How to Do a Messy Updo

Co-authored by Nine Morrison

Last Updated: June 24, 2024

Messy updos are meant to make your hair look beautifully tousled, like it would after you spent your day on a windy beach or riding in a convertible with the top down. Since looking effortlessly pretty is the point, there's no need to be a perfectionist when you're creating these styles.^{[1]
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Nine Morrison
Expert Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 3 September 2018.} Try a messy topknot, a tousled low bun or bohemian braids next time you want a look that's effortlessly stylish.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Messy Topknot

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Position it at the top of your head, either right up top or a few inches toward the back. There's no need to make it neat and tight; let the ponytail be a little loose. It's fine if a few strands fall out on the sides and back.
2
Tease your ponytail. Hold it straight up and insert a comb near the tips. Backcomb your hair toward the roots to tease it and add volume and texture. Continue until your entire ponytail has been teased. It should now look messy and tousled.
- If you'd like, you could instead curl your hair before putting it up in a ponytail. The curly effect will make your hair look tousled, but still neat enough to wear to a nice evening event.
- For this look, there's no need to tease or curl the hair that's not in your ponytail.
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Just divide it into two equal sections, and hold them apart.
Twist it and wind it around the hairband, holding it in place against your head. Use a few bobby pins to secure it there.
Do the same thing, twisting it and winding it around the other portion of your headband. Pin it in place against your head. Take a look in the mirror: your hairband should no longer be visible.
Here's the part where things get messy. Grab the bun and move it in a circular motion to loosen it a bit. Use your fingers to pull out a few strands so it looks a little messier. Finally, pull out a few strands of hair from the area around your temples to frame your face and complete the look.
This will let your hair move while also keep your updo from falling out. Your look is now complete.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Tousled Low Bun

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This pretty low bun looks great with a side part. If you're doing your hair for a formal evening event, a deeper part (further to the side) looks elegant. Run the tip of a comb along your part to make it straight.^{[2]
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2
Tease or curl your hair. This step is optional if you're not in the mood to go all out. However, if you tease or curl your hair, it will take your messy low bun up a few notches. Lift the top layer of your hair and backcomb it toward the roots to add volume and texture. Alternately, use a curling iron to curl the top layer of your hair so it won't be completely smooth.
- Of course, if your hair is naturally curly and voluminous, this step is completely unnecessary; your bun will look beautifully messy on its own.
Position it at the nape of your neck or slightly higher up, according to your preference. You could even position it on the side, just under one of your ears. For now, don't make a tight ponytail; just wrap the ponytail around your hair one time.
4
Use your hairband to create a looped bun. Twist the hairband and pull it over your ponytail, but this time don't pull the hair all the way through. Stop pulling before your ends are all the way through the hairband. Leave several inches of the ends of your hair sticking out. You should now have a simple looped bun.
- If the ponytail seems loose, use a second ponytail to ensure the looped bun stays securely in place. While the look should be messy, you don't want it to be so loose it falls out.
You want to add some volume to the look by pulling up the top and sides of your hair so it doesn't lie flat against your head. this will help the look go from "sleek" to "messy." Check out your hair in the mirror, and pull out a few strands from around your temples, too.
Take the ends that are still sticking out of your bun and wrap them around the hairband to hide it from view. Use bobby pins to secure the hair in place.
This will let your hair move while also keeping it from falling out.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Bohemian Braided Updo

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This look can be done with either a side part or a middle part. Comb out your hair, then run the tip of your comb along the part to make sure it's straight.^{[3]
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2
Separate the sides of your hair from the back. The braids will run from your temples to the back of your hair when this look is complete, so for now you want to gather hair from your temple area and drape it over your shoulders to keep it separate from the back.
- The bigger the sections of hair, the bigger your braids will be. If you want small braids, just separate out 1/2 inch sections of hair from either side. For thicker braids, the sections should be 1 to 2 inches wide.
Leave the side sections out, and create a ponytail with the back of your hair. Position it at the nape of your neck or a few inches higher according to your preference.
Twist it and lay it in a coil around your hairband to make a pretty ballerina-style bun, then pin the ends in place with several bobby pins. You want the bun to be quite secure, so don't skimp on the bobby pins.
Start near your temple and make a braid all the way to the ends. The braid can be as tight or as loose as you want.
It should lay against the side of your head and pass under the tip of your ear before the end reaches the bun. Wrap the end around the base of the bun (several times, if necessary) and use a bobby pin to secure it in place.
Start near your temple and make a braid all the way to the ends. The braid can be as tight or as loose as you want.
Do this just the same way as the other side. The braid should lay against the side of your head and pass under the tip of your ear before the end reaches the bun. Wrap the end around the base of the bun (several times, if necessary) and use a bobby pin to secure it in place.
Pull out a few strands of hair here and there to create a more tousled appearance. Focus on the area around your face, since it's pretty to have a few face-framing strands hanging down around the braids.
This will help your hair stay messy-looking while holding everything in place and keeping the braids from coming loose.

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Question

What should I do with my hair when it's messy?

Nine Morrison
Beauty Consultant
Nine Morrison is the owner of WedLocks Bridal Hair & Makeup, the largest bridal beauty company in Colorado. Her work has been featured in Brides Magazine, The Knot, and by Moroccanoil, and her company replicates this standard across 400+ weddings per year. She has been in the beauty industry for over 10 years, and also travels as a beauty educator and business consultant.

Nine Morrison

Beauty Consultant

Expert Answer

Low buns and mid-buns (buns that are not super high or low) are a very popular style right now. Ponytails are also a fun option that are very underutilized. There are many ways to style a ponytail that can make the style look elegant.

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Tips

Try to use bobby pins to match your hair color.

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After you've brushed some of the knots out, shake your hair around. Also maybe tease it to give it extra volume!

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