They’re taking over the easiest way to keep longer hair out of your eyes and score some cool points instantly. Man buns are flattering for most face shapes, and whether you prefer them high or low, they’re equally trendy.
Learn how to get the perfect man bun, from growing out your hair to the options you have when it’s already quite long. From celebrities who rock different man buns styles to the ways you can make it your own, here’s everything you need to know about the man bun.
Find Inspiration with the Best Celebrity Man Buns
While the mainstream appeal of the trend is quite new, some celebrities have been rocking the man bun for years. David Beckham first made it cool on the field, but it’s celebrities like Jared Leto and Harry Styles who introduced it to a new audience.
Game of Thrones’ Kit Harington and Chris Hemsworth have also received a lot of attention for the way they interpreted this hairstyle. Whether you pair it with a big hipster beard or stay clean-shaven, you can still rock this great trend.
Grow the Man Bun
If you’re starting with short hair, you might need to wait 6-8 months until your hair grows to a manageable length for a small bun. You need at least a length of 6 inches, but if you’re planning on growing longer hair for a nice messy bun, you might have to wait for more than a year. Don’t make the mistake of skipping regular trims. Just make sure to tell your hairstylist or barber that you’re growing it out, and they should only take off the split ends.
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Dry Your Hair Correctly
The best man buns have a slightly messy look, and you’re better off towel drying that using a blow dryer. Make sure you gently pat with a soft towel, don’t rub, otherwise you’ll end up with frizz. Applying product and tying the bun on damp hair is a good choice for this look.
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Choose Your Products Carefully
Remember to use conditioner or at least a 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner if you want to pull off the man buns in style. Coconut oil can give your hair a little weight, which is needed after you’ve just washed it. You can also use styling cream to fight frizz, a leave-in conditioner or a sea salt spray for a more beachy vibe.
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Don’t Forget About the Back
Since you’ll be showing off the nape of your neck, you have to make sure that it’s in sync with the man bun. The right look to go for is natural. It should be in line, but also with a few messy pieces. A perfectly clean line at the back will diminish the cool factor of most man buns.
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Keep Your Sideburns in Check
Unless you have a beard, man buns look best with minimal detail on your sideburns. Trim where the ears touch your head, and keep it tidy, but not too groomed. This look works best when it looks effortless, and too much definition can take it down a notch.
Don’t Pull It Too Tight
Most man buns work better with a little texture. If your hair is naturally very straight, avoid pulling it too tight or going too low. The last thing you want is the ballerina bun look. You can go low for more textured hair, but avoid too much tension when you’re creating it.
Avoid Combing Your Hair
Use your fingers to style your hair. You can also use a wide toothed comb if you’ve already got texture, but avoid using a regular comb. Depending on the length of your hair, you can twist and roll it before securing with a discrete elastic band. Black works best. If you’re not satisfied with the volume in the front of the bun, you can do a touch of back combing, but be subtle.
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Go with a High Bun
Inspired by the look of the samurai, a high bun that hits just at the back of the crown is a great look for shorter hair. Aim for a high pony tail, then simply twist your hair and secure it. If it looks too tidy, free a few wisps of hair. If you have longer hair, you can leave half hanging out.
Experiment with a Low Bun
Avoiding the ballerina bun look when you’re putting together man buns is easy if you have longer and more textured hair. Curly hair works best with a low bun. But if you’re going for a bun that’s closer to the nape of your neck than to the crown, make it a bit more tidy.
