Hair type changes which bun works better than the look does, so check the list below for tips on fine, thick and curly hair before you pick one.
Effort swings widely here, from a 1-step claw clip twist to a braided headband, so there is a bun for a 2-minute morning and one for a slower evening.
1. Messy Bun for Curly Hair
Curls already do the hard part of a messy bun: they add texture and body without any teasing or product. Gather the hair high, wrap it once, and leave the tendrils loose instead of smoothing them back.
I like this version for how forgiving it is. A curl that springs out of place reads as intentional, so you can skip the mirror checks.
Pull a few curls loose at the crown and let the rest sit where they fall.
2. Volumized Messy Bun
Volume is what separates a fuller bun from a flat knot, and it comes from pulling, not tightening. After wrapping, tug gently at the loops until the bun widens and sits proud of your head.
Curled strands at the face balance that extra size, so the shape looks soft rather than top-heavy. I would keep the curls loose and only 2 or 3 per side.
A bigger bun suits finer hair that tends to look thin in a tight style.
3. Braided Messy Bun
Cornrows turn the base of a bun into a design before the bun even starts. The braids run back toward the crown, and gathering their ends into a high bun gives you texture and a neat foundation in one step.
Since the braids hold the hair in place, this bun stays put with very little fuss. That makes it a practical pick for busy days when you want hair that behaves.
The messy part comes from loosening the bun itself, not the braids.
4. Messy Bun with Bangs
Bangs change how a high bun sits on the face, adding softness across the forehead while everything else lifts away. Brown hair with a full fringe and a loose bun reads polished but relaxed.
My advice: keep the bangs fully separate from the bun when you gather your hair, or they will get dragged back. Dry shampoo worked in at the roots, just a light pass, stops bangs from splitting apart before the afternoon.
Bangs do mean upkeep, because they only hold their shape with regular trims.
5. High Messy Bun
Placement is everything here: the bun sits at the crown, not at the nape or mid-head, and that height gives the whole look its lift.
Because a clip does the holding, this is one of the fastest buns you can make.
I would choose a clip in a color you actually like, since it stays visible from behind. Gather the hair straight up, twist, and fasten.
Check the angle from the back, because a bun tilted to one side loses the energetic feel.
6. Messy Bun with Strands Around the Face
Loose strands are what make a messy bun look relaxed rather than pinned in place. After the bun is anchored, tease loose a few small pieces at the temples and just in front of each ear.
Blonde hair shows this softly, and bangs blend right into the pulled-out pieces. Keep it to a handful of strands; too many and the bun looks unraveled.
A small tug beats a big one, so go slowly and stop while it still looks deliberate.
7. Messy Bun with a Scarf or Bandana
A silk scarf wrapped around the base of the bun turns a plain knot into a finished accessory. The red pattern pops against a grey sweater, so pick a scarf that contrasts with your top rather than matching it.
Tie it after the bun is set, not before, and knot it where it shows most. A loose, slightly uneven wrap suits a messy bun better than a tight, tidy one.
A bandana works the same way if you want something with more structure.
8. High Messy Space Buns
2 buns set high on the head give the messy look a playful turn.
Part the hair down the middle, then gather each side at the same height, since uneven buns are the quickest way to make this look accidental in the wrong way.
I like them with a striped tee and a choker, which keeps the style casual rather than costume-like. Pull the loops out a little on each side so the buns look soft and textured, not slicked down.
Check the back in a second mirror before you leave.
9. High Bun with Braided Headband
A braid worn across the crown works as a headband, and it keeps the hair off your face while the bun stays loose. The contrast between the neat braid and the rumpled bun is what makes this look work.
I would make the bun first, then place the braid over the hair just ahead of it. Pin the ends out of sight underneath.
Wear it with a solid top in a quiet color like charcoal or navy, since the braided band already gives the hair all the detail it needs. Keep the bun relaxed so the braid stays the one tidy element.
10. Claw Clip Messy High Bun
A claw clip does the work of an elastic and a handful of pins in one move.
Twist the hair up high, fold the ends over, and snap the clip across the twist so the loose ends spill out above it.
A clip with a bold shape, like a rib cage or an oversized tortoiseshell, works as a real accessory from behind, so pick one you would be happy to have seen.
I prefer a larger clip for thick hair, because small ones slip.
A few loose strands left down at the nape soften the line where the bun meets the neck. That is what keeps it messy instead of merely pinned.
11. Classic Loose Messy High Bun
This is the bun to learn first: hair twisted into a loose coil at the crown, secured, then pulled apart until the edges look soft. Nothing about it needs to be symmetrical.
Keep the shape relaxed and the bun can read as dressed up, even next to a plain sweater and pearl earrings. I would stop fussing after one gentle tug, because more pulling just makes it sag.
It suits almost any outfit, so I reach for it more than any other bun.
First, flip your head upside down and pull your hair into a loose ponytail, as high or as low as you’d like it. Don’t use a comb or worry about your hair being perfectly slicked back — some bumps are OK.
Tips for Different Hair Types
Fine hair looks sparse in a messy bun unless you fake some body first.
Fine hair looks sparse in a bun, so a light backcomb at the crown or a dusting of dry shampoo gives it some body and a rougher, more lived-in finish.
Thick hair needs the opposite. Thick hair needs to be divided into two or three sections before you twist it up; one big handful tends to sag to one side.
Natural curl and coil already have grip and body, so a bun on this hair type usually needs very little product to stay put.
Once hair sits above the shoulders, there’s often not enough length to wrap around the base and tuck itself in.
Products for Messy Buns
Clean hair is the hardest to work with, since silky strands slide right out of a bun. Mist a sea-salt or texturizing spray through dry hair before you style, and the strands will grab each other instead of sliding apart.
Dry shampoo worked into the roots lifts them and soaks up oil, which helps on day 2 or 3 of a wash.
If your hair is short, a foam donut close to your own shade fakes the fullness that length would normally give. Pick pins in your hair color over shiny metallic ones; they blend right in and stay out of sight.
On curly hair, skip the brush. Skip the brush and comb through with your fingers, loosening tangles while keeping the natural texture that gives the bun its shape.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A bun that is too tight is the mistake with real consequences. Pulling hard at the hairline day after day can break hair and, over time, thin the temples, so aim for secure but never tight.
Vary the placement from day to day, alternating high, low and side, to give your hairline a break.
The elastic should suit your hair type.
A thin band slips off thick hair, while a heavy one on fine hair leaves dents and bumps. For curls, a thinner tie or a silk-lined scrunchie avoids dents and stretched-out curls.
Leave some texture in; brushing every strand smooth strips away the grip a loose, undone shape depends on. Clean, freshly washed hair is slippery, so add dry shampoo or another texture product before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to do a perfect messy high bun?
For a bun that sits high, start by gathering the hair at the crown, twist it into a loose coil, wrap it once around the base and secure it, then give the edges one gentle tug to pull them apart.
Bending forward so your hair hangs down while you pull it into a loose ponytail adds lift at the crown.
What is a messy bun in girls?
A messy bun is a loose, deliberately imperfect updo with soft edges and a few strands left out near the temples and ears.
A classic bun is sleek, with every strand smoothed and pulled tight to the head. A messy one gets its look from texture and a slightly undone shape, so it never needs to be perfectly placed.
Why do guys find messy buns so attractive?
I can’t point to a firm answer on what any one person finds attractive, but the look’s appeal is easy to describe: it reads relaxed and effortless while still looking put together.
Loose strands at the temples and a soft, uneven shape make it feel natural instead of stiff.
