Asian woman with a messy bun hairstyle wearing eyeglasses.

13 Messy Bun Hair Ideas for a Chic and Relaxed Look

Chill out in style with these messy bun ideas!

Styling your hair lets you bring out a new side of you. If your friends have always seen you in sleek and polished hairstyles, why don’t you surprise them with a different look? Try these messy bun hairstyles and show how chic you can be even without putting much effort. You can also wear them on days when you want to relax and unwind.

Check out these messy updos that we’ve rounded up for you.

Messy Bun Hairstyles We Love

1. Baby Bun for Short Hair

girl wearing a striped top is smiling with her messy bun hair
Baby buns are a nice way to look chic on a chill-out day. Credit: Hariono Halim

Just chilling out doesn’t mean you should completely let go of your hair. This baby bun is the best messy bun to wear for your short hair. Since it’s supposed to be messy, you don’t even have to make it perfect or sleek.

2. Curly Half-Up Space Buns

girl holding her messy bun
These twin buns make you look absolutely younger

If you want to manage your curls, you can put them in this hairstyle. Just put two small sections of your hair up in double buns, and you’re done! You don’t even have to comb your hair to nail this ‘do. It’s perfect for those days when you feel like bringing back your childhood memories.

Bottle of TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum

Editor’s tip: Add some shine to your curls with TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Anti-Frizz Shine Serum. It has keratin and marula oil, giving your hair five benefits in one amazing product. Aside from adding shine, this hair serum also calms frizz, detangles, makes your hair soft, and tames flyaways. Its non-greasy, lightweight formula leaves your hair silky and full of movement.

3. Loose and Low Bun

girl wearing a dark green top is looking at the camera with her beautiful messy hairstyle
Achieve simple sophistication with this hairstyle. Credit: Natasha Estelle

Have you seen Japanese women and how they wear their buns low? You can also pull off that hairstyle and make it messy to look more casual. Don’t worry about the loose strands as they give you a more laidback look. You can wear this hairstyle even at work!

4. Messy Ballerina Bun

Asian woman with a messy bun hairstyle sitting on a couch and using her mobile phone.
Look like a model-off-duty with this messy bun hairstyle. Credit: Pixta

Got long, layered hair? You’ll probably notice that not all strands get tied every time you put your hair up in a ballerina bun. And that’s perfectly fine! Take that as your cue to go for a messy bun. The messier, the better!

5. Messy Braided Bun Updo

girl has her back turned but is looking sideways
Take “messy-chic” to the next level combing braids with a messy bun. Credit: Hariono Halim

Anything with braids becomes a charming and romantic hairstyle—even a messy bun. You can wear this on casual days, on the beach, or when your beau suddenly calls you for an impromptu date.

6. Messy Bun With a Headband Braid

sophisticated-looking girl wearing dangling earrings and a messy bun hairstyle
You can make a messy-chic hairstyle sophisticated, too. Credit: Natasha Estelle

With this messy bun with headband braid hairstyle, you exude a laid-back but stylish look. It’s perfect on days when you just have a short meeting at work or on weekends when catching up with your friends over coffee.

Tube of Cream Silk Ultimate Reborn Hair Fall Defense Conditioner

Editor’s tip: Have fun experimenting with different hairstyles, but keep hair fall at bay. Use Cream Silk Ultimate Reborn Hair Fall Defense Tri-Oleo Conditioner. It has three lightweight and nourishing oils such as argan oil, rosehip oil, and marula oil to help strengthen, smoothen, and moisturize your hair. It also has Break Shield Complex, which helps strengthen brittle hair from roots to tips, giving you 99% less hair fall from the first wash.

7. Top Knot With Messy Bangs

Asian woman with a messy bun hairstyle with bangs wearing eyeglasses
Showcase your fringe in this messy-chic updo. Credit: Yindee Phuttasirayakorn

Nail this messy bun hairstyle by ditching the comb and simply finger-combing your hair. Secure your top knot with a hair tie and a few bobby pins. Then, finger-comb your fringe as well for that messy-chic look.

8. Messy Half-Up Top Knot

Asian woman with a half-up top knot hairstyle on short hair.
Style your short hair like this when working out. Credit: Natasha Estelle

Don’t let short hair hinder you from rocking messy buns! Go for half-up top knots that keep hair off your face while giving you a relaxed, no-fuss hairstyle.

9. Messy Side Bun for Medium Hair

girl wearing a backless top smiles with her messy bun hair
This hairstyle looks laidback and sweet. Credit: Natasha Estelle

You can also put your messy bun on one side for a more feminine and romantic look. Leave some loose strands framing your face to make your hairstyle look more chill.

10. Twisted Wedding Bun

girl looks down and is wearing a white top
Who says buns can’t be classy and elegant?

Yes, a messy bun has a place in formal occasions like weddings! This is perfect for rustic-themed or beach weddings when you don’t need to look too formal and polished.

11. K-pop Inspired Messy Bun

Kpop inspired Asian woman with red hair
This hairstyle is definitely a sweet pick for all the K-pop lovers out there! Credit: Huÿnh Thiên Phú from Pexels

A K-pop-inspired messy bun hairstyle serves up a carefree yet stylish hairstyle that captures the fun, lively spirit often seen in K-pop idols. It’s the perfect way to incorporate a touch of K-pop glamour into your everyday look while keeping things playful and casual.

12. Messy Low Bun

Asian woman with flowers facing sideways
The ideal hairstyle for busy mornings. Credit: Dziana Hasanbekava from Pexels

The low messy bun hairstyle? It’s your ultimate style-secret weapon that’s all about channeling a lowkey elegant vibe while keeping things super chill. Think “I woke up like this” glam that’s perfect for pretty much any occasion – from work meetings to weekend hangs!

13. Messy Bun With Headband

Asian woman wearing a blue headband while her hair is in a messy bun with bangs.
Beat the heat in style with this cute updo. Credit: Pixta

Showcase your bubbly personality with this cute and quirky updo. If you have bangs, style them with your fingers for that messy-chic vibe.

See? You don’t need to style down on your chill-out days. All you need is a messy bun to get your style game on even when you’re relaxing.