How to DIY a Hair Donut + 3 Cute Ways to Wear It

Tools and materials:

• Pantyhose
• Scissors
• Hairbrush
• Hair elastics
• Bobby pins

1. Cut the pantyhose

Take some pantyhose that matches your hair color as best as possible. Grab your first pair and cut off the toes.

Then cut off both legs, so you have two tubes. 

2. Roll the tubes

Starting at either end of one of the tubes, start rolling the fabric outwards. Pull on the tail of the fabric as you go to keep the roll tight.

Continue rolling until you have a small donut. You can stop here if this is the size you want your buns to be, but I wanted to make mine bigger. 

3. Add another tube

To make the donut bigger, grab another leg tube and thread it through the center of the donut, fold the fabric over, and continue rolling.

In total, I used two pairs of pantyhose to get the size hair donut that I wanted. 

Now I’m going to show you a few ways you can style it.

Basic bun

This first style works best with long hair.

1. Tie ponytail

Put your hair into a well-secured ponytail wherever you want your bun to be.

For instructional purposes, I will do my bun on the top of my head so you can see it but feel free to make your bun anywhere you like. 

2. Pull ponytail through donut

Grab your ponytail and thread your hair through the donut.

If you want a more sleek bun, start closer to the middle of your ponytail.

For a messier bun, start closer to the ends. 

3. Wrap hair around donut

Wrap the ends of your hair around the donut and then start rolling it downwards to the base of your ponytail.

4. Spread hair around donut

Before you get to the bottom, stop and spread your hair around so your hair donut is completely covered.

Then continue rolling downwards, pushing your hair through the bottom until your bun is tight to your head.

Here we have a simple, neat bun that completely conceals the donut.

This looks beautiful and you can wear it high, low or in the middle of your head.

Twist-wrapped bun 

This style works for medium-length or long hair

1. Spread hair over donut

Thread your hair through the donut at the base of your ponytail. Then spread your hair around it, making sure the donut is covered. 

2. Add elastic

Now take a small elastic and place it over your bun, securing the hair and donut to your head. 

3. Twist ends

With the remaining ends hanging out the bottom of your bun, grab a small section in the front and start twisting it forwards or backward. 

4. Add hair to the twist

Grab some hair next to it and add it to the twist. Continue adding hair and twisting all the way around your bun. 

5. Secure around bun

Twist up and wrap any remaining hair around your bun and secure the ends with a bobby pin. 

I really like the hair wrapped around the base of this bun, I think it’s a nice addition to the hairstyle.

Braid-wrapped bun 

This style works best with long hair

1. Spread hair over donut

It starts the same as the last bun: pull your hair through the donut at the base of your pony and spread it around, securing it with a small elastic over the top. 

2. Braid hair

Now grab all the remaining hair from under your bun and bring it together.

Start braiding the hair any way you'd like. If your hair is too short to do this, you can try French braiding around the base of your bun to get the same look. 

3. Wrap braid around bun

Once braided, secure the end with a bobby pin and wrap your braid around your bun.

Then secure the last bit of hair with a bobby pin.

Here is the finished look. I love how the braid is wrapped around the bun.

DIY hair donut

Now you know how to make your very own DIY hair donut, as well as three different ways you can style it.

It’s super easy to make, and it looks beautiful worn in your hair. Let me know which style is your favorite in the comments below.