How to Grow a Man Bun: Full Guide With 7 Easy Styles
This look has some serious staying power.
If you’ve been thinking about growing a man bun, you’ve probably already seen this style in men’s magazines, on your favorite actor, or on the barista at your corner coffee shop. The basics of a man bun first, yes, involve growing your hair out, and from there you’ll need to master some styling tips in order to make the style more trendy than unkempt. Believe it or not, mastering the best way to keep your long hair out of your eyes is about more than just tossing your hair up!
How to Grow a Man Bun
If you’re ready, read on to learn more about how to grow a man bun and be prepared to change your just-rolled-out-of-bed game forever. We’ve gathered all the man bun inspiration you need here. Growing your hair out long enough to fit into a man bun is no easy feat, but with the right tips and a lot of discipline, it’s definitely doable!
Step 1: Avoid your barber.
This may seem self-explanatory but avoiding your barber is step one to growing out your man bun. Hold on through that awkward growing out stage and only visit the barber if you absolutely must for a slight trim.
Step 2: Strengthen your strands.
Do the absolute most to strengthen your strands and keep them healthy. This means prioritizing a nutritious diet, making sure to stay hydrating, and conditioning your hair regularly.
Step 3: Don’t stress your strands.
While the ultimate goal is to be able to pull your hair up into a man bun, successfully growing out your hair means no tugging or pulling on your strands. Make sure to be gentle with your hair and try to be patient with the process.
How to Make the Signature Man Bun
Whether it be on the street, the runway, the red carpet, or Instagram, you’re sure to spot the man bun alongside some of the most popular haircuts today. So, let’s get down to business and learn how to do a man bun, shall we?
Prep your hair.
After washing your hair with the TIGI Bed Head For Men Charge Up Thickening Shampoo, gently brush through your hair with a comb.
This will remove any tangles and knots, and make it easier for you to apply product.
Apply the product.
Warm Bed Head for Men by TIGI Matte Separation Workable Wax between your palms, evenly coating your hands and fingertips. Once you’ve spread the texturizing wax across your hands, rake the product through your hair, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends.
Tip: Don’t forget to open your fingers as you work it through your mane to distribute the product and aid control.
Gather your hair.
Now you’ve applied your product, it’s time to learn how to tie a man bun. Loosely gather your hair into a ponytail, roughly in the middle of your crown, and get your elastic ready to secure it.
Tie your hair.
Wrap your hairband around your ponytail a couple of times to secure. Then, on your last wrap, pull the ponytail only halfway through to create a loop, with the ends of your hair facing down towards the back of your head.
Don’t worry about these loose ends, they add to the overall undone coolness of this hairstyle.
Final look.
Congratulations, you’ve mastered how to tie a man bun! If necessary, gently tweak the size and position of your ‘do to create a fuller effect.
How to Make a Half-Up Man Bun
Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to introduce you to the man bun’s cooler sibling: the half-up, half-down top knot. This look is the best way to keep hair away from your face but still show off your lengthy locks.
Prep your hair:
When rocking a top knot, you’ll want your hair to appear voluminous and thick, as opposed to limp and flat.
Start by washing your hair before letting your hair air-dry naturally.
Section your hair.
Now it’s time to create your half-up top knot. Simply section your hair in half horizontally, starting from around eyebrow height.
Create a ponytail.
Next, gather the hair that you sectioned in step 2 into a ponytail, and secure it with a hairband. Then, twist your ponytail, as this will make it easier to fashion into a top knot in the next step!
Create your half-up top knot.
Now wrap your twisted hair around the base of your ponytail, until you’ve formed a neat top knot shape, securing it in place with some bobby pins.
Final look:
And just like that, you’ve mastered the half-up top knot! See how easy that was? Now you can rock your new ‘do morning, noon, and night.
How to Make a Messy Man Bun
Even though we’re almost nearly through the year, the man bun is still topping men’s style boards and trending topics. However, if you’re looking for something a little more casual and low-key, then why not opt for a messy low bun, instead? Not only is it ideal for those hectic work from home situations, but it also gives your natural texture a bit more of a reprieve.
Creating messy bun hairstyles may seem like a no-brainer, but there are actually some tricks and tools to the trade to get the look down pat. This disheveled, lived-in look has masses of texture and looks extremely cool.
Prepare your hair.
Wash your hair with Dove Men+Care Hydration Fuel 2-In-1 Fortifying Shampoo + Conditioner, then allow to air dry or use a hairdryer so that your strands are at least 90% dry before you start.
You want to keep some texture to your hair to give it that second-day look, so we suggest finger-combing through your mane.
Create a low ponytail.
Next, smooth your hair back and gather into a low ponytail, towards the nape of your neck, or wherever feels most comfortable.
Make sure you get every strand and double-check in a mirror to see if there are any remaining flyaways.
Create a loop.
When securing your ponytail, the last time you go to pull your hair through the hairband, leave it looped halfway through.
Take your time here as this step will form the basis of your messy bun.
Use pins.
Want to know why your man bun never stays put throughout the day? You’re not using hairpins!
These little styling tools are your new friend, so simply insert pins around the base of the bun to keep it in place.
How to Make a Twisted Man Bun
Looking to add a little interest to your man bun hairstyle? Then why not try this twisted man bun style to take your look from ordinary to extraordinary? With this twisted man bun style, you can turn your basic man bun into a cooler updo that’s suitable for any occasion.
Prep your hair.
Before creating your twisted low man bun, make sure you’ve prepped your hair by washing it.
Brush your hair.
Create a side parting, then brush your hair with a natural bristle brush, which will help smooth your hair.
Twist your hair and create a low ponytail.
Divide your hair into 2 halves and, working on one section at a time, start twisting each section of hair from your ear back towards the nape of the neck. When you reach the middle, combine the 2 sections and tie into a low ponytail.
Create your bun.
Twist the tail of your pony, before wrapping it around its base. Once you’ve formed a bun shape, secure it discreetly with a bobby pin.
Man Bun Styles to Try
Now that you know how to make this simple look, we dare you to challenge yourself. Gone are the days of questioning, “what is a man bun;” now you’re ready to create the trendiest (and easiest) look on the block. Try out some of these styles to upgrade your man bun game:
1. High Bun
The most common way to style a man bun is the basic high bun. You can make it sleek and smoothed out, or make it messy and casual with AXE Natural Look: Softening Cream. Whatever you choose, you’ll be ready to rock this bun in no time.
2. Low Bun
If you have extra long hair, a low man bun is perfect for you. It’s casual and fun and gives your hair a slightly messy-but-tamed look.
3. Half-Up, Half-Down
Get creative with your look by going for the half-up, half-down man bun (or “hun”) style. Get the best of both worlds with this fun and easy look while showing off your long mane. Just tame any unruly strands while giving your hair a tousled look with AXE Messy Look: Matte Gel.
4. Undercut
Stand out from the crowd with this sharp look. An undercut paired with your man bun is a great look to transform into a rockstar. Give your style an edgy look with this undercut finish.
5. Low Messy Bun
In a hurry? Then give your hair that fresh out of bed look with a messy bun. Don’t worry, the messier the better, so make that bun as shaggy and loose as you want. The looser the strands, the more eye-catching your bun will look.
6. High Messy Bun
Place your messy bun on top of your head for more volume and to help get your long mane off the back of your neck. Remember, the look is supposed to be a little haphazard, so don’t overthink it when you’re creating this style.
7. Top Bun
This style is perfect for those who want to rock a man bun but don’t have the length all around to be completely gathered into a bun. Just create a bun with the top section of hair and let the rest remain down to give the look more texture. Wear this look as you learn how to grow a man bun and save the others for when your hair is longer.
Between tips on how to grow a man bun, step-by-step tutorials on how to create different man bun styles, and a gallery of inspiration, you’re all set to pull off a man bun in no time!
