A braided ballerina bun is a classic updo that could be detailed in the salon or done with ease at home. Follow this basic how-to guide to get an elegant style in minutes, perfect for formal affairs or a romantic summer date night.
Hello beauties and welcome to Ask the Pro Stylist’s how-to Tuesday self-help hair guide. Having been away the past few weeks at two dance competitions, I was inspired by the thousands of ballerina buns. As a mother of boys, I don’t have the pleasure of applying makeup or styling updos for my dancers, except for my clients. In my search for a dancer-style do, the braided ballerina bun how-to fell into my inbox, which suited a summer hairstyle and fulfilled my dance inspiration.
I love braids, especially in the summer. Braids are suitable for any age as they add youthfulness, without looking silly, soften an updo and hide the grey. Now, I am not saying a 55-year-old should run around in pigtails, however a braid, if the hair is long enough, adds a touch of romance to elegant hairstyles.
Behind the Chair.com member Alwyn DiGregorio provided The Braided Ballerina Bun EXPRESS UPDO SERVICE on the BTC Community page. It is marketed to professional stylists for the “client that has a big event and needs a do that’s quick and easy—but doesn’t look quick and easy.”
DiGregorio uses basic braids and ponytails to complete her braided ballerina bun. But this salon style could also be done at home with a few tips, have a touch less detail, but still look beautiful. The BTC steps are below, with at-home suggestions from me in bold.
- Blow-dry hair until completely dry and spritz with Sebastian Volupt Spray.
- Pull hair into a high ponytail and secure around the base with an elastic band and bobby pins.
- Split hair into 3 or 4 sections, (depending on thickness).
- Spray one section with Sebastian Trilliant and loosely braid each section.
- If doing at home, use a dime-size amount of gel rubbed throughout the palm and through the hair as you braid to smooth layers and hold the braid in place.
- At the end of the braids, hold one of the three pieces tightly and slide the other two up toward the base and secure with a small rubber band.
- If doing this braided ballerina bun at home, skip the above step, secure the braid with a small rubber band and wrap around the ponytail, and fasten in place with a hairpin.
- Repeat the braiding technique on all remaining sections.
- Spray the ends of the braid with Sebastian Shine Define
BTC Braided Ballerina Bun
Visit BTC to get all of the steps for the braided ballerina bun. And be sure to stop by next Tuesday for another step-by-step guide for a fun summer hairstyle.
©Deirdre Haggerty, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this article may be reproduced without prior written permission and consent from the author.
A writer, author, NY State licensed cosmetologist, beauty educator and Executive Director, Deirdre Haggerty has been actively involved in the hair and beauty industry in New York for over 30 years. Feel free to ask any question relating to hair care, beauty and skincare! Send Deirdre an email 
You must be logged in to post a comment.