To make a proper ballet bun:

What do I need?

• hair brush with nylon or natural bristles (close bristles)
• large, covered hair elastic
• nylon hair net (matching hair colour-available in Wal-Mart and most drug stores)
• thick hair pins (NOT bobby pins).  Hair pins ( U shape) are thicker and will grip more hair.  Bobby pins will slide out of your bun.  Bobby pins can be used to secure hair net and any loose pieces of hair that do not fit into the ponytail (for shorter hair).
• hair spray
• hair gel

How do I make the bun?

1. Brush hair smooth and free of tangles.

2. Pull hair back neatly into a ponytail at the back of the head or higher, using a brush to avoid "lumps and bumps".  A tidy pony tail with hair drawn snugly back is the key to making a good ballet bun.  Placement of your ponytail determines placement of your bun.  Ballet buns should be at the middle of the head or higher.

3. Secure ponytail tightly with hair elastic.

4. Use hair spray to eliminate any "whisps" around the head, smoothing any remaining bumps of hair on the head.

5. Twist the ponytail as you gradually wrap it around the hair elastic, creating a tight, coiled circle, inserting hair pins as you wrap.  Be sure that your hair pins contain hair from both the head and the ponytail.  This will hold your bun close to your head.  Be sure to use plenty of hair pins (12-16 on average).

6. The idea is to have your bun tightly coiled around your elastic and secured to your head.

7. Once you have created your bun, wrap your hair net around it as many times as it will allow for a snug fit.

8. Hold the hair net in place with a few extra bobby pins, and hair spray or gel any whisps that are remaining.  

Short Hair        

• Short hair must be secured with a headband.
• No hair may be hanging in the face.  
• Please use bobby pins to secure any dangling strands of hair.