DIY the Braided Bun That Seriously Won't Budge While You Work Out

Updated on 1/12/2016 at 2:50 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Benjamin Stone

January is notoriously the busiest month for gym-goers, and if you're committing to better fitness habits this year, then you should do it with style. To help up your workout hair game, we asked celebrity stylist Sarah Potempa to create five easy braided looks that will hold your strands in place in the most eye-catching way. Bobbi Brown makeup artist Kim Soane painted the faces of our fitness blogger models, Chase Lindsay Rosen of Athleisurely and Evann Clingan of her eponymous site, using long-wear, waterproof products. Everything was photographed at the iconic Chelsea Piers, which boasts a bevy of creative sweat-inducing classes. Every day this week, we will be revealing a new look (such as this French fishtail ponytail).

Second up: a braided bun created by Sarah on Evann for beach volleyball (or whatever sport you choose!). It's great for grown-out bangs or layers since hair won't fall in front of your face. Plus, it looks elegant enough to wear out after class.

"This look is perfect for if you were playing beach volleyball or a fun sporting activity, so you can have a little more fun with your bun and make it more textured," Sarah said.

Beach Bun Braid: Step 1

Grab a section of hair above your ear and separate it into three parts. French braid it across your forehead towards the other ear. When you get to the middle of your head, start turning the plait around to bring it into a high ponytail.

Beach Bun Braid: Step 2

Fasten the braid at the top with a clear elastic. Then, bring all of your hair back into a high ponytail to meet it. To get the perfect pony height, start at your chin and go up on an angle. Wrap an elastic around both tails to secure everything in place.

Beach Bun Braid: Step 3

Open the Sarah Potempa Wrap Up, pull hair through, pinch it closed, and slide it to the ends of your hair, leaving just a few inches out (exclude more for added texture).

Beach Bun Braid: Step 4

Roll your hair over the Wrap Up, down towards your face, and clip the two ends at the bottom. Pull the hair around the doughnut to cover it. "This is going to give you the perfect Instagram bun," Sarah enthused.

Bonus: Hairspray Hack

Fix stray hairs and frizz by spritzing them with a flexible hairspray and rolling the can over the area. "It actually locks down the flyaways," Sarah said. "The aluminum from the can is what locks it in. So you take the can and roll it over the flyaways."

Beach Bun Braid: Final Look From the Front

"Depending on how social your event is, you can can use more texture spray for a bigger, messy, cool look," Sarah noted. "If you're going to work out, I'd stick with wet products like a mousse or hairspray — something that's going to tame your flyaways, so they don't bother you while you're playing your sport."