Festive hair doesn’t have to mean hours in a salon chair or a drawer full of glitter. This season, social feeds have been buzzing with playful Christmas hairstyles – and the reindeer bun has quickly become a favourite among UK parents looking for something easy, affordable, and school-friendly. Inspired by a budget-friendly bun kit spotted in B&M, this look is simple enough for a busy weekday morning, yet special enough for Christmas jumper day, school parties, and family photos.
This guide walks you step-by-step through creating a reindeer bun using items you probably already own, with a few clever styling tricks to keep hair neat, comfortable and photo-ready all day.
What Is a Reindeer Bun – and Why Is It Everywhere?
A reindeer bun is a playful festive hairstyle where a topknot or bun is transformed into a cartoon-style reindeer face using simple accessories. Antlers, a red nose, and googly eyes or clips turn a classic ballet bun into something straight off a Christmas card.
In the original viral clip, a UK mum shared her £2 B&M reindeer bun kit – essentially a ready-made set of antlers, eyes and a nose that slot around a child’s bun. While the specific kit is handy, you can easily recreate the same look with basic accessories and a little creativity.
For many parents, the appeal is clear:
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Fast: Takes roughly the same time as a standard bun.
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Affordable: Most elements can be DIY-ed from craft bits or reused hair accessories.
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Versatile: Works on a range of hair types and lengths that can form a bun.
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School-appropriate: Whimsical but still relatively neat and contained.
If you’re getting children ready on a dark December morning, being able to turn a normal bun into something magical in minutes is a real-world win.
How to Create a Reindeer Bun: Step-by-Step
You don’t need the exact B&M set to copy the look at home. Below is a stylist-inspired version that uses items you can pick up easily in UK high street shops, supermarkets or your own drawers.
What you’ll need
- Brush or detangling comb
- Hair elastic (preferably snag-free)
- Bobby pins or bun pins
- Optional: hair doughnut (bun ring) for fine hair
- Brown or neutral hairband (to blend with the ‘reindeer’)
- Two small brown or gold clips, or DIY paper ears
- Two small decorative eyes – hair clips, stickers on card, or craft eyes
- One red accessory for the nose – a small pom-pom, red clip, or ribbon bow
- Light-hold hairspray or styling cream (optional)
Step 1: Prep the hair
Start with dry hair that’s been brushed through to remove knots. Many UK stylists recommend working with hair that was washed the day before rather than freshly washed, as it tends to hold styles better and be less slippery.
If the hair is particularly frizzy or staticky – something many of us notice more in central-heated homes at this time of year – you can lightly smooth a pea-sized amount of styling cream through the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the roots to keep the style light.
Step 2: Create a high ponytail
Decide where you’d like your reindeer’s “face” to sit. A high or mid-high ponytail on the crown works well – not too far back, or the face will disappear from front view.
- Brush hair upwards towards your chosen point.
- Secure with a strong elastic into a ponytail.
- Smooth any bumps gently with a brush or the palm of your hand.
For younger children, make sure the ponytail is snug but not painfully tight; stylists often advise that if the skin around the hairline looks overly stretched or shiny, it’s too tight.
Step 3: Form the bun
You can either create a simple twist bun or use a doughnut ring for extra volume, especially on finer hair.
For a twist bun:
- Twist the ponytail from base to ends.
- Wrap it around the base of the ponytail in a circular motion.
- Secure with bobby pins, tucking the ends neatly under the bun.
For a doughnut bun:
- Pull the ponytail through the centre of the doughnut.
- Fan the hair evenly over the ring.
- Slip another elastic around the doughnut to hold the hair in place.
- Tuck or wrap the remaining ends around the base and secure with pins.
Try to keep the bun fairly symmetrical and flat rather than tall – it will look more like a reindeer’s face when you add features.
Step 4: Add the reindeer’s antlers and ears
If you have a pre-made kit, it may include fabric antlers that slot under the bun band. Otherwise, here are some DIY options:
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Antlers: Use brown pipe cleaners twisted into antler shapes and secured into the base of the bun with bobby pins, or attach mini novelty antlers from a pound shop headband (cut them off the band and pin carefully).
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Ears: Cut small ear shapes from brown card or felt, glue onto clips or bobby pins, and slide them slightly below the antlers on either side of the bun.
Positioning is key: you want the antlers and ears to sit high enough to be visible from the front, but not so far forward that they feel wobbly. Pin securely, crossing pins where possible for extra hold.
Step 5: Create the eyes and nose
This is where the bun really transforms.
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Eyes: If your kit includes stick-on or clip-on eyes, place them symmetrically on the upper half of the bun. If not, stick googly eyes to small circles of card and slide them onto bobby pins or small alligator clips, then pin into the bun.
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Nose: A small red pom-pom, velvet bow, or even a satin scrunchie can create the nose. Pin or clip it towards the bottom centre of the bun so it looks like Rudolph’s red nose.
Make sure edges of any card or craft materials are smooth; anything sharp or rough shouldn’t sit directly against the scalp or skin.
Step 6: Smooth and set
Once everything is in place, gently check for loose strands or pins that might feel scratchy when your child moves. Many stylists like to lightly mist hairspray over the finished look, using their hand or a soft brush to smooth baby hairs for a neater finish.
If you prefer to avoid hairspray on children, a small amount of leave-in conditioner or styling cream applied to your palms and smoothed across the surface of the hair can help tame flyaways instead.
At this point, snap a quick photo – it’s the easiest way to check symmetry and adjust the eyes or nose if the reindeer looks a little lopsided.
Adapting the Reindeer Bun for Different Hair Types
While viral videos often feature straight or wavy hair, the reindeer bun can absolutely be adapted for a wide range of hair types and textures, from curls and coils to protective styles.
Fine or short hair
- Use a small doughnut ring to give the illusion of a fuller bun.
- Choose smaller accessories so they don’t overwhelm the hairstyle.
- If hair is quite short at the back, you may need a mid-height bun rather than one right on top of the head.
Thick or long hair
- Split ponytail into two sections, twist each, and wrap in opposite directions for a flatter bun.
- Use strong, salon-quality elastics to avoid snapping.
- Secure with heavy-duty hairpins to keep the style from drooping during the day.
Curly and coily hair
For natural curls and coils, many stylists recommend working with well-moisturised hair to reduce tension and prevent breakage.
- Apply a light leave-in conditioner before brushing or gently gathering into a ponytail.
- Use a soft bristle brush or your hands to smooth the surface rather than dragging through curls.
- Consider a puff-style bun, keeping some texture visible for a softer, more characterful reindeer look.
For children with protective styles such as braids, twists, or cornrows, you may be able to gather the ends into a bun and then add reindeer accessories, or simply pin antlers, eyes and a nose onto the existing style without changing the base hairdo.
Festive Hair Safety and Comfort Tips
In the run-up to Christmas, it can be tempting to go all out with glitter, wires and heavy accessories. UK hair professionals regularly highlight the importance of balancing fun with comfort and hair health, especially for children.
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Avoid heavy pieces: Oversized decorations can drag on the hair and scalp. Choose lightweight materials wherever possible.
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Watch tension: If your child says it hurts, it’s too tight. Loosen elastics or reduce the number of pins.
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Limit all-day wear: Once the school party or event is over, gently take the style down rather than leaving accessories in until bedtime.
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Be cautious with glitter: Loose glitter can be difficult to remove and may cause irritation if it gets into the eyes. If you use it, opt for hair-safe gels and wash carefully afterwards.
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Check for allergies: If you’re using craft materials or metal clips, keep an eye out for any redness or irritation around the skin.
In practical terms, plan five extra minutes in the morning for removal of the style if it proves uncomfortable or too wobbly – it’s better to switch to a classic bun than force a look that doesn’t feel secure.
Making It a Christmas Morning Tradition
One of the loveliest aspects of the reindeer bun trend is how easily it can become part of family traditions. Much like Christmas pyjamas or a festive film night, a special hairstyle can turn an ordinary school day or visit to grandparents into something memorable.
You could:
- Set aside one December weekend to try out different festive styles – reindeer buns, Christmas tree plaits, or star-shaped ponytails.
- Let children choose their own accessories at a local shop or online and help design the final look.
- Take a yearly photo of their chosen Christmas hairstyle and watch it evolve as they grow.
From a real-world standpoint, the easiest way to start is simply to try a reindeer bun on a quiet evening or Sunday afternoon first, so you can refine the technique before recreating it on a busy school morning.
Key Takeaways
- The reindeer bun is a simple festive hairstyle that turns a basic bun into a Christmas character with antlers, eyes and a red nose.
- You can recreate the look at home without a specific kit, using everyday hair accessories and basic craft materials.
- The style can be adapted for different hair types and lengths, including fine, thick, curly and coily hair, as well as some protective styles.
- Comfort and scalp-friendly styling matter: keep accessories lightweight, avoid excessive tension, and remove the style after events.
- Practising the look ahead of time makes it easier to recreate quickly on busy December mornings, turning festive hair into a fun, low-stress tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a reindeer bun take to do?
Once you’ve practised the style once or twice, many parents find it takes only a few minutes longer than a standard bun – around 10–15 minutes in total, depending on hair length and thickness.
Will a reindeer bun work on very fine or short hair?
Yes, as long as the hair can be gathered into a small ponytail. Using a mini doughnut ring and smaller accessories can help create the illusion of a fuller reindeer face on finer or shorter hair.
Is this style suitable for school?
Many UK primary schools are relaxed about festive accessories in the run-up to Christmas, especially on designated Christmas jumper or non-uniform days. It’s always worth checking your school’s guidelines if you’re unsure.
Can I do a reindeer bun on curly or coily hair?
Absolutely. Gently gather moisturised curls or coils into a high puff or bun, avoiding excessive tension. Then add antlers, eyes and a nose as you would on any other bun, keeping the natural texture on show if desired.
How can I keep the accessories secure all day?
Use good-quality bobby pins, sliding them in with the ridged side facing the scalp for better grip. Crossing pins in an X shape gives extra hold, and placing accessories slightly into the bun (rather than just on the surface) helps them stay put.
Is it safe to use craft materials in children’s hair?
Many parents do use light craft items such as felt, card and pipe cleaners, but it’s important to ensure there are no sharp edges or exposed wires and to keep an eye out for any irritation. If in doubt, choose purpose-made hair accessories instead.
How do I remove the style without causing tangles?
Start by gently taking out accessories and pins one by one, then remove elastics carefully. If hair feels tangled, a small amount of leave-in conditioner or detangling spray worked through with your fingers before brushing can make the process more comfortable.
Can adults wear a reindeer bun too?
Yes – the look can be easily scaled up for adults by choosing slightly more refined accessories, such as metallic antler clips and a velvet bow nose, making it a fun option for office parties or festive gatherings.
