Master the Messy Bun with Our Step-By-Step Guide
Last Updated: 18/06/2025
The half done, half undone hairdo can be a tricky thing to master. Looking like you've made an effort - but not too much - is a subtle art and we've been wondering how to wear our up-do's with the perfect combination of style vs. rough and ready, which is why we asked the top stylist team at Redken to help us master the number one all-up, undone hairstyle this season.
With the Redken styling team on hand, we popped down to their Gro Salon in London with one of our lovely LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Ambassadors, Josie Fear, to try out the look for ourselves. And, well, it would be rude not to share!
Today, we're showing you how to create The Ultimate Messy Bun; Step-By-Step.
Watch the video tutorial above for how to create the full look, then read our top four steps and the products we recommend for trying the look yourself.
What you'll need for your Messy Bun
- Your favourite Hair Spray
- Hair Clips and/or Hair Ties
- Bobby Pins
Step 1: Style Hair with Hairspray
Start off with clean, dry hair. Your first styling step is to take your favourite hairspray - we recommend Redken Quick Dry Finish Hair Spray - through the layers of your hair. This will not only create texture, but help to prep the hair in order to make the final look last longer.
Step 2: Separate into Top and Bottom Sections
Separate your hair into two main sections - the top layer of your hair and the bottom. Use clips, bobbles or elastic to secure each of these sections for now; whichever you have handy! These two sections will help you when styling out the finished look, helping to add volume around your full head of hair. Once separate, release the top section into a ponytail ready for the next step.
Step 3: Combine Both Sections
Release the bottom bottom section of your hair and wrap this around the top, to combine both layers. Use a bobble or elastic to tie both layers together, before twisting both ponytails together and wrapping them around to create a bun. Secure this with bobby pins to fix the bun in place.
Step 4: Finish with Volume
Now you have the bun, finish the look by pushing back on the two sections of hair you created, to add some volume to the base of the bun. Carefully pull out some chosen hairs all around the head to create the 'messy' look, before fixing the look with some Redken Wax Blast 10 to get that perfectly undone texture.
Voila - you will have the ultimate messy bun!
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RRP: £23.80Current price: £21.42
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RRP: £23.80Current price: £21.42
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