How to make that perfect "dressage" bun...

[appychik]

Title basically says it all. As long as I got a sound horse by Saturday, we’ve got our first show of the season. Just a local (well 2 hours away) schooling show, but I have pretty long hair - mid backish length.

I usually end up putting my hair in a ponytail, then make a “messy” bun while it’s still damp. However, I’d really like to learn how to do a classic “dressage” bun. You know, the chignon bun type. I googled online, but everyone suggests using hair pins/sticks to keep it in place. We all know that you can’t put a stick (i.e. pencil) in a bun and still manage a helmet. So, I’d like to know you’re tips and suggestions.

Thanks!

[kashmere]

1700 bobby pins, industrial strength hairspray, and prayers. :lol: i’ve never, ever managed to get a method down for hairstyles.

perhaps that’s why my hair is now two inches long…

[AMDressage]

I put my hair in a low pony tail, twist it, and wrap it around itself securing it with another pony tail holder. I then take a stiff hold hair spray and all over, and especially the bun as my hair right now is layered and shoulder length, so I get some “sticky-outies”.

I take those aligator clips the small ones, and secure any hair that is loose that was too short to get into the pony tail/bun. My side-swept bangs especially. I go gel whatever is fly-away type, and hair spray well all over again. Put my rhinestone bun deal over my hair, and VOILA!

I suggest a good shampoo to get all the crap put onto your hair out at the end of the day. I use Pantine clarifying shampoo for that.

[appychik]

[QUOTE=AMDressage;3144794]
I put my hair in a low pony tail, twist it, and wrap it around itself securing it with another pony tail holder. I then take a stiff hold hair spray and all over, and especially the bun as my hair right now is layered and shoulder length, so I get some “sticky-outies”.

I take those aligator clips the small ones, and secure any hair that is loose that was too short to get into the pony tail/bun. My side-swept bangs especially. I go gel whatever is fly-away type, and hair spray well all over again. Put my rhinestone bun deal over my hair, and VOILA!

I suggest a good shampoo to get all the crap put onto your hair out at the end of the day. I use Pantine clarifying shampoo for that.[/QUOTE]

Aggh. I don’t have rhinestone bun deal, though. :no: I’ve got show bows, but those are a big no-no, I’ve heard. I’ve been known to just wrap the bun with a hair net, would that work if I put a lot of hair spray in? Aghh! If worse comes to worse, I’ll just do my usual but I’d love to learn the art of dressage buns.

[Roan]

Use a hair net, pins, and a “bun” scrunchie. You pull your hair through the scrunchie and smooth it over and under so it’s doughnut-shaped. Secure with pins and spray and add the hair net on top. Put a nice scrunchie or bobble around the net to secure.

You can either buy a hair net that just fits the bun, or one that covers your whole head (more secure).

Eileen

Few more ideas here, but no pictures:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2854799/an/0/page/5

Try Google for “dressage hair bun” and/or “dressage hair bun “how to”” – put “how to” in quotes.

[system]

You can go to a beauty supply store and they have an accessory that you stick your hair thru then wrap it around in sections then bobby pin, hair nets and a very strong hair spray. In a pinch I have also used a thick scrunchy in a color as close to my hair color.

You can also go to your salon and have a fake bun made for you.

[atr]

Use the show bow. Perfectly acceptable. This isn’t hunters.

[Ibex]

You can also fake it with a hair net - do your low bun, then a hairnet over the top, and an elastic around the base of the bun. It keeps everything it place nicely!

[Roan]

These are very nice, too:

http://www.horsetackinternational.com/images/bows-with-conchonb.jpg

Eileen

[FancyFree]

When I did hunters, I would braid my hair in two braids. Criss-cross the braids at the base of my head and loop the ends under with many bobby pins. For dressage I would wear a chignon bun, placed low. I don’t like hair net and I especially don’t like the black ones attached to a barrette.

Here’s a link to some styles:

http://www.beauty-and-the-bath.com/Chignon-Bun-Hairstyle-Gallery.html

I usually do the style that has the red and white flowers in it. You just have to use massive amounts of hairspray. Let the hairspray dry and repeat a few times. I use Aquanet. That stuff makes your hair immobile, I swear. :lol:

[Trixie_s_mom]

do you think you can follow directions over the phone? If you can I do great buns and can tell you how step by step. Send me a PM with your phone number and I’ll give you a call.

[EdwynEdwyn]

[QUOTE=Trixie’s mom;3145838]
do you think you can follow directions over the phone? If you can I do great buns and can tell you how step by step. Send me a PM with your phone number and I’ll give you a call.[/QUOTE]

This is what I love about COTH! Hair might not be the most important issue at hand (but believe me, I was interested to read this thread so I’m not knocking it ), but how nice to have people reach out.

[FEI_JR2004]

I use a hairagami. Google it. They’re awesome.

[Equibrit]

http://www.qwikbuns.com/

With video.

[Roan]

[QUOTE=Equibrit;3146218]
http://www.qwikbuns.com/

With video.[/QUOTE]

OOOOOOOOO, I like that! The military one looks perfect for dressage.

Eileen

[dressager]

Please no more show bows!!! The rhinestone bun thing you can get from DE, I believe.

I used to have mid back hair, now I have hair that is a bit below my shoulders. I braid my hair, tie it off very close to the bottom in a ball with a black hair tie. Then I take another black hair tie and tie it off at the base of the neck. Then I hair spray my hair VERY WELL- we’re talking so much hair spray you won’t need to wear a helmet because you have one on!!! Then I take a black or dark blue (depending on if I am wearing a black or blue bun thing) scrunchie. I roll the hair up onto itself in a ball against my head (rolling the braid up over itself)- it’s not going out, it’s all against the head. Then I fasten the scrunchie around that, pop the rhinestone thing over. Do a test run with whatever hat you will be wearing- top hat generally goes higher, approved helmet you have to go a bit lower.

Make sure you have some strong shampoo and conditioner at night to wash it out- I generally have to wash my hair twice after a show!!!

[appychik]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. And to Trixie’s mom, thanks so much for the offer. It’s so unfortunate, but looks like I won’t be able to show anytime soon. Gus is really, really lame… possible lymphangitis or cellulitis in one of his hind legs due to a small scrape that we originally thought (and still could be/have been) mud fever.

I guess I’ll just experiment for now. And possibly take Trixie’s mom up on that offer come later this spring/summer, once my guy is sound enough.

Definitely gonna look into those bun holder thingies though. And I’ll let my show bows die a slow death :yes:…

[dressager]

appychik- If you want to see a photo of my hair in a bun, PT me and I will send it your way-

[Roan]

I just ordered a couple of those Qwikbuns. I always braid my hair for the barn but I’m tired of the same old, same old under the helmet.

So, if it’s really as easy as it looks in the video, I’ll be bunning this summer

Eileen

[FancyFree]

That’s too bad appychik.

There will always be another show. It gives you time to practice!