by Jennifer Searle

Created on: December 05, 2008

There are several ways to create the perfect ballerina bun. Some buns are high on the top of the head, others are mid-crown level, and some are even at the nape of the neck, it all depends on the look you wish to achieve. There are also two different styles when it comes to buns, the tight twisted look, or the round slightly puffy look. Both are used by ballerinas, but the later is usually used on stage since it has a more professional look to it.

*CLASSIC TWIST BUN*

The classic twist bun, worn higher or lower on the head, is a simple type of bun that works best with hair that is longer than shoulder length, ideally over 14 inches from the nape of the neck. Longer hair can go either higher or lower on the head, as there is plenty of hair to twist, but hair that is 14-18 inches long from the nape of the neck goes better in a bun placed at the crown or mid way between the crown and the base of the hair line.

The hair can be put up either wet or dry and a spray shine product can be used to give hair that glossy look. Ponytail holders that are non slip and anti-tangling work best for buns. You will also want a fine tooth comb to use once the hair is up in the ponytail.

Start by brushing your hair upside-down, bending at the waist to gather hair high on the head, or farther back on the head. Gather the hair where you wish the bun to be, and begin brushing the hair into your hand starting at the nape of the neck working forward to the front of the hair line.

Once you have the ponytail made, secure it with your hair tie. Use the fine tooth come to smooth the hair up to the ponytail. Do not worry if there is a little bunching around the base of the ponytail as this will be hidden by the bun.

Holding the hair above the hair tie, begin twisting it, in either direction, from the base to the tip. As you twist, the hair naturally begins to curl over itself. This will be your bun.

Continue to twist tightly, until the tip is beginning to wrap around the bun. Hold the tip in place and secure it with a bobby pin. The large bobby pins if you have hair longer than 18" from the nape of the neck, or smaller bobby pins if you have shorter hair. Once you have secured the tip, begin to place bobby pins every quarter inch around the bun. It is best to place the bobby pins going slightly in the opposite direction of the bun's twist.

Once you have finished, spray with a firm hold hair spray, then with a shine enhancing spray. This will give you lasting hold, and high gloss hair.

* THE ULTIMATE

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