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Ballerina Bun: How to Create a 'Downtown' Ballerina Bun

by Julie Redfern Davis (Subscribe to Julie Redfern Davis's posts)
Posted May 3rd 2010 at 4:00PM  
59 Comments
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Cameron Diaz and Sarah Jessica Parker have both recently been spotted in 'undone' ballerina buns. Photo: Getty Images

Paired with boyfriend jeans or a glamorous red carpet gown, the disheveled, downtown ballerina bun is proving to be one of the most versatile hairstyles around.

Easy to achieve (it takes minutes) and a stylish alternative to a ponytail or perfectly coifed chignon, celebrity stylist and Hair Basics expert Ted Gibson calls it, "cool, hip and modern." Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie and Rachel McAdams must agree: all three starlets were recently spotted sporting one.

What we love most about this easygoing style: there's no right or wrong. The look is intentionally tousled, making it the simplest style to achieve on your own. Watch the video and click through the step-by-step gallery to learn how to achieve the look at home. And visit our Hair Basics section for more easy hair how-tos.



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Hair Basics: Ballerina Bun
The downtown ballerina bun is a celebrity favorite. A little messy and a lot modern, celebrity stylist and Hair Basics expert Ted Gibson gives you the step-by-step on how to wrap one.
Peter Buckingham

Hair Basics: Ballerina Bun

The downtown ballerina bun is a celebrity favorite. A little messy and a lot modern, celebrity stylist and Hair Basics expert Ted Gibson gives you the step-by-step on how to wrap one.

Hair Basics: Ballerina Bun

Shine Serum
Apply a shine product (about a nickel-size) to dry hair, working it through from roots to ends. "This helps create shine, calm frizz and add texture," says Gibson. "Using your hands is most important thing because you don't want it to be contrived or too stiff or too close to head," he adds.

Hair Basics: Ballerina Bun

Pull Hair Back
Using your hands, pull the hair to the back of the head-ponytail style. "What's important about this particular look is to not have it too high or too low. We want it more in the center of the head," says Gibson.

Hair Basics: Ballerina Bun

Fasten the Hair
Once the hair is pulled back, fasten with a bungee elastic (each end has a hook). Wrap it securely around the base of the ponytail until it's snug.

Hair Basics: Ballerina Bun

Twist and Wrap
Pull the ponytail horizontally, and then twist the hair until it twists on itself. Wrap the remainder of hair around the ponytail. Allow any hair that sticks out to stay that way-the bun is meant to look a little messy.

Hair Basics: Ballerina Bun

Secure Bun
Secure the hair with bobby pins by inserting them into the top and bottom of the bun. Finish with hairspray to hold the style and tame any flyaways.

Hair Basics: Ballerina Bun

Finished Look
Carefree and cool, the downtown ballerina bun looks great day or night.

Hair Basics: Ballerina Bun

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Filed under: Cuts & Style, Hair, Hair How To
Tags: ballerina bun, BallerinaBun, buns, downtown bun, DowntownBun, hair basics, hair basics video, hair video, HairBasics, HairBasicsVideo, hairstyle videos, HairstyleVideos, hairvideo, ted gibson, ted gibson hair basics, TedGibson, TedGibsonHairBasics, updo hairstyle videos, updo hairstyles, UpdoHairstyles, UpdoHairstyleVideos
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READER COMMENTS

(58)Add A Comment

Peg, 5-04-2010, 3:22PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Peg

Too bad the "model" has those stupid tattoos plastered on her neck and behind her ear. Ruined a perfectly lovely hairdo.

Reply »

amy, 5-31-2010, 8:45PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
amy

the tat isnt that bad!!!!

»

Daria, 6-01-2010, 1:01AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Daria

Just because she has a tattoo doesn't make her any less of a model. Minus the fact that tattoos have NOTHING to do/affect the hairstyle. I don't feel putting quotes around model was appropriate at all. For many people, they get a tattoo that means something to them. You don't know what that tattoo means to her. You have no right judging anyones tattoo because you don't know what it means to them. I have a tattoo of a ribbon on my back with MS on it. Does that make me a horrible person because I have that? No, it doesn't. It's my way of showing that I have personally been affected by MS, but most people would not know that without actually seeing it and asking me about it. Do not judge someone you do not know.

»

Jill, 5-04-2010, 3:45PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Jill

Wow- pretty much every girl at my daughters high school and middle school have been wearing their hair this way for at least 2 years now!

Reply »

Holly, 5-04-2010, 4:28PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Holly

To each their own. Decorating your body with a tattoo isn't much different than wearing makeup, jewelry or even having permanent makeup applied. She modeled the hairdo just fine. Why are you so self righteous and judgemental? Lighten up.

Reply »

cmg, 5-04-2010, 4:35PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
cmg

i remember doing that style back in high school, not a new style at all..

Reply »

Deb, 5-06-2010, 2:33AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Deb

Ummmm... this is not new or "special" in any way. I achieve this look without serum or even an elastic. I just twist and wrap, then tuck in the ends. No hairspray, nothing. Just slightly loose and it keeps my hair out of the way. It doesn't take a celebrity hairdresser or a model to make this a big deal. It's just that a few celebs have been seen doing it and it is all of a sudden "fashionable." If enough of them were to say, braid their hair first, then wrap it in a bun, then that would be the new "latest style." Wait... I may have justy sparked the latest trend!

Reply »

kate, 5-04-2010, 5:30PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
kate

Peg, your comments about the tattooed model come off as shallow and stupid. While tattoos may not be your "thing" many people consider tattoos works of art. As a heavily tattooed woman I find it offensive that someone could be so terribly judgemental and shallow. The model (and I will not use quotation marks to describe her) is a perfectly beautiful girl who just happens to have some decoration. I truly hope that at some point you will experience the same predjudice against you that you have put out into the world.

Reply »

Heather, 5-04-2010, 6:10PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Heather

For those of who grew up when tattoos were usually worn by sailors, convicts, bikers, etc., tattoos can be distracting> Especially when they aren't tastefully designed and done. My daughter has tattoos and I have accepted that she loves them. She already regrets having the word succubbus tattooed on her back bikini line. I once saw a man with a crescent moon and three stars behind his ear. I thought it was the best tattoo I had seen. Not liking tattoos isn't a matter of judgement though. It's a preference. Maybe not using the word stupid in connection with tattoos is more mannerly.

Reply »

steve, 5-04-2010, 6:26PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
steve

Holly.....I agree with you. People are such idiots....

Reply »

Cait, 5-04-2010, 7:31PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Cait

i am just gonna stop watching the second i see this guy's face in a video, they are all worthless, that bun is nothing special, its just a bun, i could do that myself when i was 5... i think i have wasted enough time on his worthless "advice"

Reply »

marie, 5-04-2010, 8:46PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
marie

Check out Leviticus 19.28 - tattoos are a sin. They all turn ugly with age anyway.

Reply »

kate, 5-05-2010, 12:33PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
kate

why don't you take your own advice and take a look at John 8:7- If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her... see even us tattooed "sinners" can quote the bible. why don't you leave the judgements to God? if you believe so deeply in your religion, why can't you just rest easy in your snug little bubble of self-righteousness, comforted by the thought that all the decorated heathens will burn in hell?

Reply »

Deb, 6-29-2010, 12:14AM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Deb

Kate- It's OK. I'll be burning in Hell right next to ya! Heck... it's gonna be a party in Hell. ALL my friends will be there, so what's the problem?

Reply »

shannon, 5-31-2010, 8:14PM

1 star vote downvote upReport
shannon

i love how this became a topic on tattoo's anyone who lives in the world now a days and STILL believes tattoo's are wrong should just lighten up and grow up already... yes maybe back in the day- when none of us were even alive, might i add. they were considered wrong, however i dare you to find someone who doesnt have one now a days i have plenty and so do many people i know. does that mean we are "evil" a "sinner" or trash? no! anyone who complains about someone's else's decision to do what they want to their own body needs to shut up and remove the stick from there butt.
get over yourselves! if you dont like them dont look at them.

Reply »

Mary, 5-31-2010, 8:30PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Mary

I agree with many others, I'm 53 years old & I wore this bun 30 years ago. Absolutely nothing new about it at all. It's the same as everything, they show news specials about things Moms have been doing forever...

Reply »

Nick, 5-31-2010, 8:33PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Nick

Marie, just like a self righteous so called "Christian" to quote Leviticus when it suits them.

Do you wear clothing of mixed fabrics?

Ya, i thought so....

Also, I should state that I have nothing against Christians, just those that quote sections from the Torah whenever it is convenient to them and then conveniently decide to ignore the rest.

I bet you don't mix meat and milk or eat anything with split hooves right/that doesn't chew it's curd, right?

Before you use Leviticus to judge other people, try reading the rest of it. Thanks.

However if you are an ultra-orthodox Jew that follows all of this, well you've got me beat then.

Reply »

Tabby, 5-31-2010, 8:32PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Tabby

The bible also says it's not your place to judge anyone. Before you quote the book you may want to actually read it.

This has been popular for the last 10 years, at least. Messy buns are far from new.

Reply »

triviasmagic, 5-31-2010, 8:40PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
triviasmagic

I can beat that i've been wearing my hair exactly that way for 12 years now...since i was in high school. still now when i'm in a hurry to get out the door just throw up the hair in the same bun that has suddenly become a "fashion do".

Reply »

VALENCIA, 5-31-2010, 8:52PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
VALENCIA

WHERE DO YOU BUY THOSE BUNGEE ELASTICS AT?!?!

Reply »

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