Let’s be honest: messy buns are like the sweatpants of hairstyles—comfortable, effortless, and everyone swears they “didn’t try,” even though we all know a mirror was definitely involved.

If you’ve got long hair, you already know the struggle. Some days your bun looks Pinterest-worthy, and other days… well, let’s just say you resemble a bird’s nest with confidence.

Here’s the good news: messy buns can be stylish, practical, and versatile all at once. They’re not just for lazy mornings or gym days.

With the right tweaks, a messy bun can take you from a quick coffee run to a fancy wedding guest look.

I’ve experimented (and failed) with enough messy buns to know what works, and I’m here to share all the best styles that actually make long hair look fabulous.

So, grab your scrunchie, bobby pins, and maybe a little dry shampoo, because these 24 messy bun hairstyles for long hair are about to be your new go-to playbook.

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1. The Classic High Messy Bun

Simple, quick, and foolproof. Pile your hair on top of your head, secure with an elastic, and pull a few strands loose for that perfectly imperfect vibe.

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2. Low Nape Messy Bun

This one’s chic but casual. Gather your hair at the nape of your neck, twist, and secure. It looks effortlessly elegant—like you didn’t try, but everyone knows you did.

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3. Side-Swept Messy Bun

Tilt your bun to the side for an asymmetrical, playful touch. This style works wonders for softening your look without going full-on casual.

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4. Messy Bun with Bangs

If you’ve got curtain bangs or face-framing layers, this bun is basically made for you. The strands in the front add instant softness and style.

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5. Double Messy Buns

Yes, space buns are still cool. Two messy buns perched on either side of your head scream fun and playful. Perfect for festivals or just feeling extra.

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6. Textured Messy Bun with Dry Shampoo

Here’s a little hack: spray dry shampoo through your hair before putting it up. It adds grip and texture, making the bun hold longer and look fuller.

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7. Messy Bun with a Braid

Braid a small section of your hair first, then wrap it into the bun. The braid adds detail and instantly makes it look like you spent more time on your hair than you actually did.

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8. Oversized Messy Bun

The bigger, the better. Tease your hair a little before twisting it into a bun for that voluminous, dramatic effect. Long hair makes this one shine.

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9. Half-Up Messy Bun

When you can’t decide between leaving your hair down or putting it up, the half-up messy bun saves the day. Casual yet cute—IMO, it’s the best of both worlds.

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10. Messy Bun with Hair Scarf

Tie a colorful scarf around the base of your bun. It instantly elevates the look and hides any elastic or bobby pins. Win-win.

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11. Loose Romantic Messy Bun

Think wedding guest vibes. Keep it low and pull out a few curls around your face. Add a sparkly clip, and boom—you’ve got a formal messy bun.

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12. Messy Top Knot

Sleek on the bottom, chaos on the top. The top knot is a little more polished than your average bun but still gives off that “didn’t try too hard” energy.

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13. Messy Bun with Scrunchie

Scrunchies aren’t just back—they’re essential. Use a velvet or satin scrunchie to give your messy bun a trendy, effortless feel.

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14. The Knot Bun

Instead of twisting your hair into a coil, literally tie it in a knot and secure it. Sounds strange, but the result is a unique, laid-back bun.

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15. Braided Crown into a Messy Bun

Start with a braid across the crown of your head, then gather the rest into a bun. It’s boho, romantic, and surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it.

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16. Curly Messy Bun

If you’ve got natural curls or waves, this one’s your BFF. Don’t smooth them out—just pile them up into a bun and let the curls do their thing.

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17. Messy Bun with Bobby Pin Art

Secure your bun with visible, crisscrossed bobby pins. It looks intentional (and artsy), while still keeping things messy and casual.

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18. Bun with Braided Ends

Braid your ponytail first, then twist it into a bun. This creates extra texture and detail without much extra effort.

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19. The “I Overslept” Bun

We’ve all been there. Hair piled up in five seconds flat, maybe a little hairspray to keep it from falling apart. Somehow, this one always earns compliments when you least expect it.

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20. Messy Bun with Middle Part

Instead of slicking everything back, part your hair down the middle before pulling it up. It frames your face and adds a modern twist.

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21. The Sock Messy Bun Hack

Use a sock or bun shaper to fake fullness, then pull pieces loose for that messy, undone look. Perfect if your hair’s long but on the thinner side.

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22. Twisted Messy Bun

Twist sections of your hair individually, then pin them back into a bun. The different directions create a textured, romantic style.

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23. Messy Bun with Accessories

Add pearls, clips, or pins. Accessories instantly turn your messy bun into something special—great for formal events when you still want a relaxed vibe.

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24. The Gym-to-Brunch Bun

You know that bun you threw up at the gym? With a little hairspray and maybe a cute headband, it magically becomes brunch-appropriate. Versatility at its finest.

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Tips for Perfecting the Messy Bun Look

• Don’t aim for perfection. The whole point is imperfection, so embrace the flyaways.
• Use texture spray or dry shampoo. It gives grip and keeps the bun from looking flat.
• Pull strands strategically. Too few, and it looks too polished; too many, and you’ll look like you got caught in a windstorm.
• Secure with bobby pins. They’re your best friend for keeping the bun in place while still looking effortless.

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Why Messy Buns Work So Well for Long Hair

Messy buns just hit different when you have long hair. You’ve got enough length to play with volume, twists, braids, and all the fun variations. Plus, they’re a lifesaver on bad hair days. Honestly, the messy bun is basically the Swiss Army knife of hairstyles: cute enough for dates, functional enough for errands, and polished enough for special occasions.

And let’s be real—sometimes you just want your hair out of your face, and a ponytail feels… boring. That’s when a messy bun swoops in and saves the day.

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Final Thoughts

So there you have it—24 messy bun hairstyles for long hair that prove this simple updo can be anything but boring. Whether you want casual, romantic, edgy, or polished, there’s a messy bun that fits the mood.

Next time you catch yourself saying, “Ugh, I don’t know what to do with my hair,” you’ll have options. Lots of them. And if your messy bun turns out a little more messy than bun? Own it. Sometimes the best styles are the ones you didn’t plan.

Now, the real question is: are you rocking the gym-to-brunch bun or the romantic wedding guest bun first?