Bun Heads

Each year we receive a few questions about the shellacking of the duo's hair for their ballerina buns.  Our strategy, with a few secret weapons, is outlined below. 

1) Start with damp (but not wet) hair.  Mist hair thoroughly and style into a sleek ponytail. (I prefer a slight side part in the front versus the hair all brushed straight back.)

Gracie, shown with a side part

This is probably obvious, but I would be remiss in not mentioning it.  Please do use a substantial pony tail so that the pony is firm, doesn't droop and can support the weight of the bun.  (I like Goody's Ouchless.)

2)  Apply Paul Mitchell's Wax Works, otherwise known as "Secret Weapon 1". 

3)  Twist hair into a bun and secure with spin pins, otherwise known as secret weapon 2:

The spin pins are invaluable.  Prior to discovering them, I used 25-30 bobby pins to secure Gracie's hair.  Now I simply slip two spin pins in place, and the bun stays tightly secured for hours. 

4)  When the duo were younger, we had to utilize a hair net to keep their baby fine hair secure.  Hair nets can be somewhat obscure so allow some time to shop around.  To procure ours, we went to Walgreen's (I think my exact words were, "I'm here on a hot, hair net tip... do you have them?") and Rite Aid.  With the latter, Skip talked the friendly associate into "checking the back," where a few were finally located.  This is secret weapon 3 and is optional, depending on hair length and texture. (We no longer use them, but they were necessary our first year of dance.) 

5)   Apply hair spray liberally (obviously).

Ta-da! 

Hopefully, this makes getting ready for performances and recitals easier.