21+ Trendy Messy Bun Hairstyles You’ll Be Obsessed With

Low Messy Bun with Face-Framing Strands

A low messy bun is so soft and romantic! The face-framing pieces add femininity and soften the whole look.

Messy Top Knot

The messy top knot sits right on top of your head! It’s playful, youthful, and perfect for active days. This messy low bun hairstyles alternative sits higher and creates more drama while still being super functional. The top placement shows off your neck and keeps all your hair completely off your face. Perfect for workouts, hot summer days, or just when you want that carefree vibe!

Braided Messy Bun

Adding a braid before the bun creates such beautiful texture! The braid adds detail while the bun stays effortlessly messy.

Messy Bun with Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs with a messy bun is such a trendy combo! The bangs frame your face while the bun keeps everything else out of the way. My best friend got curtain bangs last year specifically because she wanted them to look good with her messy buns. The way the bangs sweep to the sides creates this gorgeous face-framing effect that makes even the messiest bun look intentional and stylish. This hairstyles messy bun combination is having such a moment right now!

Curly Messy Bun

Curly hair in a messy bun is absolutely gorgeous! The natural texture adds so much volume and dimension.

Half-Up Messy Bun

A half-up messy bun is the best of both worlds! You get the polish of an updo with the softness of hair down. This is one of my favorite messy bun hairstyles because it works for literally any occasion. Casual enough for running errands but pretty enough for dinner dates. You pull just the top section into a messy bun and leave the rest flowing. So easy and so flattering!

Double Messy Buns (Space Buns)

Space buns with messy texture are so fun and playful! The two buns create such a cute, youthful vibe.

Low Twisted Messy Bun

Twisting your hair before bunning adds such elegant detail! The twist creates structure while the bun stays intentionally undone. This messy low bun hairstyles variation is perfect for weddings or formal events because the twist adds that extra special touch. It looks way more complicated than it actually is, which is always a win. The combination of the neat twist and messy bun is so beautifully balanced!

Messy Bun with Hair Scarf

A hair scarf wrapped around a messy bun is so vintage-chic! The scarf adds color and pattern while keeping the bun casual.

Sleek-to-Messy Bun (Smooth Roots + Messy Bun)

Smooth, sleek roots transitioning to a messy bun is so polished! The contrast creates such a sophisticated look. This is perfect for when you want your messy bun to feel more elevated and intentional. The sleek roots show that it’s not just bedhead thrown up, while the messy bun keeps it from looking too stiff or formal. I wore this exact style to a job interview and got so many compliments. It’s professional but still has personality!

Messy Bun with Claw Clip

Using a claw clip for your messy bun is so easy! Just twist and clip, and you’re done in seconds.

Side Messy Bun

A side messy bun is so romantic and asymmetrical! The off-center placement creates such visual interest. This hairstyles messy bun variation is perfect for special occasions because it feels more styled and intentional. The side placement shows off your neck and shoulders beautifully and photographs so well. It’s elegant but still has that relaxed, undone texture that makes it approachable and not too formal!

Messy Bun with Braids on One Side

Small braids leading into a messy bun add such pretty detail! The braids create texture on one side while keeping it asymmetrical.

Volume Messy Bun with Teased Roots

Teasing the roots before creating your bun adds incredible volume! The height at the crown makes everything look fuller and more dramatic. This is such a game-changer for people with fine or thin hair. The teasing creates the illusion of so much more volume and makes your bun look bigger and more substantial. Just backcomb a bit at the crown before you pull it up, and suddenly your messy bun has major impact!

Low Messy Chignon

A low chignon with messy texture is so elegant! It’s the fancy cousin of the regular messy bun.

Textured Messy Bun for Short Hair

Short hair can absolutely do a messy bun! The shorter length creates a smaller, more compact bun that’s super cute. Don’t let anyone tell you that you need long hair for a messy bun. Even shoulder-length or shorter hair can create a gorgeous textured bun. It might be smaller and sit differently, but it’s just as chic and maybe even easier to manage. The shorter pieces that fall out naturally add to the messy vibe!

Messy Bun with Pearl or Flower Pins

Adding pearl or flower pins makes a messy bun feel special! The accessories elevate it from casual to occasion-ready.

Messy Bun with Loose Waves

Curling your hair before creating the bun adds so much texture! The waves make the bun look fuller and more dimensional. This is one of my favorite tricks for making a messy bun look more intentional and styled. The wave texture shows through the bun and makes it look like you put more effort in than you actually did. Perfect for when you want that effortless-but-put-together vibe!

Messy Bun with a Braided Crown

How to Make a Messy Bun Look Chic Instead of Truly Messy

A messy bun looks best when it follows a plan. You want controlled looseness, not random chaos. The prettiest messy buns always have a secure base, a flattering shape, and a little softness around the face.

What actually defines a good messy bun:

• An anchored ponytail first. If the base slides, the bun collapses and starts looking sloppy. Secure the ponytail, then build the bun on top of it.

• Volume in the right spot. You want height at the crown or fullness at the back of the head, not puffiness on the sides.

• Texture that grips. Freshly washed hair can feel too slippery. A little dry shampoo or texture spray gives you hold without stiffness.

Common mistakes you can avoid:

• You pull hair out everywhere and lose the bun shape. Pull from the crown and the bun edges only, then stop.

• You use heavy oil and the bun drops. Keep oils on the ends only.

• You skip the face framing plan. Decide now: two small pieces out, or fully slicked back.

Quick messy bun rules:

• Use two elastics if your hair is thick, one to anchor and one to shape.

• Pin toward the center of the bun, not outward.

• If you want it softer, loosen the crown first, then add face pieces last