20 Ways to Upgrade Your Messy Bun

You have heard of it, your friends wear it, it is all over your Instagram feed, and you, well, you are probably dying for a way to upgrade yours. You guessed right: we are talking about the messy bun. Join us in our quest for cutting-edge ways to style your hair with a bun that is everything but ordinary.

Messy Bun Ideas

A bun updo is nothing new, but each of the following hairstyles includes some sparkle that makes you take a second glance.

#1: Parisian Chic

This look is au naturel or so it seems. Be inspired by the high life in Paris and take your messiest bun to a formal event. Don't forget to use your favorite hair fixator to be sure that your hair will stand through the day. Pair it with pearls and sunglasses to look effortlessly and Parisian chic.

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#2: Long Side Braid Updo

Take you side braid to the next level with this messy bun for long hair. We know it is hard to believe that a braid and a bun can get along so well, but this hairstyle is proof. Anyone with highlights or different color shades must try it at least once.

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#3: Purple Haze

Chanel your inner child with this fairytale hairstyle that will make heads turn as you go. The white flower hairpin is perfect to enhance the color, and a little bit of green is the perfect combo to the purple. The thin braid will make you ready for springtime all year round.

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#4: Fringed Donut

This one rates high on our cute messy buns ranking. After all, it is a power combo: donut meets messy meets fringes, and it is as easy to make as it looks. All you need to do is to slightly curl and twist small locks of hair with your fingers as you go. Works with short bangs as well.

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#5: Pink Twist

Could this color degrade be more mesmerizing? With all the twists and color depth this low bun makes one dream of unicorns and cotton candy. Once you tackle the color, keep an eye open for the right length: the loose hair that will frame your face mustn`t touch your shoulders.

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#6: Flower Power

Here's a hairstyle that demands more improvisation than technical skills. Among all messy bun hairstyles this is the one that lets imagination blossom. You can use real flowers attached to bobby pins (you will need lots of them) or look around for hairpins with different flowers; think of it as a garden.

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#7: Shades of Blue on the Side

Perfect for days when you feel you need to make a statement, a bold one. Just use this easy side bun hairstyle to put yourself out there. You will look fierce enough to pass as a celebrity. Dare to go for the shades of silver, blue and purple, and invitations to star in music videos and movies will rain.

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#8: Lady of the Rings

There is always something elvish in messy buns like this. The combination of neon colors and boho hair jewelry in leather and metal takes us to another dimension. Not an everyday hairstyle, you should save this for special occasions. And yes, an urgent need to show off how your rings go with your hair is special enough for us.

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#9: Not-so-messy

Uptight and messy are not as incompatible as your boss wants you to believe. This bun will give you the best of both worlds, especially if you have curly hair. You will need to learn how to do a messy bun and turn it less messy as you go. The final result is credible enough for a board meeting.

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#10: Peony Blossom

Turn the back of your head into a flourishing vase with this messy bun. It all starts with a low ponytail, small locks of hair looped, and several bobby pins. Then hair fixators join the party, so your hair can blossom from day to night.

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#11: Bun with Medieval Braid

Braids and buns have been around for quite a long time now; this hairstyle draws inspiration from back in the day where a tutorial was nowhere to be found. It's actually way simpler than it looks, if you keep in mind that the strand for the braid is merely decorative and should be the last thing you do. Before finishing just tuck the tip of the braid inside the bun you have done previously.

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#12: Inverted Braid and Bun

You have two options for this hairstyle: 1) you hair is really long; 2) you are okay with using hair extensions. It is all about length here. You need enough hair for a thick inverted braid staring from the bottom of your head, and then even more hair for an epic messy bun on the top.

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#13: Double Braided

This style is ideal for girls with long hair who desperately need to refresh the neck area during sunny days but are tired of ponytails and plain donut buns. For beginners, our advice is starting with the braids, leaving the rest of the hair loose so that the ends of the braids can easily mesh to create the falling effect of this messy bun.

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#14: Half Waterfall

This one is 50% braid and 50% bun; not all messy buns can boast that. Just start a waterfall braid as you always do, keep it lower and looser, and once you are half way through it, roll it all in a messy knot. Remember the hairband will be showing so you might want to match or contrast it with your outfit.

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#15: Twisted Moves

Come on, let's do the twist. Conquer any dance floor with this bun updo full of twists, rolls and depth. If you have contrasting highlights like in the picture, your hair will look not only rhythmic but also tasty – and we are talking ice-cream swirl tasty here.

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#16: Bun with Tangled Braids

Feel tangled up in buns with this messy bun for long hair. French maids inspired, this take on the famous braid is fresher and more relaxed than ever. In rainy days, this bun is great if you are constantly using a hood. No need to worry about small hair out of place: it is all part of the look.

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#17: Neatly Rolled

We present you with a look suitable even for short hair. Depending on the length, you will be able to accomplish a more or less detailed hair roll. Don't be afraid to follow the pretzel look, it is trending in formal hairstyle catalogues all over the industry, and it will not compromise your look.

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#18: All Over

This is the ultimate and the coolest of all the messy bun hairstyles depicted in this article. Why do we love it so much? Because it is true to its roots and all it does is magnifying the effects of the original, more tamed style. Though, we do admit that the amazing chalk color game seen here scored some extra points.

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#19: Cute Braid and Twist

Family reunions and meeting the in-laws will be much easier with this twist bun with braid. It requires some maintenance, so you might want to invite a friend over for hairstyling reinforcement. Closer to the end line you will not regret it, as you will feel ready for meeting and greeting through the next 24 hours.

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#20: Low and Tangled

Forget your sock bun. This hairstyle needs neither much support nor filling because your hair will be doing all the work. If your hair is thick, you have an advantage when the time to tangle locks and branches comes. For those with thinner hair, there are some products in the market that can be helpful.

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We have been through 20 bun hairstyles and we survived to tell the tale. Now that you know what is out there, be ready to spare more than one hour to accomplish some of the hairstyles, but worry not: you will find every minute worth it while enjoying your upgraded messy bun.