I got so many comments on how bad my hair was at Army basic, my Drill Sgts gave me the nickname "Hot Mess" because of it. I had no idea how to do a sock bun when I got there, and I couldn't find any mesh buns at the PX, so it's awesome you posted this video. Really wish someone had told me I had to know this before going.
this is by far the best sock bun vid I've seen. I've started practicing with hair pins & I've grown to prefer them over bobby pins. they hold SO much better!
At my old ballet dance academy, we had to have our hair as perfect as this. If we had fly aways or it just didn't look properly done, our teacher would mess up our hair even more and restrict us from dancing because we would then need to fix our hair. Had to be slicked back. Had to be perfect. 😁 Strict stuff...
Then I would never be able to do ballet because of how messy and curly my hair is. There is absolutely no way that my hair would have no flyaway or even be slick
I'm 13 and have always wanted to be in either the army, marine corps, or the air force. It's videos like these that help me understand a little bit more what the military life will be like. Thanks, +AimHighErin
This is honestly the most helpful and insightful video about hair in BMT, Thank you for all your help! I will defiantly be using these helpful tips when I leave!
SO glad to hear that this helped you! I teach at a HS and there's some JROTC cadets that could use the help. ;) Set the standard for the other females at your school!
My boyfriend says it's the best decision he's ever made. He's been very encouraging about this. Jokingly he says he should shave me bald so I won't have to worry about my hair lol. We'll see when that day comes. But thank you for your advice!
I definitely needed this. I leave for BMT in less than two weeks and have not mastered the sock bun yet, just a quick and semi-easy- with-minimal-flyaways bun. And I have longer thick hair, too. Thanks for the video!
I just got done reading your blog, and then came to youtube to practice my hair and stumbled across your video! So helpful thank you! I leave for BMT in 25 days! :) I am SO nervous. Lol it is funny that you say not to wear your hair the night before because that is what my older sister did when she went to BMT lol!
Awesome! Wish I was aware of something like this 17 years ago when I left for MCRD Parris Island. My hair is past my waist and my D.I.'s thought I wouldn't be able to manage, but all the hair products is what save me as well. Great demonstration. :)
Thanks for the tutorial. I could never get this right. I join the air force cadets soon and I have really been thinking about the best ways to keep my thick curly hair in a bun. This is so helpful. Thank you so much!
In BMT we knew when our wake-up time would be and we'd get up as needed to prepare for it. There were no "surprise" early mornings that we didn't know about. Good luck at BOT, I'll be there eventually! :)
Thanks to much for this video! I am going to join the Air Force ROTC in college, and later join the Air Force. I plan to keep my hair short, because it is naturally curly, and it works better that way for some reason, thanks again for the video!
You're welcome! Do whatever works best for your hair. Things will probably be different for you at ROTC anyway, and then pave the way for a nice transition into the regular AF. :)
Glad to help! I bought mine at Walgreen's, but I hear they sell them at WalMart too! Sally's Beauty Supply sells one too, although you'll want to ask for a mesh "chignon" donut.
I'm in JROTC and my problem is I have SUPER thick hair and my hair almost always ends up falling out. I don't like to use the dounut because it ends up looking really big and its too short to make a full circle but its too long to wear it down. Any advice?
Stacy Rodriguez slick your hair back with gel into a low ponytail. Then braid that ponytail and secure the end with a small rubber elastic. Then wrap the braid around itself but make sure that it doesn’t look pointy at the end (make it as flat as possible) and then secure any loose areas with bobby pins
Hey Monica! If you can do it and avoid flyaways, it's totally fine! There were definitely other people who did French braids. Still bring product and pins though, just in case. Good luck to you! It's ALL about the May shippers! ;)
I am not aware of Army regulations while at BCT, but my husband went through (back in 2008) and he didn't think it was allowed. I'd check with your recruiter. Best of luck to you!
Damn, with all those products, under the summer sun, with a hat on your head... btw your videos are great, i love your attitude, help other ppl to get prepared for some of the "test" that can occur. Best regards Sir.
Many thanks for this, AimHighErin! I went through Army basic many years ago with a short wedge cut. Now that I'm out of the service and my hair's growing out nicely, I'm tempted to try some of the buns I saw back then. Given my natural curls, I'm hoping I can do it just as well as those with straight hair. ^^
I've watched this video about 20 times because no matter how much I try, I cannot make a perfect bun like you! I have slightly layered, long, straight hair, so you'd think it'd be really easy for me, but it's so frustrating! Haha. I mess up at the last step, the excess hair that you need to pin around the donut.. I have hairs sticking out EVERYWHERE, and the bobby pins don't help at all, because they end up hitting each other and popping back out! The bobby pins just don't stay..
Yes, you're allowed to bring the mesh chignons and supplies to BMT! MUCH better option than the real sock! Keep gelling and pinning all of those flyaways. Sally Beauty sells tiny bobby pins that you can use too.
Thanks! As long as you don't have any loose hairs or pieces sticking out, you'll be fine! Just make sure it's secured with product and hair/bobby pins.
They're going to make you slick it back. Most of the African American women in my flight did their hair at night and helped each other out. Some were able to use relaxers while at BMT as well. There was a decent selection of products available at the mini-mall.
Mary, your best bet would be to get some practice in before you go. How tight are your curls? Practice using a TON of product and still doing the sock bun. Just remember to use tons of pins if you've got flyaways. It's either that, or braid/cut it off. :(
Thank you, ill check that out! i have no idea what i want to do with my hair before i leave. i dont know if i want to cut it short or just leave it my longish link and just practice, practice, practice my sock bun before i leave. i want to make basic as stress free as possible...if thats even possible haha
I couldn't catch what you said about where you may keep extra hairpins. By my understanding, I heard they are NOT aloud in pockets but ARE aloud in ID tags? Thank you in advance! Thank you for serving this amazing country as well. :)
Very helpful! Unfortunately I'm growing out a bob right now and my hair isn't quite long enough. I can wear it in a regular bun though.I leave for BMT in a couple of months and need to know if my hair isn't long enough, will they let me wear it in a regular bun or will I have to cut it? Because right now my hair does touch my collar.
When I went through, the girls helped each other do their hair. Some are better at it than others. You can also go to the salon to get relaxing treatments, just ask your TI for an appointment to go get it done.
Pixie cuts work, as long as it's at least 1" long. It can taper in the back near your neck. Don't really remember too much about bangs at BMT, but prepare to have to slick/pin them back too. In the operational, you can have bangs though.
omg this was amazing helped alot!! straight to the point and very informative. but i have a slight problem, i have VERY curly hair and its is very hard for me to get a slicked back bun because of all the ridges unless i start from completely wet hair, can you wet your hair completely to do this, will i have enough time, and will i get in trouble for having really wet hair??
This is so helpful. I leave in two weeks and I'm very worried about my hair. But question: should I bring product (hairspray and gel) with me or just have parents send it to me. I didn't know they were allowed to do so..
Thanks for this informative video. I've practicing my sock bun with an actual sock but been struggling with the little fly aways. Are we allowed to bring the mesh chignon, bobby pins, and hair pins to bmt? Again thank you very much! This video helped me alot!
Totally your call - if you have a neutral colored backpack at home, stick with it. I just bought a $20 plain black duffle and it was a smart move for me. I preferred the duffle because you'll have to buy (or have) a plain, logo-free black backpack for tech school, so I just bought one of those when I was there.
Yes! Thank you for this! This was so helpful! I ship out in a month and my hair has been short for the last few years, so I'm a little out of practice with the styling. Thank you! Quick question: What is the policy on bangs? I have them, and there's no way they'll be long enough to pull back by the time I go to BMT. What I understood is that they just can't touch the eyebrows. Is that correct?
Hey, I leave for AFBMT next month and I watched your whole video and I gotta say that it's very well explained on making the sock bun. I'm sorry that this is a really long comment; =/ Anyway, I got my hair cut short (at least below my collar bone in length), got the small size doughnut mesh that comes in a pack with 4 hair pins and a hair tie, got some hair products (gel & hair spray) by TRESemmé...couldn't find the brands you showed on your video while shopping at Target to get some supplies on the list to take for BMT. Before I cutted my hair, it was long and parted to the side...I didn't style my hair besides putting it up in a ponytail. I tried for the first time to do the bun...Never did anything of that sort in my life...So you can imagine that it would be difficult on the first try...which indeed it was. I didn't use the hair products I had brought for the first attempt. The next day I tried the bun for the second time with hair product. When I finished, I found that my 1/2 of my doughnut mesh was partially uncovered by my hair...it had all fallen towards the bottom half of the bun and it felt a little loose...My flyways didn't seem to stay on my head no matter how much gel I applied around there. What bothered me the most is that the top of my head was stripped-looking, parted hair showing some of my scalp (zebra-head I call it). Every time I put my hair back it does that at the top and naturally tries to become all parted on the side. How am I supposed to keep my hair looking like yours (like you showed on your video) without my T.I.-to-be picking on me about it? Practice, practice was my only advice given. Besides that, A) What can I do about keeping my hair tighter on my bun when I spread it around? - I used my gel and put a hair tie to keep in place but it wasn't enough... B) Silly, but I need to ask. Do you put the Hair Pins in the mesh or under the mesh? - I watched your video carefully on that part...might've misheard or forgotten if you mentioned where to put the Hair Pins as you pin it around the ends of hair around the bun, so yeah... C) Should I change hair products, if TRESemmé isn't the one for me? - I read the product labels prior to purchasing them to make sure it's meant to do what it says to do...When I did my bun with hair products, I did use water, the product didn't specifically say to apply water...
Thanks so much! I could definitely do one on blousing pants - going to be funny though, since I do it with my pants down. :) Talk about an awkward video! As for the beds, I hesitate to do it, since your MTI will show you how it's done and you use two flat sheets (no fitted sheet). Some of the bed making is done using markers on the bed (by markers I mean the rivet to show you how long it is), which I obviously can't replicate at home. Let me see what I can do though!
Your videos are so helpful! I have a question, I do the sock bun a different way where there's no hair left to wrap around at the end. Would that be aloud or should I start practicing this way instead?
Are you using bobby pins or the U-shaped hair pins? Those make a HUGE difference. Your layers may make it harder- Maybe trim them out of your hair right before BMT and get your layers back after?
Hi Erin! I'm heading to BMT this May and it's been really helpful reading your blog beforehand. I have long hair and can do the sock bun but I'm also skilled at doing a tight, neat french braid quickly and it avoids using so many pins and product. Would that be allowed if I tucked the end under so it would not touch my collar? Thanks. :)
tarahloveshentai, have you tried doing a bun without the mesh insert? Or maybe a braided bun? As for red hair recommendations, DEFINITELY purchase all of the redhead supplies before you leave for BMT, as they (hair pins, hair ties, etc) need to match your hair and you won't be able to find them down there.
I can't seem to find the rest of your comment, but YES, I would recommend that you bring those products with you, especially the donuts (at least two), hair ties, hair pins, and bobby pins in your hair color. Bring a travel sized gel and hair spray until you go on your first mini-mall run.
I'm so worried about me hair. I have long straight hair like you, right now its got all over layers and I was wondering if it'll just be easier for me to just let it grow all to one length and have it cut to one length before I leave
Best of luck to you!! You look like you're in great shape, so I am sure you will do great! You can probably do more pushups than me or beat me in armwrestling right now, lol ;)
No need to apologize! :) I personally kept it long throughout BMT and still have it long. I hate styling my hair when in civilian clothes and don't consider myself skillful whatsoever, and I was able to master the sock bun pretty easily. If you DO want to cut it right before you leave, just remember to follow the regulations (google AFI 36-2903) and get it done RIGHT before you leave so it doesn't grow in too fast.
I'm only watching this because I cut my hair off after growing it out for three years. I'm a guy and I'm not in the military, just missing having long hair. Your hair is nice
Amanda Dillenbeck, they are in the operational AF, but at BMT I never saw anyone with them on. If you do bring one, definitely make sure it matches your hair color.
Erin C Thank you! I just got my ship date yesterday of November 24th for 1N1X1! So hopefully my hair will be grown out long enough by then to not need one.
Oh yeah! I've been a runner for a while so I'm not too worried about that but I can't do pushups or pullups to save my life haha. And studying rank structure and stuff like that. What about you?
Ccnovacaine Wolf Pack You don't get to leave base at all until Saturday of graduation weekend. There is a salon in the BX on base, but those allowed to go there were limited in numbers. We did have at least one female get permission to buy relaxer at the mini-mall and apply it in the dorm.
THANK YOU so much!! I found this very helpful!! I leave for basic May 24th so I'm trying to prep lol I do have one worry though about my hair. I have A LOT of baby hairs and some super curly cowlicks around my forehead, will that gel straiten them out/keep them down all day? and if you have any other tips I would really appreciate it. Thank you!! :)
+Bailey Malik You're very welcome! Gel and hair pins/bobby pins - lots of them! Many folks used "Pump It Up" hairspray down there (regardless of ethnicity) - you might try to see if that locks it in place. Good luck!
Sorry if this has been asked already, but would it be better to get a pixie hair cut after BMT or before? I've been reading different responses that the TI's will give you a hard time if you have short hair like so as it comes off as faddish and boy-ish. Then I read that some women had wished they had cut their hair b/c it would've been easier to get ready.
I'm so worried about my hair when I get to BMT. I have curly hair & LOTS of it. I think I deff am going to need lots and lots of gel. Great video! thank you
You'll still be expect to slick your hair back out of your face, and pin it down/back if necessary, or make a tiny little ponytail. Your hair can't touch your collar at all.
I don't know about Canada, but in the USAF they won't - you need to have it be a natural, non-faddish style. I would dye it a solid color for BMT. You *might* be able to get away with it in the operational AF, but it depends on your command.
What about bangs for this look? I've seen SOME military buns with the short, blunt bangs...are they allowed? Can you grow them out some post graduation? Thanks!
I've been seeing videos that you have to cut your hair to your colar? Confused now, can you have medium hair at boot camp and put into bun or are they going to cut it?
I want to thank you so much for putting in the effort to make this video to help other women get ready for BMT.
I got so many comments on how bad my hair was at Army basic, my Drill Sgts gave me the nickname "Hot Mess" because of it. I had no idea how to do a sock bun when I got there, and I couldn't find any mesh buns at the PX, so it's awesome you posted this video. Really wish someone had told me I had to know this before going.
+Lulu Chains 88 Thank you for the compliment! I'm sure you've improved since then! :)
this is by far the best sock bun vid I've seen. I've started practicing with hair pins & I've grown to prefer them over bobby pins. they hold SO much better!
At my old ballet dance academy, we had to have our hair as perfect as this. If we had fly aways or it just didn't look properly done, our teacher would mess up our hair even more and restrict us from dancing because we would then need to fix our hair. Had to be slicked back. Had to be perfect. 😁 Strict stuff...
I can imagine! Great discipline though!
Then I would never be able to do ballet because of how messy and curly my hair is. There is absolutely no way that my hair would have no flyaway or even be slick
Your donut bun is the easiest I've seen yet - beautifully done - and u are a very beautiful lady - thank you for your service to our country...
This is the best tutorial of all. We have an ORI coming up and I'm so glad I found this before it!! Thank you for the awesome hair tips!
I'm 13 and have always wanted to be in either the army, marine corps, or the air force. It's videos like these that help me understand a little bit more what the military life will be like. Thanks, +AimHighErin
+Bella Chitty Best wishes to you! You've got a great start to tailor your education and training to achieve those goals!
This is honestly the most helpful and insightful video about hair in BMT, Thank you for all your help! I will defiantly be using these helpful tips when I leave!
SO glad to hear that this helped you! I teach at a HS and there's some JROTC cadets that could use the help. ;) Set the standard for the other females at your school!
This is the best military bun video I have seen it took me 5 minutes instead of 20 trying to get it just right
Jessica Christenson Thank you so much, glad you were able to make it work!
I leave in 3 weeks and got everything you mentioned in this video. Thank you.
My boyfriend says it's the best decision he's ever made. He's been very encouraging about this. Jokingly he says he should shave me bald so I won't have to worry about my hair lol. We'll see when that day comes. But thank you for your advice!
I definitely needed this. I leave for BMT in less than two weeks and have not mastered the sock bun yet, just a quick and semi-easy- with-minimal-flyaways bun. And I have longer thick hair, too. Thanks for the video!
THANK U! I was having a very hard time doing my bun.I hope my chief doesn't yell at me like last time....u saved me !Thanks!
I just got done reading your blog, and then came to youtube to practice my hair and stumbled across your video! So helpful thank you! I leave for BMT in 25 days! :) I am SO nervous. Lol it is funny that you say not to wear your hair the night before because that is what my older sister did when she went to BMT lol!
Awesome! Wish I was aware of something like this 17 years ago when I left for MCRD Parris Island. My hair is past my waist and my D.I.'s thought I wouldn't be able to manage, but all the hair products is what save me as well. Great demonstration. :)
Wow, things don't change much. I was in in the 80's and the regs were the same. 😃
Thank you for your service! Some things don't change, and that's good! High standards! :)
Thanks for the tutorial. I could never get this right. I join the air force cadets soon and I have really been thinking about the best ways to keep my thick curly hair in a bun. This is so helpful. Thank you so much!
Stick with it! Glad to help! TONS of product and pins is what I recommend, for sure!
thank you so much, I needed this for jrotc 😂
Awesome! Have a great year in JROTC!
Same 😂
In BMT we knew when our wake-up time would be and we'd get up as needed to prepare for it. There were no "surprise" early mornings that we didn't know about. Good luck at BOT, I'll be there eventually! :)
Hi I'm a freshman jrotc cadet! I am going to a veterans home tomorrow for veterans day to do a flag ceremony. this helped me out so much! Thank you [:
great tutorial! Im going to try to get the best dressed air cadet award and Your tips are gonna really helps me out!
Thanks to much for this video! I am going to join the Air Force ROTC in college, and later join the Air Force. I plan to keep my hair short, because it is naturally curly, and it works better that way for some reason, thanks again for the video!
You're welcome! Do whatever works best for your hair. Things will probably be different for you at ROTC anyway, and then pave the way for a nice transition into the regular AF. :)
@EssenceofAmber- Lots of product, can't stress that enough! And HAIR pins, not bobby pins.
AimHighErin thanks for your service to our country. Keep up the great work. Come home safe.
Just wanted to mention, this helps so much! Currently I am in JROTC looking to go into AFIT. My dream is to be in the Air Force:)
I can't thank you enough for this. Straight to the point love it!
Gabriela Young Thank you so much for your kind words!
OMG, this seems sooo helpful, I had short hair in BMT, but I will def. share this with my female recruits.....thank you
Glad to help! I bought mine at Walgreen's, but I hear they sell them at WalMart too! Sally's Beauty Supply sells one too, although you'll want to ask for a mesh "chignon" donut.
So glad you’re looking out for us blondes ♥️😂
I'm in JROTC and my problem is I have SUPER thick hair and my hair almost always ends up falling out. I don't like to use the dounut because it ends up looking really big and its too short to make a full circle but its too long to wear it down. Any advice?
Stacy Rodriguez slick your hair back with gel into a low ponytail. Then braid that ponytail and secure the end with a small rubber elastic. Then wrap the braid around itself but make sure that it doesn’t look pointy at the end (make it as flat as possible) and then secure any loose areas with bobby pins
this was the best but hair video I have found. thank you so much.
Hey Monica! If you can do it and avoid flyaways, it's totally fine! There were definitely other people who did French braids. Still bring product and pins though, just in case. Good luck to you! It's ALL about the May shippers! ;)
I am not aware of Army regulations while at BCT, but my husband went through (back in 2008) and he didn't think it was allowed. I'd check with your recruiter. Best of luck to you!
Damn, with all those products, under the summer sun, with a hat on your head... btw your videos are great, i love your attitude, help other ppl to get prepared for some of the "test" that can occur. Best regards Sir.
Many thanks for this, AimHighErin! I went through Army basic many years ago with a short wedge cut. Now that I'm out of the service and my hair's growing out nicely, I'm tempted to try some of the buns I saw back then. Given my natural curls, I'm hoping I can do it just as well as those with straight hair. ^^
You're very welcome! :)
This was actually super helpful. Thanks, my dude.
My favorite video for when I have inspection! :-) thanks so much!
You are so welcome!
I've watched this video about 20 times because no matter how much I try, I cannot make a perfect bun like you! I have slightly layered, long, straight hair, so you'd think it'd be really easy for me, but it's so frustrating! Haha. I mess up at the last step, the excess hair that you need to pin around the donut.. I have hairs sticking out EVERYWHERE, and the bobby pins don't help at all, because they end up hitting each other and popping back out! The bobby pins just don't stay..
Yes, you're allowed to bring the mesh chignons and supplies to BMT! MUCH better option than the real sock! Keep gelling and pinning all of those flyaways. Sally Beauty sells tiny bobby pins that you can use too.
Thank you so much. As a high school AFJROTC trainee I thank you.
You're very welcome!
By far the most helpful video I've watched!! Thank you!!
Thanks! As long as you don't have any loose hairs or pieces sticking out, you'll be fine! Just make sure it's secured with product and hair/bobby pins.
Hi Erin, what if my hair isn't long enough for a sock bun, but not short enough to be a bob? When I tie my hair, it's kind of like a tiny stub...
They're going to make you slick it back. Most of the African American women in my flight did their hair at night and helped each other out. Some were able to use relaxers while at BMT as well. There was a decent selection of products available at the mini-mall.
Thank you so much for this video! So helpful! I leave in four weeks.
You're very welcome! Best of luck to you!
Thanks for all your help with these videos. I'm recommending them to my friends :)
Mary, your best bet would be to get some practice in before you go. How tight are your curls? Practice using a TON of product and still doing the sock bun. Just remember to use tons of pins if you've got flyaways. It's either that, or braid/cut it off. :(
Braid and twist is totally fine, as long as you have no loose pieces or flyaways. You may still want to use product to keep it locked in.
Thank you, ill check that out! i have no idea what i want to do with my hair before i leave. i dont know if i want to cut it short or just leave it my longish link and just practice, practice, practice my sock bun before i leave. i want to make basic as stress free as possible...if thats even possible haha
I couldn't catch what you said about where you may keep extra hairpins. By my understanding, I heard they are NOT aloud in pockets but ARE aloud in ID tags? Thank you in advance! Thank you for serving this amazing country as well. :)
Very helpful! Unfortunately I'm growing out a bob right now and my hair isn't quite long enough. I can wear it in a regular bun though.I leave for BMT in a couple of months and need to know if my hair isn't long enough, will they let me wear it in a regular bun or will I have to cut it? Because right now my hair does touch my collar.
When I went through, the girls helped each other do their hair. Some are better at it than others. You can also go to the salon to get relaxing treatments, just ask your TI for an appointment to go get it done.
Pixie cuts work, as long as it's at least 1" long. It can taper in the back near your neck. Don't really remember too much about bangs at BMT, but prepare to have to slick/pin them back too. In the operational, you can have bangs though.
11 years later, I love this video!!! I loved the one of folding, but it's gone now :(. Any chance of reposting your folding videos?
What happened to the rest of
Your videos?
omg this was amazing helped alot!! straight to the point and very informative. but i have a slight problem, i have VERY curly hair and its is very hard for me to get a slicked back bun because of all the ridges unless i start from completely wet hair, can you wet your hair completely to do this, will i have enough time, and will i get in trouble for having really wet hair??
very professional video - thanks.
Helena Hayes You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!
This is so helpful. I leave in two weeks and I'm very worried about my hair. But question: should I bring product (hairspray and gel) with me or just have parents send it to me. I didn't know they were allowed to do so..
Thanks for this informative video. I've practicing my sock bun with an actual sock but been struggling with the little fly aways. Are we allowed to bring the mesh chignon, bobby pins, and hair pins to bmt?
Again thank you very much! This video helped me alot!
ahhhh thank you so much for this, I’m in JROTC planning on going to ROTC if I go to collage, and then the military.
Thanks this will hopeful help me when I join the airforce when I am older
Lauryn Bradshaw Good luck to you! An early start never hurts!
@Jessica Maira - Yes, that works! You just have to make sure there's no flyaways, like with any bun.
Totally your call - if you have a neutral colored backpack at home, stick with it. I just bought a $20 plain black duffle and it was a smart move for me. I preferred the duffle because you'll have to buy (or have) a plain, logo-free black backpack for tech school, so I just bought one of those when I was there.
Yes! Thank you for this! This was so helpful! I ship out in a month and my hair has been short for the last few years, so I'm a little out of practice with the styling. Thank you!
Quick question: What is the policy on bangs? I have them, and there's no way they'll be long enough to pull back by the time I go to BMT. What I understood is that they just can't touch the eyebrows. Is that correct?
Have you checked AFI-362903 yet? I'm not entirely sure. Have you tried slicking them back with gel and then pinning?
Hey, I leave for AFBMT next month and I watched your whole video and I gotta say that it's very well explained on making the sock bun.
I'm sorry that this is a really long comment; =/
Anyway,
I got my hair cut short (at least below my collar bone in length), got the small size doughnut mesh that comes in a pack with 4 hair pins and a hair tie, got some hair products (gel & hair spray) by TRESemmé...couldn't find the brands you showed on your video while shopping at Target to get some supplies on the list to take for BMT.
Before I cutted my hair, it was long and parted to the side...I didn't style my hair besides putting it up in a ponytail. I tried for the first time to do the bun...Never did anything of that sort in my life...So you can imagine that it would be difficult on the first try...which indeed it was. I didn't use the hair products I had brought for the first attempt. The next day I tried the bun for the second time with hair product.
When I finished, I found that my 1/2 of my doughnut mesh was partially uncovered by my hair...it had all fallen towards the bottom half of the bun and it felt a little loose...My flyways didn't seem to stay on my head no matter how much gel I applied around there. What bothered me the most is that the top of my head was stripped-looking, parted hair showing some of my scalp (zebra-head I call it). Every time I put my hair back it does that at the top and naturally tries to become all parted on the side. How am I supposed to keep my hair looking like yours (like you showed on your video) without my T.I.-to-be picking on me about it?
Practice, practice was my only advice given. Besides that,
A) What can I do about keeping my hair tighter on my bun when I spread it around?
- I used my gel and put a hair tie to keep in place but it wasn't enough...
B) Silly, but I need to ask. Do you put the Hair Pins in the mesh or under the mesh?
- I watched your video carefully on that part...might've misheard or forgotten if you mentioned where to put the Hair Pins as you pin it around the ends of hair around the bun, so yeah...
C) Should I change hair products, if TRESemmé isn't the one for me?
- I read the product labels prior to purchasing them to make sure it's meant to do what it says to do...When I did my bun with hair products, I did use water, the product didn't specifically say to apply water...
Thanks so much! I could definitely do one on blousing pants - going to be funny though, since I do it with my pants down. :) Talk about an awkward video! As for the beds, I hesitate to do it, since your MTI will show you how it's done and you use two flat sheets (no fitted sheet). Some of the bed making is done using markers on the bed (by markers I mean the rivet to show you how long it is), which I obviously can't replicate at home. Let me see what I can do though!
Your videos are so helpful! I have a question, I do the sock bun a different way where there's no hair left to wrap around at the end. Would that be aloud or should I start practicing this way instead?
Are you using bobby pins or the U-shaped hair pins? Those make a HUGE difference. Your layers may make it harder- Maybe trim them out of your hair right before BMT and get your layers back after?
@AimHighErin Thank you for your video! Any chance of reposting your folding series? :)
Im doing ROTC in high school and we have to put our hair up, im guessing like that? But this helps a lot!
AimHighErin
Hi Erin! I'm heading to BMT this May and it's been really helpful reading your blog beforehand. I have long hair and can do the sock bun but I'm also skilled at doing a tight, neat french braid quickly and it avoids using so many pins and product. Would that be allowed if I tucked the end under so it would not touch my collar? Thanks. :)
Great video, I now know how to do my hair well for air cadets 😄
Madison Lane Glad to help!
tarahloveshentai, have you tried doing a bun without the mesh insert? Or maybe a braided bun? As for red hair recommendations, DEFINITELY purchase all of the redhead supplies before you leave for BMT, as they (hair pins, hair ties, etc) need to match your hair and you won't be able to find them down there.
Thanks. I have dark red, do you think I can possibly go with a brown? I can't in-list yet for a few years, So it may change colors... Thanks!
Autumn Maynard I would try to keep it as close as possible - check a beauty supply store for sure.
Okay, I will Thanks!
+Autumn Maynard You're welcome!
this is exactly why I cut all my hair off.
I can't seem to find the rest of your comment, but YES, I would recommend that you bring those products with you, especially the donuts (at least two), hair ties, hair pins, and bobby pins in your hair color. Bring a travel sized gel and hair spray until you go on your first mini-mall run.
Love the video! Wish I had this when I was in.
Thanks!
Thanks, glad to help! Good luck with your recruits!
You're very welcome! Stay excited, it's an awesome journey!
Ma'am you have given me great advice thank you .. I will follow every step.. Again thank you
Nice bun! If you ever decide to cut your hair I am a stylist and I buy long hair to make extensions :)
I'm so worried about me hair. I have long straight hair like you, right now its got all over layers and I was wondering if it'll just be easier for me to just let it grow all to one length and have it cut to one length before I leave
You may be able to find some at a supply store, like Sally Beauty, or online. If you can't find any there, buy brown.
Best of luck to you!! You look like you're in great shape, so I am sure you will do great! You can probably do more pushups than me or beat me in armwrestling right now, lol ;)
No need to apologize! :) I personally kept it long throughout BMT and still have it long. I hate styling my hair when in civilian clothes and don't consider myself skillful whatsoever, and I was able to master the sock bun pretty easily. If you DO want to cut it right before you leave, just remember to follow the regulations (google AFI 36-2903) and get it done RIGHT before you leave so it doesn't grow in too fast.
I'm only watching this because I cut my hair off after growing it out for three years. I'm a guy and I'm not in the military, just missing having long hair. Your hair is nice
+57worldwide Thanks! Luckily it grows back, right?
I'll grow it back in a while
Amanda Dillenbeck, they are in the operational AF, but at BMT I never saw anyone with them on. If you do bring one, definitely make sure it matches your hair color.
Erin C Thank you! I just got my ship date yesterday of November 24th for 1N1X1! So hopefully my hair will be grown out long enough by then to not need one.
Oh my gosh I finally found someone! Which state are you shipping out from? That would be awesome if we ended up in the same flight
From Michigan! I'm so excited, it feels like forever until I leave lol
Oh yeah! I've been a runner for a while so I'm not too worried about that but I can't do pushups or pullups to save my life haha. And studying rank structure and stuff like that. What about you?
Ccnovacaine Wolf Pack You don't get to leave base at all until Saturday of graduation weekend. There is a salon in the BX on base, but those allowed to go there were limited in numbers. We did have at least one female get permission to buy relaxer at the mini-mall and apply it in the dorm.
THANK YOU so much!! I found this very helpful!! I leave for basic May 24th so I'm trying to prep lol I do have one worry though about my hair. I have A LOT of baby hairs and some super curly cowlicks around my forehead, will that gel straiten them out/keep them down all day? and if you have any other tips I would really appreciate it. Thank you!! :)
+Bailey Malik You're very welcome! Gel and hair pins/bobby pins - lots of them! Many folks used "Pump It Up" hairspray down there (regardless of ethnicity) - you might try to see if that locks it in place. Good luck!
AimHighErin haha I will. thank you! :)
I leave may 24th too!
+Cayla Greif I leave may 3rd!!!! I have the same curly baby hair problem lol
Good luck.
You'll shower after PT and in the evening. I was a summer BMTer, so it was once in the morning and once at night.
Sorry if this has been asked already, but would it be better to get a pixie hair cut after BMT or before? I've been reading different responses that the TI's will give you a hard time if you have short hair like so as it comes off as faddish and boy-ish. Then I read that some women had wished they had cut their hair b/c it would've been easier to get ready.
You're welcome! If you haven't seen the site already, check it out! TONS of information! Best of luck to you!
Just has to follow regs in AFI 36-2903. It can't touch your collar while in uniform, and you'll still have to slick it back and pin it.
When are you making more videos? I miss them!
+Nancy L. Thank you for the compliment! I don't have any plans in the near future, sadly. I'm just trying to stay afloat over here.
I bought mine at Walgreen's, but you can buy them at Sally Beauty Supply too!
thank you thank you! I'm definitely practicing before I go
You're welcome! Best of luck to you!
I'm so worried about my hair when I get to BMT. I have curly hair & LOTS of it. I think I deff am going to need lots and lots of gel. Great video! thank you
Ethel Tuthill You're very welcome! Good luck to you, there will probably be others in your flight with the same issue!
You'll still be expect to slick your hair back out of your face, and pin it down/back if necessary, or make a tiny little ponytail. Your hair can't touch your collar at all.
I don't know about Canada, but in the USAF they won't - you need to have it be a natural, non-faddish style. I would dye it a solid color for BMT. You *might* be able to get away with it in the operational AF, but it depends on your command.
What about bangs for this look? I've seen SOME military buns with the short, blunt bangs...are they allowed? Can you grow them out some post graduation? Thanks!
I've been seeing videos that you have to cut your hair to your colar? Confused now, can you have medium hair at boot camp and put into bun or are they going to cut it?
I always wondered how the women Marines did that. Can you PT with your hair like that or is there another, better, way to do it?