thanks for this thread!
since i co-wash 3-6 times a week, and am almost 12 weeks post, my new functional bun is to just put the ends in a plastic bag after having gathered them together as if i were going to put on a scrunchie or something (scrunchies were always too tight and pulling, even for my loose buns, so i dropped them).
then i wrap the plastic bagged ponytail under until it is close to my scalp.
once it's secured, take some cut up stockings and wrap them around my baggied "bun" until you can't see the plastic bag.
then i decorate with silk flowers, feathers, claw clips and scarves.
no bobby pins, no scrunchies or ponytail holders directly on my hair, no twisting my hair directly into a wrap. it's all done with the plastic bag "covering" my hair (which has been moisturized and sealed before going in the bag).
if i want my edges to look smoother, i slick some jbco on, wrap only the front with a silk scarf and only for 5 minutes (that area is too delicate for tension and tight), then i "smooth" it with a wide comb (never even getting to my lengths, which are bunned in the plastic bag), like some of the ladies have mentioned.
Plus I look cuter.
aka I'm just getting lazy.
I figure I've got another 2 years, minimum, before I'm actually 'tempted' to wear my hair down regularly.
