The "Balletcore" Bun Is on the Rise For 2024
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If you dreamt of being a ballerina when you were younger, or just enjoyed watching "The Nutcracker" every holiday season, now's your time to live out that fantasy. The "balletcore" aesthetic is on the rise, having garnered over 269 million views on TikTok with the subsequent hashtag. The videos included are riddled with bodysuits, leg warmers, ballet flats, bows, and wrap sweaters, but if you don't want to buy an entirely new wardrobe, the "balletcore" ballet bun hairstyle trend is your easiest way in.
We've been privy to quite a few different styles of bun in just the last few years. For a while, messy buns were elite for their effortless, throw-together look. Then we saw the updo get a sleek treatment with the rise of supermodel buns, ushered by the likes of Hailey Bieber, Lori Harvey, and Kendall Jenner, to name just a few.
Now, however, the hairstyle is undergoing yet another (albeit small) metamorphosis, resulting in the "balletcore" bun — a look that's even softer than the off-duty model style.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the trending look, straight from hair experts.
What is a Ballerina Bun?
Those who grew up going to dance class will find this updated twist on the signature ballet bun to be a lot less stiff and structured (and with way less hairspray) than the nap-of-the-neck doughnut bun that was often required. What didn't change, however, is the minimal, soft, and uncomplicated vibe. Picture a dancer combing back their hair and securing it in a breezy manner before running out of the door to class.
"Balletcore buns" can be worn anywhere on the back of the head — high, low, or directly in the middle. The style is perfect for all hair types and textures and can be adapted as needed to fit. "Maybe 'balletcore' is a bit too soft and feminine for your own personal style, Angel Cardona, Sebastian Professional stylist, tells PS. "There are so many ways to take this style and make it your own."
Anthony Cole, Sebastian Professional international stylist, says: "Utilize your own natural wave or curl, keeping the look true to your own hair texture while still incorporating the 'balletcore' aesthetic." Whether you top off the look with tulle, pink tights, and a bow (enter: The Hair Edit Bow Sash ($9)) is entirely your call.
If you want to give the trend a spin, ahead, we rounded up some of our favorite iterations of the balletcore bun. Keep scrolling to check them out.
Braided Ballerina Bun
If you have braids in your hair already, we love the idea of pulling it back into a low bun and topping the look off with a scrunchie. If you want to stick with the balletcore theme, make sure the hair accessory is pink.
Top Knot Ballerina Bun
Although most ballet buns are positioned at the nape of the neck, you can always pull it higher up on the head for more of a top knot vibe. Just make sure it's a bit looser than normal.
Ballerina Bun With Bow
This slicked-back ballet bun with a middle part features one of our favorite accessories of the season: a hair bow.
— Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez
Jessica Harrington is the senior beauty editor at POPSUGAR, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.
Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for POPSUGAR. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for POPSUGAR's TikTok and Instagram accounts.