick do the pulling, you get the Gibraltar effect without a really noticeable difference in the look.

I'll have to try this again when I get a chance.

[may1em]

Lea, thanks for the photo instructions! Now I get it!

[Sherri]

Yeah, I think I actually took the "use the inner coil as a hair slide" part a little too far by pulling it apart and over the bun with my fingers. If you just let the stick do the pulling, you get the Gibraltar effect without a really noticeable difference in the look.

I'll have to try this again when I get a chance.

I think that that was the part I was having trouble with though. when you pulled the coil around that's when I said ah ha Mine still looks a little funny but solid as a rock.

[Nightshade]

Oh sweet! I got it this time! Thanks!



Ignore the escaping entropic ends.