How Do You Do A Messy Bun: Your Guide To Effortless Style Today

Do you ever look at someone with a perfectly undone hairstyle and wonder, "how do you do a messy bun like that?" It's a look that just screams effortless cool, yet achieving that perfectly imperfect appearance can be a bit of a challenge. For many people, a messy bun is truly the go-to style for so many moments.

This versatile hairstyle, you know, is perfect for everything from quick casual errands to a fun date night. It’s quick and easy and only requires a couple of things, making it a favorite for busy days. Whether you’re looking for ways to make your unwashed hair look presentable, or you want a gorgeous, easy messy updo to wear to an event, you’ll find ideas here, so.

Today, we are going to show you how to make cute messy buns, why we love each style, how to style each one, and a few tips from the pros when doing each. If you want to know how to do a messy bun, here, we take you through a step-by-step guide with help from three celebrity pro hairstylists. Every girl, it seems, loves a messy bun, right?

Table of Contents

• Why the Messy Bun is a Must-Have Hairstyle
• Getting Ready for Your Messy Bun
  • The Right Hair Condition
  • Tools You Might Need
  • Brushing Out Your Hair
• Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Messy Bun
  • Gathering Your Hair, Just So
  • The Twist and Loop Method
  • Securing Your Creation
  • Pulling Out Pieces for That Undone Look
• Messy Buns for Every Hair Length
  • Short to Medium Length Hair Buns
  • Long Hair Messy Buns
  • Taming Extremely Long Hair
• Exploring Different Messy Bun Styles
  • The Classic Top Knot
  • Loose and Low Buns
  • The Half-Up Messy Bun
• Pro Tips for Your Best Messy Bun
  • Adding Volume and Fullness
  • Making It Last All Day
  • The Magic of a Claw Clip
• Troubleshooting Your Messy Bun
  • When Your Bun Wants to Fall Out
  • Too Neat, Not Messy Enough
  • Lacking Volume
• Frequently Asked Questions About Messy Buns

Why the Messy Bun is a Must-Have Hairstyle

A messy bun, it's almost like a style that is always in season, you know. It offers a blend of casual comfort and chic appeal that few other hairstyles can match. For those days when you want an easy, cute hairstyle in minutes, this is often the answer.

This look is incredibly versatile, fitting seamlessly into almost any setting. You can wear it to run errands, or even dress it up for a casual dinner. It truly keeps your hair up and out of your face, which is very helpful.

The beauty of the messy bun lies in its relaxed vibe. It suggests you didn't spend hours on your hair, even if you did put a little thought into it. It’s a quick, easy way to keep your hair up, and it’s just a great option.

Getting Ready for Your Messy Bun

Before you even begin to gather your hair, a little preparation goes a long way. There are a few things that will make it even easier to achieve that perfect messy look. This step, in a way, sets the foundation for your hairstyle.

The Right Hair Condition

For many people, the best messy buns happen on second-day hair, or even third-day hair. Slightly unwashed hair often has more grip and texture, which helps the bun hold its shape. If your hair is too clean, it might be a little too slippery to work with, so.

If your hair is freshly washed, you could try adding a little dry shampoo or texturizing spray. This helps to give your strands some added grip and volume. It makes the hair a little less soft and more cooperative, actually.

Tools You Might Need

To create your messy bun, you won't need a lot of fancy equipment. Typically, you'll want a hair tie, perhaps a few bobby pins, and maybe a brush. Some people also find a claw clip very useful for this style.

A good quality hair tie that won't snag your hair is important. Bobby pins, if you use them, should match your hair color to blend in. And a brush, well, that's just for starting off right, you know.

Brushing Out Your Hair

Before anything else, it’s a good idea to brush your hair out to make it ready. This helps to remove any tangles or knots that could interfere with forming the bun. A smooth starting point makes the process much simpler, more or less.

Even for a messy bun, you want to begin with hair that's relatively free of snags. This also helps to distribute any natural oils, adding to the texture. It's just a quick step, but it really does make a difference.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Messy Bun

If you want to know how to do a messy bun, here, we take you through a step-by-step guide. This process is pretty simple, but it has a few key moments that create the right look. We've got you covered with a versatile variety of tutorials, from messy buns to top knots, so.

Gathering Your Hair, Just So

First, decide where you want your bun to sit on your head. You can go high for a top knot, or lower for a more relaxed, nape-of-the-neck style. Gather all your hair into a ponytail at your chosen spot, you know.

Don't pull it too tight; a little looseness at the base helps with the messy effect. You can use your fingers to rake your hair back, which also adds to that soft, natural look. This initial gathering is quite important, actually.

The Twist and Loop Method

Once your hair is gathered, you can start forming the bun itself. One common method is to twist your ponytail loosely. Then, wrap the twisted hair around the base of your ponytail, creating a bun shape.

Another way is to loop your hair through the elastic, but not all the way. This creates a half-loop, and then you can wrap the remaining ends around it. This technique often results in a very natural, undone look, too it's almost.

You might try different ways to see what works best for your hair type and length. Some people just scrunch their hair into a bun shape. It’s really about what feels right for you, in a way.

Securing Your Creation

Now, it's time to secure your messy bun so it stays put. You can use a second hair tie to wrap around the newly formed bun. This often holds it firmly in place, more or less.

For added security, or to tuck in loose ends, use bobby pins. Push them into the bun, making sure they catch some hair from your head as well. This keeps the bun from drooping throughout the day, you know.

If you're using a claw clip, you can gather your hair into a loose twist, then secure it with the clip. This is one of the simplest and most effortless hairstyles for everyday wear. We'll show you how to create a quick and easy messy bun using a claw clip in a moment.

Pulling Out Pieces for That Undone Look

This is where the "messy" part truly comes into play. Once your bun is secured, gently pull out small sections of hair around your face. You can also pull out pieces from the bun itself to create more volume and texture.

Be careful not to pull too much, or your bun might unravel. The goal is to create soft wisps that frame your face and give a relaxed feel. This step is key to nailing this undone updo, honestly.

You can also gently tug at the bun to make it appear fuller and more voluminous. Learn how to get a perfectly messy yet stylish bun that looks like you have way more hair than you actually do. It's all about that perfectly imperfect, tousled look, you know.

Messy Buns for Every Hair Length

The messy bun is quite versatile, working for many different hair lengths. However, the technique might vary a little depending on how long your hair is. We have 7 super simple tutorials to guide you, you know.

Short to Medium Length Hair Buns

This hairstyle works best on short to medium length hair, in some respects. For shorter hair, you might find it easier to create a smaller, tighter bun. You might also need more bobby pins to secure all the shorter layers.

Today, I wanted to show you my quick messy bun for medium length hair. It’s quick and easy and only requires a couple of things, which is nice. Focus on getting enough volume at the crown to give the illusion of more hair, too.

Long Hair Messy Buns

Mastering the art of the messy bun, especially with long hair, can be a challenge. Long hair can create a very large bun, which some people love. How to make a messy bun with long hair: it often involves more wrapping.

You might need to twist your hair more times before wrapping it around the base. This helps to contain the length and create a more compact bun. Using an extra hair tie or more pins might be needed to keep it secure, you know.

Taming Extremely Long Hair

If you have extremely long hair, this is an easy guide to help you tame that Rapunzel of a head. Managing a lot of hair can seem like a big task, but it's quite doable. You'll likely want to make sure your hair is brushed out well before you start.

Consider doing a loose braid first, then wrapping the braid into a bun. This can help manage the volume and keep the bun from becoming too bulky. It's a clever trick for very long hair, honestly.

Exploring Different Messy Bun Styles

From top knots to loose, hot messy buns, we have 7 super simple tutorials to guide you. There are many ways to wear a messy bun, each with its own vibe. You can really personalize this look, you know.

The Classic Top Knot

A top knot sits high on your head, often right on the crown. It gives a playful and energetic look, very popular for casual outings. Gather your hair as high as you can get it for this style, so.

Then, follow the same twisting and looping steps, securing it firmly. Pull out plenty of pieces around your face and the base for that true messy effect. It’s a great way to keep hair completely off your neck, too it's almost.

Loose and Low Buns

A low messy bun sits at the nape of your neck, or slightly above it. This style tends to be more elegant and relaxed, suitable for many occasions. It’s a lovely, loose and curly high bun, perhaps.

Gather your hair loosely at the back of your head. Twist and secure as usual, but allow more strands to fall naturally around your neck. This creates a softer, more romantic look, apparently.

The Half-Up Messy Bun

For this style, you only gather the top section of your hair. Leave the bottom half down, flowing freely. Create a small messy bun with the top section, usually at the crown, you know.

This is perfect for showing off your hair length while keeping some strands out of your face. It offers a casual yet put-together appearance. It’s a really cute option for many people.

Pro Tips for Your Best Messy Bun

There’s an art to creating the perfect messy bun hairstyle. Explore our tips and tricks for how to do a messy bun on any type of hair. But there are a few things that will make it even easier, you know.

Adding Volume and Fullness

To create a perfect messy bun hairstyle full of movement and volume in just minutes, try this. Before gathering your hair, you can gently backcomb or tease the roots at the crown of your head. This adds a lot of lift and body, which is very helpful.

A little dry shampoo, even on clean hair, can also add texture and volume. Spritz it at the roots and gently massage it in before styling. This helps the bun look like you have way more hair than you actually do, honestly.

Making It Last All Day

To ensure your messy bun stays put, consider using a light-hold hairspray. After you've created your bun and pulled out your desired pieces, give it a gentle mist. This helps to set the style without making it stiff, you know.

For extra security, especially if you have very slippery hair, use texturizing spray. Apply it before you even start gathering your hair. It provides a bit of grit for the hair tie and pins to hold onto, basically.

The Magic of a Claw Clip

In this video, I’m showing you how to create a quick and easy messy bun using a claw clip. This is one of the simplest and most effortless hairstyles for everyday wear. It’s a great alternative to a hair tie, you know.

To use a claw clip for a messy bun, gather your hair as if for a ponytail. Twist it loosely into a bun shape, then secure the entire bun with the claw clip. This provides a very secure hold and a chic look, apparently.

Troubleshooting Your Messy Bun

Sometimes, the messy bun doesn't quite go as planned. Don't worry, these are common issues, and there are ways to fix them. It’s all part of learning how to nail this classic hairstyle, you know.

When Your Bun Wants to Fall Out

If your messy bun keeps falling out, it might be too loose or not secured enough. Try using a stronger hair tie or adding more bobby pins. Make sure the pins are really catching both the bun and the hair on your head, so.

Also, ensure your hair has enough texture. If it’s too silky, a little dry shampoo or texturizing spray can help give it grip. This often solves the problem quite effectively, you know.

Too Neat, Not Messy Enough

If your bun looks too perfect, you're probably being too careful. The key to a messy bun is to actually be a little messy with it. Gently pull out more strands around your face and from the bun itself.

Don't be afraid to tug at sections to create more volume and an undone feel. The more "imperfect" it looks, often the better it is. It's about embracing the natural flow of your hair, you know.

Lacking Volume

For a bun that looks flat, try teasing your hair at the roots before gathering it. You can also use a volumizing spray or dry shampoo. Once the bun is formed, gently pull it apart a little to expand its shape.

This creates the illusion of more hair and a fuller bun. It’s a simple trick that really boosts the overall look, honestly. Learn more about hair styling tips on our site.

Frequently Asked Questions About Messy Buns

How do you do a messy bun without it falling out?

To keep your messy bun from falling out, you can use a few tricks. First, ensure your hair has some grip; day-old hair or hair with dry shampoo often works best. Second, use a sturdy hair tie and plenty of bobby pins, making sure they anchor into your scalp hair as well. Finally, a light mist of hairspray can help set the style, you know.

Is a messy bun good for your hair?

A messy bun can be quite gentle on your hair, especially if you don't pull it too tight. It helps protect your ends from environmental damage and friction. However, using hair ties that are too tight or always placing the bun in the exact same spot could cause some stress over time, so. It's good to vary your hairstyles and use soft hair ties.

What is the trick to a messy bun?

The main trick to a messy bun is to not try too hard, in a way. It