13 Buns For Those With Short Hair

Whoever said that short-haired women cannot bun up their hair must be crazy. Many people underestimate the allure of short hair simply because they think you cannot experiment with different hairstyles due to the short length. But we are here to prove them wrong with our list of 13 elegant buns for short hair! You may not be able to style your short tresses the same way as you would long hair, but that does not mean you cannot play around and find good updo or low bun hairstyles for your above-the-shoulders hair. Scroll down to learn how you can tie your short locks in ethereal buns! Keep reading to pick your favorite style from our list.

Before You Get Started

• Fix baby hairs and flyaways with stylish slides or embellished clips. We are pretty sure they will make for a head-turning look.
• When selecting hair products, keep the end result in mind. Use a firm-hold spray on fine hair or a lightweight oil on textured or curly locks. You can also use foam on straight hair and mousse on wavy hair.
• If you have too short hair at the lower end, opt for a half-bun hairstyle to create an illusion of length.

13 Stunning Bun Hairstyles For Short Hair + Step-By-Step Tutorials

If you have short hair and think buns are out of your reach, think again! You can absolutely rock a bun, updo, and various other stunning short hairstyles with just a bit of creativity. Check these out:

1. Updo With Asymmetric Bangs
2. Ponytail Bun With Loose Ends
3. Low Voluminous Bun
4. Messy Top Bun
5. Quirky Faux Bun
6. Messy Side Bun With A Headband
7. Elegant Side Braided Bun
8. Loose Side Bun
9. Playful Ballerina Bun
10. Simple Top Bun
11. Low Rolled Bun
12. Retro Twist Mini Bun

Bedazzling Buns For Short Hair

1. Updo With Asymmetric Bangs

If you have a short haircut with face-framing asymmetrical bangs or fringes, try this topknot hairstyle. It gives an elegant and casual look, making it a great updo for short hair.

Products Used

• Smoothening serum
• Hairspray

How To Style

1. Pull your hair back into a ponytail and divide it into two equal sections. Apply serum to smoothe out frizz and flyaways.
2. Twist each section and bring them together to form a single piece.
3. Wrap the twisted hair around the base of the ponytail and secure it with a bobby pin.
4. Set the bun with a medium-hold hair spray.

Is This For You?

This works for all face shapes.

2. Ponytail Bun With Loose Ends

This casual look with peek-a-boo ends from the back completes this classy top knot, giving it a modern look. Anyone with a bob or lob cut can go for this look easily.

Products Used

• Teasing comb
• Volumizing mousse
• Hairspray
• Elastic bands
• Bobby pins
• Blow dryer

How To Style

1. Apply volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow dry your hair on a low heat setting
2. Divide hair from the center and pull up a high ponytail.
3. Scrape across the sides of the hair to give it an undone look before securing the ponytail with an elastic band.
4. Make a loop with the ponytail by twisting the hair from the base to the middle and secure it with bobby pins and elastic bands.
5. Leave the ends unfastened and set the look with hairspray.

Is This For You?

This hairstyle works for all face shapes.

3. Low Voluminous Bun

One of the major concerns with short hair buns is the volume. But, with a good volumizing product and a little bit of teasing, you can create magic!

Products Used

• Volumizing serum
• Heat protectant spray
• Blow drier
• Teasing comb
• Hair Brush
• Strong-hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Apply a volumizing product of your choice to damp hair, concentrating at the roots. Spray a heat protectant spray and blow dry, using a low heat setting.
2. Part your hair a little off the centre.
3. Pull as much of your hair as you can into a low ponytail at the nape, and tie with a hair tie.
4. Divide the ponytail into three sections and tease to add volume to each.
5. Take a section, wrap it around the base of the pony and keep it in place with the help of bobby pins. Do the same with the other two sections.
6. Spray a strong-hold hairspray on a hair brush and brush through to avoid wayward strands. Use a medium to strong-hold hairspray to set your hair and keep your bun from falling apart.

Is This For You?

This works best on those with an oval or a heart shaped face.

Quick Tip

You can create a fun variation of this style by mixing it up with the classic ballerina bun. Wear a sleek center-parted bun and affix any flyaways with product or hair clips.

4. Messy Top Bun

Extremely versatile, the messy bun can be as casual or classy as you want it to be. It is easy to recreate and perfect for just about every occasion.

Products Used

• Texturizing spray
• Teasing comb

How To Style

1. Apply a texturizing spray to your hair and scrunch gently.
2. Run your fingers through your hair to comb and pull as much of it as you can into a ponytail at the crown. Make sure that you do not use a brush or a comb because the less structured your hair looks, the better it is. If the hair tie cannot hold up all your hair, that’s fine. Loose tendrils work in favor of this hairstyle.
3. Divide the ponytail into two sections, and, using a teasing comb, add volume to them. Hide the teased portion by smoothing out the top layer.
4. Wrap one section around the base of the ponytail, and secure it in place with the help of bobby pins. Then, wrap the other section around the first – but in the opposite direction – and pin. To keep the bobby pins from falling off, coat them with hairspray before using them to secure your bun.

Is This For You?

This works for all face shapes. But those with wider faces should consider adding more volume.

Emily Orlando, a YouTuber, shared her experience and personal opinion on how she likes to style a messy bun hairstyle in her video. She stated, “I’m going to be showing you guys three different messy bun hairstyles that have been my go-to lately. These work really great for short hair (i).” She then proceeds to the tutorial on all the hairdos that everyone can try easily.

5. Quirky Faux Bun

Your hair may reveal your inner world. Show everyone how badass you are with this faux-side bun.  Also, it is super easy to recreate.

Products Used

• Pomade

How To Style

1. Start by applying a volumizing product to your hair.
2. Gather your hair at one side, close to the temple. Secure with a hair tie, and use bobby pins around the ponytail to keep the shorter strands in place.
3. This hairstyle requires the use of pomade. So, to spread it through your hair evenly, spray some water on the ponytail.
4. Take a small amount of pomade between your palms and spread it through the length of the pony. Curl your hair towards the base of the ponytail, so that the resulting shape resembles a bun. Use a little more pomade to smoothen the rest of your hair.
5. Allow the pomade to set, and cut off the hair tie.

Is This For You?

This looks best on those with long faces.

6. Messy Side Bun With A Headband

Gone are the days when headbands were the accessories of little girls. From trendy to classy, the new generation of headbands can amp up any look. Sport one with this side bun to make this adorable hairstyle look even more adorable.

Products Used

• Smoothening serum
• Heat protectant spray
• Medium barrel curler
• A headband

How To Style

1. Apply a smoothening serum to your hair. Spray a heat protectant spray on your hair.
2. Part your hair to one side. Starting at the bigger part, curl your hair away from your face using a medium barrel curler.
3. Gently brush through each curled section, to make it a little less structured.
4. Divide the hair into three sections. Gather all the strands from the middle section to the side of the larger part, and twist it into a low bun. Use bobby pins to keep the bun in place.
5. Start braiding the hair from the smaller part, incorporating strands as you move along. Tuck the braid into the bun.
6. Pull back the hair from the bigger part, wrap it around the base of the bun and pin it in place. The overall style leans more towards the casual, so it is okay if a few tendrils escape.
7. Place a headband at your crown to finish the look.

Is This For You?This hairstyle works well for those with an oval or a heart-shaped face.

7. Elegant Side Braided Bun

It might be hard to believe but this sleek hairdo requires no heat and minimal products.

Products Used

• Texturizing mousse
• Hairspray

How To Style

1. Part your hair to one side, and apply a texturizing mousse to it.
2. Starting at the smaller part, right above the ear, begin braiding your hair. Incorporate more and more pieces as you move along. The braid should rest at the nape.
3. As you get to the side of the larger part, slip strands from the top into the braid as well.
4. Braid through the rest of your hair and secure with an elastic band. Spray the braid with hairspray to keep the shorter strands from slipping out.
5. Roll the braid into itself to make a bun and secure with bobby pins.

Is This For You?

This hairstyle works best on those who have a long face.

8. Loose Side Bun

Popular and glamorous, this loose side bun couldn’t be easier to style on cropped and trimmed hair.

Products Used

• Volumizing product
• Heat protectant spray
• Flat iron
• Teasing comb
• Hairspray

How To Style

1. Apply a volumizing product to your hair. Spray with a heat protectant before you style.
2. The top needs to be smooth and polished, so run a flat iron through your hair. Straighten from the roots till the point above your ear. Then, using the same flat iron, style loose curls from that point onwards.
3. Leaving out the front portion, tie your hair into a low side ponytail.
4. Backcomb the pony with a teasing comb to add volume, and tuck the end into the elastic at the base. Secure with bobby pins and set with a hairspray.

Is This For You?

This hairstyle works for everybody.

9. Playful Ballerina Bun

For those who are fans of the messy look, here, the classic ballerina bun has been revamped to a softer, more wearable style.

Products Used

• Texturizing spray
• Conditioning serum
• Flexible-hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Start with spraying your roots with a texturizing spray. Apply a conditioning serum to the rest of your hair to add shine. Finger-comb your hair. Make sure that you do not use a comb or a brush.
2. Gather your hair on the top of your head and secure it with an elastic band. The ponytail should not be too tight.
3. Divide the pony into three sections.
4. Take a section, twist it gently, place the ends close to the base of the pony, and secure with bobby pins. Do the same with the other sections.
5. Set the bun with a flexible-hold hairspray.

Is This For You?

This bun for short hair looks best on those with an oval or a heart shaped face.

10. Simple Top Bun

Simple yet sophisticated, this is the perfect way to take an ordinary bun to the next level.

Products Used

• Volumizing product
• Blow dryer
• Teasing comb
• Hairspray

How To Style

1. Apply a volumizing product to damp hair. Flip your hair upside-down, and blow dry to add more volume.
2. Gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure with an elastic band.
3. Divide the ponytail into two sections. Then, backcomb both sections to add volume. Smooth out the sections but make sure that it stays fluffy.
4. Wrap the first section around the base of the pony. Then wrap the second section around the first, in the same direction.
5. Secure the bun with bobby pins and set with a hairspray.

Is This For You?

This works best for petite faces.

Quick Tip

A popular variation of the top bun is the simple half-knot top bun. It works best with unwashed hair and gives a better hold.

11. Low Rolled Bun

Elegance doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming, for this bun won’t take you more than five minutes to create.

Products Used

• Smoothening serum
• Hairspray

How To Style

1. Apply a smoothening serum to your hair and brush it out.
2. Split your hair into two sections.
3. Twist each section and tie with an elastic band to make a ponytail.
4. Fold the ponytail, and wrap it around the elastic to make a bun.
5. Secure the bun with bobby pins, and set it with a medium-hold hairspray.

Is This For You?

This works for all face shapes.

12. Retro Twist Mini Bun

The flair of the retro and the sophistication of the modern, this hairstyle strikes the perfect balance.

Products Used

• Conditioning serum
• Heat protectant spray
• Medium barrel curler
• Medium-hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Apply a conditioning serum to your hair for smoothness and shine.
2. Part your hair off to one side. Spray a heat protectant. Using a medium barrel curler, start curling your hair. Begin from the larger part, and curl away from your face. Run your fingers through your hair to separate the curls.
3. Beginning from the point above your ear, braid a loose rope braid. Keep incorporating more and more pieces as you move along.
4. Fashion a mini bun at your nape, and tuck the end of the braid into it.
5. Secure the braid and the bun with bobby pins and set with a medium-hold hairspray.

Is This For You?

This retro-inspired hairstyle suits everyone.

13. French Twist Bun

When in need of an elegant hairstyle, the French twist bun is the perfect match for a gorgeous look.

Products Used

• Hairspray

How To Style

• Brush your entire hair to one side and use bobby pins to keep it in place.
• Spritz hairspray lightly to keep the stray hair in place.
• Gently brush the hair to the other side without disturbing the pins.
• Twist the hair up and tuck the remaining strands behind the twisted updo with a U-shaped hairpin.
• Smooth out the hair with a fine-toothed comb and spritz hairspray to hold the twist together.

Is This For You?

This French hair twist emphasizes round, oval, and rectangular face shapes.

Which ones from the list have you run towards the green room so that you can start practicing right away? We can make the experience even better with some tips! Styling short hair buns is about knowing those little secrets that will help you make the process go more smoothly and ensure perfect results. Here are some essential tips to help you nail every single bun style on the list and maybe even inspire a few new ones on your own! Mastering buns for short hair is easier than you think.

Styling Tips For Buns On Short Hair

Short hair does not mean you cannot rock a bun! Be it in order to keep your hair from falling into your face or you want to give your hair some style, buns can work magic on short hair as well. Let’s break it down into some easy-to-follow styles and tips to elevate your hair game!

• Before you even begin to style, use a volumizing mousse or a texturizing spray to create the illusion of voluminous hair and give your bun that perfect lift. Tease your roots to add a bit of volume and that extra lift and keep it looking full and fresh all day long.
• Short layers do run the risk of falling from your buns, but don’t worry, hairpins are your best friend here. Pin those tricky parts to keep it all in place and hold the style together.
• Messy buns can do wonders on short hair. Don’t worry about perfecting every piece; a loose, tousled bun looks effortlessly chic and adds more drama.
• If you’re not ready to commit to a full bun, a half-up bun looks amazing on short hair. Leave the bottom layers loose while pulling the top sections into a cute, voluminous knot.
• For a fuller, more structured look, a donut bun can be your best ally. Just slide it underneath your hair, gather it up, and secure it to create the illusion of a fuller bun.
• Experiment with hair accessories and experience bringing personality to the style. You can use headbands, decorative pins, and clips and change your simple bun into a chic one within seconds. It is like placing the perfect cherry on top of your sundae.

Whether you’re going out for a casual day or getting dressed up for that night on the town, these tips will ensure that your short hair buns are always on point. Now, get experimenting, and let your hair do the talking!

Infographic: 5 Trendy Bun Hairstyles For Short Hair

Whether you like a sleek low bun or a casual messy one, short hair is not an excuse for not sporting it. Buns look effortlessly cool and are always on trend. They are the perfect go-to hairstyles for lazy people who want to look stylish without spending hours in front of the mirror. If you are on the lookout for stylish bun hairstyles that look great on short hair, check out the infographic below.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can buns be created on freshly washed or damp hair, or is it better to have slightly dirty hair?

While buns can be created on freshly washed hair, it is better for the hair to be a day old. This helps with achieving a good grip for the style to hold. Otherwise, you could use dry shampoo on your hair, or spray your clips and pins with a setting spray.

Are there any specific hairstyles or cuts that compliment buns on short hair?

You need at least shoulder-length hair to be able to twist them into a bun. Avoid very short styles like a pixie. Ideally, a blunt cut with symmetrical length would be convenient as opposed to asymmetrical cuts. However, you can always use a lot of hair pins to keep your shorter layers from coming loose from the bun.

How can I add volume and texture to my bun if my hair is naturally thin or fine, and what are some volumizing products and techniques that I can use?

Volumizing shampoo and conditioner can help add fullness to fine hair. Teasing and blow-drying upside down can create an illusion of volume at the roots.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when styling a bun with short hair?

Use lightweight products as excessive products can weigh down the hair and make it look flatter. Avoid tugging at the hair to prevent the hairline from receding.

How can I transition from a daytime bun to a more formal or elegant look for a special occasion, such as a wedding or prom?

Use embellished hair accessories to quickly transition from a simple bun to a sophisticated one.

How can I adapt bun hairstyles for different face shapes and hair textures, and what are some guidelines to keep in mind when choosing a bun style?

Curtain bangs, face-framing hair strands, or a pouf can help match your bun hairstyle with your face shape. Different face shapes have core features that can be highlighted and softened according to the hairstyle.

How can I customize my bun with different hair colors, highlights, or lowlights, and ensure that the bun complements my overall look?

Color can add dimension to it. Ensure that your choice of hair color complements your skin tone and eye color.

Illustration: Buns For Those With Short Hair

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Check out these pretty bun hairstyles for short hair! Perfect for any occasion, these styles are easy to do and look great!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Quarita FutrellLicensed Master Cosmetologist

   

Quarita Futrell is a Licensed Master Cosmetologist, trichologist practitioner, transformation specialist, and the founder of On the RUNNN salon and Girl Next Door Hair, the preferred hair brand of select A-List Celebrities, on-air news personalities, and models.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Madhumati ChowdhuryAssociate Editor

Madhumati is an associate editor with seven years of professional experience. She has previously worked as an editor, proofreader, and a writer with various organizations, helping her navigate through the various facets of content creation and refinement with ease.

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Aparna HarryBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Aparna Harry is a beauty and lifestyle content writer with over three years of experience in writing for different genres. She has a master’s degree in English Literature from The English And Foreign Languages University and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Mysore.

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