The Hairstyle That Got Me Through Transitioning

PHOTO SOURCE: LIANNE LA HAVAS

Back when I was transitioning, you couldn’t tell me nothin’ about my Big All-Day Bun. It was my go-to transitioning style because it allowed me to have a big, full-looking bun despite my hair being thin and heat damaged.

All I needed to pull of the style was a regular banana clip, bobby pins, a soft bristle brush, water, and a little styling product for my edges–until about month 7.

Once I made it past 6 months of transitioning, banana clips were no longer my friend. I couldn’t get them to stay in my hair without my hair being soaking wet (in its most condensed state”>–and even as my hair dried throughout the day, I found many a banana clip popping out of my head.

I often tried to do my bunning the way many popular naturals do their high puffs and buns–with a double-looped elastic headband. It rarely worked, and most times I found myself with either of the two dilemmas: the bands were entirely too tight on my head (headaches, edge trauma, and the fact that you have to practically choke yourself or squeeze your forehead to death to get the double loop action”>, or they’d just sliiiide right back and make what was supposed to be a fab bun look like a baby knot.

After giving up on the updo for a while (besides the messy quick fix gym bun”>, I’m ready to get back in the big bun saddle. Armed with similar tools from my transitioning days and a remixed approach, I’m ready to rock the top knot again.

This bun is perfect for type 3 naturals with curls, coils, and kinks that don’t always come together well in a traditional bun. I generally don’t do hair-typing related posts, but in my experience, type 3 hair doesn’t always have the best luck with bunning. Type 3 hair is easily compacted, which can make for small buns that aren’t particularly flattering. To be honest, I’ve got a big head and I need a big bun to match. Beyond that, the double-loop method doesn’t always work because type 3 hair may not have the same staying power of type 4 hair.

The Benefits

This big messy bun is super edges-friendly, and very low tension (no headaches”> while looking messy and chic. It’s versatile enough to go from work, to working out, to a hot date. To change up the look, place the bun slightly off center like Lianne La Havas (pictured”>.

What You’ll Need

Water (in a spray bottle”>
Butter, oil or moisturizer of choice (I went with Kyra’s Shea Medleys Original Butter Cream“>
Large banana clip
Scrunchie (remember–with no metal clasp!”>
Bobby pins
Soft bristle brush