How to Get the Perfect Messy Bun: A Step-by-Step Guide

The messy bun has become a go-to hairstyle for those moments when you want to look effortlessly put together. In this guide, our updo expert Chloe Whittle shows you how to create a messy bun step-by-step, along with tips for adapting the style to different hair lengths and textures.

How do you do a messy bun?

While a messy bun may appear simple, the secret to achieving the perfect balance of volume, texture and hold lies in the preparation. With the right products and styling techniques, you can create a bun that looks intentionally undone, full of movement and polished enough to wear anywhere.

Step 1. Create the perfect base

Any volume-focused style should start with a volumising wash routine to create a good foundation. Start by cleansing your hair with our AMPLIFY Volumising Shampoo to cleanse and remove any build-up, creating a base for lift. Follow with AMPLIFY Volumising Conditioner to detangle and moisturise your strands.

Step 2. Protect against frizz

Follow with SILK Smoothing Blow Dry Balm through the mid-lengths and ends on towel-dried hair. SILK helps smooth frizz, improve manageability and create a soft, polished base without sacrificing any movement.

Step 3. Build body

Apply a golf ball-sized amount of ENHANCE Volumising Mousse through damp hair, focusing on the roots and crown. This will create lasting volume and give the bun structure, ensuring it doesn't fall flat throughout the day.

Step 4. Blow dry the hair

Rough dry the hair, lifting at the roots with your fingers or by flipping your head upside down to maximise volume. Our HERØ Ionic Technology Hair Dryer is ideal for fast and powerful drying, allowing you to create the style quicker. The combination of SILK and mousse will also leave the hair smooth but full of body, creating the perfect foundation for an effortless updo.

Step 5. Add grip and movement

Once dry, spray our TEXTURE Dry Texture & Finishing Spray through the mid-lengths and ends. This adds texture, grip and separation, making the hair easier to style while giving the bun that perfectly undone finish.

Stylist & Video Credit: Instagram @thehaircabin_education

Step 6. Create the bun

Gather your hair into a loose ponytail at your desired height. Twist the ponytail around itself and wrap it into a bun, securing with a hair tie and a few pins. Don't worry about making it too neat - the beauty of a messy bun is in its imperfections.

Step 7. Loosen and personalise

Gently pull sections around the crown and bun to create softness and fullness. Leave a few face-framing pieces around the hairline for a relaxed, effortless feel.

Step 8. Finish with shine and hold

Mist GLOW Super Shine Micro Mist lightly over the finished style to enhance shine and give the hair a healthy-looking finish. Complete the look with our CONTROL Flexible Styling Hairspray for long-lasting hold.

Stylist & Video Credit: Instagram @jackgeorgehair

How do you customise a messy bun for long hair?

Longer lengths naturally provide more volume and movement, making it easier to achieve a messy bun that looks full and effortlessly undone.

For a softer, romantic look, leave a few longer sections loose around the face before creating your bun. These can be lightly curled to frame the features and add texture. If you prefer a more voluminous style, gently backcomb the ponytail before wrapping it into a bun to create extra fullness.

TEXTURE Dry Texture & Finishing Spray is particularly useful for long hair, helping to create grip and prevent the bun from slipping under the weight of the hair.

How do you get a messy bun if you have short hair?

Shorter hair can absolutely be styled into a messy bun, but you might need to make a few small adjustments depending on your length.

Start by creating as much volume as possible at the roots using ENHANCE Volumising Mousse and a blow dry routine focused on lift. Gather the hair into a small ponytail and twist the lengths into a mini bun, securing with pins where needed. If layers fall out, embrace them – they help create the relaxed, textured appearance that defines a messy bun.

For very short hair, try creating a half-up messy bun by gathering only the top section of hair. This gives the same effortless aesthetic while working with shorter lengths.

Can you still do a messy bun if your hair is thin?

Yes. In fact, a messy bun can be one of the best hairstyles for creating the illusion of fuller, thicker-looking hair.

The key is to focus on volume from the very beginning. Start with the AMPLIFY Volumising range and apply ENHANCE Volumising Mousse before blow drying to maximise lift at the roots. Once your hair is dry, gently tease the crown and ponytail to create extra body before forming the bun.

If you find that fine hair is prone to flyaways, smooth a small amount of SILK Smoothing Blow Dry Balm through the mid-lengths and ends before styling. SILK helps tame frizz and smooth unruly strands without weighing the hair down, allowing you to maintain volume while achieving a more polished finish.

When loosening the finished style, carefully pull small sections around the crown and bun rather than larger pieces. This creates the appearance of greater volume without compromising the structure of the style, resulting in an effortlessly full and elegant messy bun.

How do you use a hair donut for a messy bun?

A hair donut is a simple styling tool that can help create a fuller-looking messy bun, particularly if you have fine or medium-density hair.

Begin by gathering your hair into a ponytail and securing it with a hair tie. Pull the ponytail through the centre of the hair donut and spread the hair evenly around it. Secure the hair over the donut with another elastic, then wrap any remaining lengths around the base and pin into place.

Roundup: Best products for a messy bun

Creating the perfect messy bun is all about balancing volume, texture, shine and flexible hold. The right products can make all the difference, helping your style look effortlessly polished while lasting throughout the day. 

For the ultimate messy bun routine, we recommend:

• AMPLIFY Volumising Shampoo – Creates the perfect foundation for volume and lift.

• AMPLIFY Volumising Conditioner – Hydrates without weighing the hair down.

• SILK Smoothing Blow Dry Balm – Controls frizz and improves manageability.

• ENHANCE Volumising Mousse – Adds body and long-lasting root lift.

• HERØ Ionic Technology Hair Dryer – Delivers fast, powerful drying with a smooth finish.

• TEXTURE Dry Texture & Finishing Spray – Creates grip, movement and that signature undone texture.

• GLOW Super Shine Micro Mist – Adds a healthy-looking, luminous finish.

• CONTROL Flexible Styling Hairspray – Provides lightweight hold while maintaining natural movement.

Whether your hair is long, short, thick or fine, a messy bun is a timeless style that combines effortless elegance with everyday practicality. With the right preparation and styling products, you can create a look that's full of volume and texture. View our full range of styling products: Styling & Finishing Products