To ask how do people wear their hair up in a ponytail or bun without looking like Miss Trunchbull??

[TheScreen]

To ask how do people wear their hair up in a ponytail or bun without looking like Miss Trunchbull??

Just that really. It's too hot to have my long thick hair down, but anytime I wear it up I cannot help feeling I look like Miss Trunchbull. Does anyone have any advice?

I used to have long hair and wore it up most of the time at work. I don't THINK I looked like Mrs Trunchbull!

I either had a French plait which was tucked up under itself, or a twisted chignon - if that helps.

I am 61 with long grey hair that I sometimes wear in a bun, and this has never crossed my mind. A ponytail is an very mainstream hairstyle and nothing like Miss T. A bun is less popular these days, but there are an awful lot of famous women from the past or fiction who wore their hair like this, and you could easily resemble one of them instead. Unless you are going around bullying small children in public, I don't think this is a problem?

It’s a risk if you don’t have a fringe or layers!

Can you pull some side bits out to frame your face?

Push the pony up to create some height and secure behind with some kirby grips?

There are also tips online to make your pony look thicker; might help.

Get a doughnut thing and position it higher up on your head so you see the bun rather than stark Miss Turnbull face.

Alternatively you could plait it in two plaits and pin them up?

Fishtail braids on either side would leave the back of your neck clear and cool.

It's called a "schemie facelift" in the west of Scotland. Council (housing) scheme, or estate.
Aye but, naw but.

Just have a prettier face than Miss Trunchbull I guess so don’t have to worry about it!

Look on social media for videos of how to do a messy bun etc. TikTok is the best for tutorials I find and you don’t have to be a hairdresser to achieve them.

I would start by avoiding wearing a belted closed jacket with a tie and a skirt.

As it’s think and long, can you do the knot so whisps poke out above your head? Or use a clip to take the front and sides back first, creating a bit of a puff at the top and sides, then pony the rest? That’s a bit softer.

I used to use clips at the sides to get a 50’s winged roll, then take the rest back. That makes the hair squarer than the face, which helps soften it!

Like this… google 50’s up do.

I use a big crocodile clip, I think its a softer look, hair isn't scraped back tight and some tendrils fall out. Its quite forgiving of my hair is due a wash too!

Ah yes good idea - a claw clip thing can give you nice waves too - twist the hair into a thick strand, gather it up so it fits in the claw clip - and voila waves when you take it down!

OP you can get claw clips for thick hair; think mine was from Boots on an emergency sudden hot day in London.

I'm in my 60s and don't look as good with my hair up as I used to, but my hair is layered round my face a bit so I pull out some strands to frame my face, which is more flattering!

Do a low ponytail that rests on the front of one shoulder

Like this (not me in the pic, from a shampoo ad)

@Quine0nline
I live in the West of Scotland and I've never heard this! You've given me a good laugh. Thanks!

My DDs are in their 30s and they both put their hair into sleek ponytails. It’s a pretty universal style. Im obviously older and use a clip and twist my hair up into the clip. I think the tight ballet bun is actually ok too. Lots of people like the sleek look of them. I don’t think anyone judges these buns negatively at all.

I can safely say I have never thought anyone wearing a ponytail or bun looked like miss trunchbull. I genuinely don't think this is a risk unless you make a habit of throwing children round by their pigtails.

Banana clips are good. They make the pony tail look longer. You'd need a decent size one for thick hair though

I find leaving a "front bit" out makes all the difference, especially if I give that bit a quick curl with straighteners. Also I've recently found putting the pony slightly higher and adding a floofy scrunchy or scarf makes it feel more intentional and less "i havent washed my hair in a while".

I use a crocodile or banana clip so it's softer. If I do the slicked back bun thing I look like my father in drag.

I think ponytails are more associated with ariana grande.

A very tight bun can look rather Miss Trunchbull in an older woman but I would think more ballerina in a younger woman. So it depends on the rest of the styling.

I'm in my mid 50s before anyone accuses me of being ageist.

I don’t wear my hair back in a bun or ponytail for the same reason, and I think it must be a combination of a strange hairline and a slightly chunky neck. I always look like Miss Trunchbull with that hairstyle and have just accepted it.

Other women look great but their face shape seems to suit it. Instead I can wear my hair in a low ponytail or bun and that looks much nicer/softer on me.

I saw something on Tiktok about how the proportions of your face make a huge difference to what hairstyles look good. I don't remember what is was called but if you pull your hair back and see only forehead, then you need to add some height to the hair. I'll try to find the video!

I just use my fingers to comb it back rather than a brush or comb, that seems to make it softer and a bit messy, which is the antithesis of Trunchbull.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNR3GnvRM/

This was it. If you have a low cranial top then you get the Trunchbull effect (like me). I do a high, messy bun then fluff up the hair at the top of my head and add some face framing strands. It looks so much softer.