Tools

Above: Double Row Wide Tooth Detangling Comb

This is the only styling tool you will ever need. Not only can it detangle better than anything, but it can grasp every layer of very long hair in one stroke. This moves your hair with minimal fuss.

Its teeth only have to be long if your hair is curly. Mine is straight, so a similar comb with shorter teeth also works for me. It's the double row that's important.

I found mine at a shop specializing in African American hair. Sally Beauty Supply also sells these for less than five bucks. Amazon sells them for closer to ten.

Above (left to right): U-shaped hair forks, long hair forks, metal bun sticks, and plastic bun sticks.

The hair accessories you find at the supermarket stop working once your hair grows beyond the middle of your back. The only thing a ponytail tie is good for is sealing a braid; anything else will sag out of it.

So what will actually hold your hair up? Hair forks and bun sticks! U-shaped hair forks can hold a narrow coiled bun. Long (<5") hair forks can hold a wider lazy wrap bun. Bun sticks can do anything.

Most of them come from a factory in China, including the less expensive "handmade" ones on Etsy. Mine are from Temu, Shein, and Amazon. Most were multi-packs that netted down to less than $2 per hair accessory.

Proceed to Updos for examples of how to use these tools.