There’s One Trick to Creating Haley Lu Richardson’s Trending Spiked Bun

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Balletcore buns have all over the red carpet recently, but a new “twist” on the classic is emerging. First, we had Florence Pugh’s punk take on the classic at the BAFTAs. Now, Haley Lu Richardson has rocked a totally twisted version of the style on the SAG awards red carpet. 

What Is the Spiked Ballerina Bun?

Consider the bun your classic slick ballet bun with one gravity-defying difference.

Instead of tucking the bun in, the ends are teased out for a three-dimensional fanned effect.

Haley Lu Richardson’s SAG spiked bun was crafted by hair stylist Laura Polko. Unlike Pugh’s punky BAFTAs look, it’s a softer, more wearable (and achievable) interpretation of the trend.

How to Execute Haley Lu Richardson’s Spiked Ballerina Bun

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A post shared by Laura Polko (@laurapolko)

First, Polko sectioned Richardson’s naturally curly hair, prepping it with Aquage Defining Gel, designed to help curls maintain their gloss during heat styling. Aquage is unavailable in Australia, but a product like Oribe Curl Gloss Hydration and Hold ($57) will give curls grip, without robbing them of their shine. 

Polko then sectioned Richardson’s hair and blow-dried it dry.

The secret to creating the gravity-defying “spikes” lies in a combination of product, heat styling and tension. Polko straightened hair using the Connair Flatiron and saturated Richardson’s strands with Aquage Haircare, Transforming Paste. Aquage describes the transforming paste as somewhere between wax and hairspray. Try something like the L’Oreal Professionnel Tecni Art Web ($31), which is designed to create structured looks while leaving the natural finish and shine we’ve admired in Richardson’s ‘do. 

Polko then used a fine tooth comb to create a centre part, and can be seen tucking the bun in with a mysterious object.

We suspect this is the Scunci Effortless Beauty Topsy Tail ($10) credited in the caption, a product that acts as a divider and provides structural support for buns. If you have thicker hair or curls, you’ll know the frustration of twisting your hair into a bun only to snap your hair tie, or find yourself with an inelegant, door knob-shaped knot.

A well-secured bun allows spikes to be teased out in sections, creating the signature gravity-defying look. You can pick yours up at Coles and say goodbye to inelegant buns forever. 

Polko then finished by pinning the bun with an assortment of jewelled pins for the glam, regal look.