How to Do a Fancy Messy Bun

Play with your hair bun to achieve the look you want before heading out of the house.

Look uber chic, yet glamorous by pulling your hair into a messy bun. The messy bun, which takes less than five minutes to create with dry hair, or less than 15 with wet hair, is a simple hairstyle that can be done by anyone with medium to long hair. Once the hairdo has been created, fancy it up a bit by pulling out side tendrils or adding a flower clip to the side of the hair.

Things You'll Need

• Straightening Gel
• Hair dryer
• Paddle brush or straightening brush
• Elastic hairband
• 2 thin headbands
• Light-hold hairspray

Instructions

1. Apply 1 tbsp. of straightening gel to towel-dried hair, suggests "Seventeen Magazine." Work the gel throughout your hair from roots to ends. Longer hair may require a little extra gel.

2. Blow-dry your hair on medium heat. While drying use a paddle brush, or straightening brush, to work through your hair to ensure a straight and smooth end result.

3. Pull your hair upward into a ponytail that sits right on the crown of your head. Secure the ponytail with an elastic hairband. The hairband will be covered by the messy up-do.

4. Twist your hair into a bun. Creating a bun is done by holding your ponytail upward and twisting it either clockwise or counterclockwise. Circle the twisted ponytail downward until it is the shape of a bun and secure the end by pushing it through the elastic ponytail holder.

5. Pull your hair away from the scalp of you head using an alligator comb or your fingers. This will create a more messy appearance; in addition, pull strands of hair out of your bun so it looks messy, yet pulled together.

6. Insert a thin headband to the top of your head. The first headband will be placed directly on top of your head so it is even with the tips of your ears, while the second headband will be placed slightly angled so it lies between the first headband and the messy bun. Pull your hair up through the bands slightly to create a more messy appearance.

7. Spray your hair with a light-hold hairspray to secure the hair. Avoid over-spraying the hair or using a heavy hairspray; you want the hair to be soft looking, not crunchy.

Tips & Warnings

• Use headbands that contain gems or beading to up the glam factor.

• Insert bobby pins to secure hair that is too short to fit into the bun.

References

• "Seventeen"; The Perfect Loose Bun; Kelli Acciardo
• "InStyle": Messy Updos

Resources

• Become Gorgeous: Summer 2011 Messy Updo Trends