by Victoria International Ballet Academy 

For any ballerina, knowing how to make a secure and durable ballet bun is extremely important. Whether it is a regular class, or a very important performance, if a ballerina’s hair is not pulled back securely in a tight bun, she will have to brush it off her face constantly hence, hindering the quality of her performance. 

Learning how to make a ballet bun may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually very simple. With regular practice and the right technique, anyone can learn how to make the perfect bun!

To make the perfect ballet bun, you will need;

1. A hairbrush 
2. Hair elastics
3. Water, hair gel or hairspray
4. Bobby pins 
5. A hair net

Step 1: Detangle your hair with a hairbrush. Brush it straight back to form a ponytail. You can also use a little water to smooth out the strands and make your hair manageable. 

Step 2: Pull your hair in a tight ponytail, using the hairbrush to remove any bumps. The ideal height for the ponytail would be on the crown of your head. You should be able to see the top of the ponytail poking up when you look in the mirror. Although, a tight ponytail is the best to ensure durability of the bun, do not make it so tight that it causes a headache, or tension. 

Step 3: Secure your ponytail with an elastic band to obtain a strong foundation for the ballet bun. Feel free to add a little hairspray to ensure it does not budge. 

Step 4:  Twist your ponytail into a tightrope, but make sure it is not too tight that it could damage your hair. You can also split your hair in two halves. This can make twisting easier. In both cases, the following steps remain the same. 

Step 5: Start wrapping your hair in the direction that you twisted it. Keep the rope of hair as close to the ponytail holder as possible, using bobby pins to secure everything. Use bobby pins that match the color of your hair. U-shaped pins are a great option to secure ballet buns as they hold more hair and for a longer time. 

Step 6: Put on the hair net on your bun and spray some hairspray or gel on and around it to tame any frizziness. This is not compulsory, but can help with the durability of the bun. 

Just these six simple steps, and your ballet bun is ready to go! With just a little practice, you can become an expert in ballet buns. For a more detailed and pictorial step-by-step guide, you can also refer to this video here.