Make a Perfect Ballerina Bun

Ballerinas getting ready
Luis Alvarez / Getty Images
01
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Dampen Hair

Ballet dancer tying hair in bun
Hill Street Studios / Getty Images

A 'ballerina bun' hairstyle might look complicated, but as long as your hair is long enough to pull into a ponytail, the style is actually quite simple to achieve. 

First, comb out your hair, making sure to smooth through any existing knots or tangles. Next, lightly dampen by spritzing with a spray bottle of water or smoothing down with wet hands or a comb. 

02
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Brush Hair

Ballet bun smooth hair
Photo © 2008 Treva Bedinghaus, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Brush all of your hair back. Using a hairbrush, smooth the hair back neatly. Make sure there are no stray hairs in your face, as a ballerina must look neat and tidy.

03
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Make a Ponytail

Ballet bun ponytail
Secure with elastic. Photo © 2008 Treva Bedinghaus, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Next, position the ponytail on your head wherever you want the finished bun to be located and secure your hair tightly using an elastic ponytail holder. The ponytail must be tight in order to finish with a tight bun, so wrap the ponytail holder several times, depending on the thickness of your hair.

04
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Smooth Ponytail

Ballet bun smooth ponytail
Photo © 2008 Treva Bedinghaus, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Using a brush or a comb, grasp the ponytail with one hand and brush the hair with the other, smoothing all loose hairs into place.

05
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Twist the Ponytail

Ballet bun twist
Photo © 2008 Treva Bedinghaus, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Next, using both hands, twist the entire ponytail into a tightrope. 

06
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Wrap Hair Around Base

Ballet bun wrap
Photo © 2008 Treva Bedinghaus, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Now, start making your bun. Begin wrapping your hair rope tightly around the base of the ponytail. You'll want the twist to be tight against your head, so continue twisting your hair as you wrap it around.

07
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Tuck Hair Ends Under Base

Ballet bun tuck
Tuck ends. Photo © 2008 Treva Bedinghaus, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Once your hair is twisted into a bun, tuck the ends neatly into the ponytail base, making sure to tuck all loose ends in cleanly.

08
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Secure with Hair Pins

Ballet bun secure
Photo © 2008 Treva Bedinghaus, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Finally, making sure to incorporate a bit of hair both from the bun and from your head into each hairpin to ensure the bun stays put while you're dancing, secure the bun with hairpins. 

Several hairpins will be needed to adequately secure your bun if your hair is extra thick or long. 

09
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Spray Hair

Ballet bun spray hair
Photo © 2008 Treva Bedinghaus, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Now that your bun is in place, lightly spray with hairspray to secure the hairstyle and ensure that no stray hairs will escape as you dance.

10
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Ballerina Bun

Ballet bun
Photo © 2008 Treva Bedinghaus, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Your ballerina bun is now complete. Your hair is neat and ready to withstand as much dancing as you need to do. Smile -- you have accomplished the perfect ballerina bun!