How to Do a Braided Ballerina Bun — The Cool-Girl Way

August 06, 2020

By: Tembe Denton-Hurst | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

Some things never go out of style — like red lipstick, winged liner and the iconic ballerina bun. For most of us, our ballerina dreams ended long before we got to pointe, but the aesthetic is forever in our hearts (looking at you Essie Gel Couture Ballet Nudes). With that in mind, we’ve created the ultra-nostalgic braided ballerina bun tutorial ahead, which you can dress up with hair accessories or rock on its own for a classic look.

What You’ll Need:

Elastic Bands

Hair Brush

Bobby Pins

Hairspray

STEP 1: Create Your Sections

Section off a two-inch piece of hair from the front of your head. Pull the rest of your hair up into a high ponytail and secure with an elastic band.

STEP 2: Begin the Braid

Pull a 1/2-inch piece of hair from the front side and split into two separate pieces. Pull a 1/4-inch section out of the ponytail and start braiding with the other two pieces of hair.

STEP 3: French Braid Away

Continue braiding, using the French braid technique of gradually adding pieces to the braid as you work your way around the head. Stop once you have pulled all the hair from the pony.

STEP 4: Wrap It Up

Wrap the braid into a bun and secure with bobby pins. For a fuller look, loosen the bun with your fingers. Finish the look by spraying the hairstyle with a strong-hold hairspray (we recommend the Redken Control Addict 28 Extra High-Hold Hairspray).