How to Do a Messy Bun for Dance Class

Secure your hair in a bun to keep it away from your face.

A bun is the classic hairstyle of choice for ballerinas everywhere. Buns are streamlined and elegant, like the dancers themselves. The arrangement also keeps the dancer's hair away from her face. No girl wants loose hair flopping in her eyes during dance class. By securing the bun twice with an elastic band and bobby pins, you can ensure that your bun stays in place as you practice steps and routines, no matter how loose you style it.

Things You'll Need

• Brush
• Hair smoothing cream
• Hair elastic
• Bobby pins

Instructions

1. Brush your hair with a hairbrush to remove tangles. Brush all of your hair toward the back of your head.

2. Apply a bead of hair smoothing cream to your palm. Rub your hands together to distribute the product. Then, run your hands through your hair, from your hairline back. The cream smooths your hair and tames rogue hair wisps.

3. Gather all of your hair into a ponytail. Hold the base of the ponytail with your nondominant hand. Position the base of the ponytail on the back of your head. You can place it at the nape of your neck, the back, center of your head or closer to the top of your crown.

4. Brush your hair toward the ponytail to smooth the hair that is laying against your head. Hold the base of the ponytail with your nondominant hand, loosening it slightly as you brush your hair.

5. Loosen your grip on the ponytail base to let the smooth hair relax. The hair against your scalp should no longer look tightly pulled.

6. Wrap a hair elastic around the base of the ponytail, against your scalp. Double or triple the elastic until it is secure. Place your fingertips around the elastic. Pull hair on the side of your head gently to loosen it from the ponytail, making it appear messy. Keep the elastic against your scalp.

7. Wrap the ponytail around its base in a spiral pattern. It should resemble a cinnamon roll. Tuck the loose ends of the ponytail under the bun, if desired. Cup your nondominant hand over the bun to hold it in place.

8. Slip a finger into the middle of a bobby pin to open it slightly. Slide the open end of the pin into the bun, over the tucked or visible ends of the ponytail. Push the bobby pin into the bun as far as it can go. Keep your hand cupped around the bun for support.

9. Slide another bobby pin into the bun directly opposite of the first pin you inserted. Imagine that the pins meet in the center of the bun and make a straight line.

10. Add two more bobby pins to the bun. Place the third and fourth pins on opposite sides of the bun. Space the four pins evenly as if they represent north, east, south and west on a compass.

11. Slide additional bobby pins into the bun to secure it, if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Bobby pins come in two sizes. The small size is about 2 1/2 inches long. The large size is about twice as wide and 4 inches long. Use the larger pins if you have long or thick hair.