How to Grow a Man Bun: 6 Steps to Rock the Man ‘Do

All those men effortlessly rocking the man bun may make it look like the easiest thing on earth. In reality, however, getting to where they are today was no doubt a lengthy process (pun totally intended) full of bad hair days and mun-related dramas. We’re pretty sure that even Jared Leto had to endure an awkward phase (or five) while he was growing out that perfectly disheveled top knot. So yes, the struggle is real, guys – which is why it’s a decision you shouldn’t take lightly. Want to know how to grow a man bun successfully? Read on and get ready to embark on the most important hair journey of your life.

Tips on How To Grow a Man Bun

1. Patience is a virtue.

There’s no such thing as growing a man bun overnight; that is, without having to resort to clip-ons. It will take time. If we base it on the fact that, normally, human hair grows about half an inch a month (roughly), then it should take around 6 months for those who start with medium length locks—or up to a year for those starting with a much shorter crop—to grow their hair to optimum man bun length. However, do bear in mind that there are plenty of hair-up styles you can experiment with as your mane begins to grow out, so at least you won’t have to wait forever to tie it back.

Editor’s tip: While growing out your hair, make your strands stronger as well by using CLEAR Anti-Hairfall Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Men. Aside from helping solve your dandruff problems, this shampoo can help strengthen your hair and reduce hairfall. 

2. Start with a good base haircut.

Unless you’re currently rocking a buzz cut, we’re guessing your hair varies at least slightly in length all over. But remember: the shape you start with will determine how your hair grows out. Most cuts make a good base for growing out into a man bun, with the only exception of when the sides and back are longer than the top section. This is likely to grow out into a mullet shape (which is, we’re guessing, exactly the opposite of what you want). For a more sculpted shape and easier maintenance, try keeping a bit more length on top and perhaps taking in the back and sides one more time before letting the growth process run its course.

3. Be prepared for the awkward stage(s).

Things will get a little hairy sometimes (sorry, we couldn’t help it). There’ll be so many “awkward stages” that you’re likely to lose track of why exactly you’ve chosen to do this in the first place. From the annoying moment when that part on the top of the ear reaches an itchy length, to when the whole thing becomes too long but still too short to tie up into a neat little knot) every day of your man bun-growing journey is a new adventure. But don’t be disheartened. Keep your eyes on the prize and comfort yourself with the fact that once that length is in place, there’s a plethora of styles just waiting to be played around with.

4. Take extra good care of your locks.

Keeping your hair looking and feeling healthy can help optimize the growth process. Any unnecessary “stress” you put on your mane will make it more susceptible to damage and breakage. This includes rough towel-drying, blow-drying, or use of other heated styling tools. And when your hair gets damaged, you might end up snipping those damaged parts of your hair, which is exactly what you don’t want when you’ve spent the last six months trying to grow it out. So make sure to be gentle when drying and styling. Also, work in regular trims (approximately every 8-12 weeks) to keep split ends at bay.

5. Quit the shampoo.

Don’t panic! We’re not telling you to give up washing your hair completely. But it may be wise to shampoo less than you were previously used to. Just think about the fact that every time you wash your tresses with shampoo, you’re not only cleaning it. You’re also stripping away all those natural oils that are essential for keeping the scalp healthy and well-moisturized. Instead, make conditioner your new best friend and start using it regularly to keep your hair hydrated and build in strength. If you feel like your hair starts to become extra dry and brittle, consider a conditioning treatment to give those locks a little extra TLC.

Editor’s tip: You can also use TRESemmé Instant Refresh Dry Shampoo to get rid of excess oil in your hair on no-wash days. 

6. Know that discovery and learning are all part of the process.

Be prepared for surprises. If you’ve never had long locks before, you’ll probably discover things you never knew about your own hair—from the way it reacts to humidity to the way it curls—on a weekly (or even daily) basis throughout the entire man bun-growing process. And even once you’ve reached your destination, there’s no guarantee that any of this will stop. So ask your barber to recommend the right products, learn how to deal with it and wear that man bun proudly.

Now that you know how to grow a man bun, you can prepare when you decide to go on this hair journey. It may be a long and tedious process, but trust us, all the effort is worth it once you see the results.