Today we are showing a quick and easy “hack” for creating one of our all time favorite hairstyles, the “pinwheel bun.” My daughter loves to wear the pinwheel bun to dance class and occasionally to school or church. But, the one complaint we have with our original method is that it can be quite time consuming. Not to mention, it is a bit of a hassle to take the bun down when you are done wearing it. This new variation (shown in our video today) is quick, easy, and comes out effortlessly when you are done.
The idea for this “shortcut” came to us a few months ago when my daughter had a dance competition and we were using “the perfect bun” to make her standard performance hairstyle (shown in our latest tutorial.) We wondered how the bun would turn out if we braided her hair first, and loved that the end result looked almost identical to a braided variation of the pinwheel bun (also known as the “bun of braids.”)
Of course, there are several variations of the pinwheel that can be created using this technique. If you want the bun to be more of a twisted texture (like the original) I would suggest utilizing twist braids (or rope braids) instead of standard 3 strand braids in your ponytail. You could really do any type of braids you want for many different options and variations of this updo.
Pinwheel Bun Shortcut Video Tutorial: (Click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.)
As mentioned in our video, the number of braids you will need to cover the bun foundation is going to depend on your specific hair texture and length. The longer your hair is, the more times the braids will be wrapping around the foundation to provide more coverage…. so you will need less. And obviously, thicker hair is going to cover more of the surface area, which means less braids will be needed as well. If your hair is on the thinner side, I would suggest stretching the braids out before you wrap them up to help cover more area. Also, if you find a “perfect bun maker” close to the color of hair you are working with, it’s not going to matter as much if some of it shows through.
Supplies needed to recreate this bun:
- 2 ponytail holders or hair elastics
- Alligator clip or temporary hair ties to keep the braids from unraveling while you work.
- Several bobby pins
- A bun foundation as shown in our video. The one we used is called “the perfect bun” and can be found online or in stores. (affiliate.)
- Finishing hairspray (optional)
This bun would be a great hairstyle for dance, gymnastics, ballet, figure skating and sports, or for formal events such as prom, homecoming, weddings, holidays, and church.
