Hair: The Sock Bun

A couple of days ago, I discovered how to use a sock to create the perfect bun. This technique gives your hair look much more volume than the average topknot, and best of all--it is super simple and easy. All you'll need are two hair elastics, one sock (preferably a thicker / longer one), hairspray, and day-old hair--I find that this style works better with slightly grunge-y hair because it results in a more deliciously textured and fuller bun. Wait, was that kind of gross? Whatever. Of course if you want to recreate a perfect ballerina bun, then by all means--brush all that hair out beforehand!

First of all, we're gonna make a donut out of your sock. I recommend using a sock that comes close to your hair color --unless you're into that peek-of-color which is totally cool, girl. Just snip off the toe-end and begin to tightly roll the sock (outwards), until everything has been tucked into the cuff. Now you have lovely a sock donut to work with!

Tie your hair into a very tight ponytail using one of the hair elastics. You can technically place this ponytail anywhere, but I personally like to create a higher bun that sits atop of my head.

Next, take your sock donut, slip it through, and bring it to the end of your ponytail. Begin to tuck all the hair into the donut as you roll it down to the base of the ponytail.This step might feel a bit awkward at first and you might question yourself and wonder: "Am I doing this right?" but trust me, just keep moving forward (or downwards). Don't worry about dispersing the hair equally around the donut, because it will happen as you move further along and you'll soon see how the hair nicely gets sucked up into this gradually fuller bun.

After you've rolled the sock donut all the way down to the base of your ponytail, make sure you get all the hair in (or as much as you can) and it's totally okay if there are a couple of strands sticking out because hair spray and the next step will take care of those flyaways!

Now, don't let go yet! Using your free hand, quickly set the bun with the second elastic (I usually wrap my bun around twice--but for some of you who have more hair to begin with, once will probably suffice... just make sure the bun relatively secure and isn't flopping all over the place!) Generously spritz on some hair spray and voila, you're done!

I think this hair style is simply great for when you want to pull all the hair out of your face (or are in dire need for a haircut) and maybe want to try something other than the go-to pony tail or bun. This technique is also extremely forgiving and perfect for beginners! I'm not really too big on hair, but this was a lot of fun so I think I'll try some new things in the coming weeks! Hope you all enjoy :)

sincerely,

goodwillgrrl

Subversive Kawaii

I discovered EGL fashion and lolita subculture my sophomore year and immediately fell in love with the way these girls fashioned their hair with lustrous curls and dainty little bows, sporting elegantly crafted dresses fit for a china doll. There was something just so surreal and enchanting about the way they present themselves to the world. I never actively dressed like them myself, but oh how I would vicariously live through these blogs and websites. It was a secret identity--my alter ego you could say, and nobody at school really knew about it. By day, I would walk through the mundane; but by night, I would learn all the techniques to achieving perfectly coiffed hair complete with Zooey D. bangs or princess perfect nails bedazzled with sparkles and glitter-- all the while, attempting to fulfill my passion for living in a dream world. And just so you know, all this was before tumblr had been around.

Lolita fashion was probably one of the first instances when I really, whole-heartedly embraced fashion and understood that this subculture was not merely a means of self-expression--but more deeply, a way of life. My hunger for porcelain skin and an Angelic Pretty wardrobe died down after a year or so, sadly putting these cake-sweet fantasies to an end. However, I did choose to paint my entire room a shade of bubblegum pink though--which was probably the greatest effort I've made to incorporate an element of the loli subculture into my life outside the online world.

I recently stumbled upon subversive kawaii when I revisited a blog I used to frequent all the time in high school for old times' sake. I think my best attempt to describe this new phenomenon is: ultra badass-ness hidden beneath a generous layer of pink sprinkles and buttercream frosting. However, what intrigued me most was the seemingly all frills and pink facade enshrouding a darker message. At first glance, you might completely miss the strikingly obvious nuances--but that's what I love about it: the subtle juxtaposition between the two contrasting entities is refreshing because it gets you thinking. Subversive kawaii is weird and new and exciting all the the same time--and as a result, far more challenging to immediately understand and label. Has girl power and new-wave feminism reached a new platform? As she presents herself in total deception, she still remains true to self, uncompromising her values for nobody.  

yours truly,

goodwillgrrl