The ballet bun is a rite of passage, and the thing that separates a bun that lasts a whole class or exam from one that falls apart in the first jump is technique, not luck. Here is how to do a neat, secure ballet bun every time.
What you will need
- A brush and a fine tooth comb.
- A hair tie that matches the hair colour.
- A hairnet in a matching shade (the secret to a bun that holds).
- Bobby pins and hairpins, plenty of them.
- Gel or strong hairspray for flyaways.
- A bun donut or ring, optional, for volume or finer hair.
You will find nets, pins, brushes and styling products in our hair accessories range.
Step by step
- Brush and slick into a ponytail. Brush out all tangles, then gather into a smooth ponytail. Use gel or spray to tame flyaways. Position the ponytail where your school asks, most often at the crown.
- Twist into a bun. Twist the ponytail along its length, then wrap it around the base into a coil. For finer hair or more volume, wrap the ponytail around a donut instead.
- Pin the bun. Secure the coil with bobby pins pushed in toward the centre, spacing them evenly all the way around so the bun sits flat and firm.
- Cover with a hairnet. Stretch a matching hairnet over the whole bun, then twist and tuck it under, looping it around twice for a snug hold. This is what keeps stray hairs in and the shape neat.
- Pin the net and finish. Add hairpins around the edge of the bun over the net, then a final mist of spray. Check there are no loose ends.
Short or fine hair?
A bun donut is your best friend for short or fine hair, giving you something to wrap around and pin into. Use a little more product and a few more pins, and even shorter hair can hold a small, neat bun. Tuck any pieces that are too short to reach with extra pins and spray.
Making it exam and concert ready
For exams and performances, go firmer than you think you need. More pins, more net, more spray. The bun should not move when your dancer shakes their head. Match the net and pins to the hair colour so nothing shows under the lights.
Nets, pins, donuts and styling products, everything for an exam ready bun.
Shop hair accessories Browse all accessoriesFrequently asked questions
How do you do a ballet bun?
Brush hair into a smooth ponytail, twist it into a coil at the base, pin the coil firmly all the way around, cover the whole bun with a matching hairnet, then add pins over the net and finish with spray.
What do you need for a ballet bun?
A brush, a matching hair tie, a hairnet in your hair colour, plenty of bobby pins and hairpins, and gel or hairspray. A bun donut helps for finer or shorter hair.
How do you do a ballet bun with short hair?
Use a bun donut to wrap the hair around, add extra pins and a little more product, and tuck shorter pieces with pins and spray. Even short hair can hold a small, neat bun.
How do you keep a ballet bun from falling out?
Pin the coil firmly and evenly, then cover the whole bun with a matching hairnet and pin over the top. The net is what holds stray hairs and keeps the shape through class or a performance.
Do you need a hairnet for a ballet bun?
Yes, if you want it to last. A matching hairnet keeps every hair in place and holds the bun's shape far better than pins alone, especially for exams and concerts.
