A curly bun is loosely gathered, wrapped hair pinned in place, with the curls’ volume hiding the mechanics.
An elastic alone won’t hold it through the day, so pin it after the tie goes on. Tight curls grip bobby pins; looser, heavier ones push them out, so slide each pin in at an angle.
1. Messy Curly Bun
Curls do most of the work in a messy bun, because their volume and texture hide the imperfections for you.
Gather the hair loosely, wrap it once or twice, and pin it without smoothing the top. Flyaways belong in this look, so I leave them be.
Pull gently on each side of the bun until it looks as full as you want, then leave one strand loose near the face.
That strand keeps the shape from going stiff. If the hair tie still shows, wrap a loose strand around the base a few times and pin it with a bobby pin; repeat with a second strand if needed.
2. Twisted Curly Bun
Twisting each section before it gets pinned gives the bun structure that a plain wrap lacks. Divide the hair, twist every part in the same direction, coil the twists together and tuck the ends under.
Twists hold more securely than a simple wrap, and the pattern shows from behind, so this is the bun I’d pick for an updo people will see from the back.
The Twist-Tuck variation suits second-day curls and windy days. Gather a low ponytail with a hair bungee, then cross a side section from each side back over it, pinning each with bobby pins.
Tuck the ponytail under and pin the loop beneath. Practice it once before an event, so the pin placement isn’t a surprise.
3. High Curly Bun
Gathering curls at the crown gives you the height and volume straight hair can’t match without teasing or a handful of bobby pins.
You wrap everything loosely once it’s up there and pin from multiple angles so the weight stays put instead of sliding backward by lunchtime.
A looser wrap reads fuller than a tight coil.
Curls already carry body, so you’re letting them sit naturally rather than forcing them flat against your head. The volume sits best with a scoop or V neckline, which keeps the proportions from skewing too vertical.
One limit: if you need a bun that tucks under a beanie or a wide-brim hat, this one sits too high and you’ll end up fighting the crown all morning.
4. Low Curly Bun
Gathered at the nape, this is the bun I’d pick for anything dressy. It sits below the neckline instead of competing with it, which makes it a natural match for strapless or open-back tops.
Gather the curls low, twist them once, and pin. Leave the finish a little undone, because a soft, loose edge looks more natural on curly hair than a slick one.
Volume is the limit.
A low bun gives less lift than a high one, so it reads quieter. For an evening look that’s usually a plus, but if you want height, choose a different placement.
5. Curly Space Buns
Two high buns, one on each side of a center part, make this the most playful bun in the lineup.
Part the hair straight down the middle first, then gather each side on its own so both buns sit at the same height on the head.
Mismatched buns are the fastest way to make the style look lopsided rather than cute.
I’d leave the curls defined instead of brushing them out, since the texture is the whole appeal here.
A few curls pulled loose around the face keep the look from reading too young, and I’d take that softness over a slicked-back finish every time.
6. Curly Bun With Tendrils
Curls pulled loose from a bun spiral in a way straight hair can’t copy. Pin the bun high first, then tug a few curls free at the temples and ears.
Choose those pieces before the bun is finished, because adding them evenly afterward is hard. Keep them thin, since thick strands pull attention off the bun.
If you don’t have bangs, a side or center part works with this look.
A ponytail base pulled too tight leaves the hairline harsh, so I keep it loose and let the tendrils soften the edge. Gold hoops pair well here, because the curls frame them.
How to Secure the Bun
An elastic alone won’t hold a curly bun through the day, so pin it after the elastic goes on.
Tight, small curls grip bobby pins and mini claw clips easily. Looser, heavier curls tend to push pins out, so slide each one in at an angle instead of straight down.
A hair bungee is the easiest elastic for this. It’s a straight band with a hook at each end, so you wrap it around the ponytail and hook it closed.
Curls never get dragged through a loop, and nothing tangles when you take it out. A regular hair elastic or hair tie works if you don’t own one, though I’d expect more pulling on long or dense hair.
Work With Your Curl Texture
Don’t fight your texture when you’re putting curls into a bun. The natural volume and movement that makes curly hair harder to smooth into sleek styles is exactly what makes a bun look full and lived-in without much effort.
Curls fill in gaps, disguise uneven tucking, and hide the mechanics of how you pinned everything in place.
Skip the brush. Brushing curly hair before you gather it creates frizz that works against the finished look, so if you need to detangle, use a wide-toothed comb and go gently.
Flyaways are part of the texture, not a mistake to fix. They soften the shape around your face and keep a messy bun from reading as unfinished.
If you want a smoother base at the crown, lean forward while you gather your ponytail so your hair hangs straight down, then secure it. The bun itself still benefits from keeping the curls intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some cute hairstyles for curly hair?
Curly buns are the easiest place to start.
Messy, twisted, high, low and space buns all work, as does a bun with a few loose tendrils. Curls add volume and hide small mistakes, so a loose wrap with a few pins looks finished without much effort.
How do you do a curly hair bun?
Gather your curls loosely where you want the bun to sit, wrap them around themselves, and put in pins after the elastic.
A hair bungee is the easiest elastic because curls never get dragged through a loop. If your curls are loose or heavy, slide each pin in at an angle so it doesn’t push out.
How do I make a messy bun look fluffy?
Gently pull on each side of the finished bun until it reaches the fullness you want, and leave a strand loose near your face.
Starting with a good haircut helps the whole style sit better. A light to medium hold hairspray keeps the messy look in place through the day.
Why does a messy bun give me a headache?
The usual causes are pulling the hair too tight or placing the bun too high on your head.
Wrap the hair loosely instead; on curls a looser wrap also looks fuller. If a high bun still hurts, a lower placement is the easier change.
