Putting up your hair with hair sticks (or chopsticks) is a popular style that women have loved for centuries. In fact, hair sticks have been discovered amid the ruins of multiple ancient cultures, including Egypt, China, Greece, Turkey, and Japan. In this article, we’ll teach you how to do some of the cutest chopstick hairstyles, including a traditional bun, French twist, and more. The wooden kind from a restaurant will work in a pinch, but they can snap easily and cause splinters to get caught in your hair.
Preparation and considerations
Brush your hair. Take care to get all of the tangles out before proceeding. If you have curly hair, use a pick to gently detangle any major knots and smooth it down before proceeding. Many people find that chopstick hairstyles are difficult to achieve on freshly washed hair because clean hair can be very slippery.
Fully detangle your hair before proceeding. If you have curly hair, gently run a pick through to manage and detangle your curls. This is a very casual look that only takes about 15 seconds, so don't worry about getting your hair perfect before you start.
Basic approach and security
Article SummaryXTo put up your hair with chopsticks, start by gathering your hair at the back of your head, as if you were creating a pony tail, and holding the sticks horizontally beneath the hair. Next, wrap your hair around the sticks all the way to the ends. Then, pull up the chopsticks slightly to lay the wrapped hair flat against your head. Finally, push the skinny ends of the sticks into the back of the wrap you just made to secure your hair in place.
In many cases, the chopsticks alone should be enough to keep your hair in place. However, you may want to add a few bobby pins for additional security. If you're worried about the security of your style, try a short mist of hairspray all over the hairstyle.
Chignon and the classic bun
A chignon is an ideal hairstyle for adding chopsticks. Insert the chopsticks into the back of your wrapped hair, pushing the skinny ends all the way through. This part may hurt slightly as the sticks pull your hair, but the final result should feel comfortable.
For a more secure bun, you can use two chopsticks. If you want a look using both chopsticks, slide the second stick carefully through the twist, taking care not to bump into the first stick. If you have short layers in your hair, the ends may be sticking out a small amount. One option is to bobby pin them and use a bit of hairspray to secure the bun in place.
Twisted and rope-inspired buns
Holding your low ponytail in your left hand, use your right hand to slide one of the chopsticks (pointy end up) diagonally under the ponytail. Twist the chopstick clockwise as many times as your hair will allow. Taking hold of the blunt end of the stick, pull it away from your head until it's almost horizontal. The pointy end will be pushed up against your scalp at this point. Stop pushing once you have approximately the same length of stick poking out of the top and the bottom. Gently let go of your hair and take a look at your results.
For a look with one chopstick, you can twist the hair around the stick to form a rope-like twist, then wrap and secure it into a bun using the stick. If you want a neater finish, twist tightly; for a more casual vibe, keep the twist looser so layers can frame the face.
Braided variations
This look is similar to the regular Chinese bun, except your hair will be braided. First, brush through your hair to remove any tangles. Separate the hair in your ponytail into two sections. Braid each section, and secure them both with elastics. Like the standard Chinese bun, insert the chopstick into your hair horizontally, just above the elastic of your ponytail. Bring each braid up over the chopstick and wrap the hair around it. Cross the sections of hair that hang down over each other, and continue wrapping until you can’t anymore.
Shorter hair, longer options
How long does my hair have to be to do this? If the wooden chopsticks are too long, cut them down a little to suit your hair length. Chopsticks also come in countless textures and finishes. If you have very thin hair, try sticks that have a textured finish from end to end. Decorate the chopsticks for added effect. You can paint them, or try gluing sequins or rhinestones on them as embellishments.
Length, comfort, and etiquette
Your scalp will probably start hurting at some point; this usually happens when the style begins to pull as a result of the weight of your hair. In many East Asian communities where chopsticks are used as eating utensils, this hairstyle is often seen as ridiculous or even stereotypical, especially for East Asian-themed costumes. (Just think how silly you would look with a fork in your hair!) So it would be best to only do this hairstyle in a place where nobody would get offended.
Practical tips and quick-start summary
Article SummaryXTo put up your hair with chopsticks, start by gathering your hair at the back of your head, as if you were creating a pony tail, and holding the sticks horizontally beneath the hair. Next, wrap your hair around the sticks all the way to the ends. Then, pull up the chopsticks slightly to lay the wrapped hair flat against your head. Finally, push the skinny ends of the sticks into the back of the wrap you just made to secure your hair in place.
- Detangle thoroughly before starting to avoid tangles while wrapping.
- Choose chopsticks that fit your hair length and thickness.
- Consider adding bobby pins and light hairspray for security.
- Experiment with one-stick twists, two-stick braids, or chignon variations for different looks.
Дополнительные идеи и варианты стилизации
Decorate chopsticks with paint, sequins, or rhinestones for a personalized touch. If you have long hair, you can create more elaborate wraps and braids by layering sections and guiding them around the sticks to achieve complex, glam looks. For casual days, let some layers hang loosely around the face to soften the overall silhouette.
tags: #japanese #hair #stick #hairstyles