18 Messy Bun Hairstyles From Quick Top Knots to Romantic Tendrils

ByCatherine-N

The messy bun is the most forgiving updo in the styling rotation. Where polished chignons require smooth flat front sections and not a hair out of place, messy buns thrive on visible texture, loose pieces, and intentional imperfection. The styling principle is that the messiness reads as a choice, not as failed styling. The technique varies more than people realize: where the bun sits, how it's gathered, what's pulled loose, and how the front pieces are styled all change the finished look significantly. Here are eighteen messy bun variations worth knowing.

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Classic Low Messy Bun

A loose bun gathered at the nape, with pieces deliberately pulled out at the temples and around the face. The classic version is the foundational messy bun, suitable for everyday wear and casual events. Pre-spray with texture spray before gathering for grip. Secure with a small elastic underneath, then layer bobby pins through the bun base. The looseness comes from gently pulling sections of the bun outward after securing.

High Messy Bun

A loose bun gathered at the top of the crown, with pieces pulled loose at the temples and nape. The high placement elongates the face and neck. Works on hair past the shoulders. Pre-tease the crown section lightly before gathering for visible volume. The bun itself can be tightly twisted or loosely wrapped depending on preference. Pair with face-framing pieces left loose for softness.

Side Messy Bun

A loose bun gathered to one side near the nape rather than centered. The asymmetric placement adds visual interest and reads more casual than centered versions. Pull pieces loose at the temple on the opposite side for balance. Works on hair past the shoulders. Pre-spray with texture spray for grip. The side placement works particularly well in profile photographs and for women with rounder face shapes.

Twisted Messy Bun

A messy bun built by twisting the gathered ponytail before wrapping it into a bun shape. The twist creates visible texture in the finished bun. Works on hair past the shoulders. Gather into a low or mid ponytail, twist the entire length in one direction, then wrap around the base into a coiled bun shape. Secure with crossed bobby pins. Pull pieces loose for the messy finish.

Knotted Messy Bun

A messy bun built by knotting the hair like shoelaces rather than wrapping it. Divide the hair into two sections at the nape, tie in a knot, then knot again and tuck the ends. The knotted technique creates visible texture without requiring complex twisting. Works on hair past the shoulders. Pull face-framing pieces loose after securing for the messy finish.

Messy Bun with Headband

A messy bun paired with a fabric, knit, or jeweled headband worn across the crown. The headband adds visible interest at the front while the bun sits messy at the back. Works on hair past the shoulders. Position the headband first, then gather the hair into a low or mid bun. The combination reads polished-yet-casual, suitable for both everyday wear and dressier occasions.

Half-Up Messy Bun

The top section of hair gathered into a small messy bun at the crown, with the bottom half hanging loose. Works on hair from shoulder-length through long. The half-up version provides the bun's styling interest without committing to a full updo. Pull pieces loose at the temples around the bun base. The bottom half can be styled with waves for added texture below the bun.

Messy Bun with Bangs

A messy bun on hair with existing curtain bangs or wispy bangs at the forehead. The bangs handle the front styling while the bun handles the back. Works on hair past the shoulders. Style the bangs as usual before gathering the back into the messy bun. The combination reads soft and intentional, suitable for women with bangs wanting easy everyday updo styling.

Messy Top Knot

A messy bun positioned at the very top of the head, often higher than a high bun, with the rest of the hair gathered tightly upward. The placement is extreme high. Works on hair past the shoulders. The top knot reads sportier and more casual than other messy bun placements, suitable for workouts, errands, and casual styling. Pull a few pieces loose at the nape for softness.

Romantic Messy Bun with Soft Tendrils

A low or mid messy bun with deliberately curled face-framing tendrils left out at the temples and around the face. The tendrils are curled with a small-barrel curling iron before the bun is secured. The combination of structured bun and soft curled tendrils reads romantic and feminine. Works for weddings, date nights, or styled events. Finish the tendrils with a flexible-hold spray.

Messy Bun with Braid Detail

A messy bun with a small braid incorporated either as a wrap around the bun base or as a section running from the temple back to meet the bun. The braid detail adds visible texture and structure to the otherwise messy styling. Works on hair past the shoulders. The braid can be a simple three-strand or a small French braid depending on preference and skill level.

Sock Bun Messy

A messy bun built around a sock bun donut for shape and volume. The donut creates a fuller, more rounded bun shape than gathering alone produces. Wrap the hair around the donut, securing with pins, then pull pieces loose for the messy finish. Works on hair past the shoulders. The technique allows for visible bun volume without requiring exceptionally thick natural hair.

Claw Clip Messy Bun

A messy bun secured with a large claw clip rather than elastics and bobby pins. The claw clip becomes a visible styling element. Gather the hair, twist once or twice, then secure with the claw clip. Pull pieces loose for the messy finish. Works on hair past the shoulders. The claw clip technique is fast and has become a major styling shortcut across 2026 styling trends.

Messy Bun with Ribbon

A messy bun wrapped with a thin silk or velvet ribbon at the base, tied with a small bow. The ribbon adds soft styling interest without requiring complex technique. Works on hair past the shoulders. Tie the ribbon at the base of the bun and tuck the ends underneath for cleanliness, or leave the ends visible for added decorative effect. Suits casual everyday wear with a personal touch.

Voluminous Messy Bun

A messy bun built with deliberate visible volume both at the crown before gathering and in the bun itself. Pre-tease the crown section heavily before pulling the hair back. Wrap the bun loosely rather than tightly for visible volume in the bun shape. Works on hair past the shoulders. Pair with face-framing pieces pulled loose for the cohesive voluminous finish.

Messy Pony-Bun

A hybrid style where the hair is pulled into a high ponytail, then the ponytail itself is loosely wrapped into a messy bun without secure pinning. The pony-bun reads playful and quick-styled. Works on hair past the shoulders. Pull pieces loose at the temples around the bun for the messy finish. Suitable for casual everyday wear, errands, and athletic styling.

Low Messy Bun with Curls

A low messy bun on pre-curled hair, where the entire length is curled with a curling iron before being gathered into the bun. The curls create significant visible texture in the gathered bun. Works on hair past the shoulders. Curl the length first, then gather loosely at the nape. Pull pieces loose at the temples. The curls add visible body that straight-haired messy buns lack.

Messy Bun with Scarf Wrap

A messy bun wrapped with a small fabric scarf around the base, with the scarf ends either tied into a bow or left flowing. The scarf adds visible color and texture interest. Works on hair past the shoulders. Choose a scarf based on the occasion: silk for evening or dressier looks, cotton or linen for daytime, patterned for casual or boho styling. The scarf becomes a focal styling point.

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