Need idiot-proof help in how to put my hair up - YouLookFab Forum

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Need idiot-proof help in how to put my hair up

April

Veteran

My hair is curly (all the curly girls know that this means "unpredictable, frizzy in humid weather, hard to manage") and right now is a bit overgrown, just past shoulder length when dry. As I contemplate how I would like it cut, I would love to have the option of wearing it up in the summer heat.

But, the only thing I know how to do is what I do when I'm cooking: grab it all, twist, and use the largest claw clip known to mankind to try and contain it. Fine for sanitary kitchen purposes, but as a look -- one step above the dreaded scrunchie. Not so fab.

Can anyone post or link to idiot-proof instructions on how to put unruly hair up in a polished way? What kind of hardware do I need, and what kind of product?

General

14 replies

Latest reply was from annagybe

Dashrashi

Veteran

I used to wear my hair in a modified french twist all the time, and I used to get compliments for how elegant it looked. In the meantime, I could do it in my sleep and it was easier than putting my hair in a ponytail.

You take your hair, either parted or gathered straight back. You gather it like you're about to put your hair in a low ponytail at your nape, but then you twist (I twist to my right, don't know why). Either as or after you twist, you pull the twisted ponytail up so that it's lying against the back of your head, with the tail of the ponytail pointing at the sky. Then, where you would take a claw clip, instead, take a nice silver barrette (I used to get mine out of one of those jars at Sephora with the hair accessories), open it, and slide it under the twist, grasping some of the hair on your scalp, and then fastening on the other side. The trick is that the twist should start fairly low on your head, so the hair coming out the other end doesn't look like an explosive pile, and then the barrette should go in around 2/3 to 3/4 of the way up the twist. Then just arrange the ends artfully and you're good to go.

I literally wore my hair this way every day from eighth grade til eleventh grade. EASIER than a ponytail.

Anonymous

When my hair was longer I did something similar to the post above but tucked the ends in and secured with a long pin used to secure rollers and sometimes hairpins. It was more of a bun than French twist. You just need to experiment.
Here is a link to another idea:
http://whatiwore2day.blogspot......-updo.html
and
http://whatiwore2day.blogspot......y-bun.html

taylor

Veteran

Looks like the girls got you sorted April....wish I could *just do it for you*:)

Maya

Veteran

When I had much longer hair, I loved putting it up in hair sticks...but I am having the most impossible time trying to explain how to do it...

The first way was to twist my hair around, and form the twist into a loose chignon close to the nape of my neck (just a bit higher). I would hold the bun in one hand and slide the hairstick from the bottom of the bun up through the top (so the point of the stick is facing up). Then I would flip the stick and push it back down through the bun. I don't really know if that explanation was idiot proof as it took me a while to figure out how to do it, and I didn't really get it until I had a friend demonstrate.

The other way was to do a french twist, much like Dash described. Twisting the hair around and pulling the twist up. Then I would fold the twist back down, push the hair stick through the twist, flip it over, and push it back out the other side.

Again, probably not idiot proof and incredibly confusing. But it's an idea you can look into. It was the only updo I really liked when I had long hair and I know it looks good--maybe even better--with curly hair. It also holds better in curly hair. In my hair, I would constantly have to redo and readjust because the sticks would always slide out of my slippery straight hair.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I hope this helps, it is incredibly easy and chic. All you need is a bunch of bobby pins and some practice:

http://www.videojug.com/webvid.....-hair-updo

I didn't get to listen to the video but I watched it and this is exactly how I did my updo years ago when my hair was longer and I styled it wavy. This is the best way to make an updo with curly hair without breaking or losing the curls, imo.

shana

Veteran

I follow Dash's method (though I also tucked the ends in). When I was younger the hardest part for me was finding the right clip that would accommodate my extremely thick hair. Now that I'm older and my hair is so sparse, this seems like less of an issue!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

April, you crack me up. Nice suggestions from the lasses, though. Remind me where you are on the East coast?

April

Veteran

Wow, you all are the best! I have been away from my computer since midday and just checked in to see all this help with my hair issues. Thank you.

I can completely follow the steps for the twist -- I think my main problem will be, as Shana said, finding a clip that can accommodate the quantity of hair. Also, my hair is not all one length, so even when I pin it up and think I've gotten it, quite soon large chunks are escaping (and really, this only looks fetching in the movies...)

Oh, Taylor -- I wish you could take care of it for me too. I have always thought that salons should offer lessons in things like putting up your own hair. Do any of them do that?

April

Veteran

P.S. Angie, I'm right outside of Philadelphia, and spend a fair amount of my leisure time in the part of Connecticut from which NYC is visible. I have such a fantasy of arranging a YLF swap in CT... It's so close to the city, I think it would be attend-able by a number of our East coast folks.

Maya

Veteran

If by "east coast folks" you mean ME, then I am all for it :p. CT would be a great meetup spot. Halfway between NY and and Boston. Brilliant.

ChristineB

I put up my shoulder length curly hair in a chopstick fairly regularly. I put all my hair over the stick just below the middle of the back of my head, twist the stick around a couple of times, point the stick up & then poke it back down to secure it. Then I use bobby pins or those flat hair clips to keep the pieces that fall out in place.

Do a search on youtube for videos to show. It's really quite easy, and thick curly hair keeps the chopstick in place.

I've got my eye out for some nice hair sticks so I can do a french twist with them.

ChristineB

Here;s a good video to show what I mean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roL-8kqQXOw

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have never been to CT! Woooohoooo!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Ficcare clips are great for french twists. I know Nordstrom sells them.

http://www.ficcare.com/