Step-by-step: how to put your hair up in a big bun

The ladies at Abu Dhabi's Glamour Salon give us a step-by-step guide to getting a big bun from our reporter, who has had one.

The finished product. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National

Some people are scared of going to the dentist. Others refuse to see a doctor. But the place I fear the most is the hair salon. Bad things happen in there, I swear.

OK, maybe not that bad. But for me, it means change. And I don't like it. I have had the same hairstyle for as long as I can remember. I have never dyed it or curled it. The split ends get a trim once every three years, which is certainly not enough, but fine for me. To most of my friends' dismay, my bedroom never has a straightener or hairdryer lying around. The thought of a blow-dry makes my toenails curl.

So, when I was asked to go to a hair salon to do a story on how to put your hair up in a bun, Adele style, I shivered. But, because I never say no to a challenge, this is what I learnt.

Step 1. Give your hair volume

Take small sections of hair at a time.

Spray a little bit of hairspray underneath before combing the hair backwards, towards your head.

It will make the hair look unruly and tangled.

Step 2: Ponytail

Pull it back into a ponytail and tie it up with a hairband.

Comb the ponytail hair backwards to give it more volume.

Brush the top part of your hair lightly to smooth it out.

Stick the long end of the comb underneath the hair on top of your head and push it upwards softly to make it look fuller.

Hairspray again.

Step 3: The sponge doughnut bun thing

Pull the ponytail through the bun.

Use four or so hair pins to attach the bun to your head.

Hairspray.

Step 4: Cover the bun

Grab your ponytail and pull it over the bun one area at a time.

Use hair pins to attach the hair to the bun and make sure it stays.

Cover entire bun with your hair.

Tuck in last few stray strands with a pin.

Step 5: Voilà - Adele is in the house!

Hairspray. You might as well.

Tips Use a bun that is the same colour as your own hair. They come in about three different sizes and various colours, including blonde, brown and black. You can buy them at a pharmacy, such as Boots.

Marie-Louise had her bun created at Glamour Salon. Level 'O' of the El Nilein Bank building in the capital's Al Markaziyah area on Street 4. Price for bun hairstyling Dh200. Call 02 626 3002.

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