How to: Achieve the perfect knot

Top knot (or the ballerina bun)

STEP 1: The high ponytail
Comb out your hair and tie it up in a high ponytail (depending on how high you want your bun). Tie it up into a smooth ponytail with any bumps.

STEP 2: The donut
Take the donut and pull your ponytail through it. Then take your hair and spread it around the doughnut so that it is not visible beneath the hair. Take a hair tie and secure it around the donut.

STEP 3: The ballerina bun
After securing the hair tie, create two sections and pull your hair on either side.

STEP 4: Coil and secure
Once you have create two sections, take one and twist it, coiling it around the bun. Secure it with bobby pins as you go along. Repeat with the second section.

STEP 5: Final touches
To complete your look you can use hairspray to settle any fly-always or apply some serum.

Messy side bun

STEP 1: Gather and tie
Gather all your hair on one side and tie it into a ponytail. 

STEP 2: Teasing (back combing)
Divide your ponytail into small sections and tease it to create that messy texture and to add some volume. (Best trick for those with thin hair.)

STEP 3: Bunch and secure
Bunch each section and secure it in place with bobby pins to form a bun shape.

STEP 4: Take care of the bangs
If you have bangs that might have slipped out while securing your bun, simply give them a little twist and pin them back loosely with bobby pins.

Messy top knot

STEP 1: High pony
Begin by tying your hair into a high ponytail. It’s okay if you have fly-aways or bumps. You don’t want it to be too neat.

STEP 2: Teasing (back combing)
Lift the ponytail and tease the hair. Try to tease your hair closer to the hair-tie. Tip: if you have thin hair, you might want to tease your hair a little more.

STEP 3: Twist and secure
Split your ponytail into two sections and start twisting. Twist one section at a time and secure it with bobby pins as you go along.

STEP 4: Mess it up
After securing the hair with pins, you can start loosening the bun if you find it too neat and sleek. Also feel free to pull out some wisps.

STEP 5: Touch ups
You’re just about ready! Tip: use a little hairspray only if you want to set the hair slightly, so it doesn’t look completely out of control.

Fishtail-braided bun

STEP 1: Section your hair
Create a side parting (doesn’t have to be a neat or defined) and divide your hair into two unequal sections.

STEP 2: Braiding your hair
Take one section at a time and make fishtail braids. Secure both braids with a clear elastic band (you don’t want it to show through the bun).

STEP 3: Stretch out your braids
This is an important step especially if you’re looking to achieve a fuller bun. Gently pull the sides of your braid, and make it slightly messy.

STEP 4: Twist and secure
Take one braid and twist it, to form a bun. Secure it with bobby-pins. Take the second braid and twist it over the first. Secure it the same way.

STEP 5: Final touches
Use hairspray to set your hair and avoid fly-aways. 

Chignon bun (low bun)   

STEP 1: Comb and section
Use a comb to part your hair down the middle to create a centre parting.

STEP 2: Adjust the hair
Pull the hair back and adjust it behind your ears. Smoothen it out completely. Now pull it all together, down at the nape of your neck.

STEP 3: Get twisting
Gently twist your hair from the nape right down to the end (since this might be your first time you can tie the hair low at the nape to hold it in one place). Now take the hair and twist it counter clockwise to form a bun.

STEP 4: Secure
Secure the bun using bobby pins as you twist.

STEP 5: Almost set
You can add some serum or hairspray to get a super sleek, clean look.