A beautiful ballet bun is part of every dancer's costume. It keeps hair safely off the face and neck, shows off clean lines through the head and shoulders, and tells an examiner or audience that you've arrived prepared. The good news? With the right tools and a little practice, a neat, secure bun is easy to master, whether you're getting ready for your first concert or your next grade exam.
What you'll need
- A brush and a fine-tooth comb
- A strong hair elastic, matched to your hair colour
- Bobby pins and U-shaped bun pins, matched to your hair colour
- A fine hairnet, matched to your hair colour
- Water spray, gel or hairspray to smooth flyaways
- A finishing touch, such as a bun wrap, hair comb or bow
Step 1: Smooth and gather
Lightly dampen the hair or add a little gel, then brush everything back into a high ponytail. For most classical work the bun sits on the crown of the head, roughly level with the tops of the ears, but always follow your teacher's preference. Brush out any bumps before you tie the elastic, and make it firm. A loose ponytail means a wobbly bun.
Step 2: Twist and coil
Twist the ponytail firmly from the base to the ends, then wrap it around the elastic in a flat coil. Keep the twist tight and the coil flat against the head rather than piled high. Tuck the ends underneath as you go.
Step 3: Pin it like you mean it
Push U-pins in around the outside edge of the coil, catching both the bun and the hair underneath, then turn them back in towards the centre. Add bobby pins anywhere that feels loose. Give your head a gentle shake. If anything moves, add another pin. A bun should survive pirouettes, jumps and a quick costume change.
Step 4: Net it
Stretch a fine hairnet over the bun, wrap any extra around it again, and secure it with a few more pins. This is the secret to that smooth, polished shape, and it stops strands escaping mid-variation.
Step 5: Smooth the finish
A light mist of hairspray or a dab of gel tames baby hairs around the hairline. Check the back and sides with a hand mirror, because examiners and audiences see the bun from every angle.
Finishing touches for exams, concerts and competitions
For exams, the look is usually simple and tidy, so a neat bun with minimal decoration is the safest choice. Always check your teacher's or exam board's guidelines before adding accessories. For concerts and competitions, a finishing piece can lift the whole look and tie your hair in with your costume.
A ballet bun wrap sits around the bun to frame it with flowers, pearls or sparkle, and adds extra hold too. A hair comb slides in beside the bun for a delicate accent, and bows are a sweet choice for younger dancers. For principal roles or special performances, a tiara or bespoke headpiece designed to match your costume really shines under the stage lights.
Quick bun tips from the wings
- Practise before the big day. Do a full run-through in class so there are no surprises.
- Pack a hair kit. Spare pins, a hairnet, an elastic and a small hairspray in your dance bag can save a performance.
- Short or layered hair? Use extra gel and pins, and a bun wrap helps hide shorter ends.
- Very long or thick hair? Split the ponytail into two sections and coil them one at a time for a flatter, lighter bun.
A polished bun gives you one less thing to think about, so you can focus on your dancing. Every Petals en Pointe piece is handmade in Australia and sent to dancers around the world, ready to add the perfect finishing touch from the studio to the stage.