1. Prep Your Hair:
For the perfect messy bun, you'll want some texture and grip in your hair. If your hair is freshly washed and too smooth, consider using dry shampoo or texturizing spray to add some volume and grit. Day-old hair tends to hold styles better due to its natural oils, but you can achieve a similar effect with products.
2. Gather Your Hair:
Using your fingers, gather your hair into a high ponytail. The key here is to keep it loose and relaxed. Avoid using a brush or comb, as you want to maintain that effortless, messy look.
3. Secure the Ponytail:
Once you've gathered your hair, secure it with a hair tie. However, when you're pulling your hair through the hair tie on the last loop, leave some ends sticking out. This will create the undone appearance that characterizes a messy bun.
4. Loosen and Tug:
This step is where the magic happens. Use your fingers to gently tug on different sections of the bun to loosen it up. Pull strands out from the sides and top to give it that natural, messy appearance. Don't worry about making it too perfect – the beauty of the messy bun is in its imperfection.
5. Wrap and Pin:
Take the loose ends of your hair that are sticking out and wrap them around the base of the ponytail. Secure these ends with bobby pins, tucking them into the bun to hold everything in place. You can also use larger hairpins for extra hold if needed.
6. Frame Your Face:
For a more effortless look, pull out a few face-framing pieces or flyaways around your temples and ears. This adds to the relaxed vibe of the messy bun and softens the overall style.
7. Finishing Touches:
Once you're happy with the shape of your messy bun, finish off with a light spritz of hairspray to set the style. Opt for a flexible-hold hairspray to maintain the natural movement of the bun without making it look too stiff or polished.
