Quick answer: For a messy bun with a claw clip, flip your head forward, gather your hair loosely at the crown, twist it into a loose coil, wrap the coil around itself and clamp a large claw clip over it with the ends spilling out. Gently pull a few pieces loose at the front and sides so it looks relaxed.
Key takeaways
- A messy bun should look loose but be anchored firmly at the base.
- A large claw clip of about 11–13 cm is the fastest way to hold one.
- U-pins and hair sticks make a neater, flatter messy bun without a clip.
- Texture is what makes the mess look intentional rather than flat.
- Pull pieces loose after you secure the bun, not before.
Three ways to hold a messy bun
You can hold a messy bun with a claw clip, with U-shaped pins or with a hair stick. A claw clip is fastest and most forgiving; pins give a flatter, more polished bun; a hair stick holds a bun without any elastic and looks decorative. Choose by how much time you have and how the bun needs to look.
| Method | Time | Look | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claw clip | About 1 minute | Voluminous, relaxed | Home, errands, workouts |
| U-pins | About 3 minutes | Flatter, neater | Work, dinners |
| Hair stick | About 2 minutes | Low and decorative | Everyday polish, long hair |
Method 1: Messy bun with a claw clip
This is the quickest messy bun and works on medium to long hair of any texture. Use a large clip so the jaws close around the whole coil; a clip that is too small will pinch and pop open.
- Flip forward. Bend at the waist and gather your hair loosely at the crown. Flipping adds volume at the roots.
- Twist loosely. Twist the length once or twice, just enough to make a soft rope.
- Coil. Wrap the rope around its base to form a loose bun.
- Clip. Open a large claw clip and press it over the bun, teeth catching the coil and the hair at the base.
- Stand up and loosen. Flip back, then gently pull a few strands loose around the face and at the nape.
Good clips for this: the Large Matte Claw Clip in neutral square styles (13 cm) or the Frosted Matte Claw Clip (11 cm) for medium hair.
Method 2: Messy bun with U-pins
A pinned messy bun sits flatter against the head and looks slightly more finished, which makes it suitable for work. It takes a few more minutes but needs no clip and no elastic if you pin carefully.
- Gather your hair where you want the bun, high or low.
- Twist the length loosely and wrap it around the base.
- Hold the bun with one hand.
- Push a U-pin into the outer edge of the bun, angle it toward the center and slide it in so it catches hair from the bun and the base.
- Repeat around the bun with four to six pins.
- Loosen a few pieces for texture.
Plain pins such as our Black U-Shaped Hair Pins disappear into dark hair. See our full guide on how to use U-shaped hair pins.
Method 3: Messy bun with a hair stick
A hair stick holds a low messy bun without an elastic and adds a decorative touch. It works best on medium to long hair.
- Gather your hair low at the nape and twist it.
- Coil it into a loose bun.
- Push the stick into one side of the bun, catch hair close to the scalp, then push it out the other side.
- Pull a few pieces loose.
Our hair stick guide explains the locking turn in detail.
High or low messy bun?
A high messy bun at the crown looks energetic and keeps hair completely off the neck, which is useful in heat or during workouts. A low messy bun at the nape looks softer and more grown-up and is more comfortable to lean back against. Mid-height buns are a good everyday compromise.
| Placement | Look | Comfort | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| High (crown) | Playful, voluminous | Not great for leaning back | Workouts, cleaning, hot days |
| Mid (back of head) | Balanced | Good | Everyday |
| Low (nape) | Soft, polished | Best for chairs and car seats | Work, dinners |
Messy buns by hair length
Length changes how big and how loose the bun can be. Shoulder-length hair makes a small bun that needs a medium clip or a few pins; mid-back hair makes a classic messy bun; very long hair can wrap twice and may need an elastic underneath so the clip is not holding all the weight.
| Length | Bun | Hold |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder | Small, mid-height | Medium claw clip or 3–4 U-pins |
| Mid-back | Classic messy bun | Large claw clip or 4–6 U-pins |
| Waist or longer | Wrapped twice | Soft elastic plus a large claw clip |
How to make a messy bun look intentional
The difference between a chic messy bun and an untidy one is texture and control at the base. The base should be smooth and secure; the bun itself and the face-framing pieces should be loose. Add texture before you start and loosen pieces only after the bun is secure.
- Use second-day hair or add texture spray to clean hair.
- Keep the base tidy by smoothing the hair around the hairline before gathering.
- Pull, don't brush: loosen the bun by gently tugging sections with your fingertips.
- Leave two face-framing pieces at the temples.
Messy buns for different hair types
Fine hair can look flat in a messy bun, so add texture and tease the crown slightly. Thick hair can be too heavy for one clip, so use a larger clip or an elastic underneath. Curly hair makes the most natural messy buns; gather loosely with your fingers and let curls spill out. See claw clips for curly hair for curl-friendly tips.
Turning a messy bun into an evening look
A messy bun can go from daytime to evening with two small changes. Swap a matte clip for a polished metal or pearl-accented one, or move the bun lower and add decorative pins on one side. Smooth the hairline with a little balm and keep two soft face-framing pieces. The result reads relaxed but deliberate.
Common problems and fixes
- Bun looks flat: flip your head forward when gathering and add texture.
- Bun slides down: anchor the clip or pins in hair near the scalp.
- Clip pops open: the clip is too small; size up.
- Bun hurts: it is too tight. Loosen the base and choose a bigger clip.
Keep it comfortable
Messy buns are usually gentle because they are loose, but high, tight buns worn every day pull on the hairline. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends avoiding hairstyles that pull on your hair and switching styles regularly to give hair a break (AAD, updated November 6, 2024).
Frequently asked questions
Can you do a messy bun with short hair?
Hair that reaches at least the shoulders can make a small messy bun with a medium clip or a few U-pins. Shorter hair works better in a half-up mini bun.
Do I need a hair tie for a messy bun?
No. A claw clip, U-pins or a hair stick can hold one without an elastic. Very heavy hair may still benefit from a soft hair tie underneath.
What size claw clip do I need for a messy bun?
Usually a large clip of about 11–13 cm, so the jaws close over the whole coil.
How do I keep a messy bun from falling?
Twist the hair before coiling, anchor the clip or pins in hair close to the scalp and add texture to slippery hair.
Is a messy bun bad for your hair?
A loose messy bun is one of the gentler updos. Avoid making it tight at the hairline and change your style from day to day.
Get the bun essentials
Find large claw clips in our claw clip collection, and see more claw clip styles in How to Use a Claw Clip. Orders ship within the US for a flat $6.99, or free on orders of $79 or more.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology, Hairstyles that pull can lead to hair loss, last updated November 6, 2024.
