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Oh yes definitely. I usually loop the tie around the base twice, and then around the back of the bun once to hold it tight against my head. I also usually pull the ends through the middle of the the bun first so it doesn't come loose. My hair is super heavy.

I've gotten some basic hair sticks at Claire's that have held up pretty well, but my favorites are these costume jewelry ones I found on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IRZ8B9C/ref=mp_s_a_1_11_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1478655305&sr=8-11&keywords=hair+sticks

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BM4GG9C/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are a bunch like them there. There are also some big hinged barrettes by the same company, and I have a couple, but they don't hold as much hair, so I pretty much just use them to decorate something that's actually secured with bobby pins or a hair tie.

I have one big parrot clip (that might not be the right name, but it looks like a toucan's beak) that I think I got at Walmart, but I actually like the regular sticks a lot better. It takes some practice, but now I think they're a lot easier to work with.

I know this isn't what you asked for at all, but as someone with really really long and thick curly hair I just got this brush recently and really have been enjoying it. It's all wood and the bristles feel great, not crazy expensive, and feels really sturdy. I've broken my last 3 hairbrushes by the handle and I can feel that its not gonna happen with this one. Really happy with it. Also I've heard that wide tooth combs are great? I've never tried them but it might be something to look into.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XW1EZM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It’s a piece of cloth or other material that’s kinda like a sock that’s open on both ends, but it’s ponytail sized. (Image: https://www.amazon.com/Wrapter-Hair-Wrap-Red-Size/dp/B00ABZSCHW#immersive-view_1539832457333)
They can be for fashion if you want, they are advertised as for motorcycle riders who don’t want their hair whipping around too much at 65 mph. I NEED them because my hair is getting too long to hide under a hat, and I work in a construction type industry with lots of motors that could rip my head off, glues and pastes that could get in my hair like gum, and a torch that burns pretty hot. Big safety reason. Keeping my hair in something like this makes my job much safer.

I'm a runner with shoulder-length hair. I usually run with a high ponytail using thick no-damage hair ties. 2 loops. If I want it really tight I can do 3 loops but I've noticed that will sometimes take hairs with it, while 2 loops doesn't.

Pro tip: (maybe?) I grab my bluetooth headphones before doing the ponytail and pull wire slack between the buds through, eliminating all of the wire bounce and any clips in one go. Just be careful pulling it out as the rubber (on most I've seen) will grab hairs.

I haven't found any split ends since my last trim about 2 years ago, so I think it's working well.

I've also started hot yoga and have been doing a low pony tail with the same hair ties. I think it's time to get serious about my learning to braid :)

After a workout I comb my hair gently from the bottom up with a wide-tooth comb. Before I shower. If it's really messed up e.g. from a long/hard/wet run, I use too much conditioner and comb that through - again, gently from the bottom up. Most of the time I simply rinse it without products, washing about once a week and conditioning 1 or 2 times as needed.

Hair ties: http://www.amazon.com/Scunci-Effortless-No-damage-Elastics-24-Count/dp/B002QA31SU/ref=sr_1_5

Thanks for starting the thread. I am also interested in this subject :)

Conair Firm Hold Bobby Pins are my go-to - they're longer and much stronger than normal bobby pins and they never slip in my hair (I also have very thick hair that can get slippery). I also use these hair pins for updos - they're better when you're trying to hold thick hair together in something like a bun.

As for styles:

• My failsafe is a braided bun. One braid from the nape of the neck down, wrapped into a tight spiral and pinned. I can have it hold up with only four Conair pins and maybe six or eight of the hair pins if I can't find the Conairs.
  
• If I want to dress it up a little, I do a French braid starting on one side of my head, but only taking hair from the "outside" of the braid (so the right if I start on my right side, or left if it's on the left). If you keep adding hair all the way around your head, you get a crown braid; if you do this only up so that it's parallel with where you started (generally I start right at one ear and end at the other) and then just finish the braid straight, you can wrap that in a spiral and then pin it. Now you've got a cool rose-shaped thing on the back of your head.
  
• Cheating! I make my own snoods, but you can buy them online (here's a cheap set). Snoods are basically bags to keep your hair in. They're easier for me than hair scarves (I always feel like I have to do origami to make them work), they can be pinned in place if you're really worried about them not staying up on their own, and they can be coordinated with your outfits.

Boars don't die for bristles (though they are certainly not treated too well). The alternative--plastics that do not biodegrade and don't last as long--isn't much better.


The ideal is probably "don't buy brushes" (or anything for that matter) but I don't know if that's feasible on a long hair forum. Wood/bamboo combs are probably the most eco friendly and vegan, but they can be sourced ethically or not. Plastics wind up in our oceans and landfills, destroying other habitats. To my knowledge there's no cruelty-free alternatives to BBB. this one has tepid reviews at best: https://www.amazon.com/Cebra-ethical-skincare-Sisal-Brush/dp/B00BRHN5IY/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=ox_sc_act_image_1&smid=A2ZDZACAMBG9OM


We all do what we can.

Also hip length, and I highly recommend the goody ouchless and Scunci No Slip silicone hair ties. I rarely ever have hair snarl on them and as the other poster mention they're much more versatile! Though for buns I prefer hairsticks or spin pins, as they are able keep the weight of my hair evenly distributed.

As for sleeping I have to detangle, and do very loose double french or rope braid. Too tight and it's uncomfy and causes fraying/breakage too. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase also helps too, as it causes less friction than cotton or polyblends. I've tried satin sleep caps, kerchiefs and such however I move around too much at night to keep them on. Though if you can wear them and keep them on many sing their praises!

Cheaper Off-Brand: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWMCL01/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yiKPDbZVATNZM

Genuine Wet Brush: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CS7TK7C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_EhKPDb9TSYZZN

Since I bought my brush it seems the price difference isnt as significant, so I'd probably go with the actual wet brush in the paddle.size for the extra couple dollars but that's obvi up to you!

I noticed my frizz calmed down a ton and my ends weren't as dry. My hair was all around more manageable and I experienced less breakage. I also started sleeping in braids which helped. Since then I've bleached the hell out of my hair so I dont think linking pics would be very helpful haha.

Seconded on braiding or otherwise binding your hair at night. Depending on if it's a wash day or not, I braid (wash days, and either English or rope) or bun it (non-wash days) on top of my head. Before I started this, I had one of three problems every night: either my hair would wrap itself around my throat and try to choke me, my spouse would lay on it, or I would wake up in the morning with a rat's nest. (Sometimes more than one applied.) Satin pillowcases also help with tangling overnight.

Try some different conditioners until you find one that works for you. My current favourite combo is Suave Naturals Almond + Shea Butter conditioner most wash nights, and then once every couple of weeks or so Lush's Retread conditioner (kinda pricey, but worth it imo). I also regularly use Lush's Rehab shampoo on my hair. YMMV.

Oh, and as a detangling agent, I fill a spray bottle half with Infusium 23 leave-in conditioner and half with water. The I23 lasts forever this way, and the mixture works well on my thick-fine-tangle-prone hair.

Have you tried Olaplex? Or oils like coconut oil?

Here’s a link for the Olaplex. I think that could really help you. It’s a little expensive but that’s because it works.

I honestly have never tried this. Can't give an opinion

https://www.amazon.com/BIOTIN-5000-mcg-Healthier-Vegetarian/dp/B00BPGPX1E

This was the one I was saying

try these

I use this broom which has a little foam insert that collects hunks of dust and hair.

This shampoo. I used it every day initially, now I use it about once every other week.

I ordered this about a week ago : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004H7GB9G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am going to pick it up tomorrow from the post, I believe this is a good one isn't it?

You could try these mini scrunchie things.

Just bought this pair from amazon a few days ago - seems to work really well, as I just did search and destroy over the last several days.

Try a Goody simple styles pin. My hair can't hold a bun without them! Maybe try two low braid buns to reduce the weight at the base of your neck?