Download Article
Download Article
This article was co-authored by Ndeye Anta Niang. Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the first female of her tribe in Africa to move to America and is now sharing her knowledge of African braids passed on from generation to generation.
wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.
This article has been viewed 412,212 times.
A military bun is a particularly tight and neat bun that is required for any long-haired woman in the military. However, the military bun doesn't just have to be for the ladies in camouflage! You can wear it to dress up your nighttime look or keep your hair under control on a windy day.
Steps
-
Make a ponytail in the middle of the back of your head. Secure it with a thick ponytail holder that you wrap at least 3-4 times around your hair. The ponytail should be very tight and close to your scalp. -
Wrap a second ponytail holder around the ponytail. In case the first one breaks or loses its elasticity, you'll be prepared.[1]Advertisement
-
Lift up the ponytail as you begin to twist it. Hold it up as you twist the ponytail tightly.[2]
-
Wrap the twisted ponytail around itself. Starting at the base of the ponytail, take the twisted ponytail and wrap it around itself as much as you need to until it is completely wrapped. Make sure there are no loose strands and that your hair is neatly wrapped without bumps.[3]
-
Secure the bun with 3-4 large bobby pins. Start securing the hair at the top of the bun, pushing the pins down to secure the bun to the rest of your hair. Try moving your head around—if the bun doesn't feel completely secure, try using a few more bobby pins until you can move your head in all directions without the bun moving out of place.[4]
-
Place a hairnet over the bun (optional). For an additional touch, you can place a hairnet over the bun, doubling it two or three times depending on the size of the bun.
-
Secure the hairnet in place. Use at least 2-3 small pins to secure the hairnet in place.
-
Spray the bun with hairspray. Smooth any flyaways with a little gel. Keep the hairspray with you throughout the day just in case you need to secure your look later.
-
![Step 9 Finished.]()
Finished.
"This was amazing. I am thinking of joining the navy when I am 18, so thank y'all." more comments
-
![Step 1 Brush your hair...]()
Brush your hair thoroughly. Spend a good few minutes running a brush through your hair until it feels smooth and completely tangle-free. Make sure that this is the first thing you do; if you brush your hair after you wash it, you'll be more likely to break and damage your hair.
Jen Atkin, Celebrity HairstylistBrushing your hair is paramount. "Brushing hair is the easiest way to keep hair healthy. It increases blood circulation to the scalp, which helps to bring oxygen and nutrients to the hair stem. The act of brushing can help to remove product build-up, dry skin and other impurities found on the scalp and hair."
-
![Step 2 Wet your hair.]()
Wet your hair. You can use shampoo and conditioner if you need it, but the main purpose of wetting the hair is to make it easier to work with. -
![Step 3 Dry your hair until it's damp.]()
Dry your hair until it's damp. Dry your hair with a towel and wring it out until it's nice and damp. If it's soaking wet, it will be hard to make a bun, but you won't be able to do it if your hair is completely dry, so don't blow dry it or wait to long before you make your bun. -
![Step 4 Comb your hair gently to get all the bumps out.]()
Comb your hair gently to get all the bumps out. Put a dime-sized amount of hair gel onto the comb and run it through your hair.
Comments
-
"Very nice tutorial. Im a teacher and this style has become my new favorite."
-
"Step by step tips and pictures of showing how helped." -
"This really helped for JROTC inspections!"
Community Q&A
-
QuestionHow can I do this bun without a hairnet? Will it even work without one?
Community AnswerIt will still work. The hairnet is only there to give some support and prevent strands of hair from coming loose. -
QuestionWhat if I don't have bobby pins?
Community AnswerJust put a hair elastic around it. Bobby or hair pins are a must-have for neatness though. -
QuestionWhat if my hair is too thick/layered to stay in place?
Community AnswerMore bobby pins, hairspray, and gel will do the trick. Another alternative is to cut the hair to a bob or shorter and pin the front hairs back.
Video
Tips
-
If you don't succeed the first few tries, don't worry; it takes time to master the military bun.Thanks
-
For a very formal, neat look, avoid using any colorful, girly, or bright accessories. This style doesn't go well with embellished clips, pins, or accessories either.Thanks
-
Give yourself 10-20 minutes to complete the bun, depending on the length and thickness of your hair.Thanks
Tips from our Readers 
- "Check your division's specific regulations. For example, the US navy doesn't allow hairnets and other sections of the army only allow certain dimensions for the bun. "
- "Some parts of the military require all hair to be above the collar bone. Check with your division supervisor for exact regulations. "
Things You'll Need
- 2-3 large bobby pins (similar to your hair color)
- 2-3 small bobby pins (similar to your hair color)
- A hairnet (similar to your hair color)
- 2 (metal-free is better) ponytail holders (similar to your hair color)
- Hair gel (cheap is okay, or make your own)
- Hair spray (again, it can be something inexpensive)
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about styling hair, check out our in-depth interview with Ndeye Anta Niang.
References
About This Article
To make a military bun, start by making a ponytail in the middle of the back of your head. Then, lift the ponytail up as you begin to twist the hair tightly, wrapping the hair around itself. Once all of the hair is nearly wrapped around the ponytail holder, secure the bun with 3-4 large bobby pins. Next, place a hairnet over the bun, secure it with a few more bobby pins, and use hairspray to help hold the hair in place. To learn how to prepare your hair for a military bun, keep reading!
