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  4. Messy Buns That'll Still Have You Looking Polished

Messy Buns That'll Still Have You Looking Polished

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough Updated May 19, 2022
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French Braid Twisted Bun
Credit: Pinterest/Dani Marie Blog

Whether we're talking busy weekdays or lazy weekends, our hair can quickly become the very bane of our beauty routine. Spending time on styling or—let's be honest—just taming our locks to look presentable is touch-and-go at best. That's when easy, low-maintenance hairstyles and dry shampoo come in. For us, messy buns are the savior of all days we're running late or skipping showers. The trick is perfecting the "undone done" look without going too disheveled or slipshod. But unlike the paradoxical reality of beachy waves, which actually require a laundry list of products and hot styling tools (and no beaches in sight), messy buns don't have to be a 12-step process. You can master the messy, yet polished bun in steps you can count on just one hand and with just a few elastics or pins. Cute hair accessories—bun cuffs, pins, and headbands—are the quickest way to ramp up the style of a basic messy bun in seconds. Find inspiration in these gorgeous and doable messy bun hairstyles that keep you looking pretty and polished on any day.

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Two-Minute Braided Bun

Two-Minute Braided Bun
Credit: Pinterest/Express-O

This hairstyle looks as ready for a wedding reception as a workday, which is seriously impressive considering it takes about two minutes, two hair elastics, and maybe two pins. Simply put your hair in a low ponytail, braid it, tuck it through (wrapping and tucking a second time for longer hair), and pin in place.

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Double Dutch Braided Topknot

Double Dutch Braided Topknot
Credit: Pinterest

We love the way the braid sits so prettily on top of a Dutch braid. The reverse of a French braid, with Dutch braids the sections of hair are crossed underneath each other as you braid. These double Dutch braids will make any messy bun, topknot, or low bun look awesome. You can secure the two braids with clear elastics before pulling hair into a bun to make sure they don't fall apart in the process.

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Half Bun

Half Bun
Credit: Pinterest

This chic half bun works well for second-day hair with some dry shampoo to hold up the bun all day long. We recommend using pins to secure this to ensure it doesn't lose volume or height.

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Looped Ponytail Bun

Looped Ponytail Bun
Credit: Pinterest

This easy style looks effortless without looking drab, and it works great for ladies with naturally straight hair who can't hold a high bun in place as well those with coarser, curlier hair. Simply secure hair in a low ponytail, loop the ends through the elastic once more (but only halfway), and then wrap a single section of the excess around the base, securing with a pin. Leaving some of the excess ponytail hanging out adds to the laidback feel of this look.

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Silk-Wrapped Topknot

Silk-Wrapped Topknot
Credit: Pinterest

A pop of color is perfect for any last-minute topknot in the spring or summer, and a small silk scarf looks both poised and stylish. After securing the bun, wrap the scarf around it and tie.

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Low Bun for Short Hair

Low Bun for Short Hair
Credit: Pinterest/Bloglovin’

This tutorial works on lob-length hair by using a technique that starts with just a low pony. A few pins later, and you're set. This look is very similar to the messy bun that Meghan Markle has been wearing for royal public appearances. Get the tutorial here at Bloglovin'.

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French Braid Twist Bun

French Braid Twisted Bun
Credit: Pinterest/Dani Marie Blog

If you have a knack for French braiding, this stylish bun is the easiest way to look polished on any day. This style doesn't even require any pins. Get the tutorial from Dani Marie.

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Bow Bun

Bow Bun
Credit: Pinterest/Impressions

This ultimate big bun looks put-together and preppy with its adorably bow-like style. You'll look ready to take on the day in literally two minutes! Get the tutorial from Impressions.

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Cuffed Twist

Cuffed Twist
Credit: Instagram/@chloeandisabel

This best-selling bun cuff looks stunning on a low, messy French twist-esque bun. A bun cuff allows you play around with how you cinch and hold your hair, and this cuff works amazingly well for buns, ponytails, and half-up styles. This style gathers hair into a loose twisted bun before securing.

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The Perfectly Loose Low Bun

The Perfectly Loose Low Bun
Credit: Pinterest/Camille Styles

This style looks polished but un-fussy. It's loose in a way that looks effortless, but won't fall out on you! Get the tutorial from Camille Styles.

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Reverse Braided Topknot

Reverse Braided Topknot
Credit: Pinterest/Lulus

A reverse braid is a little harder to master, but it sure comes in handy once you learn it! This messy topknot gets instantly more polished thanks to the upside-down Dutch braid. Get the tutorial from Lulus.

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Double Headband Bun

Double Headband Bun
Credit: Pinterest/Lauren Perlstein for Refinery29

The easiest way to make a second-day hair messy bun look completely intentional is by accessorizing with fun headbands! Ladies are doubling up two skinny headbands to put some extra volume and playfulness into an everyday hairstyle. Find cute skinny tortoiseshell headbands for this look at Shopbop.

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Pinned with Pearls

Pinned with Pearls
Credit: Pinterest/Chloe + Isabel by Nancy Nicol

Any messy bun looks stylish and pre-planned when using a fun accessory, and nothing is classier than these pearl-like pins and ponytail holders from Chloe + Isabel. This bun uses a basic low twisting style, but secures with the ponytail duo in a pretty rose gold color.

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Fanned-Out Bun

Fanned-Out Bun
Credit: Pinterest

This bun is perfect for busy weekdays or lazy weekends. After adding some texturizing spray, secure hair in a low ponytail. Then, pull the ponytail through the elastic one last time, stopping a little short to create a loop. Twist the extra hair around the base and secure with pins. Finally, pull apart the gathered loop to create the loose, messy texture and fanned look.

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Criss-Cross Braid Bun

Criss-Cross Braid Bun
Credit: Pinterest

Update your easy twisted low bun with two crossing braids. Start by separating two small sections of hair around the face, by the ears. Pull the rest of the hair back into a bun, then secure with an elastic. Braid both sections, moving back towards the bun. Secure each with bobby pins in the center, weaving them together to look uniform.

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Silk Turban Topknot

Silk Turban Topknot
Credit: Pinterest/Kerrently

Dallas-based style blogger Courtney Kerr dubs this look her "good, bad hair day." If even dry shampoo won't cut it anymore, this easy topknot sealed with a pretty silk turban is her answer to looking stylish against all odds.

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The Undone Bun

The Undone Bun
Credit: The Beauty Department

For this look, you secure a clear elastic towards the end of your hair to make sure disaster doesn't strike and hair doesn't fall out from all directions! After that step, twist into your usual bun and secure with pins, letting that bit fall out. Get the tutorial from The Beauty Department.

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Double Buns

Double Buns
Credit: The Beauty Department

Get two adorably messy buns for one price with this look! This simple two-step process gives you playful and stylish buns that use texturizing spray and a little teasing to add volume. Get the tutorial from The Beauty Department.

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Dutch Braid Into a Messy Bun

Dutch Braid Into a Messy Bun
Credit: Pinterest/Barefoot Blonde

This beautiful bun is romantic with a touch of glam, and we're thinking we've seen this look on the likes of Blake Lively, perhaps? Get the tutorial from Amber Fillerup Clark.

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Side-Swept Chignon

Messy Side-Swept Chignon
Credit: Pinterest/Paper & Stitch

We love a classic hairstyle like this timeless chignon, but dressed down with a fun accessory and loose pieces. This tutorial even includes instructions for making this DIY copper hair piece. Get the tutorial for the chignon and the hair accessory from Paper & Stitch.

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Elegant Messy Bun

Elegant Messy Bun
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

A relaxed French twist can be both elegant and easygoing. Grab your hair from one side, roll and tuck into the center, and clip in place.

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Messy Bun Baseball Cap

Messy Bun Baseball Cap
Credit: Three Bird Nest

We just discovered that there are baseball caps made specifically for messy buns—ladies, rejoice! There's an added cutout farther up that will fit your messy bun perfectly, letting you look casual chic any dirty-hair day.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 22 Two-Minute Braided Bun
    2 of 22 Double Dutch Braided Topknot
    3 of 22 Half Bun
    4 of 22 Looped Ponytail Bun
    5 of 22 Silk-Wrapped Topknot
    6 of 22 Low Bun for Short Hair
    7 of 22 French Braid Twist Bun
    8 of 22 Bow Bun
    9 of 22 Cuffed Twist
    10 of 22 The Perfectly Loose Low Bun
    11 of 22 Reverse Braided Topknot
    12 of 22 Double Headband Bun
    13 of 22 Pinned with Pearls
    14 of 22 Fanned-Out Bun
    15 of 22 Criss-Cross Braid Bun
    16 of 22 Silk Turban Topknot
    17 of 22 The Undone Bun
    18 of 22 Double Buns
    19 of 22 Dutch Braid Into a Messy Bun
    20 of 22 Side-Swept Chignon
    21 of 22 Elegant Messy Bun
    22 of 22 Messy Bun Baseball Cap

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