Best product for a slicked back ballet bun on soft hair

[Defrostedmariahcarey]

Hi, daughter is 4 and has beautiful soft wavy hair that I don’t usually put anything on.
however she has a ballet show next week and I need to get her hair into a slicked back bun. Hairspray is useless as it dries too fast. Her hair is super silky and soft so I think I need something cream consistency? Anyone got any ideas? This is a one off so I’m not hugely worried about damage.

Gel spray then got to be glued hairspray. Twenty years I've been involved with dance shows and this is a winning combination.

This is what we use too.

In particular, we like https://www.boots.com/vo5-mega-hold-24-hour-frizz-control-gel-spray-200ml-10084348 and then https://www.boots.com/schwarzkopf-got2b-glued-blasting-freeze-spray-300ml-10117367 or https://www.boots.com/tresemmÉ-freeze-hold-hairspray-400ml-10241952. We also have https://www.boots.com/got2b-glued-wax-stick-50g-10357147 but to be honest, rarely need to use it. We find that this combination also brushes out quite easily afterwards.

I find a bristle brush is better to get the hair slick and smooth. If you do end up with a bump, you can use a fine-toothed comb to pull it right up to the hairband, where it then gets covered by the bun. (Much easier than trying to redo the hair over and over again on a wriggly small child).

The other top tip is to not wash her hair for a day or two before the show. Freshly washed hair is much more difficult to control.

That all being said, I chaperone a lot, and for the dance school shows, a lot of the more recreational dancers aren’t sent with their hair done. If products aren’t sent with them, it isn’t clear whether their parents are happy for their hair to be gelled. I have found that, particularly for this age group, water spray and then hairspray after the bun has been done is enough.

At 4, she’ll be unlikely to be in multiple dances with costume changes, and probably likely to be relatively early on in the show.

EDIT - I’ve just re-read your post about hairspray drying too fast. Use the gel spray or water to get the hair slicked into the bun. Then use the hairspray to hold everything firm after the bun has been done. Spray the front and then comb any wisps from around the face back, then spray the back and then pull any flyaways back up from the hairline. It won’t dry too quickly that way.

@Defrostedmariahcarey Leave her hair unwashed for a couple of days beforehand if you can, as it makes it easier to put a bun in. Agree with others, and use a pump action gel spray.

Best tip I got from the woman who does hair appointments at DD's dance school is to use a nit comb to get it really smooth