Braided Bun Hairstyles: A Comprehensive Tutorial

Braided buns are a versatile and stylish way to keep your hair out of your face while adding a touch of elegance to your look. Whether you're aiming for a casual daytime style or a sophisticated updo for a special occasion, there's a braided bun variation to suit every taste and hair length. This article provides a comprehensive guide to creating various braided bun hairstyles, incorporating expert tips and techniques to help you achieve the perfect look.

Why Choose a Braided Bun?

Buns are a practical and chic way to manage your hair. Adding a braid elevates the simple bun, providing visual interest and texture. Braided buns are suitable for various occasions, from casual outings to formal events. They are also a great way to keep your hair off your neck during warmer weather or intense physical activity. As it's mentioned, this is one of favorite hair looks for summer or competitions! It's a cute way to keep hair out of your face, which is good because sweaty/greasy hair in your face can cause breakouts.

Preparing Your Hair

The success of any braided bun hairstyle begins with proper hair preparation. Here's what you need to consider:

• Hair Texture: Braided buns can be created on various hair textures, from straight to curly. However, certain textures may require different techniques or products to achieve the desired result.
• Cleanliness: You can create this look with clean hair or 2nd day hair. It may be a little easier with 2nd day hair because the braids won't be as slippery and will hold better.
• Tools and Products: Depending on the style you choose, you may need the following:
  • Hair elastics
  • Bobby pins
  • Hair serum or smoothing cream
  • Hairspray (optional, for extra hold)
  • Medium to large-sized rollers (optional, for adding volume)

Basic Braided Bun Techniques

Classic Three-Strand Braid Bun

This is a simple yet elegant style perfect for everyday wear.

1. Create a Ponytail: Gather your hair into a ponytail at your desired bun height. Remember, where ever your ponytail is in the beginning is where your bun's going to be. So if you want a high bun do a high ponytail. You don’t need to brush your hair before putting your hair into the ponytail. If putting your hair into a ponytail is hard for you, try placing a mirror in front of you and a mirror behind you so that you can see both sides of your hair at 1 time. This will allow you to see the back of your hair while you style your bun.
2. Braid the Ponytail: Braid your ponytail in a classic three-strand braid. Article SummaryXA braided bun is a unique way to style your hair that will surely earn you a few compliments. To do a simple fold-through braided bun, start by tying your hair back in a ponytail and braiding it like normal. Just separate your ponytail into 3 strands and cross the right side over to become the new middle side. Then, cross the left side over into the middle and keep repeating this until you reach the end. Don’t forget to pull the strands tight after each cross over.
3. Create a Hole: Use your fingers to create a hole in the area of your hair above the ponytail holder.
4. Fold and Tuck: Lift your braid up with your free hand and bring it to your two fingers poking out through the hole. Fold your braid once more through the hole. This time, don’t pull your braid all the way down through the hole.
5. Secure the Bun: Hold your braid with one hand and use your other hand to insert bobby pins into the sides of your bun. Finally, secure your braided bun with a few bobby pins and admire your new hairstyle.

Double Braided Bun

This variation adds a touch of intricacy to the classic braided bun.

Read also: Explore Braided Hairstyles with Bangs

1. Divide the Ponytail: Separate your ponytail into two sections.
2. Braid Each Section: Separate each section into three strands and braid them.
3. Wrap the Braids: Wrap one braided section around the base of the ponytail, until it reaches the back of your head. Use a bobby pin to secure that first wrapped braid. Wrap the other braided section going in the opposite direction, until it reaches the back of your head.

Messy Braided Bun

For a more relaxed and bohemian vibe, try a messy braided bun.

1. Tease the Crown (Optional): Grab a section of hair at your crown (about a 1-2 inch section), nearer to your forehead. Lightly back comb and tease this section of hair, then flip it over to the front of your face. Grab a small section of hair behind the first section (again, about a 1-2 inch section), and repeat the teasing and back combing. Flip this back combed section of hair over the first section.Tease and back comb 3-5 sections of hair for some nice volume at the crown of your head. Flip the back combed section of hair over to the front of you face. Take the section of hair behind the first section of hair you just back combed, and back comb that section.Tease and back comb about 3-4 sections of hair.
2. Braid Loosely: Separate your hair into three sections, and loosely braid your hair in a classic three-strand braid. Don’t secure the entire braid with an elastic ponytail holder. Instead, only secure two out of the three strands.It’s okay if some pieces of hair fall out of the braids.
3. Create the Bun: Hold onto the one strand of hair that you didn’t secure into the elastic ponytail holder. Wrap the loose strand around the bunched up braided strands and secure the bun with bobby pins.

Advanced Braided Bun Styles

Dutch Braid Bun

This style incorporates a Dutch braid, which stands out from the head for a more dimensional look.

1. Dutch Braid: Dutch braid one side back angling towards the ear.
2. Gather into a Bun: Gather the remaining hair into a bun. Pin any flyaway hair with bobbie pins. It also helps if you use a little bit of hair serum to tame the loose strands.

French Braid Messy Bun

French braid + messy bun = perfect summer hair.

1. French Braid: Part your bangs on the side where you typically part them, then add a french braid that begins at your bangs and goes down to about ear level.
2. Create a Messy Bun: Remove the clippie and use your fingers to pull the remaining hair into a bun.

Tips and Tricks for Braided Buns

• Add Volume: Curl hair with medium to large-sized rollers. I do this to add volume and so my hair will be smooth with ends that flip.
• Dealing with Slippery Hair: It may be a little easier with 2nd day hair because the braids won't be as slippery and will hold better.
• Securing the Bun: Use bobby pins that match your hair color for a seamless look.
• Taming Flyaways: It also helps if you use a little bit of hair serum to tame the loose strands.
• Sleek vs. Tousled: You can choose either a tousled or sleek bun. To create a sleek look where your ends won't stick out, apply hairspray or gel to your hair as you smooth it into a high ponytail.

Braided Buns for Different Hair Lengths

• Shoulder Length: TIP: Your hair probably needs to be shoulder length or longer to have a high bun like mine is in these pics.
• Broken Hair: Even with broken off hair, you can create a braided top knot. Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. My hair is broken off at the nape of my neck. Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois.

Braided Buns with Extensions or Box Braids

• Box Braids: You would need to part your hair in half and create a central part from one ear to the other, particularly considering the weight of the box braids. If they're lightweight, you can simply gather them in your hands and secure them in the middle with a scrunchie or elastic band as a foundation. Next, take the loose hair on the left and twirl it in a circular motion around the top of the hair, forming a small circle that can be transformed into a bun. Alternatively, you could utilize one of those sponge-like scrunchies typically used for regular hair. Once the hair is allowed to fall naturally, roll it under the sponge bun accessory. You can twirl it around, similar to the motion of a snail or a spiral, securing it in a circular pattern.

Expert Advice

Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about hair care, check out our in-depth interview with Ndeye Anta Niang.

Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois.

Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Twisted Plaits

Read also: Women's Headshot Hair Guide

tags: #bun #plait #hairstyles #tutorial

---

---