How to: Top Bun

Easy to pull together and super-versatile, the ballerina bun is a quick way to turn around a bad hair day. Tips ahead:

Ballerina buns are best suited for mid-length to long hair. If your hair isn’t long enough for a high ponytail, you wouldn’t be able to get a full bun. Consider clip-on hair extensions or a donut.
Buns are best on day-old hair; squeaky clean tresses equal flyaways. Add body to limp, fine hair with a dry shampoo and thickening spray.
For a voluminous, messy bun, create texture by curling/crimping sections of the ponytail or backcombing it using a rat tail comb before tying it into a knot.
Loosen out bits of hair from around your ears for a wispy, dreamy look.

To keep your bun looking perfect through the day, carry extra hair supplies like bobby pins and hair ties. These, along with a travel-sized bottle of hairspray, will help fix any stray strands that manage to escape.

Click through the gallery above for our pick of the best products.