UmmLila, these styles take at most 20-30 seconds, including the time to brush my hair into a high ponytail for the starting position. That said, sometimes I don't like how it turned out, or I'm using a hair toy and bun style that don't work well with each other, so I may take it down and do it again! I'm still just figuring out "FFBO" bun and hair toy combinations.
Thank you, HJ! It took a while a get here. I've been looking forward to doing these twisty updos for several years.
Haha TG, not a whiz! Just practicing! I've watched SO many youtube videos! I definitely did not invent any of these myself.
Jenava, I used to do that style when I was a teenager! I haven't tried it recently, because it requires a hair tie (none of these buns do), and I'm honestly not sure the pocket would hold all of my hair anymore. I like high buns more now, too. But it's a great look! And double French braids was something I've done for really active things. They hold hair so easily, even when it's lots of different lengths.
Thank you, madeline! I honestly didn't invent these (though some I am doing my own way). The super-twisted ones with the sticks are mostly the "L-infinity" bun, the others are variations of the "Nautilus" bun technique: Making a loop over your hand, then winding the rest of the hair around the base of the pony tail. The first loop can be large and secured around the base, or the two parts can be separated like a sideways number 8. The one with the French twist/coiled bun is an "inverted cinnabun" held with a Ficcare clip. That one is extremely secure.
Sal, my hair is firmly middle-of-the-road thickness, just at or under 3" ponytail circumference with a very tight hair tie. That may be why I've never dealt with weight issues or broken a clip. I do sometimes have issues with updos that are not balanced, or pull on small portions or locks of hair. That was starting to get more common with basic messy buns, which use a hair tie; the weight pulled on my front hair quite a bit. These stick and fork styles don't create pressure points so they're very comfortable.
Often I will wear it down to work or church... except that hasn't been happening for the last couple months! I almost never wear it completely down when I'm at home, even before I grew it out again. I was a ponytail girl for decades. It's medium thick but also fine, so everything floats - it never stays behind my shoulders and can really be in the way. The last picture I took after taking it out of my sleep braid, so the waves are from that. It's got its own wave texture.
ETA: I forgot you asked how long I will grow it! I will know it when I see it. My hair is hip-length now (between waist and tailbone) but doesn't look it because of its wave; and it's shorter when I loosely curl it. So I want it long enough that it looks appropriately long to me even when curled. I'm guessing that will be another 6-12". I'm pretty sure I don't want it longer than that, even if it gets to that point. Everyone's hair has a "terminal length" past which it really doesn't grow even with good care.
