I love hair buns. They keep my hair off my face and are quick and simple to do. Having thin hair means that most of the time my buns lack any volume though. When I started seeing all these girls with perfect hair buns I was envious and wondered how they did it. And then I realized they were using sock buns. I decided to give it a try and was really happy with the result. It was easy and quick to do, even for someone who lacks any hair skills like myself. I figured it would be fun to do a little step-by-step breakdown of how I achieved the look.
5 Step Sock Bun
You need:
- 1 sock bun (Josh keeps thinking it’s a donut when he sees it on the table. He’s now blaming it for his recent donut cravings.)
- Brush
- 1 ponytail
- Bobby pins
- Hairspray
*I got my sock bun from Target for $4. They offer twist ones that claim to not need a ponytail or bobby pins for more money. I got one of those at first and had to return it because it did not work for me. I ended up going back and getting the traditional one that looks like a donut. If you’ve got hair skills, knock yourself out with the twist one and let me know your secrets.
Step 1: Tie your hair into a high ponytail.
The tighter the ponytail the more secure the bun will be.
Step 2: Pull your hair through your sock bun.
Keep the sock bun a few inches from the end of your hair.
Step 3: Start wrapping your hair your around the bun, rolling it down towards your head, tucking as you go.
Be prepared to do a lot of tucking!
Step 4: Once all hair is tucked around the sock bun, secure any loose or stray hairs with bobby pins.
Step 5: Finish off your look with some hairspray.
And that’s it! You’re good to go.
This should take about 10 minutes max, if you’re hair challenged like I am.
Question of the Day: Are you a fan of sock buns?
Jackie says
Loving the sock bun on you! I have fine, thin hair too (seriously, I think it’s thinner than yours) and I am a long time lover of the sock bun. I have the one that you got from Target, and I actually prefer to use an actual sock. Have you tried it before for comparison?
xo Jackie
Something About That
Erin says
I haven’t used an actual sock before. I really want to try now!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I love the look of sock buns! Sadly, my layered hair gives me some trouble when I try to do them though : (
Erin says
Layers can be hard! As long as your longest layer is long enough to get into the ponytail you shouldn’t have any problems. The shorter layers will already be scooped up in the ponytail when you get to rolling the bun.
Linz @ Itz Linz says
ok that is not how i do a sock bun, but your bun looks way cleaner than mine – i need to try your way!
Erin says
What’s your way? I’m finding out there’s so many different ways to do it! haha
Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog. says
You look adorable! I feel like I don’t have enough hair on my head to do a sock bun. HAHAH.
Erin says
You could totally do it!
Heathers Looking Glass says
Interesting! Not sure I 100% understand the rolling and tucking part, where do the ends of your hair go? I have a LOT of hair, its long and very thick!
Erin says
Hey Heather! You roll the bun from the ends of your ponytail to the base of your ponytail. As you roll you wrap the ends of your hair around the outside of the bun and tuck all the extra hair underneath the bottom of the bun inside the “donut” hole. Does that make sense? The sock bun expands to accommodate more hair being tucked inside it if you have more hair. I know if you have a lot of hair they make a bigger size sock bun. I saw one when I was at Target.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Love it!! I need to try this out some time… not sure how it would work on my super thick and curly hair!! :/
Erin says
I’m sure it would look beautiful on you!
GiGi Eats says
I don’t think I have enough hair for this! LOL!
Erin says
I was worried I didn’t either but thankfully I did! haha
Stephanie @ My Freckled Life says
I definitely need to try this out! I have super thin hair too, and I always feel like buns look silly on me because they end up so tiny! But maybe this will give it a little oomph!
Erin says
You’ll have to let me know what you think!
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers says
Forgot about sock buns!! I need to do them more so that baby E will quit yanking out my hair.
Erin says
Another great benefit to a sock bun! haha
Olena @ candies & crunches says
Ah, I’m hair-disabled person. Seriously! It gets me so mad when I go to a hairsalon and all they keep on telling me is that my hair is ‘so easy to work with’. LOL! I SWEARRRR! I’ve been meaning to try making a bun like that. I think you finally convinced me, all I have to do is to get that donut thing 🙂 xoxo
Erin says
Yay! Let me know how it goes for you!
Audrey @ In Shape Cupcake says
I have never been able to get my hair to work doing the sock bun hairstyle. Will have to try it out again i guess!
Erin says
Good luck! I hope it works for you this time Audrey!
Megan says
I bought a ‘hair donut’ from Charlotte Russe awhile ago and have used it a few times after watching several YouTube videos on how to do it. I have very long & thick hair so I have to really tuck my hair into it and use bobby pins to keep it together. I’ve also noticed that it works better on second-day hair or if I use dry shampoo. Fresh hair just doesn’t make it stay in place!
Erin says
That’s good to know! I’m jealous of your thick hair!
Jolene says
It is all making sense now! I have one of these and I was using it totally wrong-that’s pretty much why I never wear it! I’m going to try it like this today and see what happens. Like you, I have thin hair and buns of their own are pretty weak.
Erin says
Yay! I hope this way works for you!
Mindy @ Road Runner Girl says
Super super cute! I’m gong to have to find a sock bun donut thingy now lol!
carlie says
You are so cute! You make it look flawlessly easy 🙂
Erin says
Aw you are so sweet! Thanks Carlie! I love how the sock bun can cover up a bad hair day! 😉