You have heard of it, your friends wear it, it is all over your Instagram feed, and you, well, you are probably dying for a way to upgrade yours. You guessed right: we are talking about the messy bun. Join us in our quest for cutting-edge ways to style your hair with a bun that is everything but ordinary.
This cute creation is a power combo: donut meets messy meets fringes, and it is as easy to make as it looks. All you need to do is slightly curl and twist small locks of hair with your fingers as you go. Works with short bangs as well.
@inspobyelvirall
Uptight and messy are not as incompatible as your boss wants you to believe. This bun will give you the best of both worlds, especially if you have textured hair. You will need to smooth out the top sections as you go for a beautiful flow. The final result is credible enough for a board meeting.
@hairbyjaxx
Turn the back of your head into a flourishing vase with this soft, wispy hairstyle. It all starts with a low ponytail, small locks of hair looped, and several bobby pins. Then, setting sprays join the party, so your hair can blossom from day to night.
@kellymccormickhair
Channel your inner child with this fairytale hairstyle that will make heads turn as you go. The white flower hairpin is perfect to enhance the color, and a little bit of green is the perfect combo with the purple. The thin braid will make you ready for springtime all year round.
@lalasupdos
Braids and buns have been around for quite a long time now; this hairstyle draws inspiration from back in the day, when a tutorial was nowhere to be found. It’s actually way simpler than it looks, if you keep in mind that the strand for the braid is merely decorative and should be the last thing you do. Before finishing, just tuck the tip of the braid inside the low bun you have done previously.
@cosmo_camee
Raise the sweetness quotient of your coif with a flower embellishment. You can use a variety of items to add a bit of fancy to your finished look, including barrettes, jewels, flowers, butterflies, and bows.
@nicoledrege
If you deal with unruly locks that you love to wear long despite the drama, try this hairstyle on for size. Starting with a side braid, head it around to the back of the head and twist the remaining hair into a low bun. Secure with a hair elastic and bobby pins. The best part of this style? You can allow select tendrils and natural strands to flow freely.
@christinagunnell
Hair color serves many purposes, but none is as fun as making a bold fashion statement. When you’re ready to express yourself in a whole new way, color the lower section of your hair a bright hue while leaving the roots natural. When you pull your locks into a high bun, twist accordingly to show off the color.
@detrashalee
Long-haired ladies understand the importance of keeping an arsenal of messy bun hairstyles for those days when your mane refuses to cooperate. This pretty and seemingly intricate style is ideal for all seasons and works well on a variety of hair textures.
@alexsismae
Sweet and simple, this chignon hairstyle is easy to try. Start by brushing all hair straight back, then backcomb roughly. Pull hair into a low ponytail and then criss-cross and twist sections, shaping a messy knot. Secure each section with bobby pins until the hair elastic is completely covered. This style is a bit easier to pull off on damp hair. Plus, air-dried locks get that fun and messy vibe naturally.
@theprettyparlour
If you spend your days at the office, you’ll need a go-to style that isn’t too complicated and yet still exudes class and professionalism. This high bun style style is achieved through a high ponytail that is then wrapped around itself. Leave some loose strands in the back and on the sides to avoid looking too severe.
@rachaelharris_hairmakeupbeauty
Bangs are always in style, and if you’re fortunate enough to have long, medium-to-thick hair, you can easily pull off this style. To get the perfect messy bun, finger-comb hair into place instead of using a brush or a comb. Add a ribbon, headband, or bandana to finish the look.
@headstudio
Hair twists are a great way to go because you can easily adapt them to your own hair length and texture. Comb hair out and twist either large or small sections into a ponytail. Wrap the remaining hair into a bun and secure with hairpins. Spray with a high-quality setting spray to keep your hair in place all day.
@elstilespb
This hairdo takes the cake when it comes to both high style and minimal effort. Perfectly coiffed without being too slick, this style works best with long hair that is thin or medium-textured. Wear the bun during the day or fancy it up with jewelry and darker makeup when it’s time to enjoy the nightlife.
@tonyastylist
For more mature hair, try a low bun styled without a brush, only with your fingers. Don’t stress out about making it perfect – the entire goal is to show off your free spirit.
@kykhair
If you want something different, pair a side bun with a braided headband. Depending on the length and thickness of your hair, this style may come out as a chunky, bold look or a more subtle, wispy beauty.
@alliedoeshair
Starting with a French braid running down the back of the head, this hairstyle ends with the lower half of the braid twisted and secured into a low bun. What makes it exciting? The ruffled feel and the bold and dramatic color contrast, like vibrant purple against jet black. Many color combinations look awesome – the only way to discover your favorite is to try.
@stephhstyles
Wondering how to do a messy bun that looks totally unique? Resurrect the 80’s crimped hair trend: crinkle your hair prior to styling it. If you don’t have access to such an iron, sleep with damp strands sectioned into miniature braids all over the head.
@shelleygregoryhair
When you’re growing out your hair, you understand the frustration of not having enough reasonable style options. Low buns can save the day if your hair is at least chin length. If layers or select strands fall out, no worries – it just adds to the overall stylishly disheveled look you’re going for.
@circlesofhair
Again, if your hair is thin or not too long, try this variation of the top knot. Brush hair straight back into a pony, leaving a few front sections out to braid. Pull the braids back and gather them with the rest of the hair into a loose knot.
@rootedhairstudiolq
Flip that mane upside down and French braid from the base of your neck up to the crown of the head. Twist hair around an elastic and spray with a light setting spray. It’s a great way to showcase a balayage, ombre, or artful underlights.
@anniesforgetmeknots
To recreate this style, divide your hair into three sections, using just your fingers. Twist and pin each section in a variety of spots, ending with a sloppy bun shifted to one side. What a perfect mess!
@ramsaymarstonhair
This fancy look adds a boost of volume to the hair without overdoing it. A bouffant instantly lifts the look from casual to formal. Highlights are always a beautiful bonus when you work with styles where you twist and wrap your hair.
@ellasbridalhair
Wondering how to make your bun updo look more creative? The answer is found in plaited details. This hairstyle with rope twist braids up the back of the head and a fishtail top bun is the winning combination for a unique style!
@stephhstyles
Gather completely dried strands into a low bun and twist a section over the hair elastic to add a subtle yet pretty detail to the simple look. Pair this knot with bangs or side tendrils to soften it up.
@duyenhuynh
This look is au naturel, or so it seems. Be inspired by the high life in Paris and take your bun to a formal event. Don’t forget to use your favorite hair spray to be sure that your hair will stand through the day. Pair it with pearls and sunglasses for a look with just the right hint of Parisian chic.
@tinajordanclang
We know it is sometimes hard to believe that a braid and a bun can get along so well, but this hairstyle is proof. Anyone with highlights or different color shades should try it at least once.
@kayleymelissa
Could this color gradation be more mesmerizing? With all the twists and color depth, this low bun makes one dream of unicorns and cotton candy. Once you tackle the color, keep an eye open for the right length: the loose hair that will frame your face mustn’t touch your shoulders.
@modernsalon
Here’s a hairstyle that demands more improvisation than technical skills. Among all messy bun hairstyles, this is the one that lets imagination blossom. You can use real flowers attached to bobby pins or look around for hairpins with different flowers.
@bleachandjoan
Perfect for days when you feel you need to make a statement, a bold one. Just use this easy side bun hairstyle to put yourself out there. The shades of silver, blue, and purple in this bun create a very photogenic appearance.
@xandervintage
There is always something elvish in hairstyles like this. The combination of intense colors and boho hair jewelry in leather and metal takes us to another dimension. Not an everyday hairstyle, you should save this for special occasions. And yes, an urgent need to show off how your rings go with your hair is special enough for us.
@liz.colors
You have two options for this hairstyle: first, your hair is really long; second, you are okay with using hair extensions. It is all about length here. You need enough hair for a thick inverted braid starting from the bottom of your head, and then even more hair for an epic donut bun on the top.
@nicholeciotti
This style is ideal for girls with long hair who desperately need to refresh the neck area during sunny days but are tired of ponytails and plain donut buns. For beginners, our advice is to start with the braids, leaving the rest of the hair loose so that the ends of the braids can easily mesh to create the falling effect.
@boglarkaracz
This one is 50% braid and 50% bun. Start a Dutch braid as you typically do, keep it lower and looser, and once you are halfway through it, roll it all in a messy knot. Repeat from the other side. Remember, the hairband will be showing, so you might want to match or contrast it with your outfit.
@abbylhoskins
Conquer any dance floor with this bun updo full of twists, rolls, and depth. The contrasting highlights create a beautiful swirl effect with plenty of visual texture.
@chitabeseau
French maids inspired, this take on the famous braid is fresher and more relaxed than ever. On rainy days, this bun is great if you are constantly using a hood. No need to worry about small hair out of place – it is all part of the look.
@raychelirene
Depending on your hair length, you will be able to accomplish a more or less detailed hair roll. Don’t be afraid to follow the pretzel look; it is trending in formal hairstyle catalogues all over the industry.
@mode_hair_artistry
This is the ultimate and coolest of all the messy bun hairstyles depicted in this article. Why do we love it so much? Because it is true to its roots and all it does is magnify the effects of the original, more tamed style. Though we do admit that the amazing chalk color game seen here scored some extra points.
@hairbyamylynn
Family reunions and meeting the in-laws will be much easier with this twist bun with a discreet braid accent. It requires some maintenance, so you might want to ask a friend for help with the styling. Once it’s complete, you will not regret the effort, as you will feel ready for meeting and greeting through the next 24 hours.
@modernsalon
Forget your sock bun. This hairstyle needs neither much support nor filling because your hair will be doing all the work. If your hair is thick, you have an advantage when it’s time to twist and secure the sections of hair.. For those with thinner hair, there are texturizing products on the market that can be helpful.
@beautybyoliviag_
This lineup of 40 messy bun styles is packed with fresh ideas for every kind of moment. Some of the more sculptural looks take a little extra time, but the payoff is undeniable. Whether you’re dressing up or keeping it low-key, a new twist on the classics might be exactly what your routine’s been missing.
