The stylists at Red Market Miami, a cutting edge salon in Miami, know there are many ways for a woman to style her hair. One style is the bun, a perfect solution for any occasion. Class it up in a high, tight, clean ballerina bun, or wear it low and sexy around the nape of your neck – a classic chignon. You can wear it when you haven’t washed your hair, when you work out, or even to attend a fancy party. Women have been wearing their hair in the variations of the bun since Ancient Greek times. In Greece, the bun was a sign of economic prosperity, as the bun was often ornamented by expensive pins. In China, the bun was often worn as a double bun, or “ox horns,” and was a sign of your marital status – only married women were permitted to wear them. In Victorian times, the bun was seen as a prim and proper hairstyle, suitable for older generations of women. Japanese samurai men also wore buns in an effort to keep their hair out of their faces during training and battle. In 1940s America, the bun was a practical style for women who went to work in the factories during World War II.
Ballerinas, gymnasts, and athletes alike have typically worn the bun during sports, worn tightly with pins and hair nets to keep hair in place. In this summer’s Olympics, the U.S. team’s buns were the source of much discussion. The girls made the switch from the classic, tight bun of yore to a messy, half-pulled-through ponytail. Many critics wondered whether it looked sloppy, or set a new trend for sports hairstyles.
The bun – or odango – has also made its way into Japanese animé culture. The double bun – worn in two pigtails that hang down from two round buns – is worn by the main character in Sailor Moon. Today’s bun takes on many different variations. Celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Blake Lively have recently been seen sporting messy, Bohemian buns. The key to this look is messy volume on the top of the head with strands of hair pinned around a high ponytail. The sleek bun, slicked back using a serum, has also become more popular as a glossy hair treatment. Finish the style with a shine spray to make the look more glamorous. Hair can be braided and then worn in a bun fashion, or simply coiled around a ponytail. Accessorize your bun with a headband to break up some of the volume in your hair, or with clips and barrettes to add some sparkle. Spice things up by changing where you wear your bun – on the side of the head, low at the nape of the neck in a classic chignon, and at the top of your head in a flat bun (à la Lauren Conrad) or a tight, high bun.
For an elegant night on the town, try a pillow bun. Start with a high ponytail and then separate the hair into four equal sections. Pin those sections in large loops to the head, and then spread the hair out to make wide, stylish loops. This style works best on women with long, thick hair, like Sarah Jessica Parker. The bun is a classic choice for any occasion and has evolved throughout the years – once only for married women, it has changed to become a statement for many young, single women as well. Once only sleek and tight, the bun has become Bohemian, messy, and sexy. It is high, low, top, or side – it can be changed on a dime to suit the woman wearing it. Stop by Red Market Salon in Miami and request help in determining the best bun for your hairstyle, and bring a picture for the one you love best. Book your online appointment at Red Market Miami or by phone at 305-864-3978. Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday 12pm-6pm. Website, Facebook, Twitter. Red Market is a high-end concept in hair salons with exclusive locations in NYC and Miami
