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A girl with a messy bun

How to Make the Perfect Messy Bun

Messy buns are supposed to be relaxed and effortlessly cute, but more often than not, it’s not exactly "effortless" and definitely not as cute as those styles you see on Pinterest. So many of us have spent more time in the mornings trying to perfect our "I woke up like this" look than we've spent on a date night chignon. There are several different techniques you can employ to make your bun look like the perfect controlled disaster; plus, once you nail it, you'll have enough time for a pre-work/class Starbucks run!

  1. Prep
    Slightly dirty hair works best for this hairstyle, but if that isn't an option for you, you can always spray your hair with a texturizing spray to make it hold for longer periods of time.
  2. Tie It Up
    Depending where you want the actual bun to land on your head, pull your hair into a ponytail accordingly. A high ponytail usually works/looks better for this style of bun.
  3. Tease
    Teasing is essential because it not only gives your hair extra volume, but also creates additional texture. Using a comb or brush, brush towards the base of your ponytail until you are satisfied with the volume/texture.
  4. Twist
    Separate your hair into two equal sections, twist them, and wrap them around the base of your ponytail in opposite directions.
  5. Secure
    Bobby pin the sections of hair in place about an inch from the end of your strands, so you'll still have the ends flowing freely. Feel free to pull a few more strands out of your bun to increase the messy look if you desire, then finish with some hairspray.
Last Updated: July 27, 2024