Hair Glossary

This bun is also known as a cinnamon (cinnabun), beehive, swirled, or pinwheel bun.   It may have other names

It's constructed like a cinnamon bun but using multiple twisted hair strands.

Start by gathering all your hair in a ponytail.  Position it anywhere you prefer on your head, from near the top to the nape of the neck. 

Many people prefer to base this type of bun at the middle of the back of the head, halfway between the top and the top of the neck

Don't secure your hair with an elastic after you have secured it in a ponytail. Instead, hold it in place with your fingers. 

Note: You can use an elastic if you prefer, but either cut the elastic off as you start twisting the strands or use it for practice purposes. Never use a rubber band or a hair elastic with a metal connector.  Either elastic can damage hair

Hold the ponytail at the very end of the tail.  Twist the ponytail clockwise until it starts to coil around on top of itself

Keep the bun flat with one hand, and continue to twist.  Let the hair coil around the inner parts rather than on top of the coil

Note:  If the hair coils on the outside, the finished hairstyle is known as a bee-butt bun.

When you have twisted the tail to the point where you have run out of hair, tuck the ends under the new twist. Secure the bun with the hair tool of your choice.

Many fans of this bun secure it with hair sticks, a hair fork, Amish hair pins, or Ficcare-style alligator-style (Concorde or banana) clips

Three Strand Cinnabun

An alternative style is made by separating the bun into three individual strands.

Gather all hair in a ponytail and secure it with a hair-friendly soft elastic.   You may prefer a skinny elastic in the same color as your strands

Separate the ponytail into three equal sections, similar to how you prepare your hair to braid it.

Pick up the first hair section from the end. Coil the strand and wrap it around the elastic ponytail base.  Secure the first section with a pin or hair clip when you run out of hair to wrap. 

Repeat the same coil and wrap action with the second strand of hair.  After the first two strands are coiled, wrapped, and pinned, finish with the remaining and third hair strands. 
 

Ensure all three sections are securely pinned to hold the bun in place

This hair bun can be worn casually, for work, or at formal events. 

If you prefer an alternative style, braid one, two, or all three separate strands before coiling them over the ponytail base

Experiment until you discover the bun hairstyle you like best for your hair length, type, and texture

This hairstyle requires shoulder-length lengths or longer strands.