For the first 20-something years of my life, I wore many sock buns. As a dancer, it was something I could wear to keep my hair out of my face that also added some more oomph to skimpy strands. Nowadays, many ladies are sporting undone, messy buns as well as smooth, refined ballerina buns -- and most of them use a sock bun to create those larger-than-life styles.

If a perfectly coiffed, donut-esque bun is what you're after, don't worry -- it's actually a cinch to achieve. While you could go out and purchase a hair donut or insert to create the look, you can also achieve the exact same results for free with a sock and some scissors. Read on to learn how to make a sock bun in six easy steps -- it takes less than 10 minutes and will make you look like you have three times as much hair. The days of struggling with loose, tiny buns that don't fall in a few hours are over. This sock bun tutorial is your ticket to a thick, Cinderella-style bun that stays put.

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Materials:
•One pair of tube socks (the longer the socks, the more volume to your insert -- I use dark socks because they are less visible under my dark hair)
•Scissors
•One hair elastic
•Brush or comb
•Bobby pins
•Hairspray

How to make a sock bun:
1.Use the scissors to cut the tips of the toes off each sock
2.Begin rolling the first sock to create a ring shape.
3.If you want a larger insert, place the end of the unused sock around the sock ring and continue rolling until your sock bun has doubled in size.
4.Smooth out any bunched material to create a seamless, symmetrical sock bun.

While you can place a sock bun anywhere (Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia is proof), for this tutorial we suggest a high ponytail at the top of your head for a crown-like bun. Use a brush to tame any flyaways and prep hair for a smooth, polished bun. If you prefer a laid-back, messy sock bun, use your hands to throw up a ponytail and skip the brush.

Make sure the entire ponytail makes it through and there aren't any stray hairs sticking out.

Leave several inches of hair sticking out from the insert so you may roll them over the sock bun and tuck the ends underneath.