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

My Daily Hair Styling Routine

 Glasses: c/o Firmoo

Lately, I've gotten quite a few emails from ladies who want to know how I style my hair on a daily basis. Frequently asked questions include:

• What do I do with it when I sleep? 
• What dry shampoo do I use? 
• Do I tease it?
• Do I use hairspray?
• How do I get natural-looking waves?
• How do I style my bangs? 

Today, I'm answering your questions. Here's a short video of exactly how I style my hair when I wear it down.



More details:

•  Fave overnight keep-it-out-of-your-face methods: ballerina bun, French braid, or Friar Tuck (video tutorial coming soon)
• Fave dry shampoo: Suave 
• Fave hairspray: Lamaur Sprayage (I used Big Sexy Hair in this video)
• If I shower in the morning, I just let my hair air-dry naturally. It ends up with this same wavy texture. Once it's dry, I follow the same process.
• To keep my hair healthy, I avoid heat styling tools and I haven't colored/highlighted my hair since May, 2011.
• My bangs are longer here than usual--I'm growing them out!
• Song in the video: White Sky by Vampire Weekend 

Products used in this video:

/ / Like this video? Subscribe to my channel on YouTube!

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

Braided Updo

Do you remember the adorable girl I talked about, named Emily, who sent me the email asking me to do the Holiday Updo?

Welp, she's amazing because she sent me another Hey Kayli video and asked me to give it a go. Kayli had titled the video New Year's Eve Updo... but I think it's just more of a braided updo. I gave it a shot, and almost followed her directions to a T (but had to make adjustments because she does a lot of teasing and hairspraying). Would you like to know my version? I knew you would.

1. Begin with brushed hair. 
• I think mine would have worked better if it had a it of a curl at the ends.
2. Separate out two sections toward the front of your hair to be braided. Pin them aside so you can do your braids.
3. Kayli did her braids first, and then did the bun. I think it's easier to do it the other way around. Gather the hair at the back of your head, twist it into a ballerina bun, and secure it with Spin Pins.
• Spin Pins are awesome for days when you're on the go and don't have time for a fancy updo, or if you're looking for a really classy, sleek look.
4. Begin braiding the side sections that you had pinned. 
• Instead of making a regular plait like Kayli did, I instead did a French braid with my hair. I think it makes it a bit fancier.
5. Take 1 section of your braided hair and wrap it across your bun. Secure with a bobby pin.
• One side may have a longer braid if you part your hair on the side. 
• I chose the shorter side (right side) so the ends could be covered by my longer side braid.
6. Take the second, longer braid and wrap it over your bun, across the first braid. Secure it with a bobby pin on the other side of your bun.
7. Wrap the loose end of the braid under your ballerina bun to cover it.
• If you have longer hair, it would be cool to also wrap the ends of the braids around the bun to give it a cool, multi-dimensional look.
8. Tug on a couple pieces (lightly) to give the bun and braids a bit of volume.
9. That's it!

I hope those directions make the slightest bit of sense. If they don't... just head to YouTube and check the video that Kayli made. 

So>> want to know something random? The girl who got her hair done in the video (CarlieStylez) used to live in Idaho. We were all friend with the same people. I saw the video and was like... wait, I know that face!

What a small world it is, huh?

I hope you like it! Try it and send me pictures! xo

PS>> PS>> I'm having a GIVEAWAY over at Aunie Sauce. It's open until January 24th and is for a beautiful leather bracelet. Get yourself entered!!!

Braid Up Your Bun.

Happy Day-After-Christmas!!

I totally already got my post-jingle-bell shopping in, and saved no money. But that's alright, it was at a consignment shop... so the prices were all drastically reduced anyway.

I'm constantly looking for new ways to mix up my bun, so today I tried a little trick that I saw on The Beauty Department. It's a ballerina bun with a French braid up the back. It's modeled after this style.

Now, you may be wondering how in the heck I did this on my own head. Simple. Kind of.

I pulled the top half of my hair into a ponytail. Then, I flipped my head upside down and French braided the bottom half away from my neck. I secured it with a clear plastic elastic and then included it in the ponytail on top of my head. For the ballerina bun, I simply twisted my ponytail around the ponytail holder and pinned it in place, just like they did at The Beauty Department.

Oh-- and if you're not the most skilled at French braiding... have a buddy help you out! That's why my braid is so messy... it was hard to braid upside down! It's a rockin' style that adds spunk and personality to any messy bun.

xoxo

Sock Bun: The Style.

If you saw my post about the sock bun, you may remember that I made fun of the way I looked with it in. Because in fact, it was pretty funny looking. 

This past weekend, my sister was in town. You know my sister, right? I posted about her last week. She's my inspiration for this whole thing. So, when she suggested I try a bun on the top of my head with the front pieces pulled out into a faux bump, I just couldn't resist her suggestion. Except, there was one problem; she wanted me to twirl my hair up into a ballerina bun, and my hair isn't quite long enough for that. So-- what did I think of? Sock bun, of course!

I put my hair into a high ponytail, wrapped a white sock donut around it, and rolled my hair over the sock like normal. I added about 3 bobby pins to keep my shorter hairs in place.

OOps! I see a little bit of white sock donut!!

You guys, THIS STYLE STAYED ALL DAY. I used no hairspray (duh), and even was walking to and from the movies and battling gusts of wind. It didn't even budge. I love love love this look for a quick hairstyle or if you need to get your 2nd-day hair out of your face.

Also, look at the sweet colors that this style shows off! If you have lighter hair on top and darker hair on bottom, or even just highlights, this style really brings out each and every color. It's just awesome! I mean, take a look at the bun shot below:

 

Color city! I just love this style. It is so feminine and ultra-popular right now. Thanks, sister!!!

Yes, I'm a nerd.