Best for: With a polished blowout, curly or straight hair will work equally well.
Schlenger's how-to: Prep hair with a high-shine smoothing serum (try Biolage Smoothing Serum, $14.99) and blow-dry hair away from the face. Secure a tight ponytail at the center back of your head and separate the ponytail into two sections. Clip the bottom section out of the way temporarily. Loop the top section downward and secure with pins under the base of the ponytail. Then use the bottom section to wrap around the base of the bun and secure with another pin. Finish with a shine spray all over for a glam look.
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Nina Dobrev's Topknot/Ballerina Bun Hybrid
Best for: Long hair that's been blown out for a smooth look.
Robles' how-to Flip your head upside down and gather your hair into a high ponytail. Smooth the hair on the back of your head with a bristle brush (tip: apply hairspray on the brush before you brush your hair). Tightly secure the ponytail with a hair tie and tease your pony. Then lightly go back over it with your bristle brush to smooth it without taking the tease out. Next, slowly wrap your pony around the base and tuck in any hairs that are sticking out. Secure with bobby pins. Finally, mist on a hairspray and apply a hair wax for a smooth finish.
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Hailee Steinfeld's Coiled Bun
Best for: The longer the hair, the better, says Schlenger.
Schlenger's how-to: Secure a smooth ponytail at the center back of the head and apply a shine serum liberally through the entire tail. Holding the end of the tail, twist the hair until it begins coiling onto itself. Allow it to take its natural shape until you can't twist anymore. Tuck the loose ends under the bun and secure with a pin. Tame flyaways with a strong-hold hairspray like Rusk W8less Plus Extra Strong Shaping and Control Hairspray, $14.
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Sarah Jessica Parker's Pillow Bun
Best for: Long, thick hair, says Schlenger.
Schlenger's how-to: For an extra dramatic look like Parker's, extensions are ideal (try Hairdo by Jessica Simpson 21" 100% Fine Human Hair Extensions, $186). Start with a tight ponytail in the center back of the head. Separate the tail into four sections. Working one section at a time, loop the hair out and away from the base. Bring the ends back to the base and secure with pins. For larger loops, use a second pin to keep the loops tight to the head. Spread out the hair to create full, smooth loops. Finish with a strong-hold hairspray.
From the runway to the red carpet, the bun hairstyle has been influencing women since its first appearance in ancient Greece. While it has taken on many forms (ballerina, knot, braided) and meanings (in Chinese history, a woman's bun revealed her marital status), it is a true style staple. A go-to for a polished look -- or even just to disguise a bad hair day.
Right now the bun is seeing sexy updates at every turn. Hot starlets (or really, their stylists) are reinventing the wheel, creating new, cute ways to wrap hair around a ponytail.
So go ahead -- put some bravado behind that bun. Here's how.
