How can you get shoulder length hair into a ballet-style bun?

Question

I have to have a good bun (it can't just be the kind where you pull the ponytail halfway thru the scrunchie) for a play. When i put my hair in a ponytail, the ponytail is only about 5 inches long- not enough to twist the ponytail and wind it around the base like most people do. Any ideas?

Answer 1

How to Make a Bun

A bun is a versatile hairstyle--this look can range from simply functional for household chores to utterly sophisticated for a night out!
Steps

1. Spritz hair with enough water to make the hair pliable.
2. Apply the gel of your choice through your hair. To get the "slick" look, use a gel marketed to athletes (such as Dep). This type of gel usually helps fight humidity and calms the frizzies, especially in curly hair.
3. Secure your hair in a ponytail using a ponytail holder. Position the ponytail about where you want the bun to lie.
4. Twist the tail. Guide the twist into a coil around the ponytail holder. For people with longer, thicker hair, bobby-pin the coil into place as you wind it around and around the ponytail holder. People with shorter, thinner hair can often get away with winding and twisting the coil first and then inserting bobby pins about 45 degrees apart from each other (think of your bun as a circle).
5. Make sure to secure the end of the ponytail to the bun with a bobby pin.
6. To continue with that sleek, pulled back look, you may opt to wrap a hairnet that matches your hair around the bun. This will keep any stray hairs in place and is especially crucial if you are putting your hair in a bun to go exercising (so it will not fall out of place). Secure the hairnet with more bobby pins.
7. Spritz the entire hair style with hairspray.


Tips

* There are many variations on this hairstyle. Try parting your hair in the middle or on the side before tying it back into the ponytail. Leave a few strands out for the romantic look. Adjust the level of the ponytail (low, mid-head, or on the crown of your head). Experiment with falls, fancy hair clips, or fun barettes. Try braiding the tail before you wind it around into a bun. http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Bun

Other articles (instructions w/ photos): http://www.oregonballetacademy.com/schedules/wear.htm
http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/data/321/link/1890/bun.pdf
http://bongbaby86.tripod.com/id17.html

Answer 2

I have the same problem. I am a ballerina and I have to deal with this every week. Try this... take a shower, or wet down you hair because its a lot easier to work with. Then Put you hair in a pony. You know how after you put your hair in a pony, theres a lil hole that is formed because of the pony tail, well push down all the hair around that, and bobby pin it. I know its hard to explain without showing you, but also try the way where you twist the ponytail, but with your hair wet, and if you have lil pieces that stick out, try securing it with another pony tail, and use a lot of hairspray/gel to smooth those down!
best of luck
<3 balletbabe000

Answer 3

You may have to do it while your hair is wet, and ued bobby pins, the same color of your hair if you still have some wanting to come out.