How to make a Ballet Bun

The ballet bun keeps hair from flying in a dancer’s face; it also creates a clean, elegant line for the dancer. Follow these steps to make the perfect bun.
Materials List
- Spray bottle filled with watertoptional)
- Hairspray (optional)
- Hair gel (optional)
- Hair pins (Sturdy type with plastic tips.)
- Bobby pins (for performances)
- Elastic Hair band (pony-tail holder)
- Comb & brush (Fine tooth comb preferable)
- Hair net (Fine net with elastic edges. Should be same
color as hair.)
1. To start the process, lightly spray your hands and the hair with water. This will give you better control over the hair. Gather the hair and pull it back. Apply hair gel if you need more control over the hair.
2. Use a hair brush to smooth out rough or uneven areas. Form a pony tail by brushing the hair up from the jaw line to the top part of the back of the head. This will form a high bun.

The placement of the pony tail determines the height of the bun. Note: Short hair can be done in two braided pig-tails that are criss-crossed over the top of the head. For super short hair, use hair clips to fasten the hair down without a bun (or a wide elastic headband).
Note: Advanced students should create a center part before gathering up the pony tail.
3. Use an elastic hair band (pony-tail holder) to secure the pony tail (same color as hair). A tidylpony tail with hair drawn snugly back is the key to making a good ballet bun.
4. Apply more water or gel to keep the hair neat, and twist the pony tail tightly starting at the base.
5. Coil the pony tail into a tight circle to create a bun.
6. Wrap a fme hair net around the bun. Pull the hair net securely around the entire bun and tuck the edges of the net under the bun. Usually doubling the hair net in half will help. Make sure the hair net is the same color as the hair.
7 .Use hair pins all around the coil (bun) to secure it to the rest of the hair. (Hair pins should be the same color as hair). Slide each pin through the outer edge of the coil (bun), then flip the pin over & tuck it under into the base of the bun. Make sure the bun is slightly visible when viewed from the front like a sunrise (with your head in a level position).
8. A Large flat bun is preferable. If you need to reshape the bun, remove some pins; the hair net will hold the bun. Then reshape or flatten the bun and re-pin all around the bun. The bun should have the shape of a Kaiser roll or hamburger bun.
9. For performances you may need extra hold, when the bun is secured, use hairspray, then attach headpiece.