Make a Donut Bun

Create a perfectly shaped hair bun using a sock or store-bought form for this trendy and polished look. You can also create a looser, more casual donut using a couple of hairbands. In a few easy steps you can style a beautiful donut bun perfect for everyday wear or going out at night.

Steps

Using a Sock or Form

  1. Buy a donut form or find a clean sock. Donut forms can be purchased in the hair accessories section of the drugstore, but it's just as easy to make your own with a sock. You want a large, stretchy tube sock that's easy to roll. Use an old pair because you will be cutting the toe off.
    • It's best if you have a sock that's similar to your hair color, but any sock will work.
    • If using a store-bought doughnut form, skip to step 4.
  2. Cut the toe off the sock. You now have one long tube that's open at both ends.
  3. Roll the sock down. Take the top edge of the sock and roll it down toward the bottom edge. The sock will begin to form a doughnut shape. Make sure it's tight and evenly shape.
  4. Put your hair into a ponytail. The ponytail can be high or low, depending on what style you like. If you want your bun to look full, tease your ponytail a bit to create more texture. If you want it to look smooth and sleek, comb your hair straight.
    • A donut bun will hold best in second or third day hair, since it's not as slippery. Use a little dry shampoo if your roots are oily.
    • If you're working with clean hair, spray it with a light coating of hairspray to add a little texture to your hair so it will stay in the bun.
  5. Pull the ponytail through the hole in your sock donut. Make sure all of your hair gets through the hole. Slide the sock donut a few inches down your ponytail so that the tips of your hair are sticking out of the hole.
  6. Spread the tips of your hair around the sock or donut form. Tuck the tips under so that your hair is evenly spread in a donut shape, covering the sock or form.
    • This step takes the longest, because you want to make sure your hair is completely covering the sock or form. Try to spread it out evenly without leaving any gaps.
    • If your hair isn't thick enough to cover the sock or form, you may want to start over with a smaller sock.
  7. Roll your ponytail into the sock or form. Begin rolling it down toward the base of your ponytail to create a growing donut shape. Make sure your hair is getting neatly rolled into the donut. Keep going until the donut is flat against your head.[1]
    • Is your hair too short to roll? No problem! Simply gather your hair over the donut form or sock in a donut shape. Use a hairband to secure the tips of your hair in place.
    • For extra hold, use bobby pins to secure the tips of your hair in place.
  8. Check the donut to make sure you can't see the sock or form. Use two mirrors to view the back of your head. Your hair should be completely covering the sock or form to hide it from view.[2]
  9. Use bobby pins and hairspray to hold it in place. If the donut seems a little loose, pin it against your head using a few bobby pins. Use firm-hold hairspray to keep your hair from getting messy.

Using Two Hairbands

  1. Put your hair in a ponytail. Gather your hair and put it up in a tightly secured hairband. Either a high or low ponytail works equally well.
  2. Tease your ponytail. This will help make it easier to handle as well as giving your donut bun more volume. To tease your ponytail, hold it out straight, insert a comb near the tips, and backcomb toward the base of your ponytail.
  3. Gather your hair into a donut shape. Do this by finding the center of your ponytail and evenly gathering your hair around its base, so that your hair forms the shape of a donut. It may take a few tries before you're able to gather it evenly.[3]
  4. Secure the tips of your hair with as second headband. Holding the donut shape in place with one hand, use a second hairband to secure the tips of your hair around the base of your ponytail. Wrap it around several times to make sure the bun doesn't fall out.
    • At this stage, check your donut bun in the mirror. Make sure the hair is evenly gathered into a donut shape.
    • If it feels too loose, use a third hairband to keep the tips of your hair in place.
  5. Pin the donut bun against your head. Use two or three bobby pins to secure it flat against your head. This will help to prevent it from falling out.
  6. Finish with firm-hold hairspray. This will keep the bun from falling out as you go about your day.



Tips

  • Try not to make the bun too tight, or it can hurt your head after a while and might give you a headache.
  • If it's the sleek look you're going for, a scrunchie or decorative hair tie can cover up messy patches around the bun.
  • Use a bigger donut for longer hair.
  • The store bought donut is made with a mesh material that allows the pins to go through, unlike the sock.
  • The bun will need to be tight so before you do anything make sure your ponytail is tight.
  • You can use the excess hair to make a braid around the bun.
  • Leave two strands on your shoulders before doing this. Once you finish, braid both strands and then pull them up, and wrap over your head to your ear. Pin it, and you have a halo braid bun style!
  • You can do this while your hair is damp, so after a few hours when you take it out you will have curls! It's best to do it before you go to bed after taking a shower. In the morning it's ready to go.
  • Leave excess pieces of hair loose for a messier, casual style.
  • If you are doing the sock method, use a sock similar to you hair color.
  • If the excess hair coming out of your bun is long but not long enough for it to wrap around, hide them with a scrunchie.
  • Make sure the hair is brushed well and has no frizz before you start.
  • A preformed doughnut bun shape can be purchased from drugstores or beauty supply stores to be used in place of a sock. Their benefit is that the material mimics the color and texture of natural hair.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush
  • Sock or donut form
  • 2 elastic bands
  • Bobby pins
  • Mirror
  • Hairspray

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Sources and Citations

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