Forget What You Know, THIS Is How to Do a Ballerina Bun (According to a Ballerina)

Step 1: Wet the Hair

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

To get started, Lauren uses a generic empty spray bottle (you can find one at a beauty supply store or drugstore) filled with water, then sprays around her hairline.

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Step 2: Add Product

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Instead of styling with gel as expected, Lauren prefers Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture and Shine Hair Smoothie ($10). "For me, I'd rather use something that's moisturizing for my hair to keep it in place, rather than gel or too much hairspray. I want to use as little hairspray as possible," she said.

She finger-combs the hair smoothie from roots to ends and takes extra care on the sides, where she has a lot of baby hairs.

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Step 3: Create a Ponytail

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Next, she takes a wide-toothed comb and runs through her crown to get up her hair. She also flips her head upside down to get the tightest hold ("it's the only way!" she explained).

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Step 3: Create a Ponytail

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Lauren uses two Goody ponytail elastics ($5) at the same time. She explained that it more securely places the bun high up top on the crown of the head, where it needs to sit for the tiara.

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Step 4: Divide the Ponytail Into 2 Twists

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To start her bun, Lauren divides her ponytail in half and twists them in opposite directions.

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Step 5: Twist the 2 Pieces Together

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Next, she cross-wraps those two twists together so "it looks like soft serve," she said. While she claims this way to do a bun is more for aesthetics, it also has a practical use. The twists add more texture and create an extrastrong hold for all the leaping and twirls she does on stage.

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Step 6: Pin the Bun

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Lauren said she prefers large, straight hair pins over ridged bobby pins. She works them in all around her bun.

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Step 7: Test Out the Tiara

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To see where she might need to make adjustments, Lauren places the Sugarplum tiara atop her head. "I want to fill out the crown a little bit better — it needs more in the back," she said.

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Step 8: Add More Volume

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To get that extra thickness in the bun for the tiara, Lauren gently pulls at the twisted pieces.

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Step 9: Add a Hairnet

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"This is a bit too frizzy for the stage. With these little pieces sticking out, our hair and makeup team would probably make me go back. Sugarplum Fairy can't have flyaways!" Lauren explained as she put on her hairnet. The net also ensures the bun will stay in place through all the partner work and vigorous movement.

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Step 10: Pin the Tiara in Place

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Dance headpieces are outfitted with horsehair lace and little holes signifying where pins should go.

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Finishing Touches: The "Zipper Technique"

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The coolest hack Lauren showed us backstage was "the zipper," a technique where you almost make a mini french twist at the bottom of the bun. You pin the twist all the way down toward the neck to better secure hair back. "It keeps stray hairs from coming out," Lauren explained. To finish, Lauren spritzes the back with Tresemmé Extra Hold Hairspray ($5).

"Everyone has their own methods. Sometimes, I'll do this twist bun, or I'll do one big 'cinnamon bun' and wrap it with a braid," she said.

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