It looks great! Inquiring minds want to know...

Cheers,
Jonobie

I agree, sometimes I wish I could have shoulder length hair for just one day to enjoy the flippy feeling of the nice short pony tail. I would LOVE to know how you got your hair like that.

Thanks, Pol

Yes, EQ! :D How did you do that nice 'do? 8)

I want to know too. The flippiness is so cute.

Thank you for asking about my shortened ponytail!! :) Thank you to each of you for the kind words! :)

Hope you have a minute - this got long!

I've been enjoying variations of the shortened pony tails quite a bit lately. It all starts with a very wide elastic headband folded in half and used to secure a partial bee but bun with the ends of the hair pulled through one of the coils. I imagine a regular scrunchie or 2 would work just as well, but I use only silky scrunchies on my hair aside from the type shown in the photo below, so I can not get a secure enough hold when using silky scrunchies to create the syles shown below.

Here is a photo of the wide headband/scrunchies I like to use. (available at "Dots" in the USA for about $2.50 - they have a website - I believe its www.dots.com ) I like them because they hold my hair securely and do not cause any damage to my very fine hair. I have seen them in a rusty brown, maroon-ish brown, and a cream color.
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003378871654139811750.jpg


This is the length of my pony tail before it is coiled:
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003371254955602365577.jpg


I must pay tribute to the coiled bun (known as the bee but bun) & more importantly, it's creator, Karen Marie, as this has become the base for most of the updos I wear. Even though I have very fine, lightweight hair, most other updo's tend to create too much uneven tension on my scalp due to the weight of my hair pulling, so I find the bee but bun quite useful. I am so thankful to Karen Marie for sharing the details of how to create a bee but bun with ones hair, as this protective updo has become the style I wear my hair in about 80% of the time now (remember when I used to say I wore my hair down most of the time? Not anymore. Now it's in a bee but bun much of the time).

Hopefully Karen Marie will jump in here and give a better description than I, but basically to create a bee but bun, you gather your hair as if you were about to secure a ponytail, however instead of securing it, you start twisting the length starting at the point you would secure it, near your roots. As you twist your length, coil it low on the back of your head. As you create each new coil, place/wrap it beneath the previous coil against your scalp. When you are done, tuck the ends inside or underneath the last coil, near your scalp.
Please jump in an clarify anything I missed Karen Marie!!


This shows a bee but bun from the side:
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003374539718049320163.jpg


Here's a bee but bun from the back:
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003375267147130672902.jpg


Since I'm posting a bunch of photos, here's another style I've been wearing a lot that is a variation of the bee but bun.
It's a (sloppy :) ) Coiled Knot Bun. It usually does look a bit sloppy, as it tends to slide out and loosen up a bit. Plus it doesn't help any that I had my arms stretched up and behind my head to take this shot myself. 8)
I created it by first creating an almost complete bee but bun, then I pulled the ends through one of coils in the middle of the bee but bun:
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003376238114205154818.jpg


To finally get to the point of this post, I'll explain how to create a shortened pony tail.
Start by creating a partial bee but bun.
Once you have coiled your hair to the point that you have the desired amount of loose ends/length remaining, reach your fingers through one of the coils and pull the remaining length of your hair through one of the coils. You can pull your hair through the last coil or whichever coil feels most secure.
If you pull your hair through the last coil near the top of the bee but bun with the hair pulled in going towards your scalp/head (and fan your ends out to conceal the partial bee but bun underneath), you'll get a short pony tail look as shown in the 2 "short ponytail" photos below.
If you pull your hair through one of the middle coils, pulling your hair through going away from your head, you'll get a little pony tail that has a circle of twisted hair (the coils) around the base of it.
I imagine one of those topsy-tail-puller-though-er things would be quite handy for pulling the hair through coils (I must find one of those...). Because I use my fingers to pull the length through a coil, the coils tend to loosen up and I tighten them by gently pulling on the length that has been pulled through.


This is a Medium length shortened pony tail:
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003372211398798577274.jpg


This is a Short length shortened pony tail from the back:
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003371501683947780197.jpg


Below is the short length shortened pony tail with my ends fanned out to hide the bee but bun, viewed from the side.
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003376992846665477567.jpg


The only other little tips I can offer about creating a short looking pony tail that conceals the rest of your length is to twist the hair evenly and comb your length as you are twisting & coiling to keep the hair pulled evenly and smooth. It also helps to pull the hair through the coil at such an angle to allow the hair to stick out behind you, rather than to one side or the other. Then adjust the twisted hair so that your ends fall behind the coils so that you can fan them out. OH, and there is one other thing I like to do if I'll be wearing one of the above styles all day. Because I feel my ends are much less protected when hanging out and not tucked inside of a bee but bun, I often apply a tiny bit of jojoba oil to my ends after I have completed the style to help protect my ends throughout the day.

If I have not been clear enough, please ask me to clarify any points you would like.


Note to moderators: If the photos in this are too large or too slow to load, go ahead and delete this post (I saved it in my files) and I'll resize the photos & re-post this at a later time. :)

Wowsers!, EQ! Your hair looks so beautiful! And thank you so much for explaining the styles you do. This weekend I hope to spend part of the time practicing, practicing , practicing updos. I've been wanting to wear them lately, but haven't achieved anything I'd like to be seen in public yet. Your hair looks absolutely stunning, lady! :8)

Great pictures of wonderful styles, Equestrian! Your ends look incredibly neat (I prefer to hide mine when I wear updos). Do you still have those frequent dustings done?

I like the wide headbands you're using - they seem to be quite popular right now, I'm seeing them in different stores in all kinds of colours. Wouldn't work for me (not enough hair), but they sure suit you very well!

Dang girl!!!! Your hair looks great, your description is very clear, AND your photos are VERY helpful!!!!!!

No improvement needed!!! :)

Thanks a ton for the great details! :)

Avrilon
Thank you!! :)
You are too sweet!
Ya know, while I was throwing my hair up in a short ponytail today to run to the bank, I realized that I have the best luck with the short ponytail by pulling the hair through going towards my head, then wrapping the hairband around the coils and the base of where the hair comes out to create that fanned out, flippy look. I hope I didn't mislead/confuse anyone. These ponytails really are very easy styles to do.
Avrilon, seriously, you are the woman who looks like a freakin GODDESS even with big huge rollers and dryers on her head!!! Trust me, ANY updo will look stunning on you!!!


Madeleine
Thank you very very much!! :)
I understand about wanting to hide your ends when doing updos - looks much neater AND protects the ends, which for us longhairs is often the point of wearing an updo!
Yes, I still have frequent dustings. I get a tiny trim plus a split end trim every 2 months. For some reason, it's been months since I've taken the time to do a split end trim on myself, but usually I do a search and destroy mission on my hair at least once a month using scissors I purchased at Sally Beauty Supply on sale for $9.00. I still go to the same GM salon I've been going to for years, but I've STILL never had a GM Treatment, and I tend to use cheap
drugstore products for shampoo & conditioners, along with a few things from the health food store that I mix in, such as aloe vera gel & jojoba oil. I do LOVE the GM Cream Rinse though.
I'll have to look around at other places for those headbands. They really hold my (slippery) hair very well.


TBear
Thank you!!!
:) :)
As I glanced through what I had written earlier, I noticed that I really shouldn't have stressed the direction of the way I pull the hair through the coil to create the short ponytail, because ultimately it is the headband securing the coils/ends that holds the hair in place to create the fanned out look, not the way the hair is pulled through. Hope I didn't misguide anyone.

TBear you are one of my inspirations for keeping my hair long. Sometimes I get to missing that swingy-bouncy-waist-length-or-above length, and consider going shorter, than I see your pic, or one of the other very long haired ladies, here, and it inspires me to grow towards your lengths because your hair looks SO beautiful and flattering.

Thanks again!! :)

Wow -- thanks for the really clear directions & pictures. More stuff to practice this weekend, I see! :)

Cheers,
Jonobie

Here is a photo of the wide headband/scrunchies I like to use. (available at "Dots" in the USA for about $2.50 - they have a website - I believe its www.dots.com ) I like them because they hold my hair securely and do not cause any damage to my very fine hair. I have seen them in a rusty brown, maroon-ish brown, and a cream color.
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003378871654139811750.jpg


Oh, Equestrian! Those 'do's are AWESOME! I need to get to practicin'. How I wish we had a Dots anywhere around, we don't even have one in my state :( ; I absolutely love the look of those scrunchies. Our hairtype is so similar, your endorsement that they hold your fragile hair so well is well taken! I'll have to keep my eyes open for ones like them.

Hey, thanks for posting such great pix and instructions!! :heart:

This is the length of my pony tail before it is coiled:
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003371254955602365577.jpg

This is a Medium length shortened pony tail:
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003372211398798577274.jpg


Hey, I just came up with an idea (uh oh, she's been thinkin' again...). I have some friends that travel to visit me once a year every June. I told them last year that I was going to stick with it this time and grow my hair down to my butt, no matter what. My hair was a little past BS last time they saw me....

What a hoot it would be to do Equestrian's shortened ponytail above and tell them I couldn't stick with it after all :( only to whip it down later and say TA DA!!!! :D

Ah, now if it was only as long and awesome as Equestrian's.... :DD

Jonobie
You are quite welcome.
I was flattered when I found your post asking about my sig pic and I was happy to write up how I do it. :)
Plus, I had FINALLY figured out how to insert photos into my posts, so that added to the fun of it!!
Let us know what kinds of styles you come up with this weekend!

GoldLady
I can't stress enough how well these bands hold my very fine and slippery hair. I've been using them for quite a while and I'm positive they do not cause ANY damage to my hair. PLUS , they are great for spreading out and stretching over a bun completely to help protect your hair from dust, cold, or layers of clothes rubbing on your bunned hair.

How nice you have friends travel to see you each year!! I think that's a great idea to do the "TA DA" routine!!

Thank you very very much GoldLady for your kind compliment! :)
I gotta tell you though, you are the owner of one of my all time favorite heads of gorgeous hair.

By the way, you deserve a pat on the back for sticking to it this year and letting your hair get as long as it is!

Equestrian, you have such gorgeous hair!! I'd love my hair to look like that one day :)

Equestrian, your hair is SIMPLY gorgeous!
Oh man, I had no idea your hair was so long!

AWESOME pictures! :)

Feye
YOU have such gorgeous hair!!
Your hair has gotten SO long!!
Thank you for your kind words :)

LongRed
Thank you very much!!
I recently took a look at the first hair pic I ever posted on the hair boards in the fall of 2001 - I hadn't realized how much my hair had grown! I think I'll post a "Then & Now" thread with my 1st hair photo & my current one...
LongRed, Your hair looks fantastic!! It looks so healthy.

Equestrian, I just wanted to say how beautiful your hair is! (and I love that updo!)

In addition to me getting a bee-butt together on the first try this morning in 60 seconds using your instructions, I managed to have it stay up all day long. In fact it's still up and it's almost bedtime!

I never wore that beautiful bee-but because I couldn't figure out what to do with the ends, to protect them and so the style wouldn't unravel. But this morning I used my Topsy Tail to pull the ends into the coiled hair and it worked extremely well. I still have to figure out how you got yours to be more condensed while mine wants to extend downwards even though the coil is quite tight feeling. I also have to figure out how to get well lit photos indoors with minimal natural light, sorry for the poor color (the wall behind me is a classic yellow but it came out green - grrrrrrr).

http://www.longhairlovers.com/at/martine/gallery/984.jpeg

http://www.longhairlovers.com/at/martine/gallery/985.jpeg

I also went out and purchased a couple of those wide bands to try my hand at that shortened ponytail of yours.

I can't wait to see what you come up with after your next extended absence! Thanks so much for posting your new styles and instructions :P

TBear
Thank you!!!
:) :)

TBear you are one of my inspirations for keeping my hair long. Sometimes I get to missing that swingy-bouncy-waist-length-or-above length, and consider going shorter, than I see your pic, or one of the other very long haired ladies, here, and it inspires me to grow towards your lengths because your hair looks SO beautiful and flattering.

Thanks again!! :)


:oops: Girl, you make me blush!!! :) Thank you so much for the compliment! I'm feeling a little frustrated right now, so my hair stays in a bun or braid ALLLLLLLLL the time! Thanks for such sweet words! :) :heart:

And GoldLady, DO IT!! :) hahahahaahaha I wore my hair in a similar style (shortened pony) the last time I saw my parents and my mom stood there with her mouth agape!!!! She thought I'd cut my hair! So I wooshed it out of the 'do, and showed her I still had the length! hahahahahahahaahahahaha

The only bad thing is, after seeing it shorter, the might say something like "oh I like it shorter anyway!" :shock: :suspect: :shock: That would be horrible, but just be sure you're ready for ANY reaction!

Hugs to you both! :)

ArcticPixie
Thank you so very much!! :)


Martine
Thank you!
WOW Martine, as always, your hair looks gorgeous!! You are such a beauty!
I know what you mean with the flash making such a difference. I used to use a video camera to post photos up until a few months ago - I'd "freeze frame" a still image and that is the image I would post. Of course the video camera had no flash, so it was very difficult to get well lit photos! I recently got a really nice digital camera with a bright flash on it, and I can't believe how much it improves the look of colors and hair texture. LOL, of course, I guess ANY flash seems bright after not having a flash.

About making the coils tighter... I keep waiting for Karen Marie to jump in here with her words of wisdom on how to create the perfect bee but bun, but I'll try my best to explain what I do to make the coils tight and stay right up against each other.
The most important things, with my hair, are to twist your length continuously the whole time you are coiling the hair around itself. Make sure you aren't getting any "flat" spots in the coiling process - where the length is not twisted before coiling it, know what I mean? While the coiling and twisting is done gently, I still coil tightly enough that I have to sort of "tuck" the newest coil under / behind the previous coil so that it isn't going around the previous coil. I continue to coil (and twist the length) right up to my tippy ends, then I tuck the very ends inside the final coil that is right up against my head. The other thing that, for me, makes a HUGE difference is the type of scrunchie I use to secure it. There is absolutely NO way I could go more than a few minutes successfully securing a bee but bun with the narrow brown fancy scrunchie shown in the photos of my hair in bee but buns. The ONLY way my hair doesn't loosen up and slide right out within minutes is if I use those wide head band/scrunchie thingies shown in my post above. I fold them in half if I want my bun to show, then wrap them around the base of the bee but bun twice. I treat them just like a scrunchie, even though they are intended to be head bands, I think.

Hope this helps a little.
Martine, your hair always looks gorgeous ! Thank you for posting the photos!! Please post more photos soon!!

:oops: Girl, you make me blush!!! :) Thank you so much for the compliment! I'm feeling a little frustrated right now, so my hair stays in a bun or braid ALLLLLLLLL the time! Thanks for such sweet words! :) :heart:

You are quite welcome TBear . :)
I'm sorry to hear you are going through one of those frustrating phases.
:( We all go through them at times.
Maybe the changes in season or location have affected your hair & you need a little change or something. Get that hair happy and let down!! ;)

I love, love, love your coiled knot bun! Beautiful pictures of beautiful hair!!!!!!!

Thanks!

[Edited by Stephanie]

[quote="Fox"]I love, love, love your coiled knot bun! Beautiful pictures of beautiful hair!!!!!!!
Would you mind posting your copy of this on my Styling Staion board? [quote]

Thanks Fox!! :)
Thanks for asking - I didn't know you had a styling station board!
I'd be very happy to post my instructions, but I feel a little uncomfortable including the bee but buns, cuz those are definitely Karen Maries creation. Of course, all of those styles are based on the bee but bun, so I may not be able to avoid it! I'll re-write it and post it to your board after I get a chance to upload the photos to net54.

Thanks again, Fox! :D

All thanks go to you Equestrian! I guess I need to get KM to post her BBB! :) We can give credit to her. She certianly deserves some. That BBBun is a great hair style creation! You've just added to it and created something wonderful too!

I forgot to add that your instruction will probably load with the same picture codes you used for here, if you don't want to reload on Net54. I use my LHL pictures codes on Net54 and they work fine. You just have to use the a herf thing. :)

I have several boards over there now. I haven't been posting for people to post over there because I don't want to take anyone away from here. I'm just trying to learn some new things. It's been fun. Maybe I'll get some newbies over there, or pick up those who didn't make the move here. As for me... I'm everywhere. :)

Does anyone know how to order the scrunchies from Dots? I went to the www.dots.com website and got caught up in endless animations. Thanks!!!

I am very impressed you guys have such nice , healthy looking hair . :D