Creating The "Undone" & "Slicked Back" Buns For Longer Hair

Introduction

Messy Bun Look

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1997 saw the messy look hit the hair fashion world in a big way. Although the messy bun style has ebbed and flowed in popularity, messy hairstyles continue to be very popular in 2009. It appears to continue to be popular for 2010.

In fact, at the Fashion Weeks in both New York and Los Angeles, twists and buns were seen all over the runways.

The messier your hair, the better. I have tried several of the new "undone" and "slicked back" looks with my own tresses. I even slicked back my bangs to get a really pulled back look.

Listed below are the detailed steps you need to take to recreate some of the different messy bun styles.

The "Undone" Bun

An important thing to remember is that you need to keep the bun as loose and messy as possible. You may have seen recent press photos of Alicia Silverstone (Batgirl) with a very messy braided bun with lots of little hairs sticking out. The loose hair pieces are part of the total look that equated with messy hair in 1998 and still equates with messy hair for 2007.

The "Undone" Bun works best on hair that is shoulder length or longer. It will be harder to achieve the "Undone" Bun with shorter hair.

The bun will work with either newly clean or unwashed hair. Your hair will need to be dry or mostly dry to create the looks.

Step By Step Instructions

1. Use any good styling product with a lot of weight and hold. Dampen hair slightly, apply a good gel or styling spray and then repeat the rest of the steps. To apply styling products squeeze or pour about a dime size dollop in your palms of your hands and then distribute through your hair. If you prefer use a spray gel and lightly distribute through out your entire hair surface. Select a styling gel which provides significant styling control to either wet or dry hair. It adds body and volume which increasing hold and control.
2. Pull your hair into a firm, but not overly tight, ponytail at the crown. Secure with a "hair friendly" elastic band like a Blax, Bungee, or similar. Do not use rubber bands or any bands that will tear the hair when you remove the band. Note: It is best not to pull the hair too tightly into the ponytail. If the ponytail is too tight you may experience a slight headache. Long term wearing of tight ponytails can actually encourage hair loss in some circumstances.
3. Divide your hair into three equal sections.
4. Twist each section corkscrew style and then bring it back in towards the elastic band. Then bobby-pin (lightly) to the base of the ponytail. When you are pinning, leave about 3 inches of the end sticking straight up. Make sure you use "hair friendly" bobby pins as well that do not have scratchy or sharp ends.
5. Lightly backcomb or tease the individual hair bits with a comb and then spray the whole head with any strong holding hair spray. Remember to be gentle when you backcomb so as to avoid causing any breakage to your tresses.
6. If you have bangs, either gel them back or lightly spike them up. You can jazz the bun up by brushing one of the color mascaras onto the bangs, at the temples or on the tips of the spiked hair pieces. This bun will work for just about any event. You can tone it down for a more business or formal event or spike it up for a fun evening out.

The "Slicked Back" Bun

Messy Bun Look

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This bun is a great look if you are in a big hurry or your hair is not squeaky clean.

This is a look that Sharon Stone has worn in the past when she had longer hair. It creates a very cool, clean look.

This hairstyle can be accomplished with shoulder length or longer strands.

Ideal for any type of event from daily wear to business this style is so easy to create and maintain. It can be dressed up for evening. Unfortunately this bun will not work very well with shorter hair unless you first clip-in some hair extensions to provide desired length.

Change up the total look by creating your own custom fringe, parts or by finishing with accessories.

1. Dampen your hair and spray your whole head liberally with any good gel hair product. You may prefer to use a styling spray or gel. You can also create this bun with wet hair, letting it air dry after your hair is in the bun.
2. Use a smooth wide-toothed comb or smooth pick to smooth and untangle the hair.
3. Secure your hair in a firm, but not overly tight, ponytail in a "hair friendly" elastic band such as a Blax, Bungee or similar. Note: It is best not to pull the hair too tightly into the ponytail. If the ponytail is too tight you may experience a slight headache. Long term wearing of tight ponytails can actually encourage hair loss in some circumstances.
4. Place the bun about 1 1/2 inches above your hairline at the nape of your neck.
5. Twist your ponytail, looping it around the elastic and securing with "hair friendly" bobby pins. Make sure the pins do not have rough or scratchy edges which can easily rip or tear your delicate strands.
6. Spray with a strong hair spray. If you have bangs, you can slick them back, to the side or spiked up. You can dress up the bun up by adding a flower or jeweled hair pins or barrettes at the side, by brushing one of the color mascaras onto the temples. This bun will work for just about any event. You can tone it down for a more business or formal event or spike it up for a fun evening out.

Summary

Whichever bun you decide to try, just remember to have fun and be creative. When you are going for messy or unkempt, there are no right or wrong ways to style.

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Original Publication Date: 3/1998 - Revised Publication Date: 04/23/11

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