Needed Tools

  • Hair brush

  • Hair elastic

  • Hair net (in color of hair)

  • Hairspray

  • Hair gel

  • Bobby pins

  • Hairpins*

* The most effective pins for securing a bun are hairpins. Hairpins have several crimps (waves) in the middle of each prong, which help the pin grip the hair. The thicker, less flexible pins provide the strongest hold. Bobby pins are best used to hold down thin hair, flyaway hairs or bangs. To use the bobby pin, it is best to hold it with the smooth side on top.

How to Make a Ballet Bun

Ballet Bun Instructions

  1. Get the Hair into a Ponytail

    Brush all hair towards the center back of the head, gather into a tight ponytail, and secure with an elastic band, ensuring that there are no bumps. To stop fly-away hairs, apply a small amount of gel evenly from the hair’s roots to ends using your fingers or a comb. Very curly, thick, or fine hair may need to be gelled or sprayed before securing into a ponytail. Brush or gel bangs off the face and secure with bobby pins if necessary.

  1. Make the Bun Shape

    Hold the ponytail’s end and twist firmly until it is all twisted into a rope. Then, coil the ponytail into a flat circle around the hair elastic, continuing the coil in the same direction as the twist in the ponytail to prevent unravelling. Tuck the ponytail’s ends under the bun, securing it with hair pins without removing your hands (see next step).

  1. Secure the Hairpins

    Hold the pin’s closed end so that prongs face the center of the coil. Insert the prongs a little way into the edge of the bun, catching a small amount of the bun edge. Then turn the prongs in and back outwards to catch some of the hair outside the bun. Lastly, turn the prongs inwards again and push into the center of the coil. Insert as many pins as needed around the edges of the bun until secure. Gel or spray loose hairs so they stay put. Next, place a hair net over the bun and adjust the bun’s final shape. A finished bun should be round and even in shape, and sit smoothly against the head.

  1. The Shake Test

Once the bun is flat, pinned in place, and covered with a hair net, have the dancer shake their head around to see if it is secure. If any pins fall out, ask the dancer where it feels loose. A bun that is falling out can distract a dancer from class and can cause discomfort on their scalp.

Need Help?

You are not alone in figuring out how to put your dancer’s hair into the perfect ballet bun!

Check Youtube

There are many Youtube tutorials which will help you with tips and tricks, and with how to do a bun for different hair types.

Email Us

We’re here to help with your buns! Email us at info@socalballet.org.