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Just Add Glam

the San Francisco lifestyle blog by JENNIFER HENRY-NOVICH

May 8, 2017 / BEAUTY

PERFECT MESSY BUN TUTORIAL

perfect messy bun tutorial

perfect messy bun tutorial

I’ve recently been wearing this hairstyle around the house and for errands where I just needed to throw my hair up, but I wanted to share with you my perfect messy bun tutorial because let’s be honest, it can be difficult to make it look like you put no work into your hair!  My last messy bun tutorial was in 2015 linked here, and have a new spin on it and I promise this tutorial is easier than it looks. You’ll have that perfect messy bun perfect for yoga class or glammed up in an off the shoulder dress.  Check out my step by step tutorial photos below!

perfect messy bun tutorial

Messy buns are great for dirty hair but since I was looking to create a more polished messy bun look, I wanted to start out with clean hair.  I’ve also noticed that my hair specifically can feel dry once I’m on 2nd or 3rd day hair so I wanted it to be fresh for this hairstyle.  I prepped my hair with the Nexxus Humectress Shampoo and Conditioner to really give it a big drink of water–I love the scent of Nexxus products, so fresh!  I picked these up on a recent grocery trip to Safeway!  I let my hair air dry naturally while I got ready for the day, but you could also dry your hair with a hairdryer if you prefer.

perfect messy bun tutorial

Once my hair is dry and ready for styling, I’ll bring my hair up into a high ponytail with an elastic but keep it held taut as if you were to double loop the elastic again.

perfect messy bun tutorial

While taking the elastic and looping back around a second time, use your free hand to make a little donut or bump of hair for the band to go around.  It should look like a small little bun with all of the ends sticking out (This is where having photos is helpful to explain what I mean 😉 ).

perfect messy bun tutorialperfect messy bun tutorialperfect messy bun tutorial

Once you’ve gathered your mini bun and looped your elastic around a second time, it should look like this–a donut bun with all of the ends sticking out.  At this point I’ll start pulling at the bun to evenly disburse the hair in a donut / circular formation and give it more volume.

perfect messy bun tutorial

Gather all of the loose end pieces together and give them a bit of a twist to help you hang onto them.  With the opposite hand, pull back on the double-tied elastic and stuff the ends into the bun and under the elastic to secure them.  Adjust and continue poking until you get everything stuffed in there.

perfect messy bun tutorialperfect messy bun tutorial

So immediately following this step, this is usually what I look like and I wanted to show you the NOT PERFECT steps that we ALL will encounter when trying to perfect the messy bun.  My hair is on the thicker side and I have a very blunt hair cut so my ends are unruly when it comes to gracefully laying flat and tucking into the bun so everyone is bound to have some of these wispy pieces sticking up.  It’s not a bad look!  If you like the more organic and carefree look of this–feel free to stop here and you’ve got your messy bun!  But for the purposes of polishing up the messy bun, let’s clean up these rogue hairs!

perfect messy bun tutorialperfect messy bun tutorial

I’ll take my trusty Tresemme Extra Firm Control Hair Spray and be focused on where I spray it.  Instead of spraying all over my head, I’ll focus a quick spritz on the specific unruly piece that I want to make it’s way into the bun.  I’ll do the smallest of sprays on that one section, let it get a touch sticky, and then re-stuff it into the bun and it holds in place.  If your hair is still not sticking after hairspray,  I would recommend adding a bobby pin for added security to lock it in place.

perfect messy bun tutorial

Ok we have made it this far!  Once all of the flyaway pieces are tucked into bed–wait no, tucked into BUN–now we get to play with adding extra volume.  I personally love the big bun look so I’ll ever so gently pull on little pieces of hair to plump it up and give a bigger illusion.  Pulling on small sections of hair gives you the volume but most importantly doesn’t take away from the structure and secureness of the bun.  Plus, if you pull too much, it’s easier to add a small section back in, instead of a bigger one.

perfect messy bun tutorial perfect messy bun tutorial

Once you’ve fluffed to your liking you can give another once-over with hairspray if you like and the hairstyle is complete!  I’ve been working on my perfect messy bun for years now and it gets faster and faster with more practice.  I’m excited to wear this hairstyle more in the coming weeks because I love the organic and natural and effortless look to it.

If you’re looking to update your look for spring, check out the “Take a New Look” page for inspiration!  Take the quiz to find out with products would be best for you.  Get $10 off your purchase of $30 for participating Unilever personal care products at your local Safeway.

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Comments

  1. Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says

    May 11, 2017 at 9:40 am

    That bun is gorgeous! I’m a big fan of the messy bun look.

    Reply
  2. Jen Rattie says

    May 11, 2017 at 9:41 am

    I’ve never been able to do the bun thing. I just don’t have enough air for it. I keep it too short.

    Reply
  3. Vera Sweeney says

    May 11, 2017 at 9:42 am

    I LOVE a messy bun! It’s such a sassy look. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and sexy. It’s perfect for almost any occasion!

    Reply
  4. Bill Sweeney says

    May 11, 2017 at 9:43 am

    My wife rocks a messy bun all the time. It’s her go to hair style. I think it’s awesome.

    Reply
  5. Marcie W. says

    May 11, 2017 at 1:37 pm

    Love the messy bun look but could definitely use some assistance with pulling it off. There’s a few steps here that I have yet to try, so I’ll be giving things another go this weekend.

    Reply
  6. Cacinda says

    May 11, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    The messy bun is my go to hairstyle – there really is no better option!

    Reply
  7. Toni Dash says

    May 11, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    You’re adorable! It looks very easy to make! 😀 Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  8. Theresa says

    May 11, 2017 at 7:04 pm

    As a busy mom, I do love the simplicity of a messy bun hairstyle. You look totally adorable with yours pulled up!

    Reply
  9. Seattle Travel Blogger says

    May 12, 2017 at 11:03 am

    The messy bun look really does look great.
    The procedure to this looks pretty simple.

    Reply
  10. Annemarie LeBlanc says

    May 13, 2017 at 3:00 am

    My hair is not long enough to do this hairstyle. However, I will give it a try maybe 2-3 months from now. This hairstyle would look good with casual or formal attires.

    Reply
  11. Veronica Solomon says

    May 13, 2017 at 6:27 am

    Loving the messy bun! I always love when hair looks great but not like you were sculpted

    Reply
  12. Dogvills says

    May 14, 2017 at 7:39 am

    I love the messy bun look. It looks so sexy and chic. My hair is only shoulder length right now so I will have to wait. I will share this post with my niece. She’s got hair long enough to make a messy bun. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Amanda Love says

    May 15, 2017 at 7:52 am

    I think messy buns are pretty awesome and it’s definitely one of my go to hairstyles during the summer. I think this was a really good tutorial on how to nail the look! Love it!

    Reply
  14. Stephanie Z says

    May 22, 2018 at 1:10 pm

    Thanks for the tutorial. I like this messy hair bun look!

    Reply

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✨ Harrison Finnley Michaels 12/8/2019 ✨ Three ✨ Harrison Finnley Michaels 12/8/2019 ✨
Three months with this little guy and our worlds are rocked. He’s gone from just opening his eyes to rolling over, pushing himself up, grabbing at toys (and my phone as I type this out). He loves to laugh and talk in his baby language all day long 🤣 and sleeps all through the night 🙌🏼 How did we get so blessed with him?! @kmichaels216
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CATCHING UP, what do you have going on this week? CATCHING UP, what do you have going on this week?
• This morning I had an eye exam to check my contacts / glasses Rx. I shared new glasses on Stories but turns out the Rx was wrong in them. I’m TRYING to wear my glasses more around the house and splurged on a pair from @ysl hoping that would help me do it 🤣🤓
• I haven’t been a big concealer wearer but I’ve been testing out the @urbandecaycosmetics naked concealer and have been liking how light it feels on my skin (I’m wearing it here, dress is new from @urbanoutfitters!)
• A work-related project this week—I’m trying to get my inbox of 700 emails down to zero. My problem is that I’ll get an email with some great piece of info in it and think “oh this is great! I can’t work on this right now but I’ll save for when I can” and I mark it unread. Well over time that has added up to 700 😬 I’m thinking of tackling it by sorting through and noting down whatever idea it is in my notebook (paper planner for LIFE! 📒) to reference it and have them all in one place. Maybe this will work!
• I’m currently sitting here watching this little baby sleep and the whole “I want to eat this baby” thing is SO REAL. What is it about babies where it makes us say that?!? He loves his @bibs_usa and @mushie_co!
• I’m considering cutting 3-4 inches from my hair....but here’s the kicker...I have this weird urge to DO IT MYSELF. Maybe I don’t want to put it off until I can get an appointment but I just want to cut it now. Please you guys, talk me out of doing this with scissors in the bathroom 🤣✂️
• Kevin and I have been binge watching @abcscandal and it’s SO ADDICTING. If you haven’t watched it, join us on Netflix but don’t blame me when you’re 2 episodes past your bedtime 😜 we are currently on season 4 of 7!
• WHAT ARE YOU UP TO THIS WEEK???
NEW MOM FASHION AND BEAUTY HACKS: 💁🏼‍♀️
1️⃣ Style your hair once ride that beautiful hair through the week with minimal effort. I use the @t3micro curling wand on day 1 fresh hair to put a little curl in it. On days 2-4 I use dry shampoo—my favorite is @livingproofinc to soak up oil, and then on days 5+ when dry shampoo doesn’t cut it anymore I throw on a cute beanie
2️⃣ Still trying to “bounce back” (whatever that means...) after baby? Same mama, same. @spanx leather-look leggings suck it all in and help as a postpartum support during healing. Win win!
3️⃣ Duster coats are the ONLY thing I want to wear. Not only do they keep you cozy as we wait for spring, but having pockets is NECESSARY for me. Phone in one, pacifier in another, and whatever other random things I need to bring with me when my arms are full with a baby
4️⃣ Lots of undereye concealer for that 8 hours of sleep look. @tartecosmetics shape tape is a favorite but I’ve been testing out @urbandecaycosmetics stay naked concealer and really like it for more natural coverage
MAMAS, WEIGH IN: What are you mom fashion and beauty hacks?! #newmomhacks
Our morning walk ritual ☺️ It’s still been a Our morning walk ritual ☺️
It’s still been a bit chilly out in the mornings but that doesn’t stop us from bundling up (in matching hats no less!) and going for a walk around our neighborhood. Baby carrying is a wonderful thing once you get the hang of it! I love how it gives you a bit of a workout with the added weight of a baby (Harrison is 11lbs now!) and gives them a chance to look around with a different view than the stroller. I can’t wait until he’s big enough to be front facing and then he can really look out at the world. I’ve been using the @nuna_usa @potterybarnkids CUDL carrier (this fabric is the broken arrow caviar) and my favorite feature are the magnetic clips that automatically snap into place to hold baby snugly. #lovemypbk

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