How to Tie a Ballet Bun
Wondering on how to tie a ballet bun for your first ballet lesson? Worry not! Follow this Step-by-Step guide to tie the perfect ballet bun with us!
Gathering Your Tools
You need:
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Spray Bottle or Glass filled with water
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Hairspray
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Hair Gel
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"U"-shaped pins / Open Pins (With Plastic Tips)
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Bobby Pins / Closed Pins
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Elastic bands/ Hair Ties
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Comb & Brush
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Hair Net (fine net with elastic edges, hair coloured preferred)
For Long Hair (Shoulder Length and Longer)
01
Start by lightly spraying your hands and hair with water (or dampen with a comb dunked in water). This will give you better control over the hair. It is better NOT to have freshly washed hair for this. Gather the hair and pull it back. Apply a little hair gel to the hair. If your child has fringe/bangs, it should be combed up with hair gel so that there is no hair covering their forehead.
02
Use a hairbrush to smoothen out bumps and uneven areas. Form a ponytail by brushing hair diagonally up from the jawline to the back of the head for a high bun.
Tip: The placement of the ponytail determines the placement of the bun. A ponytail slightly below the crown of the head is good.
03
Use an elastic hair band to secure the ponytail. A tidy ponytail with hair drawn snugly back is key to making a good ballet bun.
Optional: You could braid the ponytail and secure the end with another elastic hair band before proceeding to step 5.
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04
Apply some water or gel to the ponytail to keep the hair neat. Then start twisting the ponytail to form a tight rope of hair
05
Coil the ponytail into a tight circle.
Tip: While coiling the hair, you can apply slight pressure to the top of the bun so that the hair remains in place.
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06
Use some "U"-shaped / open pins around the coil to secure it the to rest of the hair. Slide each pin through the outer circle of the coil, then into the base of the bun.
07
Wrap a fine hair net around the bun. Keep twisting and wrapping so that the hair net secures the bun. A hair net with the same colour as the dancer's hair is preferred.
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08
Use more hairpins to secure the hairnet over the bun.
Tip: For extra hold, use hairspray after the bun and hair net are secured. Bobby / Closed pins can be used to pin down any "wispies" or stray hair as a final touch-up.
For Short Hair (that can be tied into a short ponytail)
Follow the same procedure for long hair from steps 1 to 3.
Braid the ponytail as far as possible and secure the end with an elastic hair band. Then fold the end of the braid under and press it flat against the head. Secure the hair in place with hairpins.
Tip: For extra hold, use hairspray after the hair is secured. Bobby / Closed pins can be used to pin down any "wispies" or stray hair as a final touch-up.
For Very Short Hair
Dampen hair with a spray bottle or comb dunked in water and comb some gel through the hair.
If possible, make a small ponytail at the base of the hairline.
As you comb the hair back, secure loose hair with bobby / closed pins, then spray hair with hairspray for extra hold.
For Boys
Dampen hair comb some gel through the hair, including fringe / bangs
Part hair to one side and comb each side back, securing with bobby / closed pins as needed. Comb hair behind the ears and secure with bobby / closed pins as needed. You don't need a lot of pins, just sufficient for the hair to stay off the face for the lesson.
More tutorials are available online if you need more help, what matters most is that your hair is neat for class so that it does not affect your safety while you are dancing!