Military Bun Tutorial

Not much of a fan of the ever-popular "sock bun" trend, when I joined the Air National Guard, I told myself, "I will never be caught DEAD wearing a sock bun!" You know, because it seems like every photo you ever see of anyone in the military shows them wearing a sock bun—and I was not going to do it!

Let me tell you what, after being at Basic Military Training for about two weeks with short hair that would just not stay up in any kind of bun and having an MTI come up to me and say, "Get it together, Rowe! Your hair looks like a hot mess!" it was then that I decided to embrace the dreaded sock bun. And I decided to call it the "donut bun" instead, because that just sounds better—I suppose. After about three successful buns created with my small, brown mesh donut, I was sold. I don't care what anyone has to say about the donut bun, it's quick, it's easy, it works for almost any hair length that can be put up, and it's the only way to put your hair up in less than a minute as Reveille is going off and 46 girls are scrambling around you to get their beds made.

So whether you're researching how best to wear your hair while at BMT or just wanting to try a new updo, here's my tutorial for the military version of the sock bun.



Basic Steps:

1. Pull hair up into low ponytail (it has to be low enough to put your ABU cap on)
2. String ponytail through mesh donut, bringing donut all the way up to base of hair tie
3. Fan ponytail over mesh donut, making sure to evenly cover mesh with hair
4. Wrap second hair tie around mesh donut
5. Secure loose ends with bobby pins
6. (Optional) Pull & tug hair around mesh donut to create a fuller, more voluminous bun
7. Finish with a light (or heavy—if you're at BMT) mist of hairspray

My favorite step and trick to the whole process is Step 6, where you give your bun that added bit of volume. I know the slicked-down look is so popular in the military, but I think a nice, full bun (especially if your hair is fine like mine) looks so much better and really elevates the whole look.

Also, if your hair is longer—at Step 5, you can either braid or twist the loose ends (try making 3-4 small braids/twists) before pinning them to give your bun a really chic, polished look. Unfortunately, my hair is still far too short to attempt any of those neat tricks, but the other girls at Basic Training looked so nice when they added little braided accents to their buns.

Below, I've included the exact products that I bought and used while down at BMT to achieve this style.

Do you rock the donut bun? I know several women who wear it out and about and I think it looks really nice—especially when it's not totally slicked down!

The little details: Eyes: Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes c/o my cousin & Younique Presenter Lindsay, Sterling Silver Wrap Ring: c/o The Vintage Pearl

Messy Bun for Shoulder Length Hair

I recently posted a tutorial for a messy bun that is meant for longer hair but can be adapted for shorter hair. Within the video, I included written instructions for how to modify it for those with shorter hair styles. Sometimes seeing it written isn't quite as simple as seeing it being done, so today I'm showing you how I do the shorter-haired version.

This video is how I do my messy bun when it's anywhere from just below chin-length to just below my shoulders. Once it's long enough, I add back in the double bun featured in the other tutorial.

Basic Steps:

1. Pull hair up into low, small bun
2. Tug loose ends up and around ponytail holder, making the bun bigger and adding fun, messy spikes
3. Twist & tuck shorter pieces that fall out of bun into hair tie
4. Pull & tug crown to add volume

Is that a quick and easy messy bun or what? This is typically how I wear my hair to work during the week (because it's so fast and I get ready at the gym) and for a low-key style on the weekends. In fact, my hair is almost always up in one of these funky buns.

Style tip: This updo works best for me if my hair has some curl/wave/kink to it. Try curling your hair with this heat-free curling method or sleep in a French braid the night before—it makes a big difference and when you pull and tug to add volume, having either face-framing soft curls or waves really takes this style up a notch (as seen from a distance here—see the face-framing curls?)!

The little details: Eyes & Lips: Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes and Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss c/o my cousin & Younique Presenter Lindsay, Sterling Silver Wrap Ring: c/o The Vintage Pearl

Messy Bun Tutorial for Long or Short Hair

I'd like to preface this post by saying that I filmed this tutorial last year—the day before I whacked off 12-inches and donated my hair to charity. Looking back, I don't regret my decision to opt for a shorter 'do one bit, though this does make me miss my longer hair.

This messy bun is my go-to look for 2nd (or 3rd or 4th!) day hair. Though my hair is currently shoulder-length, I can still do a bun like this—I just have to modify the steps a little. My favorite part about this look? That it's a messy bun—it doesn't have to be perfect and will look different each time you do it.



Here are the basic steps:

1. Make a little bun
2. Double the bun
3. Twist and tuck loose ends into hair tie
4. Pull & tug bun to add volume
5. Secure loose & floppy bun pieces with bobby pins
6. Pull & tug crown to add volume

If you're trying this look on shorter hair, that's no problem! When you make your bun, skip step 2. Instead, twist and tuck the loose ends into your hair tie above your bun, creating what looks like a mini bun on top. It will give that "double bun" effect. And then, just like in the tutorial, pull & tug to add volume and secure loose pieces in place. I used this same method to create this bun and this bun on my much shorter hair.

Enjoy!

Messy Bun Updo

Since my hair has gotten longer, it's harder for me to get it into (and keep it in) a messy bun. My messy bun go-to these days is a triple-bun of sorts that—after adding a fancy hair clip c/o Lilla Rose by Rachel (win one here!)—turns into a pretty little updo.

I do this hairstyle by creating a ponytail at the nape of my neck. I then pull my ponytail through the hair-tie, stopping halfway down my ponytail to create a simple "poof" of hair. I then create another "poof" of hair with the rest of my ponytail. Then I tug and tug until it looks nice and a couple pieces fall out of the bottom poof, those of which I then tuck back into the hair-tie at the middle of the bun, hiding the hair-tie and creating a third "poof." Since that probably makes no sense at all, I plan on doing a video tutorial for this look so stay tuned for that to come soon.

Would you like to see a tutorial of this hairstyle? What's your messy-bun go-to?

Diagonal Dutch Braid

Ring: c/o rosieMADE (use coupon SAUCYrosie for $15 off a $50 order)

These days, braids are my favorite hairstyle. They take me just a minute or two to do, and then I'm usually able to sleep in them overnight and get to rock some killer crimped hair the next day.

I did this style the other day while sitting at my desk at work. It's a Dutch braid that begins on the right side of my head and crosses diagonally in the back so it hangs down like a side left braid in the front.

It's easy. It's effortless. It's chic. To see the style post that went with this braid, click here. 

Holiday Hair-spiration

I have two brand new holiday hair tutorials posted over at Yes To Carrots: a low side ponytail and a fun holiday updo. Go check them out... click HERE!

PS>> Love the red bow in the updo? Snag one here!

Wedding Hair

Wedding Week is going on over at Aunie Sauce. To read the post all about wedding day hair, CLICK HERE. It's my very first Yes To Stylista post with Yes To Carrots... and yes, it covers all the details about the hair. Thank you for helping me decide which 'do to pick!

Wedding Week posts:
THE GUESTBOOK │ THE HAIR │ THE FLOWERS │ THE DRESS │ THE WEDDING │ THE HONEYMOON

Wedding Hair Styles

With our wedding just three days away (oh my—three days), I have been asked questions about my hair almost more than anything. "How are you going to wear your hair?" seems to come up every time the wedding does.

And guess what? I have no idea how I'm going to do my hair on the wedding day. NO IDEA.*

Recently, I had my hair curled for my bridal shower, and afterward, I went home to play around with some styles. I took some photos to help make a note about what I liked and didn't like. I have a little archive of wedding hair ideas on Bye Bye Beehive, so I adapted some of those styles to make new ones.
Here are a couple of my ideas for wedding hair styles.

THE TWISTED HALF-UP STYLE. This one is so easy. It's the base hairstyle for most of the other ones featured here. It's really similar to this style, but instead of just pinning it back, I twisted the hair as I pulled it back & before I pinned it, creating a pretty and soft design in the back. It would be great to add a little pearl or flower hair clip to hide the bobby pins or gap between the twists.

THE PINNED UPDO. I took the Twisted Half-Up pictured above and simply pinned my bottom half all up to make this easy updo. It took about 10-15 extra bobby pins. I would just grab a strand of hair, twist it and then pin it into place, creating a little "poof" (best word I could come up with) of hair with each pin. In the end, I had about 10 poofs that came together to create the definition in this updo. I pulled and tugged at each one to make this style look nice and full.

THE TWISTED PONYTAIL. You've seen this one before. This time, I didn't pin the last couple pieces up so high, so instead of creating a waterfall look, they simply cascaded down the ponytail. To create this look, all you do is just twist & pin (going under the curls to hide the pins). It's so simple and stays in place all day if you add a little hairspray.

THE TWISTED LOW CHIGNON. I started again with the Twisted Half-Up style, and instead of pinning smaller pieces of hair all over the place and higher up like the Pinned Updo, I took a couple large sections of hair, pinned them in a low bun, and then tugged on them to make the chignon just a bit bigger. I think this style would be really pretty with a couple loose curly strands falling down from the bun.

THE SIMPLE TWIST & PIN. As the name implies, this one is simple. You tease the hair at the crown of your head, twist back the front pieces & pin them under your hair, and you're set. This style is perfect for the easy-going-hair-all-down kind of bride.

And there are 5-easy wedding hair styles. Each of these took me less than 10-minutes, with some of them taking much, much less.

*FYI: in case you're wondering, I will not be wearing a veil, and my dress is not strapless.

Which is your favorite?

Dutch Halo Braid

Hairclip: c/o Lilla Rose // Glasses: c/o Firmoo (use code 44378b2c8d for 15% off any order) //  
Boots & Leg Warmers: Runway Fashion Exchange // Photos: Taylor Love Studios

The halo braid has made a couple appearances here before. My first attempt can be found here, and my second here.

My hair is quite a bit longer now than the last time I did it in February, so it was a little harder to get my hair to all fit under the opposite side's braid. For a numbered tutorial for this style, see either of the posts linked above.

You basically do two French or Dutch braids and then tuck the braids up and under the other side's braids, pinning as you go. When you do a regular French halo braid, it's not a problem, since there is extra space under the plaits to hide your tucked-up braid. However, when you do a Dutch halo braid, you have to be tricky with how you get your braid to hide under there. Maybe a video tutorial for this would be good, and that's something I'll consider posting.

I think my favorite recent twist to this braid is the little Flexi Clip I added that I received from Lilla Rose. You can see a really cool shot of it in the second photo. It adds a little bit of sparkle, a little bit of class, and an unexpected little pop to this fun hairstyle.

I'd love to see your version of the halo braid! Tweet me and tag @auniesauce and #halobraid. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Twists to a Bun

Bye Bye Beehive, is over in 

6 days.

Six days.

6-days until I can use a blow dryer.

6-days until I don't have to go to work with a wet mop of hair everyday.

6-days until I probably won't go back to the crazy teasing, hair spraying, and highlighting

I was so attached to before.

I think the coolest part about this year-long project

is all that I've learned about myself.

You'll hear more about it in... 6 days.

Anyway—one of my favorite things to add a little spunk to a 2nd-day hair style

is to create a couple of twists or braids and secure your hair into a messy bun.

It's adds texture, it catches the eye, and it totally hides the fact 

that your hair is dirty major (with some dry shampoo, of course).

Because sometimes, just sometimes, that extra 10 (or 40) minutes of sleep

is just oh-so worth-it.

Twisted Pony

Recently, I tried out a new kind of ponytail, similar to this twisted side pony that I did. As soon as I finished it, I knew I needed to share it!

Ready for the steps?

1. I was going on second-day hair that day, so I bobby pinned my front pieces up into a bump.
2. Just like in the twisted side pony, I gathered a small section of hair at the nape of my neck and secured it in a low ponytail with a clear elastic band.
3. Working from the bottom to the top with the loose hair, I gathered small sections and began twisting them backwards and pinning them around the clear elastic band.
4. I would twist and pin a small section from the right, and then switch it and twist and pin a section from the left.
5. You don't have to twist the pieces back, but as you can see in the top right photo, it gives the hair some cool definition.
6. Try to hide the bobby pins. If you can't, it's OK!
7. Once it was all pinned, I separated and tugged on a couple pieces to give my hair a bit more volume and texture.
8. Finish with a light veil of hairspray!

I'd love to see you try this look!
If you do, make sure to tweet or instagram me a photo with the hashtag #twistedpony!

Topsy Tail Twist

Glasses: c/o Firmoo.com

Last week, The Beauty Department posted an amazing tutorial for a funky topsy tail bun. 
First, let me just say, I'm a huge fan of the topsy tail.
Second, this style is so easy.

1. Gather hair in a ponytail at the nape of your neck.
2. Secure with an elastic band.
3. Pull the elastic band to the bottom of your ponytail, leaving about 1-2 inches of hair at the end of the ponytail (or until your shorter layers don't start falling out).
4. Separate the hair in the gap of the ponytail right down the middle into two pieces.
5. Bring the ponytail up and through the gap, creating an upside-down topsy tail.
6. Repeat, repeat, repeat... the hair will begin to twist into coils! 
7. Once it's all coiled into a bun, secure the end of the ponytail underneath the bun with bobby pins.
8. If your shorter layers fall out (like mine did), let them hang loose or pin them back. I gently twisted mine back and pinned them underneath one of the bigger twists (top right photo).
9. You can tug on some of the pieces to give it some body and hide the part in the back.
10. You can also tug on the coils to make them look a little bigger and more full. I had to do this because my bun was so small at first!
11. A visual learner? Want to see how it is done? Visit TBD!

The Beauty Department recommended wearing this style slicked back and straight,
but I actually prefer it a little more loose and casual-looking.
I think it's perfect for a day at the office or a nice wedding updo.

I'd love to see your version of it. Tweet me or Instagram a photo with the hashtag #topsytailtwist!

The Bubble Ponytail

I saw this on The Shine Project recently and thought, 

"Man! That's a perfect ponytail with a twist."

It's has spice.

It has zest.

It's ideal for 2nd day dirty hair.

Add some dry shampoo,

create a ponytail (high or low),

add some clear elastic bands at regular intervals,

pull on the ponytail bubbles a little bit to make them poofy,

and VOILA!

Enjoy the bubble ponytail!

Twisted Side Pony

It's been almost three months since I have done a hair tutorial.
What. the. hay.

Don't hate... because considering that Bye Bye Beehive has a little over 2 months (2 months!)
until its completion date on October 11,

I figured I may as well begin making the transition to showcasing my random hair tutorials on my other blog.
But don't fret, if you're a follower of BBB, I'll probably double post them.

Maybe not.
Who knows.

Today, I'm showing you the twisted side pony.

Dress: Francesca's // Earrings: Francesca's // Necklace: c/o Lisa Leonard  // Bracelets: c/o Payton Woodcraft

As you remember on Monday (if you read Aunie Sauce),
I mentioned that this weekend I did a promo event for Francesca's.
What I really did was go to their store for an hour or so and style their customers.
I had so. much. fun.
I also met lots of new friends! A special shout-out to Rhylee, Adrianna and Ashley!

Like usual,
I was running late to get there.
I had taken my time that morning to sleep in, get to the gym,
sweat my booty off,
and by the time I got home, I realized I had to be out the door in about 35 minutes.
Oops.

I did NOT have time to wash my hair,
and I was not about to go to Franny's with wet hair.
I can't use a hair dryer, remember?
So I quickly rolled it up in a friar tuck and hopped in the shower.
When I got out, I dabbed on some blush, shaded my brows, and put on a couple coats of mascara.
I had about 5 minutes before I had to leave,
so I quickly unrolled my hair from the "friar yuck."
To my immense surprise, I had curls almost as pretty as if I had slept in the headband overnight.
And I'd only had it in for 30 minutes!
I was expecing a slight curl to the tips, but not full-on waves.
Score. Humidity, thank you (this time) for creasing my fine, lifeless hair into a curl.

OK ok ok. Are you ready for how I did it yet?
This style was kind of inspired by this style.
Anyway, here's the how-to:

1. I gathered a small section of hair at the nape of my neck and secured it in a low right-side pony with a clear elastic band.
2. I took a couple of face-framing pieces from the left side and twirled them into a little twist. I stuck a bobby pin at the bottom of that to hold it in place and just let it hang down for the time being.
3. Then, I gathered small sections of hair and began twisting them back (loosly) and secured them around the clear elastic ponytail holder.
4. I kept it messy. I didn't want it to look like a "ponytail," but instead a side updo-of-sorts.
5. As I twisted the sections back and pinned them, I made sure to only pin a small piece of the twist. I didn't want huge bobby pins showing everywhere. Plus, once the hair is twisted back like that, it won't move too much, so the whole thing doesn't need to be pinned.
6. After all my sections were pinned, I grabbed the little extra twist and tucked it back behind the ponytail.
7. I then pulled and tugged on a couple pieces to give my hair a bit more volume and to make it look a bit messier.
8. If I were you, I would definitely finish this with a bit of hairspray, but mine didn't seem to move too much without it.

The little added twist would look really cool if you had highlights or colored dimensions in your hair.
It didn't show up so well in my au natural ombrè hair, but that's OK.
It's the thought that counts.

If you need help, refer back to that other tutorial.
Mine was clearly modified and doesn't look as nice, but I liked it a lot.
I even wore the same style the next day...
...with the same gross, dirty hair.
Because that's how I roll.

3-Minute Messy Bun with a POP of Braided Fun

 

 

Ingredients for a messy bun with a POP of braided fun:

1. Dirty hair.
2. Dry shampoo.
3. Reverse French braid (a.k.a. cornrow or Dutch braid... French braid strands under each other instead of over).
4. Messy bun at the nape of your neck.

Prep time: 1 day to dirty-up your hair. Works best if ends have a slight curl to them.

Bake time: 3-minutes.

Enjoy for 1 (or 2) days ♥

Braided Ballerina Bun

 

It has been FOREVER and a day since I've been inspired to try a new hairstyle.

This one came to me while I was sitting at my desk last week and about to head to an event.
I desperately needed something to control my mane. I did not want to be surrounded by a bunch of big-wigs with my air-dryed and lifeless hair hanging over my face.
I came up with a simple reverse French braid (or cornrow braid) down one side of my head, which is then wrapped around a ballerina bun that I created with the rest of my hair and a couple spin pins.
It is definitely an easy fix that classes up the simple ballerina bun.
I got lots of compliments and it didn't budge a bit.

I would have really enjoyed just a tad bit of hairspray... but at least you'll have the option to use some!

xoxo

Chic Up the Boho Side Braid

Remember the Boho Side Braid I did a couple of weeks ago?

Want to add a simple little trick that totally classes it up?

Wrap a piece of your hair around the ponytail holder

and secure it with a bobby pin or two.

It totally makes this look go from fun to chic.

xoxo

Boho Side Braid

Last Friday I was struggling for inspiration for my hair.

So I just started braiding.

And BOOM-SHAKA-LAKA, the Boho Side Braid was born.

I zig-zag parted my hair down the middle and braided 

each plait in a cornrow French braid.

For my opposite side, I just made sure to bend the braid a little at the bottom

to make it angle toward my left side. 

When I finished, I wrapped a clear elastic around my hair to make a side ponytail.

I tugged on the outside pieces of my braid to make it poof out a little.

Side note-- my hair is getting SO DARK. It's amazing. 

In fact, it's kind of scary!!

My Messy Bun As Of Late

 

 

I'm fairly certain I have emphasized that 

I LOVE HAIRSPRAY

before, haven't I?

It used to be my saving grace when it came to making anything stay put,

making hair huge and poofy,

and making sure my hair did what I wanted.

And... now that I don't have it... I've been improvising.

I create a messy bun,

and then pull and tug to make it really big and messy.

Once it's nice and big, I take pieces and bobby pin them where I want them.

I don't point the bobby pins toward my pony tail holder (because to many makes it hurt!)...

I simply take a loop of bun (that's usually droopy and gross), 

and slide the bobby pin right over the chuck of hair I want to stay put, securing it to my head.

I make sure and do it under the visible part of loop, so you can't see the bobby pins while looking at my hair.

I usually end up with 5 or 6 bobby pins throughout my bun holding hair in place

to make it look bigger.

If that's confusing, I can do a vlog...

but it may take some persuasion :)

Reverse Halo Braid

 

Well good Monday morning!

One of my favorite hairstyles I have done thus far was inspired by my sister, Marnie. She invented this style she dubbed the "halo braid" and I quickly swooped it up. The style originally appeared on this halo braid post.

She did it with a regular plait. I did it this time instead with a reverse or cornrow plait. It was a bit different, but I think I liked it better! It really showed off my slowly fading blonde, and was nice and messy, which makes it fun!

Do you want the steps to this little style? I tried to do them last time... and failed. So I'll give it a better shot today:

1. French braid your hair in two simple braids (or reverse or cornrow braids).
2. Then, tuck your ends under, up and inside the opposite side's braid. 
• This isn't too hard. Just stick your finger up and under one of the braids and make a hole. Then pull the opposite braid up into the hole and bring it as far up and under the plait as you can.
3. Pin it to secure it in place. 
4. If this doesn't make sense... let me know and I will consider (mayyyybe) doing a video tutorial.

Think you'll give this one a try?