A bun hairstyle is an updo in which the hair is gathered and twisted at the crown or back of the head. It’s a look that conjures up images of graceful ballerinas, and it lends itself well to formal occasions.
Sarah Whittaker is a special event hairdresser and updo enthusiast from Columbus, OH. She believes hair bun styles don’t have drawbacks.
Whittaker offered further advice on how to spruce up your look.
💡 Key Things to Know First
- The most crucial step in this style is consultation. Choose a hair artist whose work compliments your vision!
- Have your “inspo pics” ready, and don’t be afraid to discuss your likes and dislikes. Allow the artist to customize the style to fit you.
- The biggest benefit of wearing your hair up is that it will look great all night! But it’s a no-go if you don’t feel like yourself with your hair up.
- What’s the ideal hair condition for a bun updo?
- Myth: Special event hairstyles need unclean hair.
- Fact: It’s much easier to work with a clean base.
- Exemption: Coarse and textured hair does best on day two.
If you’re looking for a hairdo at an upcoming event, here are some pictures of the most beautiful bun hairstyles you may attempt.
#1: High Bun
Feel tall and proud when you’ve got this simple yet outstanding top knot bun style! Get your strands off your pretty face to show off your glam make-up.
#2: Braided Triangles and Top Bun Updo
An updo with braided triangles and a top bun is stunning. A formal updo, like a triangle top knot, can be classic and spicy. I recommend visiting a braiding specialist who can create intricate designs with the right tightness that lasts a long time. The style includes pie-shaped cornrows all over. These are then incorporated into slices framing the face, ending with a long-lasting top knot bun.
#3: Inverted Braids with Space Buns
You can style the space buns for a formal event to resemble themes from Star Wars, Vikings, or Alien. Let your imagination take flight with these playful buns. Try adding inverted braids to enhance the texture at the back of your head, drawing attention to the notable elements of your outfit, such as a low-back design or an interesting print. You can create these braids and space buns yourself, given you’re comfortable with French and Dutch braid styles, by flipping your head over to create enough tension. You should finish off the look with a wrapped, braided bun.
#4: Slick Bun with Front Pieces
A slick bun and its front pieces keep your hair intact with this sleek style. Apply some hair gel on damp hair to create extra hold and zero flyaways. Use a fine-tooth comb to brush your hair back. Then, secure it into a twisted bun using crisscross bobby pins. Make sure to leave some front pieces out for face framing. This will create a cute aesthetic.
#5: Romantic Blonde Low Bun
Create a romantic low bun for your next cheer routine. It’s crucial to secure your hair during the routine. This way, you can focus on the task rather than worrying about your hair. To achieve the look, use a light gel and a fine-tooth comb. Then, brush your hair into a low bun at the back of your neck. For the final touch, keep some bangs loose around your face and curl them to add texture.
#6: Floral Sleek Low Bun
There is nothing more timeless than this floral sleek low bun. This classic style is a secure bun that sits above the nape of the neck. This bun is slicked down around the hairline with gel. You can decorate it with flowers or hair jewelry to your liking. This hairstyle is perfect for dancers and other athletes. It’s elegant and secure.
#7: High Ballerina Bun with Mini Pearls
What’s more fantastic than this high ballerina bun with mini pearls? The bun slicked back on top, is studded with small, pearl-like beads for fun touches. Ensure your stylist is skilled in updo styles. If you want to try it at home, you only need a donut hairpiece, pearls, and hairspray.
#8: Waves and Side Updo for Mother of the Groom
The mother of the groom will look perfect in soft waves and a side updo. Both elements, being elegant but low-key, will let you enjoy the event without drawing much attention.
#9: Soft Upstyle with Face-Framing Pieces for Mother of the Bride
Looking for a mother of the bride style? Try a soft upstyle with face-framing pieces! This stunning updo is easy to accomplish in the salon or home and looks great when paired with hair pins or pearlescent accessories.
#10: Intricate Bun Updo
This intricate bun updo hairstyle is perfect for females. Especially if your hair is highlighted or balayaged. It’s a beautiful example of how a few pins, some hairspray, and strategic twisting can create a formal look. The style involves numerous twists, which are woven in a chic and effortless way. It works best for those who want to highlight their balayage highlights.
#11: Champagne Blonde Messy Top Knot
A champagne blonde messy top knot is currently one of the most trending hairstyles. I suggest a Bardot bang and face-framing to soften your facial features. Any hair texture can work, but the finer, dimensional blonde hair is ideal for this simple bun hairstyle. The drawback to thicker, darker hair is that you see less detail on the top knot.
#12: Elegant Low Bun Style
The best way to wear a bun style is low at the nape. It’s timeless, chic, and pretty. Ask your stylist for height around the crown to give a flattering silhouette. Ask for loose strands around your face to give a soft, whimsical feel.
#13: Formal Bun Updo with Hair Accessories
A formal bun updo with hair accessories is the right choice for you. Especially if you’re a dimensional blonde whose hair is fine, search no further if your hair has a soft texture. You can solve this by gathering your hair into a loose, high ponytail. Then, pinch small sections to create peaks. To recreate such cute bun hairstyles, twist and pin your locks into a bun shape with the Kenra medium-hold hairspray.
#14: Elegant High Bun with Middle-Parted Bangs
When my clients ask for a formal style that’s not “too formal,” I suggest an elegant high bun with middle-parted bangs. If you want to try this style at home, the best way to get started is by properly prepping your hair. Don’t be afraid to use the product! Volumizers and hairsprays are your friends for this style.
#15: Twisted Low Bun
All the waves and the swirls in this sophisticated low bun hairdo give off an alluring vibe! Such hair buns gorgeously match a bridesmaid or a prom queen.
#16: Romantic Bun with Pearl Accessories
If you’re looking for a bridesmaid hair idea, a romantic bun with pearl accessories is perfect for a wedding. I recommend it looks like this for all my brides on their big day.
#17: Easy Messy Bun
Gift yourself a low-textured knot effortlessly made with the help of a hair donut! You can wear this easy messy bun style every day and even in long gown events.
#18: Simple Bun
I’d call it a loose or ‘undone’ twisted simple bun hairdo. The greatest thing about it is that the twist shows off the different tones in the client’s hair, and it looks more elaborate than it is. It’s a great style when they want something up off their face, which is a bit more casual and modern than some styles, but still looks polished and has some interest.
It would look great with any hair color, but one with some variation of highlights (blondes) looks best, as it shows off the twist with different tones. Also best with a length of at least just past shoulder length to around bra strap length. Otherwise, if it’s too short, there’s not enough hair in the bun. They don’t tend to be layered to give it texture if it’s too long, and the bun becomes too heavy and large.
I recommend a styling product like a volumizing powder to give the hair some texture and to create some volume. I would dust it through the crown and backcomb a little to create some height and then through the pony before you twist it and piece it apart (before securing it with bobby pins and hair spray). These cute buns look more relaxed by pulling pieces out around the front of the face.
#19: Twisted Bun
This twisted bun hair is simple but elegant and perfect for a casual evening or even for your wedding hair dream. Using a rope braid technique makes your hair feel thick and full. The classiest thing about this look is how simple but intricate it looks. From a stylist’s point of view, it’s very easy to achieve. Using minimum Bobby pins eases up the styling technique.
This look is created in a few simple steps that are quick and easy. It’s perfect for all different hair textures when using the correct products. This particular look is classic and simple at the front but detailed at the back. It’s perfect for all different occasions.
#20: Bow Bun
Bows and bridal up-dos are two key wedding trends this year, so this bow bun hairstyle is the perfect combination. It’s elegant, modern, and effortlessly romantic. Its versatility means you can wear the hairstyle with or without a veil. The choice is yours, but both will look equally gorgeous. If you choose not to wear a veil with this hairstyle, opt for some statement bridal accessories to turn heads as you walk down the aisle. A pair of chandelier earrings are all you need to add a great finishing touch to this look.
This wedding hairstyle is designed for the bride who isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd and wants to make a statement with her bridal look. Does this sound like you? Then you’ll need hair that is shoulder-length or longer to achieve this detailed look. Ensure you establish a decent haircare routine ahead of the big day so that it is conditioned, glossy, and wedding-ready. If you have wild hair that cannot be tamed, you’ll use a lot of hair spray and hairpins to secure the look. However, this beautiful bridal hairstyle also means you will keep any pesky flyaways at bay. What’s not to love?!
#21 The Beach Side Braided Bun
#24 The Simple Donut Bun
#25 Romantic, Layered Bun
#27 Waterfall French Braid Bun
#28 Elegant, Low Hanging Side Bun
#29 Easy Knotted Updo Bun
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