Gather Your Tools
The beauty of this hairstyle lies in its simplicity. At its most basic, all you need is a single pencil. However, for a bun with maximum staying power, a few extra items can make all the difference. Consider a standard wooden pencil, a chopstick, or a dedicated
hair stick. These provide better grip than overly slick pens. If your hair is particularly fine or slippery, having a few bobby pins on hand can provide extra insurance. Some people also find a light mist of texturizing spray or dry shampoo helps give the hair the grit it needs to hold the style.
The Foundational Twist
The secret to a bun that doesn’t budge begins before the pencil even comes into play. Start by gathering your hair into a ponytail at your desired height—low at the nape of your neck, or higher up on your head. Do not use a hair tie. Instead, hold the base firmly with one hand and begin twisting the entire length of the ponytail with the other. A tight, consistent twist is crucial as it creates the tension needed to lock the bun in place later. The tighter you twist the hair into a rope, the more secure your final bun will be.
Coil and Shape the Bun
Once your hair is twisted into a firm rope, begin wrapping it around its own base, coiling it into a bun shape. Keep a firm hold on the bun with one hand as you wrap the hair with the other. Tuck the very ends of your hair underneath the coil if you can, keeping everything neat. For a sleeker look, coil the hair tightly. For a more relaxed or messy style, you can wrap it a bit more loosely, but be aware that this might compromise some of the hold. The key is to create a dense, stable shape for the pencil to anchor into.
The Weaving Technique for Security
This is the most critical step. Hold the bun flat against your head. Take your pencil and, starting from one side (let’s say the right), push the tip into the outer edge of the bun. The trick is not to just stab it through the middle. Instead, you need to weave. Push the pencil point down until it touches your scalp. Then, angle the pencil so it glides along your scalp, underneath the bun, picking up the hair at the base. Continue to push it through until it emerges on the opposite side of the bun. This weaving motion—catching hair from the bun's edge, then hair from the scalp, and then coming out the other side—is what truly locks the style in place.
Troubleshooting and Pro Tips
If your bun feels loose, the issue is likely in the weave. You may not have caught enough hair from the base against your scalp. Don't be afraid to pull it out and try again, ensuring the pencil runs parallel to your head for a significant portion of its journey through the hair. For those with very thick or long hair, you might need a longer pencil or hair stick to make it all the way across. Another technique involves inserting the pencil, flipping it, and then pushing it through, which creates an even tighter lock. If your hair is very clean and slippery, a spritz of hairspray or dry shampoo beforehand can provide the necessary texture for the hair to grip itself.
