Short Hair Bun Tips?

[Copeland 2025]

Hey all,

I’m back for a little bit. I am fortunate are to have survived the summer and now I’m here. I’m putting this in the USNA forum since I’m a mid but it applies to anywhere really.

I decided to get the plebe chop for the summer (I cut my hair before coming to USNA) and I was very happy with the decision. It was so much easier to take care of, but I want my long hair back. I’m growing out the cut and I’m at a weird limbo where it’s touching my collar but it’s also too short for a bun. I’ve put my hair up before but only when I’ve had long hair, so advice from anyone who’s been through this stage is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[Capt MJ]

Consult upper class women who may have navigated this in the last year or two. Back when all female plebes had to get the plebe chop, the majority started growing it out second semester, taking advantage of spring break, intersessional leave (some days between exams end and when you need to be back for Herndon) and the winding down of plebe year and the relentless attention paid to plebes’ squared-awayness. Then you’re into summer leave block and cruises where ball caps might come in handy and your essentially transient status does not have the attention to everyday grooming by seniors that you have in your ac year company. By then your hair is more bunnable.

Expect to take some heat for having hair not in regs, but it does grow. If it grows fast, you could try to start it. Start before Thanksgiving and hope to avoid notice as you slide into winter break.

Weigh your craving for long hair at this very moment vs extra attention earned by “midway” hair as a plebe. If you are the only female plebe in your company attempting this barely two weeks into ac year, think about this from 360 degrees.

Google “military bun for short or growing out hair.” Tons of articles, photos, blog posts, YouTube videos.

Sock buns are good for short to long; you have to use a smaller sock or a knee high hosiery type sock. The squishy donut things at Walgreens and Target are too big. Military women have successfully used socks of all sizes for decades.
See this item from Google search string above:

Reality Check: Female Hair and Hygiene

Thanks to Mustang Lt. S, formerly a SIGINT Sgt, for her insight into female hair and hygiene at OCS. Female candidates, practice before you go so you don’t lose precious sleep time at OCS. Ha…

officercandidatesschool.com

Finally, Capezio Bunhead XL hairpins, at dance stores and Amazon. Invest in serious hair product for damp, dry or wet hair.

 

[CJS68]

These Bunheads U pins that Capt MJ reference are the best. Buy them directly from Capezio.
https://www.capezio.com/hairpins
A Hairnet is key as well- https://www.capezio.com/hair-nets
Eco gel (buy at Target) generously run through wet hair and combed through with a fine tooth comb to distribute the gel well and Elnett hairspray to finish it off.
My daughter also cut her hair last summer and was able to get it into a decent bun by mid fall with the above.

 

[Capt MJ]

Be sure to read USNA grooming regs for specifics. I don’t think Navy allows hairnets, but I admit to not having looked at the regs lately.

Of course, I just looked it up. Hairnets are not authorized unless for a specific duty. The only thing that came to mind was food service duty, which I am fairly sure midshipmen don’t do. I think the USNA regs are for the most part derivative of Big Navy grooming and hair regs.

It’s not the Eco Gel below with similar name.