Make a Bun
A bun is a versatile hairstyle ranging from simply functional for household chores to school look or just utterly sophisticated for a night out. This article will show you how to make a variety of buns, suitable for any occasion.
Contents
10 Second Summary
1. Brush your hair.
2. Pull your hair back into a high or mid-high ponytail.
3. Secure the ponytail with a hair tie.
4. Wrap your hair in a spiral around the base of the ponytail.
5. Tuck the ends under the bun.
6. Secure the bun with bobby pins.
7. Spritz the bun with hairspray for a sleeker look.
Steps
Making a Messy Bun
- Prep your hair. Brush your hair to remove any knots and tangles that may be present. To create a messy bun, you can choose to have a part in your hair present or to pull all your hair back from the front.
- Pull your hair back. Without brushing your hair, grab it all starting at the front near your face and collecting all your hair into one hand. Hold the hair at the location where you want to have your bun.
- To create a sophisticated mod look, pull your hair up very high near the top of your head. For a more professional look, your hair should be drawn to the center of the back of your head. To create an easy carefree messy bun, pull your hair to the nape of your neck.
- You can choose to make your bun off-center for a more playful look if you would like.
- Because you are going for a messy bun look, don’t brush your hair or run your hands through it too much as you draw it back. Simply pick your hair up, resisting the temptation to finger brush it.
- Be sure to pick up any loose strands, and make sure that all of your hair has been included in your handful.
- Wrap a ponytail around the handful. Take an elastic and wrap it around your hair. It should take you about 3 wraps of the band total to get a tight fit. On the third wrap of the ponytail though, don’t pull your hair all the way through the band. Instead, leave ½-⅓ of your hair hanging out the bottom as a tail, while the remaining portion of your hair will create a loop in the upper part of the ponytail.
- Create the messy bun. You should now be left with your hair in a large loop, with a tail of hair sticking out below it. Take the tail and wrap it around the base of the ponytail, covering the band. Use 2-3 bobby pins to secure the tail around the base. Then, part the loop down the center and pull the two sides to your scalp, and pin.
- You don’t need to create a direct part through the loop, you are only trying to pin the body of it to your head so that it doesn’t retain its ring-like shape.
- Feel free to pull out little pieces of your hair to let hang loose or to pin in other directions to enhance the messy look.
- Finish the bun. Spritz your hair with a bit of hairspray to keep your bun long lasting, and add any decorative hair accessories you might have. A cute headband or small pin near the base of the bun is a great way to add a bit of extra interest to your bun.
Making a Topknot
- Prep your hair. Use a comb or brush to remove any knots or tangles in your hair. The topknot style does not use a part, so you can choose to brush your hair straight back for a smooth look, or use your hands to pull your hair back for a messier appearance.
- Pull your hair up high. Gather all of your hair starting at the front and then working your way towards the back, into a handful on the top of your head. Make sure that there are no loose strands and that all your hair has been gathered into your handful.
- Twist your hair into a knot. Take the entire handful of hair and twist it in the same direction, creating a rope-like piece. Then, wrap it onto itself to create a knot-like spiral.
- Add a ponytail. Wrap a ponytail around the topknot you have created, making sure that the elastic doesn’t get caught on strands in the middle or top of the bun, but lays flat against you head at the base of the bun.
- Pull out strands of hair to give it a messy appearance, or leave it as-is.
- If you have very long hair, your knot might be a little too ‘vertical’ for you. In this case, you can lean it to one side and pin it. Otherwise, allow the knot to stand upright.
- Finish the look. Because this style sits on the top of your head, you may have hairs at the nape of your neck that didn’t manage to be include in the look. Pin these into your hair with a clip, and then give your entire head a quick misting of hairspray. Add any hair accessories you may want.
Method Three: Creating a Sleek Ballerina Bun
- Prep your hair. Remove all tangles and make sure your hair is completely smooth by giving it a thorough brushing. The ballerina bun is created using hair that is totally slicked-back, so if your hair is frizzy or prone to fly-aways, mist your hair with water to dampen it slightly.
- Brush your hair into a ponytail. For this look it is necessary to use a brush to create the necessary smoothness. Comb your hair back into a ponytail at any location on your head. A classic ballerina bun is formed near the top of your head, but you can certainly place it at any location along your scalp.
- Make sure your hair is totally smooth before you add the elastic. This may require a few minutes of brushing, to verify that the hair from every part of your head is smooth and included.
- Once you are sure your hair has been smoothed, use a ponytail to wrap around your handful of hair to secure it tightly. Make sure that the ponytail is not too loose to allow for slippage over time.
- Create the bun. Without twisting your hair into a rope-like strand, wrap it in a spiral around the base of your ponytail. When you get to the ends, tuck them beneath the spiral and secure with bobby pins.
- Depending on the length and thickness of your hair, you will need to use anywhere from 3-7 bobby pins to keep your bun in place. Avoid using more than necessary though, as you will be able to see if there are many being used.
- Slide the bobby pins in under the bun, so that you can only partially see the very ends. They should slide under (not over or around) the elastic at the center of your bun.
- If you have layers in your hair, you may need to use additional pins to secure the layers to your scalp.
- Finish the look. This style definitely needs hairspray in order to be set completely. Give your enter head of hair a go-over with a strong hairspray, and use your fingers to smooth out all of your strands. You’re finished!
Method Four: Creating a Braided Bun
- Prep your hair. Brush your hair to remove all knots and tangles. You can choose to have a part or to have all your hair pulled straight back, so brush it accordingly. If your hair is very frizzy consider lightly misting it to dampen it.
- Pull your hair back. A braided bun can be placed at any location on your head. It can be created using a brush for a very professional and sophisticated look, or finger-pulled back for a more relaxed appearance. Use a ponytail to secure the location on your head.
- Braid your ponytail. Start at the base, and form a normal braid by splitting your hair into three sections and crossing them over each other. You should start by moving the section on the right over the center piece, and then taking the section on the left and moving it over the center piece. Continue this pattern until you reach the end of your ponytail.
- When you get to the end, simply hold onto it. You will pin it to your head, so there is no need to use an elastic.
- If you feel that you absolutely must use an elastic with this style, try to use a small clear one to minimize its appearance. Otherwise, you will be able to see it inside your bun.
- Create your bun.Starting at the base of your braid, wrap it around into a spiral shape. When you get to the ends, tuck them beneath the base of the bun. Secure your hair with a few bobby pins, making sure that your hair will not fall out.
- Finish the look. If you want, you can pull a few strands of hair outside of your bun to create a messy look. Coat your hair with hairspray, and add any cute accessories you might like. A headband goes especially well with a braided bun for a more bohemian feel.
Method Five: Creating a Sock Bun
- Prep your hair. Brush your hair to remove any knots and tangles. A sock bun typically does not have a part, although you can include one if you would like.
- Pull your hair back. Select the place on your head you would like to create your sock bun. A popular trend now is to have it placed on the top of your head, similar to a topknot. You can have a more classic look by pulling your hair near the base of your neck though. Secure your handful of hair with an elastic.
- Ready your sock. Take an old (clean) sock, and cut the closed end near the toes off. It is best if you use a sock similar in color to your hair, but any color will do. You should be left with an empty sock-tube. Roll it up (similar to how you would with nylons) so that your sock is no longer a tube, but a donut shape.
- Put your sock on the ponytail. Take your sock and slide it onto your ponytail all the way to the base. This is to make sure that all of the strands are included. Then, hold your ponytail up and slide the sock all the way to the end of the ponytail.
- Start the bun. Wrap the ends of your hair around the sock donut, so that they form a loop and the ends are placed in the center hole of the sock.
- Roll the sock inwards towards the base of the ponytail. As you roll the sock towards the base, your hair will gather in loops around it.
- Move the hair around as you roll the sock, so that it doesn’t all loop around the same section leaving the rest of the sock exposed.
- When you get to the base, adjust your bun so that it appears how you want it. Although it should be stable with just the sock, if you are concerned about your hair falling out you can use a few bobby pins to secure it to your scalp.
- Finish the look. Pull out a few strands if you want to create a messier sock-bun, and then spritz your hair with a bit of hairspray to set it. Include any cute hair accessories you might like, and you’re finished!
Regular Bun
- Twist your hair. (If you have thick hair, put your hair into a ponytail first.
- Wrap your hair into a circle shape.
- (optional) Add some cute bows or ribbon into your hair.
- If you want, you can pin the flyaways to your hair using bobby pins or hair clips.
- Enjoy the bun.
- If you unroll the bun a few hours after, you will end up with curly or wavy hair!
Tips
- If you want your hair to come out curly after your bun, try doing the braided bun.
- Sometimes it is best to not add hairspray or gel for a natural look.
- It also looks pretty to take the loose hair that escapes or is too short to include in the bun (If your hair is layered), and spiral curl it with a curling iron instead of fighting it to stay sleek against your head.
- Spray your hair with water to make it tight when you put your hair up.
- Put the bumpy side of your Bobby pin against your head for a better hold. Or spray your Bobby pins with hair spray before placing them in your hair.
- Use an elastic band to hold your hair tight and in place.
- Always use elastic bands that match the color of your hair, so that they don't stand out from the center of your bun.
- Use detangling spray as a hair spray. It will help your hair come out less tangled at the end.
- You can use wet or dry and curly or straight hair for any of these styles.
- Use hairspray to keep your bun in place.
- For a messy bun try to tease your hair because it will give the bun volume.
- Make sure the sock has a similar color to that of your hair!
- For the sock bun, flatten it out with your hand once it's done.
- Use bobby pins.
- Using a flat bobby pin helps.
- You can flip your hair upside down, put it in a high ponytail, wrap it in a circle, then seal it with another rubber band..
- For a good ballerina bun use hair nets or bun nets if your hair is thick.
- If your hair is short, consider a sock bun or regular bun. A regular bun may not stay in place as well, but both have better looks and are more convenient.
- Use bobby pins to keep it in place longer (great on American Girl Dolls).
Warnings
- Always inspect your supply of bobby pins and never use pins that are missing the protective caps on the end. Damaged bobby pins will scratch your scalp and tear your hair.
- Avoid wearing this hairstyle (or any other hairstyle) daily to minimize hair breakage.
Related Articles
- Make a Donut Bun
- Make a Messy Bun
- Make a Bun Without a Hair Tie
- Do a Quick and Easy Hair Bun
- Style Your Hair Into an Upside Down Bun
- Make a Bun in Medium Layered Hair
- Do a Curly Bun
- Make a Messy Bun With Extremely Long Hair
