A bun is a versatile hairstyle that works well for housework, school, or even a night out without requiring too much effort. Learn how to create some basic bun styles such as the messy bun, ballet dancer bun, high bun, braided bun, and sock bun to refresh your look every day.
Steps
Create a Messy Bun

Prepare your hair. Brush your hair to remove tangles and loose strands. To create a messy bun, you can gather a section of your hair or your entire mane from the front to the back of your head.

Gather your hair. Without brushing, use your hands to collect the hair from the front and gather it all together. Hold the hair where you want the bun to be placed.
- For a slightly classic yet intricate look, gather the hair high near the crown. For a professional appearance, position the bun at the center back of your head. If you prefer a relaxed, carefree vibe, hold the hair at the nape of your neck.
- You can create an off-center bun for a playful touch if desired.
- Since you're aiming for a messy bun, avoid brushing or smoothing the hair. Simply gather it up, trying not to use your fingers to comb through it.
- Ensure no strands slip out of your grip.
Wrap the ponytail around your fist. Use a hair tie to secure the hair bundle by wrapping it around three times. On the third loop, leave half to one-third of the hair out to form a tail, while the remaining hair forms the bun above the tail.
Create the messy bun. Now, repeatedly wrap the hair around itself to form a large coil, leaving the tail at the bottom. Wrap the tail around the bun to conceal the hair tie. Secure the tail with 2-3 bobby pins. Then, gently pull the bun apart in the middle, spreading it to both sides, and secure it with bobby pins.
- You don’t need to make the loops uniform; just ensure the bun doesn’t resemble a perfect ring.
- Pull out a few strands from the bun and let them hang loose or pin them in different directions to add a natural, messy look.

Finish the bun. Spray some hairspray to hold the style longer and use accessories to embellish your hairstyle. A cute headband or a small clip near the bun is a great way to add charm to your look.
Create a High Bun

Prepare your hair. Brush your hair to remove tangles and loose strands. A high bun uses all of your hair, so ensure it’s smooth and sleek or gather it neatly with your hands.

Gather your hair upward. Use your hands to collect all the hair from the front to the back, holding it at the crown of your head. Make sure no strands slip out of your grasp.
Twist the hair into a loop. Twist the hair in one direction until it coils like a rope. Then, wrap it into a loop to form a twisted knot bun.

Create a tail for the bun. Wrap the tail around the bun and secure it with a hair tie, ensuring no strands are loose. Make sure the tie is at the base of the bun.
- Leave it as is or pull out a few strands for a more natural look.
- If your hair is very long, the bun may stand upright. In this case, you can push it slightly to one side and secure it with bobby pins, or let it stand straight on top.

Finish the look. Since the bun sits at the crown, some strands may fall loose at the nape, affecting the neatness. Secure them with a clip and spray with hairspray. Pair this hairstyle with any accessories you like.
Create a Sleek Ballet Dancer Bun

Prepare your hair. Brush your hair to remove loose strands and ensure it’s smooth. A ballet dancer’s bun requires a sleek finish, so if your hair is frizzy, dampen it with water.
Brush your hair neatly and tie it into a high ponytail. Brushing is essential as it creates the sleekness needed. Brush your hair back to form a ponytail at your desired height. A classic ballet bun sits at the crown, but you can adjust it to your preference.
- Ensure your hair is completely smooth before securing it with a hair tie. This step might take a few minutes to achieve a perfectly sleek look.
- Use a hair tie to secure the ponytail tightly. Make sure it’s not too loose to maintain the style longer.
Form the bun. You don’t need to twist your hair like a rope; simply wrap the ponytail into a loop. Tuck the loose end under the bun and secure it with bobby pins.
- Use 3-4 bobby pins depending on the length and thickness of your hair. Avoid using too many.
- Insert the pins underneath the bun so only a small part is visible. Pin them below (not above or around) the hair tie and focus on securing the center of the bun.
- If your hair is layered, you might need extra pins to secure the strands to your scalp.

Complete the hairstyle. This style requires hairspray to hold its shape. Spray hairspray at the roots and smooth the hair with your fingers. Now, your ballet bun is complete!
Create a Braided Bun

Prepare your hair. Brush your hair to remove tangles and loose strands. You can brush a section or all of your hair, depending on how much you want to include in the bun. If your hair is frizzy, dampen it with water.

Gather your hair. For a braided bun, you can choose the placement freely. Use a comb for a polished, professional look, or simply use your hands for a more relaxed, natural style. Secure the hair into a ponytail.
Braid the ponytail. Start braiding in the usual way. Divide the hair into three equal sections and cross them over each other. Cross the right section over the middle, then the left section over the middle. Continue until you reach the end.
- Since you’ll secure it on your head, you don’t need a hair tie at the end—just hold it with your hand.
- If you must use a tie, opt for a thin, discreet one to avoid it being visible. Otherwise, it might show in the bun.
Form the bun. Begin wrapping the braid into a loop. When you reach the end, tuck it underneath the bun. Secure the bun with bobby pins, ensuring no strands fall out.

Finish the braided bun. You can leave a few strands loose for a more natural look if desired. Spray hairspray and add accessories if you like. A headband paired with a braided bun is the perfect combination for a bohemian style.
Create a Sock Bun

Prepare your hair. Brush your hair to remove tangles and loose strands. A sock bun (often called an onion bun) uses all of your hair, but you can also create a partial bun if preferred.

Gather your hair. Choose where you want the sock bun to sit. The current trend is to place it at the crown, similar to a high bun. For a more classic look, position it at the nape of your neck. Secure the hair with a hair tie.
Prepare the sock. Take an old (clean) sock and cut off the toe. You can use any color, but it’s best to match the sock to your hair color. After cutting, the sock will resemble a tube. Roll it up (like you would with a plastic bag) to form a donut shape.

Thread the ponytail through the sock. Take the sock and slide the ponytail through it. Ensure no strands fall out. Then, pull the sock down toward the end of the hair.
Start forming the bun. Wrap the hair around the outer edge of the sock, then roll the sock inward so the hair is tucked inside, forming a circular roll.
Continue rolling until the sock reaches the base of your hair. At this point, your hair will be coiled around the sock in a circular shape.
- As you roll, spread the hair evenly around the sock to ensure full coverage and prevent the sock from showing.

Once rolled to the base, shape the bun as desired. The hair will hold well with just the sock, but if you’re concerned about loose strands, use a few bobby pins to secure the bun.

Complete the hairstyle. Pull out a few strands for a messy look if desired, then spray some hairspray to hold the style longer. Add your favorite hair accessories, and your sock bun is complete!
Classic Bun
Twist your hair. (If your hair is thick, start by tying it into a ponytail first).
Wrap the hair in a circular motion.

(Optional) Attach a bow or ribbon to your hair.

If needed, use bobby pins or hair clips to secure any loose strands.

You’ve successfully created a simple bun hairstyle.

If you let your hair down a few hours later, you’ll have beautiful curls or waves!
Tips
- Use anti-frizz spray to keep your hair less tangled by the end of the day.
- Press the ridged side of bobby pins against your scalp for a stronger hold. Alternatively, spray hairspray on the pins before use.
- Spritz water on your hair before styling to help it hold better when tied up.
- Always use hair ties that match your hair color to avoid them showing in the bun.
- For messy buns, tease your hair beforehand to add volume.
- These bun styles work on all hair types, including dry or wet, straight or curly hair.
- Use hair ties to secure your hair tightly and keep it in place.
- Avoid overusing hairspray or gel, as it can make your hair look unnatural.
- Buns still look cute with a few loose strands or if your hair is too short to fully tie up (especially layered hair). Use a curling iron to add waves instead of leaving them straight.
- If you want curls after taking down your bun, try a braided bun.
Warnings
- Avoid styling your hair this way (or any other tight hairstyle) daily to prevent hair breakage.
- Always check the quality of bobby pins and never use ones with chipped or damaged coatings. These can scratch and damage your hair when pinned into the bun.