How To Do A Super Easy And Fast Half Bun Hairstyle

A common problem most of us with long hair face is deciding whether to tie our hair in an updo or leave it down. We bring the perfect middle ground with a half bun hairstyle!

Every morning we stand in front of our mirrors, spending time holding our hair up and down, trying to figure out which way does it look better. Of course, we loved that top knot, but natural loose hair looks incredible too. So, give yourself the best of both worlds with a half bun or a half top-knot. This hairstyle takes barely five minutes to achieve. And whether you like it messy or sleek tight, it is sure to win over hearts. Not to mention that it is perfect for any occasion – a simple picnic at the park, business meeting, or meeting your boyfriend’s family for the first time! It might also give you celebrity vibes as many celebrities have sported this hairstyle on the red carpet.

You might be wondering what goes into achieving this look. Does it require a straightener, some mousse, or maybe rollers? NO! All you need are some bobby pins and a hair tie! This half bun is perfect for people with thick hair who cannot leave their hair down in the sweltering heat. And it is godsent for people with thin hair who cannot tie their hair up because it looks flimsy and volumeless. Scroll down for a step-by-step tutorial on how to tie your hair in a lovely half bun. Keep reading for more information.

What You Need

• A wide toothed comb: Everyone should invest in a wide toothed comb because it is a must-have tool for your hair care. It detangles your hair in the gentlest way possible and retains its volume. (As opposed to a fine toothed comb that sleeks your hair down).
• Hair wax: To add shine and natural volume to your hair.
• Sea salt spray: Sea salt spray adds a touch of beachy texture to your hair in the most natural and effortless way possible.
• A hair elastic: Get one that matches your hair color to add a seamless finish to your hairdo.
• A 1-inch curling iron: Because we all need some bouncy curls in our lives.
• Bobby pins: Go for big hair pins if your hair is thick and small ones if you have fine textured hair.
• Light hold hairspray: If you want your half up bun to actually stay up through the day, you need to get yourself a bottle of a light hold hairspray ASAP.

Before You Get Started

• The half bun hairstyle is perfect for angular face shapes like a triangular and an inverted triangular face shape.
• You can go both sleek and messy with a half bun and still look great.
• You can apply sea salt spray on your hair to make your mane look fresh after tying it in a half bun.

How To Do A Perfect Half Bun Hairstyle?

Don’t worry if your hair is short, you can still pull off a great updo by mastering how to do a bun with short hair for a sleek and easy style. The easiest way is doing a half bun. All you need is all the necessary tools mentioned above. Now that you’ve gathered all the necessary tools, let’s jump right in to perfecting your half bun!

1. Detangle your hair with a wide toothed comb: Let’s start off with the most basic thing you need to do before starting any hairstyle. Remove all the knots and tangles from your hair with the help of a wide toothed comb. A wide toothed comb will retain the volume of your hair and leave it nice and bouncy! To give your hair more volume, apply some hair wax or hair pomade on your hair before styling.

2. Spritz on some sea salt spray all over your hair: Add some texture and dimension to your hair by spritzing on some sea salt spray all over your hair. This will also give it some hold, which will help keep your half bun in place and prevent it from drooping as the day progresses. You can also apply hair gel to hold your hair in place while it is still damp from the spray.
3. Tie half of your hair into a ponytail: Now, create the foundation of your hairstyle by gathering half of your hair (between your left and right temples) and tying it into a ponytail with a hair elastic. This is the base that you will use to make your half bun. Licensed cosmetologist Dawna Jarvis recommends using a thin and clear elastic band for those with fine hair.

4. Curl, curl, curl that half ponytail: Now, don’t just leave your half ponytail lankily hanging over there! Bust out that curling iron and curl your ponytail to add more bounce and oomph to it. The curls will work wonders on your half bun once it’s done.

5. Roll and pin up sections of your half ponytail: Divide your half ponytail into 3 equal sections. Twirl and roll up the first section into a mini bun and secure it to your head, near the base of your ponytail, with help of a couple of bobby pins. Repeat the same with the other two sections of your ponytail.

6. Tug and mess around the bun to complete the look: Put your nifty fingers to some good use and tug some pieces of hair out of your bun to make it look edgy and cool. Be careful, though! Don’t tug so hard that the whole bun just falls apart!

A blogger shared her experience of why a half-bun hairstyle works for her. She writes, “My hair is mid-length, so you could probably guess I will always make a Hun [half-bun] going out or at home. What’s more, it is easy and simple. Just a few steps and there you go. Usually, I need less than one minute to do a hun (i).” The blogger also stated that she finger-combs her hair while making a half-bun hairstyle to add an easy, casual vibe to the look.

7. Finish the look with some light hold spray: Now that your half bun is done and dusted, there’s just one last thing left to do. Spritz on some light hold hair spray to set the hairstyle in place. Finished!!!

Quick Tip

If you notice bald spots after doing a half bun, use a black eyeshadow or a root concealer spray to cover the spots.

Aaaand you’re done! Dawna Jarvis leaves us with a word of advice saying, “Keep some bobby pins close by to easily fix any flyaways.” I dare you to time yourself doing this hairstyle and see how long it takes. There is no way that it will take more than 2 minutes. Will give you all the more time for your makeup!

Whether you are headed to an event or just want to switch things up, this half up-half down hairstyle is a canvas for your creativity, always in trend for a versatile and playful look.

Fun Fact

Celebrities like Poppy Delevigne, Margot Robbie, Sienna Miller, and Kendall Jenner have effortlessly rocked the casual chic half-bun.

One of the most trendiest half-bun hairdos right now are the braided versions. If you are confused about how to style your hair in a braided half-bun, scroll down.

How To Do A Braided Half-Bun Hairstyle

For prom night or any special occasion, you can’t go wrong with this half up-half down prom hairstyle that exudes both elegance and charm, making you feel sophisticated and confident.

Braids are a versatile hairstyle that can be worn in many ways. Even a basic braid can be used to create varied looks. Weave your hair in a braid to add some pizzazz to your usual half-bun. This is an easy-to-create half-bun that does not use any rollers, curling iron, or complex styling tools.
First gather hair from the front, tease it, and pin it to form a slight pouf at the crown. Then take a section of hair from the front on both sides and weave two braids. Then combine them into a half-ponytail, securing them with an elastic band or hair pins. Wrap the ends of the half-pony into a bun. You can choose your preferred style of braiding, from a waterfall braid to a classic three-strand braid.

Infographic: A Step-By-Step Guide To Do A Perfect Half Bun

If you love experimenting with your hair and want to nail your next look, try the chic and boho half-bun hairdo. It is perfect for any casual outing and looks attractive. We have simplified the process further and explained it in a step-by-step guide. Check out the infographic below to learn more.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What inspired the creation of the half-bun hairstyle?

It is believed that the half bun beauty statement may have been inspired by the topknots sumo wrestlers’ sport or ancient Chinese women who sported a bun on the top of the head as a sign of being married.

Are there different variations of the half-bun hairstyle?

Half up half down bun, braided half bun, and sleek half bun are a few trendy variations of this hairstyle that can be personalized in accordance with one’s hair type or face shape.

Can the half bun be worn by people with different hair textures and lengths?

Yes, it is a versatile hairstyle that can be adapted to suit a variety of hair types, textures, and lengths

What are the best hairstyles to pair with the half bun for a complete look?

The half bun can be paired with loose waves, a side braid, a sleek ponytail, a top knot, and a half-up, half-down hairstyle for a complete and stylish look. If you have longer locks, learn how to do a messy bun with long hair for a stylish yet effortlessly undone look.

Can the half bun be dressed up for formal events or is it mostly seen as a casual look?

While the half bun is mostly seen as a casual hairstyle, it can be customized according to your fashion sense and styled to be more suitable for formal events. The key is to choose the right styling techniques, add volumizing products, and accessorize with jeweled accessories to create a more polished and elegant look.

Illustration: How To Do A Super Easy And Fast Half Bun Hairstyle

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to get the perfect half-bun hairstyle in minutes from the video below. This easy and simple hairstyle is perfect for everyday wear.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dawna JarvisLicensed Cosmetologist

   

Dawna is a state board licensed cosmetologist practicing in New Hampshire and California. She has over 24 years of experience and is a business growth strategist specializing in confidence-building and performance enhancement.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda

Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor

Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

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Shreya MukherjeeBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Shreya is a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience. After graduating from Christ University, Bengaluru, she started as a writer for a non-profit organization, Bhumi, as an intern. She then wrote for a progressive content website.

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