How to Do a Messy Bun Hairstyle

The messy bun is a simple up-do hairstyle that you can do yourself at home, and this article can show you how! No matter how you throw your messy bun together, the end result should make you feel comfortable and glamorous.

Simple Messy Bun Tutorial

Pull your hair into a ponytail with a rubber or elastic band. To form the bun, spin the ponytail around the elastic and tuck the end into the band, or leave a big, bouncy loop of hair in your ponytail before the final wrap of the elastic. Tug and adjust the loop higher or lower until you’re happy with your messy bun!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Preparing to Create Your Messy Bun

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1
The following is a quick list of things you may already have around your home. Even if you don't have these things, don't worry, the messy bun can be easily created with just your fingers and a rubber-band. It is also easy enough to find all of the following items at your local 24-hour drug store. If you are thinking of creating a messy bun for a more important event like a wedding or prom you can plan ahead and find a store that specializes in carrying hair care products and accessories.^{[1]XResearch source}
- For the quick and simple messy bun up-do, you will need about 5 minutes, your fingers, and a rubber-band.
- If you have more time, gather a soft brush, wide-tooth comb and an elastic ponytail holder. Preferably an elastic holder without a metal clasp to reduce the chance of hair damage.
Tip: Hair works best for a messy bun if it is two days after initial washing.^{[2]XResearch source}
2
Select a light-weight mousse that will allow your hair to be easily pliable yet still appear soft and natural. For extra body, select a mousse that says it includes a volumizing agent. This will be displayed on the mousse bottle. If you have very soft and fine hair or want your messy bun up-do to last for a long time, pick out a hairspray that you like to ensure your messy bun stays intact.
- For the most natural look, choose a hair spray with a micro-fine mist for minimal build up that you can apply and reapply without washing your hair.
- For a more extreme edgy look, choose a hair spray that offers massive volume without stiffness.
- If you have extremely soft or freshly washed hair, you can also experiment with dry shampoo or hair salt spray to add texture. (optional)
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Purchase some plain bobby pins, decorative flowers, bling gem-studded hair pins, small decorative hair clips, or similar hair items.^{[3]XResearch source} When searching for such items remember to keep them delicate and classy. (optional)

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Creating a Simple Messy Bun

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Use your fingers to comb through your hair and bring it to the back or side of your head into a ponytail. Have your rubber-band within reach, or have your elastic holder placed on the wrist you're gathering your hair with. As you bring your hair all together, wrap the rubber-band around the whole of the hair until it feels secure but not too tight.^{[4]XResearch source}
2
Next, you can either spin your ponytail into a single strip and then wrap it around the rubber-band and stick the end back under the rubber-band; or when you are forming the initial ponytail, with the last wrap of the rubber-band, intentionally don't pull the hair all the way through - leaving a large bouncy loop of hair.
- Pull the loop of hair further through the elastic ponytail holder to make the bun bigger and/or allow some of the strands to fall through for the ultimate messy look.
- Grasp the sides of the bun and widen the bun's radius by gently pulling the edges out to the sides. Selectively tug on the center of the loop to give it more of a U shape.
- Pull the ends sticking through the underside of the elastic to the left and right so that they’re more flared out against your head. Tuck any unwanted fallen strands back into the elastic. If desired, wrap a few loose strands around the elastic and pin them with a bobby pin.
For a higher bun, flip your hair upside-down and gather it in your hands. This will increase your hair’s volume and help eliminate bumps. For a lower bun, gather your hair in the middle of your head or closer to the nape of your neck. The ponytail can be as high or low as you want it to be.
Note that your bun will sit where you secure your ponytail (ex: high ponytail means a high bun).

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Creating a Messy Bun Using Alternative Methods

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1
Comb your hair with your wide-tooth comb and soft brush to free your hair of tangles and hidden hair accessories (ex: clips, bobby hands, etc.).
- Apply two pumps of mousse to your hair starting at your roots and working the product to your ends.
- Back brush/comb your hair to tease it and create more volume. Brush the front of your hair down over your forehead. Then back-brush it by placing the brush in the middle of the hair and gently brushing back toward the roots; do this until the desired level of teasing is achieved.
- Repeat with the sides of your hair by lifting your hair and back-brushing again.
Gather your hair into a smooth ponytail, smoothing out the bumps with your free hand. If smoothing unwanted bumps with your hand doesn’t work, use your wide-toothed comb. Hold your hair in place with one hand and secure it into a bun with the other.
^{[5]XResearch source} Wrap your elastic around your hair once or twice to make a ponytail. Coil your hair around the base of your ponytail as if you were putting it in a ballerina bun. Flatten the bun to your head and secure it with either the same or an additional elastic (or by pinning it with bobby pins; when done well, this helps the look a lot).
Use the elastic to secure a ponytail, hold the ponytail up behind you, and tease the ponytail by down brushing the hair toward the elastic holder. Spray with hairspray, if desired, then loop your hair once using a second elastic. Feed the loose ends of the hair through the loop, and then secure the entire looped bun with the remaining elastic. Allow the ends to poke out through a messy loop.
For those with hair 1-2 inches past your shoulders, loop your hair and wrap an elastic holder around it once. Feed the remaining hair through the first loop to create a second loop. Make sure to hold onto the ends of your hair so that they don’t slide through and undo the second loop. (Note that your first loop may get tighter as you pull your hair through to make a second.) Wrap the remaining elastic over both loops to secure them into a loose knot.
Alternatively, if your hair is quite long, wrap it around the base of your pony, then secure it loosely with a second elastic. Loop your hair and wrap an elastic around it once.
When you’re done, gently smooth your hair back over the crown of your head, and brush the edges of your hair to look less messy. Apply a thin layer of hair spray, if you plan on wearing your chic, messy bun for several hours or in harsh conditions.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Accentuating the Completed Bun (Optional)

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Run your fingers through the front of your hair to loosen it from the elastic and add body. This look creates a more classic, crown look; perfect for the office.
Slide your favorite or outfit-complimenting headbands on your head, two inches away from your hairline. If you have blond hair, use two black headbands or darker colored headbands. If you have brown or black hair, try using white headbands or a different light colored headband.^{[6]XResearch source}
. Adding beautiful small bling or flowers will really make your look stand out. It is important that you don't over do it. The messy bun look is one of simplicity and elegance. Adding to much will make your messy bun look gaudy and unnatural.
Play around with your hair until you've accomplished the perfect bun. Leave out strands of hair before you pull up the majority of your hair into the ponytail. Once you have created the main bun, separate your hair into strands in the pony-tail and individually twirl them into separate strands and wrap them around the bun securing each strand with a bobby pin so that you have multiple bun strands surrounding the main bun. Pull a full wispy pieces of hair out from the front and sides of your hair for a messy, whimsical look or lightly pull the hair at the back of the bun to loosen it and let it naturally fall.^{[7]XResearch source}
Make sure you spray about seven to eight inches away. If you are feeling really adventurous you can purchase glitter hair spray for a stunning sprinkle of glitter and shine!
There are several different ways to create your messy bun masterpiece. The more you play around with your own style, the more styles you will come up with that you like for yourself. The most important part of choosing to create a messy bun is that it look natural and not over-worked or too tight. When you are finished creating your messy bun look, you should feel relaxed, glamorous and whimsical. As you learn to master the craft, you will be able to control the look so that people will think you are naturally endowed with the perfect locks!

Community Q&A

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Question
How can I do this quickly?
Community Answer
A messy bun can be done overnight. Make a bun before you go to sleep, and you will have a "perfect" messy bun in the morning.
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Question
Why won't my bun stay in place even when I've used hair bands and bobby pins and hairspray?
Community Answer
Your hair is probably too clean. Really clean hair will always fall out of an up-do. You could try using extra strength gel or mousse or braiding the hair to get it to stay. Leave a small portion loose to wrap around the bun, if you like. French braids leading to the base of the bun can help the sides stay. Use a sock or bun base, those can help keep the hair in place.
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Question
How is the actual bun created? Do I twist the hair then tie it up or put it up as normal?
Community Answer
Definitely twist the hair, as that is the key to a great messy bun. Otherwise, the bun will look too neat. There is a fine art to looking casually messy.
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Tips

If your hair is not cooperating, wet your hand and apply a little water to your hair for assistance.
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This can easily be turned into a romantic look by softly curling the pieces of your hair to create small tendrils.
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For soft, morning waves bun your hair after showering the night before.
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Remember, messy buns aren't perfect, so only put in a little effort and it will cone out better. Also, everyone's messy bun is different, so if yours is not as good as someone else's, don't fret. Your messy bun will look different every time!
Don't wash your hair before you attempt this style. Clean hair causes messy buns to fall out; make sure it's been at least 8-12 hours since you've last showered, and use dry shampoo if necessary.
When you have your hair in a normal bun, you cold just pull the pieces out a little bit until it's bigger and more messy.

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Warnings

Don't pull your elastics too tight, as they can break or damage your hair.
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Be patient when backcombing your hair.^{[8]XResearch source} Use a paddle brush for best results and time-saving efforts.
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