by Nixie Lynn

Created on: December 04, 2008

The perfect ballerina bun took me years to conquer, but once I got the hang of it I became a pro. I can't begin to tell you how many times I was in class dancing and would hear something hit the floor and new it was my bobby pins. My teacher would always just look at me and smile and I would scurry over and stick it in my hair anywhere between the exercises. I am here to help, consider me a superhero or the ballerina bun if you will, I will teach you how to create a beautiful bun regardless of hair style, texture, or length.

Here is what you need:

1 or 2 Hair elastics

a straw brush or something with fine bristles

hair net

bobby pins

hair pins

Hair Spray

Ok before we go any further, you may be trying to figure out why you need bobby pins AND hairs pins and what is the difference? Bobby pins are the typical pins for your hair. They are squeezed tight together and one side is straight and one side is curvy. Hair pins almost look like an electrocuted bobby pin. The ends are not touching and both sides are curvy. You can find them at any drug store.

Step 1:

Put your hair in a nice neat ponytail. Make sure that your hair is completely dry and completely brushed out before you put it up. This ensures that it will undergo as little damage as possible. Make sure to keep a part in consideration. If this is for a competition or class always ask if there is a part and which side it is supposed to go to. If you have fine or very short hair, do not despair you can still do this! If you find you are losing the battle of control with your hair, use gel to slick everything back. Find something that isn't really sticky so that you don't look greasy.

Step 2:

Spin your hair around the pony tail. Try going both ways because your hair will naturally go around better one way than it will the other. You risk bumps and an uneven looking bun if you go the wrong way. Use either another hair elastic or a bobby pin to hold your hair in a bun.

Step 3:

Put the hairnet around the bun. The hair net should go around the bun more than one time. Make sure it is tight but do not rip it. Make sure you buy the colour of hair net CLOSEST to your hair colour. It looks really bad when someone with platinum blonde hair uses a black hair net. The idea of the net is that you aren't supposed to see it.

Step 4:

Use the hairpins and pin down your bun. Treat this step like sewing almost. Get the edge of the bun and some of the hair underneath and then stick the pin into the bun. Use this technique to get your bun as close to your head or as big as you need it. Put hair pins all over and keep doing this until it feels secure.

Step 5:

Give everything a once over with hairspray. Aerosol works best because it has a better spray and gets on the whole head easier. Spray everything. The less a ballerina bun moves the better.

Happy Bun making!

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