How to Do a Messy Updo

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Messy updos are meant to make your hair look beautifully tousled, like it would after you spent your day on a windy beach or riding in a convertible with the top down. Since looking effortlessly pretty is the point, there's no need to be a perfectionist when you're creating these styles. [1] Try a messy topknot, a tousled low bun or bohemian braids next time you want a look that's effortlessly stylish.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Messy Topknot

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Position it at the top of your head, either right up top or a few inches toward the back. There's no need to make it neat and tight; let the ponytail be a little loose. It's fine if a few strands fall out on the sides and back.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Hold it straight up and insert a comb near the tips. Backcomb your hair toward the roots to tease it and add volume and texture. Continue until your entire ponytail has been teased. It should now look messy and tousled.
    • If you'd like, you could instead curl your hair before putting it up in a ponytail. The curly effect will make your hair look tousled, but still neat enough to wear to a nice evening event.
    • For this look, there's no need to tease or curl the hair that's not in your ponytail.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Just divide it into two equal sections, and hold them apart.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Twist it and wind it around the hairband, holding it in place against your head. Use a few bobby pins to secure it there.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Do the same thing, twisting it and winding it around the other portion of your headband. Pin it in place against your head. Take a look in the mirror: your hairband should no longer be visible.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Here's the part where things get messy. Grab the bun and move it in a circular motion to loosen it a bit. Use your fingers to pull out a few strands so it looks a little messier. Finally, pull out a few strands of hair from the area around your temples to frame your face and complete the look.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    This will let your hair move while also keep your updo from falling out. Your look is now complete.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Tousled Low Bun

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    This pretty low bun looks great with a side part. If you're doing your hair for a formal evening event, a deeper part (further to the side) looks elegant. Run the tip of a comb along your part to make it straight. [2]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    This step is optional if you're not in the mood to go all out. However, if you tease or curl your hair, it will take your messy low bun up a few notches. Lift the top layer of your hair and backcomb it toward the roots to add volume and texture. Alternately, use a curling iron to curl the top layer of your hair so it won't be completely smooth.
    • Of course, if your hair is naturally curly and voluminous, this step is completely unnecessary; your bun will look beautifully messy on its own.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Position it at the nape of your neck or slightly higher up, according to your preference. You could even position it on the side, just under one of your ears. For now, don't make a tight ponytail; just wrap the ponytail around your hair one time.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Twist the hairband and pull it over your ponytail, but this time don't pull the hair all the way through. Stop pulling before your ends are all the way through the hairband. Leave several inches of the ends of your hair sticking out. You should now have a simple looped bun.
    • If the ponytail seems loose, use a second ponytail to ensure the looped bun stays securely in place. While the look should be messy, you don't want it to be so loose it falls out.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    You want to add some volume to the look by pulling up the top and sides of your hair so it doesn't lie flat against your head. this will help the look go from "sleek" to "messy." Check out your hair in the mirror, and pull out a few strands from around your temples, too.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Take the ends that are still sticking out of your bun and wrap them around the hairband to hide it from view. Use bobby pins to secure the hair in place.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    This will let your hair move while also keeping it from falling out.
    8. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Bohemian Braided Updo

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    This look can be done with either a side part or a middle part. Comb out your hair, then run the tip of your comb along the part to make sure it's straight. [3]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    The braids will run from your temples to the back of your hair when this look is complete, so for now you want to gather hair from your temple area and drape it over your shoulders to keep it separate from the back.
    • The bigger the sections of hair, the bigger your braids will be. If you want small braids, just separate out 1/2 inch sections of hair from either side. For thicker braids, the sections should be 1 to 2 inches wide.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Leave the side sections out, and create a ponytail with the back of your hair. Position it at the nape of your neck or a few inches higher according to your preference.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Twist it and lay it in a coil around your hairband to make a pretty ballerina-style bun, then pin the ends in place with several bobby pins. You want the bun to be quite secure, so don't skimp on the bobby pins.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Start near your temple and make a braid all the way to the ends. The braid can be as tight or as loose as you want.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    It should lay against the side of your head and pass under the tip of your ear before the end reaches the bun. Wrap the end around the base of the bun (several times, if necessary) and use a bobby pin to secure it in place.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Start near your temple and make a braid all the way to the ends. The braid can be as tight or as loose as you want.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Do this just the same way as the other side. The braid should lay against the side of your head and pass under the tip of your ear before the end reaches the bun. Wrap the end around the base of the bun (several times, if necessary) and use a bobby pin to secure it in place.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    Pull out a few strands of hair here and there to create a more tousled appearance. Focus on the area around your face, since it's pretty to have a few face-framing strands hanging down around the braids.
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Messy Updo
    This will help your hair stay messy-looking while holding everything in place and keeping the braids from coming loose.
    12. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What should I do with my hair when it's messy?
    Nine Morrison
    Beauty Consultant
    Nine Morrison is the owner of WedLocks Bridal Hair & Makeup, the largest bridal beauty company in Colorado. Her work has been featured in Brides Magazine, The Knot, and by Moroccanoil, and her company replicates this standard across 400+ weddings per year. She has been in the beauty industry for over 10 years, and also travels as a beauty educator and business consultant.
    Nine Morrison
    Beauty Consultant
    Expert Answer
    Low buns and mid-buns (buns that are not super high or low) are a very popular style right now. Ponytails are also a fun option that are very underutilized. There are many ways to style a ponytail that can make the style look elegant.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Reader Videos

      Submit a Video Tip!

      Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!

      Submit a Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Comb
      • Hair elastics
      • Bobby pins
      • Hairspray

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Do a Messy Bun (for Curly Hair)
      How to
      Achieve a Messy Hair Effect
      How to
      Make a Bun
      How to
      Tie a Man Bun
      How to
      Do a French Twist Updo in a Few Simple Steps
      5 Easy Hair Buns for Beginners: Messy, Ballerina, & More
      How to
      Make a Bun for Short Hair
      The Easiest Ways to Create Space Buns
      How to
      Do a Messy Bun Hairstyle
      4 Cute Top Knot Buns You Can Do at Home
      How to
      Do a Sock Bun
      How to
      Make a Bun in Medium Layered Hair
      How to
      Make a Donut Bun
      How to
      Make a Military Bun
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ Nine Morrison. Expert Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2018.
      2. ↑ https://browneyedblacksheep.wordpress.com/tag/messy-bohemian-bun/
      3. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/a12316/bohemian-braided-bun/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 122,137 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Jun 10, 2017

        "It would have been nice to see the models from the front, but was overall a great tutorial."
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement