Hair · ≈ 5 min fix · Updated June 2026
How to Make a Messy Bun
A good messy bun is loose on purpose, not falling apart. Add texture first, loop the hair into a high bun, pin the heavy parts, then pull out a few pieces to soften it.
Submitted by Mary B
Part of hair beauty fixes and dull beauty fixes .
The fix
- prep with texturizing spray or dry shampoo so the hair grips instead of slipping
- gather into a loose ponytail where you want the bun to sit, high for playful or low for relaxed
- twist the ponytail loosely and wrap it around the base, letting it stay a little undone
- secure with the hair tie, then pin the heaviest loops with bobby pins crossed in an X
- gently pull out a few face-framing pieces and tug the bun wider to get the soft, messy shape
If it’s still not right
- If it keeps sliding down, the hair is too clean or too heavy. Add more dry shampoo and use more pins.
- If it looks scraggly instead of soft, smooth the front with a little water and only loosen the crown.
Prevent it next time
- Day-old hair makes the easiest messy bun, so plan it for a non-wash day.
- Keep a claw clip option for fine hair that will not hold a tie.
Notes
Why this works
A messy bun is a balance between hold and looseness. The texture (from product or second-day hair) gives the strands enough grip to stay put, while a couple of well-placed bobby pins carry the weight so the elastic does not slip.
The “messy” look comes last: once the bun is secure, pulling a few pieces free and widening the shape turns a plain bun into a soft, lived-in one. Start secure, then loosen — not the other way around.
Substitutions
- Instead ofhair tiea spiral coil tie for less dent and creasing
- Instead oftexturizing spraya small amount of dry shampoo or mousse
- Instead ofbobby pinsa single claw clip for thicker hair
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