8 Ways to Use Chopsticks in Your Hair

Putting up your hair with chopsticks (or hair sticks) is a popular style that women have loved for centuries. In fact, hair sticks have been discovered amid the ruins of multiple ancient cultures, including Egypt, China, Greece, Turkey, and Japan. In this article, we’ll teach you how to do some of the cutest chopstick hairstyles, including a traditional bun, French twist, and more. Keep reading to find the perfect style for you.

How to Do a Chopstick Hair Bun

Brush your hair to remove any tangles.
Lift your hair and place the chopsticks underneath.
Wrap your hair around the sticks until you can’t anymore.
Twist the chopsticks up, and push the thin ends through the wrap.
Secure the bun with bobby pins and hairspray as needed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 8:

Creating a Traditional Bun

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1
Locate a pair of chopsticks. The wooden kind from a restaurant will work in a pinch, but they can snap easily and cause splinters to get caught in your hair. If possible, opt for higher-quality bamboo chopsticks or plastic ones, which are inexpensive and tend to work best.^{[1]
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- Whatever you decide to use, be sure the sticks are clean and new!
- Metallic chopsticks are another option, although these may be a little more difficult to find.
- Check out the hair care aisles of your local drug and grocery stores—you'll be able to find a variety of different hair stick styles that you can experiment with.
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Brush your hair. Take care to get all of the tangles out before proceeding. If you have curly hair, use a pick to gently detangle any major knots and smooth it down before proceeding. Make sure to remove any hair accessories or bobby pins before starting the process.^{[2]
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- Many people find that chopstick hairstyles are difficult to achieve on freshly washed hair because clean hair can be very slippery. Whether this will affect you depends on the texture of your hair, but you may want to try this style on hair that hasn't been washed for a day or two.
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Lift your hair (or the section of hair you want to tie up) and place the chopsticks underneath it, slanting them while positioning.
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Wrap your hair around the sticks a few times. Do this until there is no more hair left to wrap around. The number of times you wind the hair will depend on how long your hair is.^{[3]
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- A chignon is an ideal hairstyle for adding chopsticks. In this case, make the chignon first, then push in the chopsticks for effect.
Insert the chopsticks into the back of your wrapped hair, pushing the skinny ends all the way through. This part may hurt slightly as the sticks pull your hair, but the final result should feel comfortable. If it feels uncomfortable, take the sticks out and try again.^{[4]
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If done correctly, the chopsticks alone should be enough to keep your hair in place. However, you may want to add a few bobby pins for additional security. Once the bun and chopsticks feel comfortable and in place, you’re ready to add any finishing touches.
If you're worried about the security of your style, try a short mist of hairspray all over the hairstyle. If you have bangs or short layers around the face, arrange them in the way you like best and give it all a short mist of hairspray to lock it in.

Method 2

Method 2 of 8:

Creating a French Twist

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Brush your hair. Make sure to fully detangle your hair before proceeding. If you have curly hair, gently run a pick through to manage and detangle your curls. Remove any and all hair accessories, such as bobby pins or barrettes, before attempting the hairstyle.^{[5]
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- Master hair stylist Nick Arrojo adds, “It’s better to leave your hair unwashed for this technique, as one or two days of unwashed hair will give your hair a natural texture that works better for holding your twist in place.”^{[6]
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- Have some hairspray and a few bobby pins within reach when doing this style, just in case you want a little more hold or security.
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Pull your hair into a low ponytail and twist the chopstick around it. Holding your low ponytail in your left hand, use your right hand to slide one of the chopsticks (pointy end up) diagonally under the ponytail. Twist the chopstick itself around clockwise, making sure that when you stop, the pointy end is pointing up, just like at the beginning.^{[7]
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- Twist the chopstick clockwise as many times as your hair will allow. Some people will only be able to do it once, while others will be able to twist it several times around. Once you start feeling your hair pull a little at your scalp, stop twisting.
- Hold on to the ends of your hair as tightly as you can throughout the remainder of the process, since the twist won't be fully secure until the final step.
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Push the chopstick all the way through the twist. Taking hold of the blunt end of the stick, pull it away from your head until it's almost horizontal. The pointy end will be pushed up against your scalp at this point. Continue this motion until the pointy end is facing down, and the blunt end is facing up.^{[8]
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- Once you've done this, the pointy end of the stick should be nestled about 2 inches (5 cm) deep at the very top of the twist.
Stop pushing once you have approximately the same length of stick poking out of the top and the bottom. The stick should pass through the twist itself, as well as the hair directly below the twist.
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Add the second chopstick and any finishing touches (optional). Gently let go of your hair and take a look at your results. At this point, you are still only using one chopstick. Feel free to stop here, or if you want a look using both sticks, slide the second stick carefully through the twist, taking care not to bump into the first stick.
- If you have short layers in your hair, the ends may be sticking out a small amount. One option is to bobby pin them and use a bit of hairspray to secure the twist.
- If you have bangs, arrange them in the way you like best, and give them a short mist of hairspray to lock the style in.
- Another option is to make this a very casual look, allowing your layers to hang loosely around your face. Arrange them until you like what you see.

Method 3

Method 3 of 8:

Doing a Casual Bun

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1
Brush your hair. Fully detangle your hair before proceeding. If you have curly hair, gently run a pick through to manage and detangle your curls. Remove any hair accessories, such as bobby pins or barrettes, before attempting the hairstyle.^{[9]
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- This is a very casual look that only takes about 15 seconds, so don't worry about getting your hair perfect before you start. Just get the tangles out.
- Have some hairspray and a few bobby pins within reach in case you want a little more hold or security.
For this style, the height of the ponytail is up to you. Do a low ponytail if you want the final look to be situated close to the nape of your neck. You can also gather your ponytail at a medium height or try it slightly higher than that.^{[10]
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Using your right hand, grab your hair at the ends and twist it so that your ponytail resembles a rope. Twist it as tightly or as loosely as you like, depending on how you want the final style to look. If you want the final style to be neat, twist it tightly. If you want a more casual look, twist it loosely.^{[11]
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Continue holding your hair in place with your left hand, and use your right hand to pull it around your left fist so it forms a bun. Keep twisting until you run out of hair, then tuck the ends of your hair under the bun.^{[12]
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Using your right hand, hold the chopstick so that the pointy end faces up and push it out through the center of the bun. You should have approximately the same amount of stick showing on both sides.
Hold the blunt end in your right hand as you do this. Pull the blunt end straight up, so that the pointy end brushes against your scalp, then points down. Push the pointy end back through under the bun, which will secure it in place.^{[13]
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Add the second chopstick and any finishing touches (optional). Let go of your hair and see if you like the final result. If you want a look using both chopsticks, slide the second stick carefully through the twist, taking care not to bump into the first stick. If you want some extra security, add a short mist of hairspray all over the hairstyle.^{[14]
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- If you have short layers in your hair, the ends may be sticking out a small amount. One option is to bobby pin them and use a bit of hairspray to secure the bun in place. For a slightly more casual look, allow your layers to hang loosely around your face. Arrange them until you like what you see.
- If you have bangs, arrange them however you want, then secure them in place with a bit of hairspray.

Method 4

Method 4 of 8:

Creating a Half-Up Bun

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Gather your hair into a half-ponytail. After brushing and detangling your hair, gather a layer of hair from the front of your ears to the back of your head into a half-ponytail. Leave the rest of your hair down.^{[15]
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Hold the ponytail in your left hand and loop your hair around it. Use your right hand to twist your hair around your left thumb to create a bun. Keep wrapping your hair until you can’t anymore, then tuck the ends underneath the bun to secure it.^{[16]
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Insert a chopstick through the bun. While holding the bun tight against your head with your left hand, take your chopstick in your right hand and insert it to the right side of your fingers. Push the tip out the right side of the bun, and press it against your head as you flip it to the right. Push the chopstick against your head until it comes out the left side of your bun.^{[17]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 8:

Creating a Half-Up Twist

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Gather your hair into a half-ponytail. To do this, trace your thumbs from the front of your ears to the back of your head, gathering that section of hair in your left hand. Make sure your hair is combed and detangled before beginning.^{[18]
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Place a chopstick behind your left hand. Keep holding your hair in your left hand. Grab your chopstick with your right hand and hold it parallel to your head, positioned behind your left hand. Bring your ponytail up and over the stick to the left.^{[19]
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Twist the chopstick a half-turn to the right. As you loop your hair over the chopstick, twist the stick up and to the right so that it’s horizontal again. The twist should feel tight at this point.^{[20]
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Flip the stick to the right and out over the left side of your twist. With your left hand, pinch the full left side of your twist. Push the tip of your chopstick against your head as you flip the stick to the right. Continue pushing against your scalp so the end of the stick exits out and over the left side of your twist, where your finger is. This should connect your twist to your head.^{[21]
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Method 6

Method 6 of 8:

Doing a Funky Roll

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Gather your hair into a ponytail. Brush through your hair so it’s completely detangled, then gather it into your left fist like you’re going to put it in a ponytail. Do not actually secure the ponytail with a hairband.
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Twist your ponytail and pull it up to the top of your head. Twist clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on your preference. The more you twist your hair, the tighter the finished look will be. As you twist, pull the ponytail up to the top of your head, leaving the ends out. Continue holding it in place with your left hand.^{[22]
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Insert the chopstick horizontally, then twist it. Feel your hair with your right hand to see which side is smoother, then insert the chopstick horizontally, starting on the smoother side. Hold the larger end of the chopstick in your right hand and bring it up and over your hair twist. Push it diagonally through your hair to secure a fun, casual style.^{[23]
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Method 7

Method 7 of 8:

Creating a Chinese Bun

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Put your hair into a ponytail. Brush your hair and make sure it’s free of any tangles. Then, gather your hair into a ponytail. Unlike the other styles we’ve demonstrated so far, secure your hair in place with a hair tie.^{[24]
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Push your chopstick through your hair above your ponytail. Insert the chopstick horizontally through your hair just above your hair tie. Make sure the chopstick is sticking out of your hair equally on both sides.^{[25]
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Split your ponytail in two and wrap it around the chopstick. Separate the hair in your ponytail into two equal sections. Bring each section up over the chopstick. Cross the sections of hair that hang down over each other, and continue wrapping and crossing until there’s no hair left. Secure any hair that sticks out with a small elastic band and tuck it under the bun.^{[26]
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- If you prefer, stick a second chopstick through your bun once you’ve secured it.

Method 8

Method 8 of 8:

Creating a Chinese Braided Bun

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Put your hair in a ponytail. This look is similar to the regular Chinese bun, except your hair will be braided. First, brush through your hair to remove any tangles. Then, put it in a ponytail, securing it with an elastic.
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Braid the ponytail into two sections. Separate the hair in your ponytail into two sections. Braid each section, and secure them both with elastics. Do your best to make sure the braids are of equal size.^{[27]
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Insert the chopstick and wrap your hair around it. Like the standard Chinese bun, insert the chopstick into your hair horizontally, just above the elastic of your ponytail. Bring each braid up over the chopstick and wrap the hair around it. Cross the sections of hair that hang down over each other, and continue wrapping until you can’t anymore. Secure the loose ends with a small elastic and tuck it under your bun.^{[28]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How long does my hair have to be to do this?

Community Answer

Your hair probably needs to be at least down to your shoulders.

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Tips

If the wooden chopsticks are too long, cut them down a little to suit your hair length. Smooth them off at the end with sandpaper before using.

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Decorate the chopsticks for added effect. You can paint them, or try gluing sequins or rhinestones on them as embellishments. You could even drill a small hole and thread sparkly crystal beads or small through them and tie them into place.

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Chopsticks also come in countless textures and finishes. If you have very thin hair, try sticks that have a textured finish from end to end. You may find they hold your hair up much better.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

You can put your hair in a bun using a hair tie and then put the chopsticks through the bun (it will look better if you get it through the hair tie).
Decorate colored chopsticks with flowers or other trinkets!
Wear combs with decorative flowers for an elegant look.

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Warnings

In many Asian countries, where chopsticks are used as eating utensils, this hairstyle is often seen as ridiculous or even stereotypical, especially for Asian-themed costumes (just think how silly you would look with a fork in your hair!). Instead, you could try using a hair clamp or decorative comb for a similar look.

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Your scalp will probably start hurting at some point; this usually happens when the style begins to pull as a result of the weight of your hair. If it hurts too much, just pull out the chopsticks and have your brush handy to tidy things up.

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