Your flat bun era is officially over.
A perfect bun is the one thing that can make your whole day better. But not if it looks like a tangled knot rather than a perfectly wrapped or twisted bundle. That’s why it matters so much to make it look more voluminous, even if you don’t have a lot of hair to work with. We’ve found 5 hair hacks to make your bun visibly fuller every time. Check them out!
Grab a soft scrunchie and create a basic ponytail. Then, cover the base of the pony with your hair and add one more elastic to secure your donut bun. Tie the tips together, flip the opening, and cover the base of your bun with a twisted section.
The scrunchie works as a hidden volume booster here. It creates a padded base under your hair, so even a smaller amount of hair appears to wrap around something substantial. The result is a bun that looks thick and full without any extra effort. If you love the relaxed vibe this creates, check out these messy bun hairstyle ideas for even more inspiration.
Pro tip: If you have thin hair, use a scrunchie that matches your hair color for a seamless finish.
Start with hair gel, then brush all your hair to the back into two high ponytails. Tie them together into a bulky knot. Tuck in the ends and use an extra hair tie to secure your bun.
Two ponytails mean twice the base volume. By stacking them and tying them into a knot, you’re building a bun that’s naturally thicker and more textured. The layering effect gives it a full, rounded shape that looks intentional and put together. On days when you want something just as stylish but with even less fuss, these low-effort hairstyles are worth bookmarking.
Got those second-day curls? Put them to work! Start with a looped bun and tuck in the ends. Then, divide the bun into two halves and weave a French pin through them. Leave a couple of strands loose for a soft, romantic feel.
Second-day texture is actually your best friend here. The natural grip of lightly styled or air-dried hair holds the shape better, and the French pin lifts the sections apart slightly, making the bun look wider and more voluminous. That little separation is all it takes. If you’re into playful two-bun variations, you might also enjoy trying out space buns for a totally different but equally full look.
Start with a ponytail and divide it into two equal sections. Fold them and secure with an elastic to create a fluffy bun. Tie the ends together, twist the section, and flip it over your bun.
Folding and twisting rather than simply wrapping your hair adds physical layers to the bun. Each fold creates a new visible surface, so the bun takes up more space and looks far fuller than a single-wrap style would.
It’s a small structural change with a big visual payoff. For a step-by-step take on this same technique, the twist and tuck messy bun guide walks you through it beautifully.
Section off the top layer of your hair and tie it into a looped bun. Tie the bottom section into a bun too. Use the opening in the lower bun to grab the upper one. Pin in the ends to the top and curl them for a little extra volume and texture.
Two buns stacked on top of each other naturally create a bigger and rounder silhouette. The upper bun sits slightly forward while the lower one provides the base, giving the whole style a lifted, full appearance.
The curled ends you pin in at the top add the finishing texture that ties it all together. If you want to try another stacking approach with a similar effect, the crossover bun hack is a great next step.
Now you have five hair hacks to pull out any time your bun needs a little help. Try one, try all five, and find your go-to depending on how much time you have and what your hair is doing that day. A fuller bun is within reach, no matter your hair type or length.
And if you want to keep exploring new styles before committing to them in real life, give TheRightHairstyles try-on tool and the HairHunt app (iOS, Android) a go. It’s a fun, zero-commitment way to find your next favorite updo and walk in with total confidence.
