Your hair does not have to be anywhere near as long as Laurie’s as long as you can divide it into these sections and have even very short ponytails (1 to 2″) you can use the bustle comb with the addition of fake hair on the comb and extra for chignons and twisted loops. For this time period and use of the Bustle Comb there is a basic starting point for adding the comb. I like dividing the hair into three parts. First from ear to ear and then down the center. All of the styles I show on Laurie start this way. The pictures I have are somewhat out of order but they will help. If you want to see more Bustle Era hairstyles without the comb to help you gets the basics down then you can check out a series of articles I did for Your Wardrobe Unlock’d.
Use a rattail comb to divide your hair into three sections. First from earto ear and then divide the front down the center. Even though we did not show it in this order it’s better to do your ponytail after having clipped off your side sections (below).
Make a ponytail about equal distance from your hairline in front and your hair line in back. As shown or, even an inch or two higher would be fine.
Use large clips to keep the front sections out of the way for now.
Comb one side’s hair straight out and start twisting it counterclockwise (on the left side) until the twist reaches almost to your roots. On the right side you will do the same thing but you will be twisting clockwise. Always twist away from the mirror towards you back. Note; Laurie did her side twists after we did the comb but I might be best done before.
Pin both twists at the top of your head just in front of your ponytail with large bobby pins and twist the rest of the hair together and rubberband it off.