How to Get The Perfect Messy Bun (3 Ways)
Your Ultimate Messy Bun guide has arrived! Check out my latest video and follow along with these step-by-step instructions in order to master each of these three easy, elegant messy buns.
(Links are available in the description box if you are in need of any tools)
Style 1: The Scrunchie Messy Bun
What you’ll need:
- A large scrunchie (avoid small ones because they’re harder to twist and stretch)
- A few bobby pins
How to do it:
1.Put your fingers through the scrunchie like a claw.
2. Pull your ponytail through once, this creates a loop or bubble.
3. Slide your hand through the scrunchie again, bring the hair forward, and twist your hand to make a hole.
4. Pull that hole up and over the loop of hair.
5. Secure in place.
6. Gently pull and fluff the bun until it looks full and effortless.
7. Anchor with bobby pins: weave them in horizontally to hold without collapsing the shape.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t open pins or push straight in. Slide them in closed sideways to anchor and avoid flattening your bun.
Optional Front Styling:
Use a Dyson Airwrap, Shark dupe, or hot roller to shape the front pieces.
1. Roll hair forward first.
2. Then switch direction and roll backward for bounce.
3. Cool with the “cool shot” or let it set.
4. Lightly hairspray to hold.
Style 2: The Twist Messy Bun
What you’ll need:
- A small scrunchie (acts as a filler for volume)
- Small stretchy elastic bands
- A few bobby pins
How to do it:
1. Start with your hair in a ponytail.
2. Wrap the small scrunchie around the base. This bulks up the bun.
3. Flip the ponytail forward over your head.
4. Use a tiny elastic to create a bun at the ends.
5. Anchor the sides with bobby pins so it’s not floppy.
6. Twist once and feed the hair through the bun.
7. Pull and fluff for volume.
Back Details:
8. Pull out a few short pieces near the nape for a casual touch.
9. Twist and pin them loosely back in for texture.
Optional Front Styling (Curling Iron Method):
1. Divide your front section into two parts.
2. Clamp near the root, drag down, roll, and unravel slowly.
3. Leave about an inch at the ends for a modern, stretched curl, not a ringlet.
4. Repeat on the second section.
5. Once cooled, comb through with a wide-tooth comb for relaxed waves.
6. You can leave them down or pull a few strands into the bun for a polished finish.
Style 3: The Rope Braid Messy Bun
What you’ll need:
- Small elastic
- A few bobby pins
How to do it:
1.Start with a ponytail.
2. Divide it into two equal sections.
3.Twist both sections in the same direction (e.g., to the left).
4. Then twist the two sections around each other in the opposite direction (to the right).
5. Secure the end with a small elastic.
6. Gently pull apart the braid to add volume.
7. Wrap it around the base of your ponytail to form a bun.
8. Tuck the ends in and secure with pins.
💡 Why it works: Twisting both sections one way and wrapping the other way locks the rope together naturally, making it look fancy but effortless.
Optional Front Styling (Flat Iron Waves):
1. Clamp near the root and smooth downward.
2. Flip your flat iron upside down, rotate it backward once, and pull through until 2 inches from the ends.
3. Release.
4. Repeat for soft, modern waves (not tight ringlets).
And there you have it, 3 elegant and easy to style messy buns for those days when you just want to pull your hair back, but still look put together.