Tres Buns! How to get the best ballerina bun.

I love the ballerina bun. It’s my BFF on a bad hair day, and depending on whether it’s neat or messy (and the size and height), it can really make a statement. There are different options for creating the bun, from wrapping your hair around itself to using a sock. Find the best way that works for you, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. I prefer the foam donuts which come in different sizes and colors and are extremely versatile and easy to use. Different bun makers can be picked up very cheaply at H&M, Forever 21, eBay, or even drugstores. 

My tips for the perfect bun:

• 1.       Brush hair out to create volume. My hair is thin and curly so this is a must for me.
• 2.       Brush hair back into a high pony tail. I often spray a little hair spray around my hair before brushing it back, or use a little water to smooth it down. Secure with an ouchless elastic to prevent tangles!
• 3.       Use a bun maker if you have to – make sure to match the color of your bun. My hair is ombre, so my donut is a different color than the rest of my hair! 
• 4.       If the bun doesn’t feel secure enough, use a few bobby pins to make it stay. Again, match your hair.
• 5.       When I’m done, I brush back flyaways with a John Freida flyaway touch up tamer. I love the flyaway tamer and use it all the time. Check it out here. 
• 6.       Spritz a little hairspray, and voila! 

Here are some more great tips for getting the perfect bun (from Pinterest):

There are lots of different looks one can achieve with the ballerina bun. Here are some examples of different bun styles:

The Classic: 

The Braided Bun: 

The Wraparound:

And the Messy Bun: 

You can also dress up your bun with accessories! Here are some of my favorite looks from Pinterest for 

accessorizing your bun. 

                                           

I love the statement a big bow makes!

How do you rock your bun? Big and high? Low and messy? Try some different styles! 

xoxo, 

Asia 

Julep

Thanks to an ever so stylish friend, I’ve just joined Julep.com and become a Julep Maven. For $20 a month I get 3 nail polishes selected for me based on a short quiz. Since she recommended me, I got my first set free! Julep has amazing colors and I’ve heard wonderful things about their FreedomPolymer Top Coat, so I can’t wait to try it out! Plus I get a 20% discount on all my orders.

My style profile is It Girl. My first set contains Isla, a shimmery white, Mila a glittery charcoal, and Bette, a bright purple. I can definitely transition into fall with these. 

Julep It Girl Starter box: Bette, Mila, and Isla

Speaking of fall colors, I am not at all surprised that the hues from last year are returning. This fall we’ll see the classic black, along with other dark colors like oxblood, eggplant, and navy. Greens are coming back all over the spectrum, from deep army to bright chartreuse. Neon will stay through fall, especially in orange, cobalt, and purple. Metallic and glitter polishes continue to make a huge comeback, especially in neutral shades. The natural nail will never go out of style, and try a matte top coat over a nude or neutral polish for an even more natural look. While nail art won’t be as outrageous as it has been this summer, the French manicure alternatives are getting more and more bold. Experiment with color combinations on the tips, or try a reverse French manicure with metallic or glitter crescents.

Favorite nail polish brands: Deborah Lippmann, Essie, Julep, Illamasqua

While summer’s still around, I’m going to put some serious time into nail art. And I may never put away my white polish (my newly discovered favorite color of all time. White is the new black?). My favorite combination is white and gold. Maybe not the most bold of statements, but definitely glamorous.

What’s your nail polish look of the summer? What are you going to try in the fall? Take a look at some inspiration below!

Xoxo,

Asia  

Illamasqua Cameo

Illamasqua Radium

Essie Bobbing for Baubles - probably the best navy out there

Reverse glitter French manicure

Bold french manicure colors!

Reverse French manicure - a new take on navy

images courtesy of pinterest.com