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Different Types of Hair Buns

With so many types of hair, it means there are a plethora of unique hairstyle options. These options include buns! No matter your hair type, whether your hair is thick or thin, straight or curly, colored or natural, there is a bun hairstyle that fits your needs.

Types of hair buns vary, providing an option for any occasion. The bun is the secret weapon of hairstyles. Have dirty hair that falls flat when it’s down? Bun!

Don’t have time to comb through your knotted hair before leaving the house? Bun! Has the humidity gotten the best of your hair, and the frizz is unmanageable? Bun!

No matter your reasoning for wanting to get your hair up off your neck, there is a type of bun meant to fit your needs.

Let’s dive into some of the varying types of hair buns and what occasion is best suited to that style.

 

Types of Hair Buns

Deciding on a bun style depends on your hair type and whether it has the volume to hold the bun without any help from additional hair accessories. Depending on your needs for a hair bun, there is a style for you that will make you and your hair the star of the show.

Messy Bun

messy bun

One of the most popular and well-known bun styles is the messy bun. This option is a cute and convenient bun style that is great for a quick up-do or when you need to keep your hair out of your face. The messy bun is easy for all hair types and styles.

However, while possible for all hair types, it is easiest for curly, mid-length hair with some thickness. The curls make it easy to maintain stray hairs with minimal effort on your part. There is more effort to get all your hair kept under the hair tie to get that desired look with straight hair. But as the name implies, it’s supposed to look messy!

Messy buns are excellent to dress up or dress down but typically fall under a more casual and informal category for the varying hair bun styles.

 

Tight Bun

Tight Bun

The tight hair bun is what you are going to see on female military personnel and police officers. This style is also the bun you see ballerinas wear. The tight bun is slicked back with no frizz or flyaways. This look gives off a professional and formal vibe compared to a bun where hair is escaping the hair tie.

This bun falls under the sleek low bun category as they are not on top of the head but rather mid-way down the backside or on the lower part.

A tight bun can be problematic for curly hair. If you have thick, curly hair, you will want to ensure you have enough hairspray, bobby pins, and anti-frizz gel in attempting a tight bun.

 

Side Bun

Side Bun

The side bun is typically very loose and located on the lower part of the side of your head near your ear. This style of bun can give off an elegant look if done the right way.

A side bun is often seen on girls going to prom or even in weddings or more formal events. Lots of side buns include braids to give it a more 3-dimensional look.

Be forewarned that side buns can quickly become challenging to maintain and keep up, depending on the length of your hair. Using bobby pins and clips helps you keep your hair up and off your neck while still giving that elegant side bun look.

Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend never needed a bobby pin or a clip. We all know hair accessories are the real MVPs.

 

Low Bun

Low Bun

Low buns are another hair bun style often used during formal occasions. A low bun, like the name implies, is located below where you typically see hair buns. It works well with both a loose pullback or a tight pullback. That comes down to preference and the overall look you hope to attain.

The low bun is an easy platform for you to play around by allowing some hair out of the hair tie and letting that hair shape your face. That’s often the case as a low bun is not 100% visible for someone looking at you face-to-face.

If you are looking for a bun hairstyle for a wedding, a low bun is an excellent choice as it offers the perfect opportunity for a flowy veil without having to worry about it coming undone or falling out.

 

High Bun

High Bun

If you’re anything like me, you love a good, high bun to get your thick hair out of your face and off your neck. A high top knot bun is typically a more casual look, but you can easily dress it up.

The high bun is what you see at the lake or the beach when girls want to get that hair up to keep it from getting wet. A high bun is usually accomplished without the need for clips or bobby pins if your hair is long enough to reach the top of your head.

High buns have always been a lifesaver when your hair looks dirty or doesn’t work in any other fashion. As previously discussed, the messy bun is the most popular type of high bun.

 

Hair buns are a staple to the ever-changing trends in hairstyles, and there is a reason why. Whether you have thick or thin hair, curly or straight hair, long or short hair, buns are vital to ensuring you can get the look you need when you need it.

No matter the occasion or the look you are going for, whether it is a sleek, professional look or a romantic, elegant look, a hair bun can fit your hairstyle needs.