Some hairstyles ask for an hour, a hot tool and a mirror you can trust. Messy bun hairstyles ask for about five minutes, an elastic and a willingness to let a few pieces fall where they fall. This guide gathers 14 of them, from a soft low bun to a high knot that survives a full day, so you can find the version that fits your hair and your plans.
Every look below is written from a real photograph, so the details describe what the style actually looks like on real hair, not a perfect salon version. Whether you are working with a messy bun for long hair, a shorter cut that barely gathers, or curls that refuse to be tamed, there is a bun here that works with your hair instead of against it.
Quick Picks
Easiest overall: Easy Everyday Messy Bun — a five-minute high knot for almost any hair.
Most polished: Messy Bun for Work — a neat double-loop top knot with a smooth crown.
Best for short hair: Messy Bun for Short Hair — a small top knot using only the top section.
Best for curly hair: Curly Messy Bun — big, soft volume with no backcombing needed.
Best for a special occasion: Messy Bun for a Wedding — a soft low bun that lasts all day.
Fastest to style: Messy Bun with a Claw Clip — twisted, clipped and done in two minutes.
How to Choose the Right Messy Bun Hairstyle
Match the bun to your hair length, your texture and the day you are actually having, not just to a photo. A bun that suits your hair will hold up far better than a style chosen for the mirror alone.
Length: long hair suits a high messy bun with enough length to loop and tuck; medium hair sits happily in a mid-height knot; short hair does best with a small top knot or a half-up version.
Texture: curly hair needs almost nothing — a wide elastic and your hands — while fine, straight hair needs texture spray or second-day grit to hold.
Occasion: a low messy bun flatters a formal outfit and a longer neck, while a high bun opens up the face and keeps hair off the neck on a warm day.
Layers: if some layers are too short to reach the elastic, take only the top section and let the rest fall — a half-up messy bun is the most forgiving.
1. Easy Everyday Messy Bun
This is the bun most people picture first, and it earns that place. The hair is swept up high and looped into a soft, textured knot, with a few strands left free around the neck. Nothing is pulled flat, so it feels relaxed.
It works best on second-day hair, when natural texture gives the elastic something to hold. Gather the hair high, twist it loosely and pin only where it feels loose, then pull out two pieces at the front.
Best for: Everyday errands, school runs and casual days out
Face shapes: Oval, round and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: One hair elastic, 3-4 bobby pins and a little dry shampoo
Skill level: Beginner
Time: 5 minutes
Tip: Backcomb the ponytail first — the extra grip stops a loose bun sliding down.
Make it your own: use a silk scrunchie when your hair feels dry.
Image credit: via Pinterest
2. Low Messy Bun at the Nape
A low messy bun sits at the nape of the neck, where it feels calm and grown-up instead of playful. The dark brown hair here is twisted loosely and pinned low, with soft pieces left around the face.
Start with a low ponytail, twist it in one direction and wrap it around its own base, then pin it in two or three places only. Leave the front pieces out. This low messy bun flatters a longer neck and suits a collared shirt.
Best for: Work days, dinners and days when a high bun feels too casual
Face shapes: Oval, square and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: One hair elastic, 3-4 bobby pins and a soft-hold hairspray
Skill level: Beginner
Time: 5 minutes
Tip: Twist the ponytail before wrapping — the twist keeps the bun from going flat.
Image credit: via Pinterest
3. High Messy Bun for Long Hair
Long hair gives a high bun its best material: enough length to loop, fold and tuck so the knot looks full without any padding. Here the hair is swept up to the crown and gathered into a loose, textured bun, with wisps at the nape.
Brush the hair into a high ponytail first, then split the tail in two, twist each half and wrap them around each other. That stops the bun from turning into one heavy loop.
Best for: Warm days, workouts and anyone with long hair to get off the neck
Face shapes: Oval, round and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: One strong hair elastic, 4-5 bobby pins and texture spray
Skill level: Beginner
Time: 5-7 minutes
Tip: Split the ponytail into two twists — it spreads the weight and the bun looks fuller.
Make it your own: leave one thicker strand out and curl it lightly.
Image credit: via Pinterest
4. Messy Bun for Short Hair
Short hair can still do a messy bun, and the result is a small top knot that looks intentional. The dark bob here is gathered into a neat little knot at the crown while the shorter layers stay down.
Gather only the top section, from the temples up, and twist it into a small knot while the rest of the bob falls naturally. Pin the knot at its base and leave the face-framing pieces alone. A messy bun for short hair works best with texture spray.
Best for: Short bobs and lobs that will not gather into a full bun
Face shapes: Oval, round and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: One small hair elastic, 2-3 bobby pins and texture spray
Skill level: Beginner
Time: 3 minutes
Tip: Gather only the top half — forcing every short layer in makes the knot fall apart.
Image credit: via Pinterest
5. Messy Bun for Medium Hair
Medium-length hair is the sweet spot for a messy bun: long enough to wrap into a full knot, short enough that the bun stays light and does not pull. The highlighted hair here is swept up into a soft, voluminous knot with loose face-framing strands.
Gather the hair at the crown, twist it once and loop it loosely, then pin the ends underneath. A messy bun for medium hair holds well because there is enough length to anchor the elastic.
Best for: Medium-length hair that needs a quick, polished-looking updo
Face shapes: Oval, round and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: One hair elastic, 3-4 bobby pins and a light-hold hairspray
Skill level: Beginner
Time: 5 minutes
Tip: Pull the sides of the finished bun outward — widening it makes the hair look fuller.
Make it your own: add a small braid along one side before gathering.
Image credit: via Pinterest
6. Curly Messy Bun
Curly hair makes the best messy bun of all, because the texture does the work for you. The dark curls here are gathered into a big, voluminous high bun that looks full and soft, with loose curls at the nape.
Gather the curls loosely with your hands, not a brush, and secure them high with a wide elastic so the curl pattern stays intact. A messy bun for curly hair holds best when the curls are a day old.
Best for: Naturally curly or wavy hair that needs a quick updo
Face shapes: Oval, round, heart-shaped and square faces
Tools & products: One wide fabric elastic, 2-3 bobby pins and a little curl cream
Skill level: Beginner
Time: 5 minutes
Tip: Gather curls with your hands, never a brush — brushing turns volume into frizz.
Image credit: via Pinterest
7. Braided Messy Bun
A braid adds the one thing a plain bun cannot: visible detail. The brown hair here is braided loosely and then coiled into a soft low bun, so the braid shows as a textured band around the knot.
Braid the ponytail loosely — a three-strand braid is enough — then wrap the braid around its own base and pin it in three places. A braided messy bun suits second-day hair best, when the braid grips better.
Best for: Dinners, dates and days when a plain bun feels too simple
Face shapes: Oval, round and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: One hair elastic, 3-4 bobby pins and a little texturising spray
Skill level: Intermediate
Time: 8-10 minutes
Tip: Braid loosely on purpose — a tight braid vanishes inside the bun.
Make it your own: use a fishtail braid instead for a finer pattern.
Image credit: via Pinterest
8. Half-Up Messy Bun
The half-up version gives you the bun and the length at the same time. Only the top section of hair is twisted into a soft knot at the crown, while the long, wavy lengths fall down the back. It keeps hair out of the face.
Section the hair from temple to temple, twist that top section and pin it into a bun, then leave the rest down and untouched. A half up messy bun works on almost every length.
Best for: Days when you want hair up and down at once, and growing-out layers
Face shapes: Oval, round and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: One hair elastic, 2-3 bobby pins and texture spray
Skill level: Beginner
Time: 5 minutes
Tip: Take the top section from temple to temple — a narrower section makes a neater knot.
Image credit: via Pinterest
9. Messy Bun with Bangs
Bangs change a messy bun, because the face is already framed. The high bun here sits above wispy bangs that fall across the forehead, with a few loose pieces at the sides. The result looks soft and finished.
Sweep the hair into a high bun and leave the bangs alone — do not pull them back or pin them. The bangs are the frame, and the bun is the rest of the picture. This version suits straight or wavy bangs best.
Best for: Bangs, curtain bangs and face-framing layers
Face shapes: Oval, round and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: One hair elastic, 3-4 bobby pins and a round brush for the bangs
Skill level: Beginner
Time: 5 minutes
Tip: Style the bangs first and the bun second — touching the bangs later makes them messy.
Make it your own: pin one side of the bangs back with a small clip.
Image credit: via Pinterest
10. Messy Bun with a Scarf
A scarf turns a plain bun into an outfit. The platinum blonde hair here is gathered into a loose low bun and tied with a colourful patterned scarf, its ends left hanging. The scarf adds colour where the hair is simple.
Make the low bun first, then tie the scarf around its base and let the ends fall. A small square scarf works best folded into a band. The scarf also hides the elastic and any pins.
Best for: Weekends, holidays and days when the outfit needs one more detail
Face shapes: Oval, round and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: One hair elastic, 2-3 bobby pins and a small square scarf
Skill level: Beginner
Time: 5 minutes
Tip: Fold the scarf into a band before tying — a folded band stays neat, an unfolded one slips.
Image credit: via Pinterest
11. Messy Bun with a Claw Clip
The claw clip is the fastest way to a messy bun. The brown hair here is twisted up and held by a claw clip, with a few pieces left free around the neck. It takes a minute.
Twist the hair from the nape, fold it once and clip it at the crown, letting the ends fan out. A clip suits thick or long hair, while a medium one is enough for fine hair. It suits anyone who gets headaches from tight elastics.
Best for: Thick hair, sensitive scalps and anyone in a hurry
Face shapes: Oval, round, heart-shaped and square faces
Tools & products: One large claw clip and a little texture spray
Skill level: Beginner
Time: 2 minutes
Tip: Twist the hair up and fold it over before clipping — a straight twist sticks out stiffly.
Make it your own: choose tortoiseshell for warm tones or matte black for a cleaner look.
Image credit: via Pinterest
12. Double Messy Buns
Two buns are twice the fun and half the formality of a single knot. The brown hair here is twisted into a high bun with a side bun beside it. It is playful without being childish, and it works because the buns are kept soft and uneven.
Part the hair down the middle, make a bun on each side and keep them at the same height, level with the top of the ears. Do not try to make them identical — matching buns look stiff.
Best for: Festivals, holidays and casual days out with friends
Face shapes: Oval, round and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: Two hair elastics, 4-6 bobby pins and texture spray
Skill level: Intermediate
Time: 8 minutes
Tip: Keep the two buns slightly uneven — matched buns look stiff, a small difference looks relaxed.
Image credit: via Pinterest
13. Messy Bun for Work
A messy bun can work, but it needs to be the tidier end of messy. The blonde hair here is twisted into a double-loop top knot that sits high and holds its shape, with a few soft pieces left around the face. It reads as polished.
Gather the hair high and smooth the top layer with a brush before twisting, so the crown looks neat even though the bun is loose. Pin the bun in four places and finish with a mist of hairspray.
Best for: Office days, meetings and video calls
Face shapes: Oval, round and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: One hair elastic, 4 bobby pins, a brush and light-hold hairspray
Skill level: Beginner
Time: 5-7 minutes
Tip: Smooth the crown with a brush before twisting — a neat top layer looks work-ready.
Make it your own: add a thin velvet headband behind the bun for a neater outline.
Image credit: via Pinterest
14. Messy Bun for a Wedding
For a wedding, the messy bun goes low and soft. The brown hair here is gathered into a low bun at the nape, with loose pieces left around the neck. It lasts a day of dancing.
Use hair with texture in it — a light curl through the lengths before gathering helps it hold. Pin the bun low and leave two pieces at the front. A messy bun wedding look suits a guest better than a bride who wants a structured updo.
Best for: Wedding guests, garden parties and long celebrations
Face shapes: Oval, round and heart-shaped faces
Tools & products: One hair elastic, 4-5 bobby pins, a curling iron and soft-hold hairspray
Skill level: Intermediate
Time: 10 minutes
Tip: Add a light curl through the lengths first — the curl gives the low bun fullness.
Image credit: via Pinterest
Quick Comparison
| Item | Difficulty | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Everyday Messy Bun | Beginner | 5 minutes | Everyday errands |
| Low Messy Bun at the Nape | Beginner | 5 minutes | Work and dinners |
| High Messy Bun for Long Hair | Beginner | 5-7 minutes | Warm days |
| Messy Bun for Short Hair | Beginner | 3 minutes | Short bobs and lobs |
| Messy Bun for Medium Hair | Beginner | 5 minutes | Medium-length hair |
| Curly Messy Bun | Beginner | 5 minutes | Curly and wavy hair |
| Braided Messy Bun | Intermediate | 8-10 minutes | Dinners and dates |
| Half-Up Messy Bun | Beginner | 5 minutes | Hair up and down at once |
| Messy Bun with Bangs | Beginner | 5 minutes | Bangs and face-framing layers |
| Messy Bun with a Scarf | Beginner | 5 minutes | Weekends and holidays |
| Messy Bun with a Claw Clip | Beginner | 2 minutes | Thick hair, in a hurry |
| Double Messy Buns | Intermediate | 8 minutes | Festivals and holidays |
| Messy Bun for Work | Beginner | 5-7 minutes | Office days |
| Messy Bun for a Wedding | Intermediate | 10 minutes | Wedding guests |
Mistakes to Avoid
Starting with freshly washed hair: Clean hair is slippery, and a messy bun needs grip. Style on second-day hair, or work dry shampoo or texture spray through the lengths first, so the elastic and pins have something to hold.
Pulling the bun too tight: A tight bun is not a messy bun — it is a ballerina bun with flyaways. Keep the twist loose and the pins few. If your scalp hurts, the bun is too tight and will slide out within the hour.
Skipping the anchor: A bun pinned straight onto loose hair will sag. Always make a ponytail first, even a loose one, so the elastic carries the weight and the pins only shape it.
Hiding every face-framing piece: The loose pieces are what make a messy bun look soft instead of severe. Pull out two thin strands at the front and leave them alone — tucking everything back makes it look unfinished rather than relaxed.
Using too much product: A heavy layer of hairspray or gel makes the bun stiff and shiny, which defeats the point. Use a light mist at the end only, and let the hair texture itself do most of the work.
Final Tips for Messy Bun Hairstyles
Style on second-day hair — the natural texture holds a bun far better than fresh hair.
Keep dry shampoo in your bag; a spray at the roots revives a sliding bun.
Sleep with your hair in a loose silk scrunchie bun and the next morning's messy bun is half done.
Match your bobby pins to your hair colour so they disappear into the bun.
Practice the sixty-second version first. Once the easy bun is automatic, the braided and double versions take half the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a messy bun stay in place all day?
Start with a ponytail as the anchor, then twist and pin the bun in three or four places rather than one. Dry shampoo or texture spray first gives the pins grip, and a mist of hairspray seals it. If it still slides, switch to a stronger elastic or split the hair into two twists.
Can I do a messy bun with short hair?
Yes, if you gather only the top section. A small top knot made from the hair above the temples works on a bob or a lob, while the shorter layers stay down. Texture spray helps, because short, clean hair is slippery and slides out of a small knot. If the back layers will not reach, leave them down.
What is the easiest messy bun for beginners?
The easy everyday messy bun in this guide. Gather the hair high, twist it loosely, wrap it around its own base and pin it in three places. It takes about five minutes, it suits almost every face shape, and it forgives mistakes — a piece that falls out just looks like part of the style.
How do I add volume to a messy bun with fine hair?
Backcomb the ponytail lightly before twisting it, and pull the sides of the finished bun gently outward to widen it. Dry shampoo at the roots adds grip as well as lift. Avoid heavy creams or oils, which weigh fine hair down and make the bun go flat within the hour.
Is a messy bun OK for a wedding or work?
Yes, with the right version. For work, choose the tidier high bun with a smoothed crown and four pins. For a wedding, go low and soft, with a light curl through the lengths first. The difference between a casual bun and a dressy one is the neatness of the crown and the number of pins.
Your Messy Bun, Your Way
A messy bun is not a style you get wrong. It is a style you make your own, one loose twist at a time, and the best version is the one that stays up while you get on with your day. Pick the bun that matches your hair today and let the pieces fall where they fall.
