How To Do A Military Bun: Step-By-Step Process

If you are looking for a hairdo that is perfect for your daily training or that important meeting with your team, the military bun might just do the trick. This timeless hairdo is characterized by precision, neatness, elegance, and simplicity.
The military hair bun is a sleek and practical updo not only worn by military personnel but also by those seeking a polished and professional look. While it may sound difficult, all it really needs is patience and attention to detail. So, without further ado, check out this article to understand the technique and the different variations you can sport. Scroll down to know more.

Before You Get Started

• Use a firm-hold hairspray or mist to smooth your hair down and keep it in place.
• Always use socks closest to your hair color to ensure it blends in.
• Ensure your hair is dry before styling it as it may breed mold and cause bad odor.
• If you have thick hair, use a hair bungee instead of a hair elastic to secure the bun.

Things Required To Make A Military Bun

A military bun is a neat and sleek bun that is sported by military personnel or employees working in very formal professional settings. Here is a list of tools you will need to create this hairdo:

1. Hairspray: It is a crucial tool that helps keep the loose strands of hair in place and maintains the bun’s shape.

2. Bobby Pins: They are essential for taming flyaways and keeping the bun neat.

3. Black Hair Tie: It is required to gather your hair into a ponytail for the bun. Opt for a black tie or elastic band to ensure it seamlessly blends with the hair to maintain a professional appearance.

4. Detangling Brush: It helps smooth out any knots or tangles before styling and provides a smooth base for creating the bun.

5. Sock Or Hair Donut: Both help create a uniform and perfectly rounded bun with minimal effort.

6. Leave-In Conditioner (Optional): It is used to hydrate the hair to make it more manageable and easier to style. It also helps reduce frizz and enhance the overall appearance of the bun.

7. Hair Mousse (Optional): It is applied to make it easier to manipulate and style your hair into a bun. It also provides extra hold and ensures that the bun stays in place throughout the day.

Pro Tip

You can use a volumizing shampoo to add texture and volume to your hair, making it easier to style into a military bun.

Once you have the above-mentioned tools, you can create your military bun without any hassle. Check out the next section for how to do it like a pro.

How To Do A Military Bun

With just a little practice and patience, you can ace the military bun in no time. You can use a donut maker or a sock to create this hairdo as it will provide support and keep your hair in place, especially if you have short hair. For those wondering how to do a bun with short hair, the next section give you an easy answer. Check out how to make a military bun with a sock below.

Military Sock Bun

Knowing how to create this sleek look can prevent you from getting yelled at during that intense training session or presentation at work. Here is how you can do it:

Step 1: Begin by washing your hair properly to ensure it is clean. Then, dry it with a microfiber towel to ring out excess water. Once your hair is completely dry, thoroughly brushing your hair to eliminate any knots or tangles. This ensures a smooth base for styling and prevents any unevenness in the final look.

Step 2: Gather all your hair into a single ponytail with a black hair tie to secure it firmly in place. Ensure that it sits upright at the crown of your head for a balanced appearance.

Step 3: Slide a clean sock or hair donut over the ponytail and position it at the base where the hair tie is. The sock or donut serves as the foundation for your bun, providing volume and structure.

Step 4: Spread your hair evenly around the sock or donut, covering it completely to conceal its appearance. Smooth out any lumps to achieve a neat and uniform look.

Step 5: Roll the sock or donut down towards the base of the tight ponytail. Ensure that you maintain tension as you roll to create a tight and secure bun.

Step 6: Secure the extra hair with fabric elastic hair ties to keep it in place, creating a neat and polished look.

Moss, a blogger, shares her experience of doing a military bun in her blog. She writes, “There are numerous ways to style long hair for females, in the military. Based on my experience and observations, the sock bun is my favorite style! This look is classy, and super fast to do. This is similar to the “chignon bun,” but it is cheaper and usually looks better (i)”.

If you do not want to use a sock to create this hairdo, fret not. The section below takes you through a simple yet efficient guide to recreating this bun with no hassle.

Military Bun Without A Sock

If you thought you could not achieve the military bun without a sock, you are wrong! Here is how you can master this technique easily:

Step 1: Brush your hair with a wide-toothed comb or hairbrush to ensure your hair is smooth and free of tangles.

Step 2: Gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure it tightly with a black hair tie to prevent slippage. You can wrap your ponytail around 3 times to ensure it is tight.

Step 3: Lift your ponytail and twist it tightly. Once that is done, wrap it around itself tightly to form a compact bun.

Step 4: Place bobby pins vertically to secure the bun firmly in place for maximum hold and stability.

Quick Tip

You can use a second elastic hair tie for your ponytail in case the first one loosens or breaks.

Last, but not least, check your hairdo in the mirror for any flyaways and loose strands. You can use additional pins or hairspray to secure them in place for a neat and sleek look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the military bun suitable for all hair types?

While the military bun is suitable for most hair types, individuals with extremely short or coarse and thick hair may need to use extra large hair pins or hair gel to achieve the desired look. There are many popular buns for short hair looks that you can try out, but the military bun appears to be a favorite for many. These adjustments can help in creating a secure and stylish military bun that stays in place throughout the day.

Can I wear a military bun for casual occasions?

Yes, the military bun’s versatility allows people to create a sleek and polished appearance even for a casual occasion with minimal effort. You can add hair accessories such as decorative pins or flowers or colorful hair extensions to add a personal touch to your look. For those with longer hair, exploring various bun hairstyles for long hair can also help you achieve a similar polished and stylish look with added volume and flair.

Recreating the military bun, especially with long hair, might seem like a tough proposition. But don’t worry. Check out this video for a simple tutorial on how to create this sophisticated hairdo easily.

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