How To Do A Messy Bun With Long Hair: Ideas And Tutorials

Messy buns are effortlessly stylish. They are your savior for days you are running late for work or haven’t washed your hair. However, pulling off this look with long locks can be tricky. And if you are wondering how to do a messy bun with long hair, we can help. We have shared a collection of 12 messy bun looks with step-by-step tutorials to help you master this low-maintenance hairstyle with ease. Scroll down to check them out.

What Is A Messy Bun?

Messy buns are casual top knot hairstyles that require less time and look effortlessly chic. These buns add volume and texture to your hair and are perfect for every event. They have a dreamy look, perfect for summers, and require only rubber bands, bobby pins, and a few embellishments here and there!

Messy buns are easy to do with short hair. However, you can pull off the messy bun look with long hair. Check out the tutorials below.

How To Do A Messy Bun With Long Hair – 12 Cute Styles

1. Messy Bun With A Semi Crown Braid

Image: Shutterstock

This is a fantastic option for anything whimsical, romantic, or bohemian! Everything—an engagement party, a girls’ day out, a date—works with it. This style will surely enhance your look, whether you choose to French braid it or wear it naturally.

1. Divide your hair from the front of one ear to the front of the other ear to form two sections of hair – a top and bottom. The bottom section of your hair should be larger.
2. Begin weaving a lace braid from one ear along the front hairline. A lace braid is like a French braid but you only keep adding hair from the front hairline to the corner section closest to it.
3. Keep weaving the braid so it follows your front hairline. Once you reach the other ear weave the rest of the hair in a regular braid and secure it with a hair tie.
4. Curl the bottom section of your hair, below the nape, using a curling iron. Make sure the curls are not tight.
5. Make a low side bun with the bottom section of hair and secure it with hair-colored bobby pins.
6. Take the braid and tuck it underneath the bun.
7. Spritz a good amount of hairspray on the hairstyle to keep it in place for a long time.

2. The Double Messy Bun

Image: Shutterstock

Double messy buns, or “space buns,” are fashionable, fun, and ideal for movie nights, friend dates, or even if you’re attending a music festival! Your appearance will be greatly enhanced by this hairstyle. This hairstyle will definitely make you look great.

1. Brush your hair and part it down the middle.
2. Create 2 ponytails on either side and secure them with elastics.
3. Wrap the ponytail around the base of your ponytail to create the buns.
4. Let some strands loose and give it a naturally messy look.

3. The High Messy Bun

Image: Shutterstock

This look is perfect for everyday styling and could be your go-to hairstyle! It works perfectly for both shampooed as well as unwashed hair.

Steps:

1.  Gather all your hair and pull it up into an unfastened ponytail. You can skip using a comb and let the short strands drop loosely.
2.  Twist the length of your hair, spin it around the base of your ponytail, wrap it beneath the bun and secure it tightly.
3.  Use a hair tie or a few bobby pins to secure the ends of your hair.

4. Half-Up, Half-Down Bun

Image: Youtube

This half updo messy bun looks sophisticated, chic, and perfect for days when you are in a hurry.

Steps:

1.  Take the top section of the hair and pull it back to tie a ponytail. Leave the bang area as it helps to frame the face.
2.  Tug the secured hair to loosen it a bit and create volume.
3.  Twist the ponytail around its base and secure the bun with a few bobby pins.
4.  Tug the bun to loosen it a little to create a messy look.
5.  You can curl the loose locks in the front to create a chic look.

5. Messy Hair Bun With Bangs

Image: Shutterstock

Girls with bangs can also try the messy hair bun.

Steps:

1.  Leave out your bangs and gather your hair into a ponytail. Secure with a rubber band.
2.  Twist the ponytail around its base to form a bun and secure it with another rubber band and a few bobby pins.
3.  Gently pull the bun to loosen it, giving it a puffy look.
4.  Style the bangs with a flat iron to give a sleek finish.

6. Low Messy Bun With Long Hair

Image: Youtube

This low messy bun is perfect for straight, wavy, and thick long hair. You can sport this look to work and formal events.

Steps:

1.  Tie a low ponytail closer to the nape.
2.  Wrap the hair halfway through to create a loop, as shown in the image.
3.  Wrap the tail around the rubber band and pin it.
4.  You may use hairspray to ensure the style lasts throughout the day.

7. Messy Side Bun With Long Hair

Image: Youtube

The messy side bun is one of the classic and most elegant hairstyles. And there are various ways to try your hand at this hairstyle. However, this one is the easiest way to nail this bun style.

Steps:

1. Comb, tease, and style your hair to add volume to it.
2. Gather your hair to one side of your head and tie it into a ponytail.
3. Separate your hair just above the rubber band and loop the ponytail halfway through it.
4. First, secure the loop with bobby pins, and then secure the loose ends around the loop with bobby pins.

8. Bouffant Bun

Image: IStock

Just as the name suggests, the bouffant bun has volume and roundness to it.

Steps:

1. Comb your hair with a wide teeth comb and remove knots, if any.
2. Section out a vertical line from one ear to the other and separate this frontal section of the hair. Clip it separately so that you can work on the remaining hair.
3. Create a classic and basic messy bun with the remaining section of hair. Secure it properly with bobby pins and a rubber band.
4. Section the frontal hair into four equal quarters.
5. Backcomb the bottom section closer to the ear and pull it to the back of your bun.
6. Wrap it around the bun’s base and secure it with a bobby pin. Repeat the process with the other bottom section.
7. Create a pouf with the remaining two frontal sections and secure it at the bun’s base for a voluminous look.

9. Braided Messy Bun

Image: Youtube

Braided messy buns are stylish and look charming!

Steps:

1. Take the top section of the hair and weave it into a French braid. Secure the braid’s end.
2. Gather all your hair (including the braid’s end) and tie it with a rubber band.
3. Pull the hair halfway through the rubber band to create a loop.
4. Wrap the rest of the hair around the bun’s base.

10. Messy Bun With A Donut

Image: Youtube

This hairstyle is best for beginners and those who have long straight hair.

Steps:

1. Gather your hair and tie a high ponytail.
2. Pull the ponytail through the donut and put it at the base of the ponytail.
3. Wrap the hair around the donut and secure the ends with bobby pins.

11. Messy Bun With Long Curly Hair

Image: Youtube

Messy buns look equally good in curly and kinky hair. The curls can make the bun appear voluminous.

Steps:

1. Gather your curls into a high ponytail.
2. Twist the ponytail gently and wrap it around its base.
3. Secure with bobby pins.

12. Messy Bun Without Bobby Pins

Image: Youtube

This is best for emergencies. Try this cute messy bun hairstyle if you do not have bobby pins and your hair is a mess.

Steps:

1. Gather your hair into a high ponytail.
2. Take a rubber band, and twist it once, as shown in the image.
3. Create a donut with the hair around the center of the ponytail.
4. Tie the hair with the rubber band, as shown in the image. Pull the tied hair section to give it a donut-like shape.
5. Gather the remaining hair to the front.
6. Pull the rubber band in the front and stick the hair ends back into it.

In A Nutshell

Frequently Asked Questions

Do messy buns damage your hair?

Yes, but only if you tie your hair in a bun too often. Tying your hair tightly in a bun frequently can lead to hair breakage and gradual hair loss due to excessive pulling at the roots.

What is messy hair called?

Messy hair may be called tousled, disheveled, or ruffled hair.

Is a messy bun professional?

No. A messy bun is not considered a professional hairstyle as it looks careless and unkempt.

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• Author

Sushmita BarmanBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Sushmita has a master’s degree in English literature from Gauhati University, Assam, and is an experienced content writer and editor. Genres like fashion, beauty, and lifestyle have always interested her, and this allows her to assist her team in creating high quality content. When she’s not working, she loves singing and listening to music, strumming the six strings (sometimes 4),...more