Is There a Perfect Bun?

So, let's talk hair today, y'all.
How many of y'all out there have tried to achieve that "perfect bun" look that most ballet dancers pull off so well? If you're like me, most likely your bun ends up coming out a little messy and your look goes from sophisticated to "I don't really care what I look like" in about 4.5 seconds. Am I right? My IRL bestie Amanda from Knock on Wood sent me a happy mail package a few months ago. Completely random, and full of pampering goodies. One item she included was the "Perfect Bun" that you see in the "as seen on TV" aisle in the store. That's kind of what inspired this post.

This is what we're working with here:

|| The Perfect "Bun in a box".
I was really excited to try this. I had seen it on T.V. and based on the pictures on the box, my bun was destined to turn out... well, perfect! OMG... Y'all... This did not work for my hair. It's supposed to wrap the hair and secure it without having to use bobby pins. It didn't connect the back of the bun for me at all. From the front it has the illusion of a nice, neat bun. However, as you can see from the picture, in the back it's sloppy and not connected. Like I said, fail. As many attempts as I made to get this to work, it just did not. I'm sorry to the makers of this product but I will not be using this.

||Sock Buns.
Y'all! I have to give Kristyn all the credit here. I legit had never tried doing a sock bun. With my bun in a box failure, I posted on Instagram how I got a better bun with just my hair tie. Kristyn commented on the picture saying "have you tried a sock?"

Naturally, I had to try. Now, I'm not a fashion blogger. I'm extremely hair style challenged. Having said that, I will not be doing a tutorial. I will say though, this has absolutely been the best bun I've ever had. I will share I used this tutorial to create the sock bun. I also used an old sock to create the sock part of the sock bun. You can buy the donut shaped things in the store for $3-$5, but why not just make one for free?
Also, this took quite a bit of practice. As you can see in the picture, the bun itself looks a bit frizzy. This is from me having to take down the bun and keep trying. Once you have the technique down, it's super easy and it looks amazing.

|| "My bun".
Prior to trying sock buns, I would just use a hair tie to secure my buns. My hair is long enough to where I can make a high pony, twist it around and wrap a pony tail holder to secure everything in place. Before my hair was this length, I would have to use bobby pins to keep stray hairs from escaping. I've had a lot of practice with wrapping my hair and securing it to where it looks more put together than just a messy bun. However, compared to the sock bun it's much smaller. The sock bun ads much more volume.

I'm sure the bun in a box has to work for some people. For me it was a complete fail. Thanks, Amanda but I just can't.
The verdict for me is sock bun = perfection for a nice "put together" look for a night on the town. "My bun" = perfection when I just want my hair off of my neck and not really having anywhere to go.
Which technique do you use to create your bun look? Are you happy with the messy bun, or do you aim for the sophisticated neat bun?

The "perfect bun" from a box makes a good mustache though.

previously seen on Chits & Giggles in April