Creating the perfect bun just got easier - thanks to a doughnut!

[caption id="attachment_1070" align="aligncenter" width="436"] Images courtesy of Ali Ro[/caption]

Although I’m a big fan of the edible kind of doughnuts, today we’re giving the spotlight to a golden ring that won’t add but a gram to those luscious hips of yours – a hair doughnut!

The hair doughnut (also referred to as a sock bun or bun ring) is a ring of soft, stretchy mesh padding that adds instant volume to your bun and can help you create a pretty flash up-do in a matter of minutes.

Padding is a wee trick that women have been using to pump-up their hair do’s (and other areas for that matter!) for centuries. A famous royal by the name of Marie Antoinette was well known for her extremely voluminous styles that could stand over 60 centimetres high thanks to hair padding. The ladies of the sixties also utilised hair padding to create their various iconic bouffants and beehives. Nowadays, we tend to be a little bit more understated, but creating a voluminous hairstyle that can stay put for hours is still something we aim to achieve.

Though the use hair padding is age-old, the hair doughnut has been particularly prevalent on the red carpet and high street alike over the past year, creating flawless Oscar-ready topknots and casual, low-sweeping chignons perfect for a weekend brunch.

Hair doughnuts are great for all hair types and particularly beneficial for those of us with shorter, finer hair. (They can also be a bit of a lifesaver for the ballet mums).

There are endless variations for creating a knockout up-do using a hair doughnut, but here is a step-by-step guide to a simple “doughnut” bun to get you started:

What you need:

• A hair doughnut (you can get these from your local beauty retailer (e.g. Boots)


• Hair tie


• Bobby pins


• Comb


• Hairspray

Note: When choosing a hair doughnut opt for the colour that best matches your hair to avoid your secret weapon being exposed. Select a size depending on how much hair your have to work with and how big you want to go.

Instructions:

1. Comb your hair and gather it into a ponytail on the part of your head where you would like your bun to sit (e.g. top-knot or low and on the side) and secure with a hair tie.


2. Take the doughnut and place your hair through the ring so that the doughnut sits against your head around the hair tie.


3. Gently tease your hair for added volume and pliability


4. Find the middle of your ponytail and from this point, spread your hair evenly over the top of the donut to cover it completely.


5. Depending on the length of your hair, tuck your locks under or wrap them around the bun and secure by pinning right the way around.


6. Complete your masterpiece with a spritz of hairspray (smoothing flyaways if you’re going for the sleek look)


7. You can make your bun tight and tailored - retaining the shape of the doughnut, or slightly loose and unstructured for a more casual, natural look.

Variations:

• Place the tip of your ponytail through the ring, find the centre of your ponytail and evenly spread the hair over the doughnut. Slowly roll the doughnut towards your head wrapping your ponytail evenly around the hairpiece and tucking loose strands under as you go.


• Once the doughnut is sitting around your hair tie, section your hair into 3 or more pieces. Fan each section into a wide band and then proceed to wrap the sections over and around the doughnut. You can save a few smaller sections to plait and pin over your bun for an added feature.

And just like that you have a stunner bun, and all thanks to a doughnut!