The Perfect Man Bun: A Step-By-Step Guide

The man bun is a divisive hairstyle, but when done right, it can look super masculine. The trickiest part of achieving this look is getting your hair to the right length. You need at least 6 inches of hair, with the ideal length being between 10 and 16 inches. This will take around 10 to 18 months to grow, depending on your hair growth rate. Once you have the length, there are several different styles of man buns to choose from, including the classic, messy, sleek, top knot, and half-up bun.

How to do a basic man bun

The man bun is a divisive hairstyle. Some people love it, and some people hate it. But when done right, it can look super masculine and is one of the best hairstyles out there.

Wash and brush your hair

Before you begin styling, wash your hair and comb it through to remove any loose hair and ensure your hair is straight. It is best to style your man bun right after you get out of the shower to ensure your hair is clean.

Apply texturizing cream (optional)

If you have thick or fuzzy hair, applying some texturizing cream will reduce the fuzziness and help hold your hair in place. It will also give your hair a nice sheen.

Place an elastic band on your wrist

Take one of your elastic bands and place it on your wrist. This will make it easier to pull the elastic band from your wrist onto your hair while still holding your hair.

Grab your hair and bunch it up at the back

Using both hands, run your fingers through the top and sides of your hair to create a big clump at the back of your head. You might miss some hair, so be sure to look in the mirror and use a sweeping motion with one hand to push any stray hairs up into the clump.

Pull the elastic band around your hair

Now that you have all your hair in your hands, transfer it to the hand that has the elastic band on the wrist. With your free hand, pull the elastic band from your wrist and onto your hair, twisting it around once to tighten it.

Create the bun

The next step is tricky. To create the bun, bring the band across the hair, pulling the hair halfway through the elastic band so that it gets caught. Release the band, and you will have the iconic man bun appearance.

And that's it! You are now rocking a basic man bun!

How to do a man bun with short hair

The minimum length for a man bun is six inches. If your hair is shorter than that, it's best to wait until it's a little longer before attempting a man bun.

Step-by-step guide:

• Wash and brush your hair: Start by washing your hair and giving it a quick brush to remove any knots and ensure it's straight.
• Apply texturizing cream (optional): If you have thick or fuzzy hair, apply some texturizing cream to reduce fuzziness and help hold your hair in place.
• Put an elastic band on your wrist: This will make it easier to place the elastic band on your hair in the following steps.
• Grab all your hair at the back of your head: Use both hands to run your fingers through your hair until you have all the strands held together in the back of your head. Keep the bun towards the top back of the head, as this can be tricky with short hair.
• Pull the elastic band around your hair: Loop the elastic band around the hair until it's tight. Then, for the final loop, pull the ponytail halfway through so that your hair gets caught in the elastic band. Release the band, and you'll have the iconic man bun appearance.

Tips:

• If you're in the process of growing your hair out, go with an undercut hairstyle. This will make your man bun stand out and look more distinct.
• If your hair is very dry, aim to shampoo it no more than three times a week. Excess shampooing can dry it out further.
• To keep your hair in place all day, spritz your bun with hairspray.

How to do a messy man bun

The man bun is a versatile and timeless hairstyle that can be adapted to suit various occasions. The messy man bun is a quick, easy, and casual variation of the classic man bun.

What you need:

All you need to create a messy man bun is a hair tie. You may also want to use a texturizing cream to reduce fuzziness and help hold your hair in place.

Step-by-step guide:

• Begin with freshly washed and roughly towel-dried hair.
• Apply a texturizing cream to your hair.
• Run your hands through your hair, pulling the top, sides, and bottom of your hair into a ponytail at the crown of your head. Leave a few strands of hair free for a more tousled, messy look.
• Pull your hair halfway through a hair tie.
• Twist the hair tie and wrap it around the bun. This will leave strands of hair poking out of the bun, giving you a messy, carefree look.
• Tug on the loop of hair to pull it out and make it look more relaxed.
• Pull some hair down out of the bun around the ears, if you like that style.

Tips:

• For a more relaxed, laid-back look, position the ends of your hair so they rest above your bun.
• If your hair is short, an undercut hairstyle will make your man bun stand out more and look more distinct.
• To keep your hair in place all day, spritz your bun with hairspray.

How to do a half-up man bun

The half-up man bun is a straightforward style to achieve. It has a Viking look to it and is particularly suited to men with long hair. Here's how to do it:

Wash and comb your hair

First, make sure you have washed your hair and given it a quick comb. It's a good idea to style your hair straight from the shower. You want it to be clean and straight with no knots.

Apply texturizing cream (optional)

Applying texturizing cream is optional, but it will help you control your hair better while reducing fuzziness at the same time. It also gives your hair a nice sheen.

Put an elastic band on your wrist

You will need an elastic band to hold the hair in place. An easy trick is to put the band on your dominant wrist like a bracelet, then pull it over your wrist onto the hair.

Pull the top half of your hair to the back

Now start styling your hair. Run your hands through your hair and pull the top half of your hair back into a bunch. Make sure not to grab all of your hair, as this would be a classic man bun. We are doing a half-up, so only grab the top half of the hair and let the lower half fall down nicely.

Pull the elastic band around the hair

You should now have the general style you want. Take the hand that doesn't have the elastic band and use it to pull the elastic band from your wrist onto the hair. Tie it about two times to keep it tight, but leave at least one twist for the bun styling.

Twist the elastic band around the hair to create the bun

Twist the elastic band one last time around the hair, but this time only allow the hair to pass halfway through and then release. This is what creates that bun look.

And there you have it! You should now have an excellent half-up man bun.

How to do a top knot man bun

The top knot man bun is a stylish and practical way to keep your hair out of your face. It's a modern variation of the Samurai hairstyle, the chonmage, where the top of the head is shaved, and the longer side hair is used to create the top knot.

Step 1: Prepare your hair

Start by washing and brushing your hair to ensure it is clean and free of any knots or tangles. If you have thick or fuzzy hair, you may want to apply some texturizing cream to reduce frizziness and help hold your hair in place.

Step 2: Gather your hair

Use a comb or your fingers to lift the top, sides, and bottom of your hair up to the top of your head. Gather your hair together into a ponytail. Alternatively, for a messier look, flip your hair over and create a ponytail at the top of your head.

Step 3: Twist and coil

Twist your hair into a tight spiral and coil it into a bun at the top of your head. You can use your finger to help shape the bun. If you're having trouble, secure your hair in a ponytail first, then twist and wrap it around the base.

Step 4: Secure the bun

Place a hair tie over the base of the bun and twist it around several times to secure your hair in place. You can adjust the tightness of the bun to achieve your desired look, whether you prefer a messy or neater finish.

And there you have it! You're now rocking a top knot man bun. This versatile hairstyle can be adapted to suit your personal style, whether you prefer a sleek and refined look or a more relaxed and carefree appearance.

Frequently asked questions