Clean girl? We’re in our messy era now.
You know what’s out? Perfection. You know what’s in? Messy bun hairstyles that look like you casually tossed your hair up but still managed to serve main character energy in line at Trader Joe’s. The clean girl aesthetic had its moment. Sure. We went and slicked-back everything and lapped up glassy skin, the works—but 2025 is all about embracing the undone.
Messy bun hairstyles aren’t just making a comeback—they’re leading the comeback tour. Off-duty celebs are rocking them on red carpets. TikTok is obsessed. And suddenly, your day-four hair is the start of something really cute. It’s giving volume, texture, and that flirty little tendril that just *happens* to fall perfectly by your cheekbone.
What used to be your emergency hairstyle is now the moment. There’s a bun for every mood, from low-key and lazy to artfully chaotic. Got short hair? No problem. Need something that works from Pilates to happy hour? Done.
No matter if you’re going for that effortless model-off-duty look or just want to look cute without doing the MOST, these messy bun hairstyles are about to become your go-to move. All you need is a few pins, some grip, and the right inspo.
Let’s talk about why the messy bun is the crown jewel of your next low-effort slay.
Why everyone’s obsessed with the messy bun again
Not to be dramatic, but messy bun hairstyles might be the ultimate “IYKYK” move of the year. After a solid run of ballerina buns and sculpted slick-backs (hi, Sofia Richie), the beauty world is exhaling—and with it comes a new wave of texture, movement, and rule-breaking softness.
And no, the messy bun didn’t just come back. She never really left. But now? She’s not just acceptable, she’s aspirational. Scroll your FYP and you’ll see everyone from Alix Earle to Dua Lipa rocking buns that are barely held together by a hair tie and pure vibes. It’s giving unbothered. It’s giving cool without trying too hard.
Part of this shift comes from a rebellion against looking overly “done.” People are leaning into their natural texture and we want IN. They’re skipping the blowout. They’re letting their day-three curls live. Beauty is less about polish and more about personality—and nothing says individual energy quite like a bun that breaks a few rules.
Even better? There’s no one-size-fits-all. Messy bun hairstyles work if your hair is long, short, curly, straight, frizzy, or just doing its own thing today. It’s low-effort hair that still looks high-impact.
Basically, this trend is proof that the best kind of glam doesn’t always come with a middle part and a can of slick stick. Sometimes it comes with flyaways, volume, and a little bit of chaos—and we love that for us.
How to set the stage for your dream messy bun
Let’s clear one thing up, shall we? Messy doesn’t mean unplanned. If you’ve ever flung your hair into a bun and ended up with a lopsided chaos knot that slowly collapses by lunch—same GIRL. That’s why the prep matters.
Messy bun hairstyles start with texture. Flat, too-clean hair? Not the one. You want grip, volume, and just enough “lived-in” to hold shape without being stiff. Day two or three hair is ideal. If you’re starting fresh, no stress—just fake it with a dry shampoo or volume spray to rough things up.
The real MVP here? A flexible hold hairspray. The Moroccan Oil Medium Hairspray gives your hair that stay-in-place energy without freezing it in time. Think hold that moves with you, not against you. Plus, it smells so good it doubles as a hair perfume. Just saying.
Now, about that volume. Flip your head, fluff your roots, tease the crown if you’re feeling extra—it’s all about giving the bun something to sit on. A little height goes a long way when you’re going for effortless instead of frumpy.
TYME tip: keep your messy bun toolkit close. Clear elastics, bobby pins, claw clips, a good paddle brush—these are your styling sidekicks. They’re what take your bun from 0 to hero real fast. Honestly girlie, you don’t need perfection. You just need prep.
10 messy bun hairstyles that fit your whole personality
Because sometimes she’s running errands. Sometimes she’s on a first date. And sometimes she just wants to throw her hair up and feel hot doing it.
1. The one you wear to brunch with your ex’s cousin
You didn’t plan to look this good. You just do.
How-to: Use the TYME 1.25" Ceramic Curling Iron to add soft waves to clean-ish hair—this gives the bun shape and keeps it from falling into a sad, slick lump. Twist it low and loose, pin softly, and let a couple waves frame your face. A claw clip on top? Optional but lethal.
2. The one you toss up before work, then wear to drinks
It starts at 9 a.m. and still looks good at 9 p.m.
How-to: This is where TYME Iron Pro 2-in-1 REALLY comes in handy. Use it to curl just the front sections—those will fall out naturally throughout the day and still look intentional. Pull the rest into a mid-height bun, secure with a scrunchie, and mist with Moroccan Oil Medium Hairspray.
3. The gym-to-anywhere bun
Sweaty roots? Just embrace the texture.
How-to: Flip your head, twist your hair into a top knot, and lock it down with a claw clip or thick elastic. Spritz dry shampoo at the roots, then tug at the bun for height. Imperfect? Good. Add hairspray to keep it from unraveling mid-run.
This is the ultimate 2000s off-duty model meets TikTok it-girl look.
4. The “I didn’t sleep but still slayed” bun
You could wash your hair. Or you could do this.
How-to: Greasy roots are your superpower here. Flip your hair up and loosely twist into a bun at the crown. Don’t brush. That natural separation gives it volume. Pull some strands forward. Add soft bends with your TYME Iron Pro if they’re looking too limp.
5. The one that saves short hair girlies
Tiny bun, big attitude.
How-to: For hair that’s bob-length or just past the chin, section and pin it back in layers to build the illusion of a bun. Texturize with dry shampoo or waves from the TYME 1.25" Iron, then twist the longest strands into a mini bun and tuck the rest underneath with pins.
6. The zoom-but-make-it-cute bun
From the laptop camrta up, you look flawless.
How-to: Brush hair into a low bun with a clean middle part, then loosen up the roots so it doesn’t scream “tight ballet class.” Touch up the face-framing strands with your hot tool for a polished curve. But NEVER go too polished. Clean-girl is out, remember?
7. The messy bun you wear to feel something
Maybe it’s the rain. Maybe it’s the playlist.
How-to: This one lives at the nape of your neck, secured loosely with pins. Curl the whole head before putting it up using the TYME 2" Iron for big, voluminous waves. You want it to look like the bun happened after an emotional walk, not before.
8. The one you wear when your hair just won’t cooperate
Bad hair days fear this bun.
How-to: Add volume to the roots with teasing and a shot of hairspray. Then pull it all up into a high, fluffy bun with ends poking out. Imperfection is the whole point—leave random flyaways alone. They’re your personality now.
9. The minimalist bun that doesn’t try too hard
No flyaways, no drama—just pure minimalism.
How-to: Brush your hair into a low bun with a side part, smoothing everything down with a simple paddle brush. Add lashings of shine spray, and done.
10. The pre-dinner glam bun
You’re not late—you’re arriving.
How-to: Curl your ends only using the TYME Iron Pro, then pull hair into a high bun with a little structure and a lot of attitude. Let the curled ends poke out at the top, almost like a faux fringe.
Messy bun myths we’re done entertaining
“Messy buns are only for lazy days.”
Tell that to the girl walking into her 9 a.m. in a structured blazer and a perfectly undone top knot. Messy bun hairstyles aren't just a fallback—they’re a fashion choice. One that says, I’m busy, booked, and still better than your slick-back.
“Only thick hair can pull it off.”
Wrong. It’s not about density—it’s about strategy. Fine hair can absolutely work a messy bun with a little prep. Add volume with dry shampoo, a wave from the TYME Iron Pro, and some strategic teasing. Suddenly, you’ve got a bun with lift, movement, and zero flat zones.
“Messy buns aren’t work-appropriate.”
Let’s retire that thought. A low, softly styled bun with clean lines and a few intentional flyaways? Chic. Understated. Boardroom-ready. Add gold hoops and you’re basically unstoppable.
Short hair belongs in the messy bun chat
Yes, you can rock a bun with short hair—and no, it doesn’t have to be a sad little nub at the back of your head.
Start by adding texture with the TYME 1.25" Ceramic Curling Iron. Section your hair and pin it back bit by bit, building volume and shape as you go. Don’t fight the layers—let them frame your face. That undone, not-too-perfect vibe? That's exactly the point.
The goal isn’t a big bun. It’s a confident one.
The final pin
This is the lazy girl’s calling—and not in a bad way. It’s smart, it’s efficient, and it still looks really, really good. No more 5 a.m. wake-ups just to slick your hair into place with military precision. Messy bun hairstyles are back, and they’re better than ever.
They work with your natural texture, your real schedule, and your refusal to suffer through another 12-step styling routine before coffee. And there’s something undeniably powerful about a style that says, I didn’t stress, and I still ate.
So throw it up. Tug a few strands loose. Give it a spritz and a little side glance in the mirror. You’ve got places to be, and you look hot doing the absolute minimum.
Messy never looked so put together.
