One of the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a dancer, is the iconic ballet bun.

We’ve pulled together tips and tricks to get even the most unruly and challenging coifs into a neat and tidy bun.

1. Resist the urge to cut! Try to hold off on cutting your dancer’s hair until May. The more hair a dancer has to work with, the easier it will be to pull it into a bun. Shorter and layered hair can require more bobby pins and hairspray to craft a bun.

2. Aim high. A high ponytail results in a bun at the crown of the head.

3. Start simple.  A traditional ballet bun is the best place to start.  Try this tutorial.

4. Unwashed hair is A-OK. If your dancer’s hair is thin or fine, it’s ok to not wash her hair the night before. The natural oils in her hair will make it easier for hair products to work.  Wet hair also works well, especially with fine fair.

5. Try teasing. Try teasing your dancer’s ponytail to create a bit more lift and volume. This helps add volume necessary to create a bun.

6. Bobby pins slipping? Spread out some bobby pins on a paper towel and lightly spray them with hairspray or dry shampoo. These “sticky pins” will stay put through rehearsals and performances!

7. Do the donut. If all else fails, try a bun donut.

8. Spray and net it. Wrap the bun in a hair net and secure it with bobby pins. This ensures that any fly aways are caught and stay smooth. Always finish with a healthy dose of strong hairspray. It is normal for hair to feel stick or “crunchy.” This is normal dance hair – it’s generally not touchably soft.  “Helmet hair” is a term that’s often used to describe a dancer’s head.

As always, your SDC instructors are available to answer any questions you may have!

Trip the light fantastic, dancers!

~Ms. Kerry