The original and the most-reached-for version. High on the head, loose and relaxed, works on every hair type. This is the one you'll use 80% of the time.

1. 1
   Spray texturizing spray through dry hair

   This gives your hair grip so the bun doesn't slide down within an hour. Focus on the mid-lengths and roots.
2. 2
   Gather into a high ponytail — but don't pull the ends all the way through on the last loop

   On the final pass of the elastic, pull the hair halfway through to create a loop. This loop becomes the bun shape.
3. 3
   Fan the loop outward and secure with the elastic

   Spread the loop evenly around the base. Wrap the elastic one more time over the spread hair to hold everything in place.
4. 4
   Pin any pieces that escape, then pull out intentional ones

   Tuck in any messy sections with criss-crossed bobby pins. Then deliberately pull out 2–3 pieces at the temples and one or two at the nape. One pass of light hairspray to finish.

The low bun sits at the nape of the neck and reads as significantly more elegant than the high bun — perfect for occasions where the high bun would look too casual. It also works better on shorter hair that won't stay up in a high position.

1. 1
   Gather all hair into a low ponytail at the nape

   Smooth the top section with a brush for a slightly more polished look, or leave it with natural texture for a more relaxed feel. Both are correct — it depends on the occasion.
2. 2
   Twist the ponytail once and coil it around the base

   Twist the length clockwise, then wrap it around the elastic base in a circular motion, tucking the ends underneath.
3. 3
   Secure with criss-crossed bobby pins placed throughout

   Don't just pin around the perimeter — push pins through the bun into the base hair. This is what makes the difference between a bun that holds and one that falls apart.
4. 4
   Loosen slightly with fingertips and set with hairspray

   Press your thumbs gently into the bun to create soft volume. Pull out two temple pieces and a nape piece for the intentional undone look.

Short hair creates a smaller, tighter bun — which actually looks chic rather than unfinished when it's done correctly. The trick is in the prep work and the use of bobby pins to fold shorter sections into the style.

1. 1
   Apply texturizing spray generously — this is more important for short hair

   Short hair has less weight to hold itself in place. Texturizing spray is what gives it the grip to stay. Spray throughout and scrunch lightly.
2. 2
   Gather into the lowest ponytail your length allows

   For bob-length hair, this will be at or just above the nape. For lob length, you can go slightly higher. Secure with an elastic — it will be a small ponytail, and that's correct.
3. 3
   Twist and fold the ponytail up and over the elastic

   Rather than wrapping around, fold the short length up toward the crown and pin flat against the head with 4–6 bobby pins. This creates the bun shape that wrapping won't achieve on shorter lengths.
4. 4
   Tuck any escaping ends and release face-framing pieces

   Short buns will have more escaping ends than long ones — this is normal and part of the look. Release the pieces naturally framing your face and curl them loosely with a small barrel wand if desired.

The half-up bun is having a moment — and rightly so. It has the casual ease of a full bun while leaving the length of your hair visible. It's the most popular everyday option for women with long hair who want something more than a loose style but can't commit to a full updo.

1. 1
   Section off the top half of your hair — from temple to temple

   Use your thumbs as a guide: place them at your temples and sweep the section back to create a natural horizontal division. Everything above the line goes up; everything below stays down.
2. 2
   Create a small high ponytail with the top section only

   Pull the hair halfway through on the last wrap of the elastic — same technique as the full classic bun — to create a loop at the crown.
3. 3
   Fan and pin the loop, leaving the lower section completely loose

   The contrast between the structured mini-bun at the crown and the loose length falling below is what makes this style work. Don't touch the lower section — it needs to look effortless.
4. 4
   Add a wave to the loose section (optional but recommended)

   A few loose curls through the hanging length with a 1.5" barrel wand lifts the whole look. It takes 3 minutes and makes the difference between "I put this up in the car" and "I styled this."

This is the style that looks like it took a professional to do it — and once you know the French braid, it's entirely DIY. The braid anchors the top section of hair to the scalp (no slipping, no fly-aways), while the bun controls the length. Watch the French Braid Tutorial above before attempting this one.

1. 1
   French braid from the crown, incorporating all scalp hair, down to the nape

   Pick up sections from both sides as you work downward. Keep tension consistent — too loose and the braid will slip; too tight and it pulls. Watch the French braid tutorial linked above for the full technique.
2. 2
   Secure the braid at the nape with an elastic and continue as a regular 3-strand braid for 2–3 more inches

   You need a little extra length beyond the scalp braid to have something to coil into the bun. Don't stop the braid right at the scalp hair — continue a few inches further.
3. 3
   Coil the remaining braid (and any remaining loose length) into a bun at the nape

   Wrap the remaining braid and length clockwise into a low bun. The braid texture in the coiled bun looks beautiful and deliberate — this is the detail that makes the whole style.
4. 4
   Pin thoroughly and gently pancake the braid for width

   With the bun secure, go back to the braid and gently tug each loop outward to widen it — this is called pancaking and makes a thin braid look full and luxurious. Secure with hairspray.

Two equal buns placed symmetrically on either side of the head — playful, geometric, and having a genuine fashion moment. The technique is just two classic buns done back-to-back, one on each side.

1. 1
   Create a perfectly centred part from forehead to nape

   Use the fine-tooth end of a comb for a clean, straight part. The symmetry of the part directly determines the symmetry of the space buns — this step is worth taking your time on.
2. 2
   Clip one side out of the way and create the first high ponytail

   Work on one side at a time. Position the ponytail at the top of the head, slightly back from the temple — the exact position determines where the bun sits, so choose intentionally.
3. 3
   Use the classic bun technique on this ponytail, then repeat exactly on the other side

   Pull halfway through on the last elastic loop, fan outward, secure. Then unclip the second half and repeat. Use the first bun as your size and position reference for the second one.
4. 4
   Check symmetry from the front and adjust before finishing

   Hold up a mirror and look directly at your reflection. If one bun is higher or larger than the other, adjust now with pins before the hairspray sets. Two passes of light spray to finish.

A bow-shaped bun made entirely from your own hair — no accessories required. It looks intricate and planned, and it's significantly easier than it appears. This is the style that gets the most comments of "how did you do that?"

1. 1
   Create a high ponytail and pull halfway through on the last loop — same as the classic bun start

   The loop you create is what becomes the bow. Slightly larger loops create more dramatic bow "wings" — consider the final size you want as you set this initial loop.
2. 2
   Split the loop into two equal halves

   Use both thumbs to divide the loop cleanly down the middle. Each half becomes one wing of the bow. Keep them separated — don't let them merge back together.
3. 3
   Pull the hanging tail up and over the centre of the two halves

   Take the remaining length hanging below the elastic and bring it up and over the gap between the two wings. This is the "knot" of the bow. Pull firmly downward and secure with an elastic or a pin at the back.
4. 4
   Adjust each wing to equal size and pin underneath

   Each bow wing can be gently tugged outward to add volume. Pin the underside of each wing flat against the head. Finish with hairspray — the bow needs it more than any other style here.