How to Make a Bun in Medium Layered Hair

Three easy ways to get a chic, stylish messy bun with medium hair

Co-authored by Danielle Chiz

Last Updated: October 25, 2022

Low Bohemian Bun

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Braided Bun

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High Ballerina Bun

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

If you have medium hair, it's the perfect length to wear in a bun. It won't get so heavy that it falls out of the bun, and it's long enough to achieve a variety of pretty styles. Learn how to wear your medium hair three ways: in a high ballerina bun, in a bohemian messy bun, and in a braided bun.

Things You Should Know

Pull your hair in a low bun, wrap one strand around your hair tie, and add a headband—you've just mastered the low bohemian bun.
Tie 2 long braids back into your bun for a sleek, braided look.
Place your bun high on your head, carefully fasten loose strands with pins, and then finish off with some hairspray for a gorgeous, ballerina bun.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Low Bohemian Bun

1
Part your hair on one side. Bohemian buns are usually created with a side part. Part your hair where you normally part it, or consider creating a deeper part for an elegant look fit for an evening event. Use a comb to make sure your part is completely straight.
2
Gather your hair where you want the bun to be positioned. A bohemian bun is quite pretty positioned at the nape of the neck, but you can also position it higher up if you'd like. If you want a wedding-friendly look, consider doing a side bun, with the bun resting just under your ear.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Danielle Chiz
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 3 August 2021.}

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3
Wrap a hairband around your hair once. Choose a very tight hairband, since this style tends to fall out more easily than some. Take the hairband and wrap it over your gathered hair.
4
Wrap the hairband over your ponytail to create a looped bun (optional). Twist it and pull it over your ponytail, but don't pull the hair all the way through.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Danielle Chiz
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 3 August 2021.} Stop pulling when about half of your ponytail is still hanging down. You now have a looped bun held in place with the hairband.
- Check to make sure the hairband is holding the bun securely. If it seems loose, take a second hairband and wrap it tightly around the looped bun to hold it in place.
5
Wrap the tail of your hair around the hairband. Take the ends that are still sticking out and wrap them around the hairband up against your head. You want to completely cover the hairband so it's no longer visible. Secure the hair in place with bobby pins.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Danielle Chiz
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 3 August 2021.}
6
Finish the look with bohemian flair. Pull out a few strands of hair on either side of your face to soften the look. Consider pinning a flower or another decorative hair piece just above the bun. Keep everything in place with a spritz of medium-hold hairspray.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Braided Bun

1
Decide where to part your hair. This style is beautiful with hair parted on the side or right down the middle, if you're into the milkmaid look. Comb out your hair, then run the tip of your comb along your part to help it look straight and neat.
2
Separate the sides of your hair from the back. The only part of your hair that will be braided is the sides; the back will be left out of the braids. Gather hair from your temple area and drape it over your shoulders. Comb out the back to keep it separate.^{[4]
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Research source}
- The larger your side sections, the larger your braids will be. If you want small, fine braids, separate just a half-inch or so of hair from each side. For thick, milkmaid-style braids, separate one to two inches.
3
Gather the back of your hair into a ponytail. Remember to leave the side sections out. Secure the ponytail where you want your bun to sit, either right at the nape of your neck or slightly higher. Make sure the hairband is tight, so the style will hold.
4
Twist your ponytail around the hairband and pin the ends in place. You're creating the base of your bun, so make sure it's secure. The bun should hide your hairband and feel secure against your head.
5
Braid the right section of hair. Start near your right temple and make a neat braid all the way to the tips.
6
Wrap the tail of the braid around the base of the bun. The braid should lay against your head and pass just under the tip of your ear until it reaches the bun. Fit the end over the base of your bun and keep wrapping it around until the entire length has been wrapped. Use a bobby pin to secure the end of the braid in place.
7
Braid the left section of hair. Start near your left temple and make a neat braid all the way to the tips.
8
Wrap the tail of the braid around the base of the bun. The braid should lay against your head and pass just under the tip of your ear until it reaches the bun. Fit the end over the base of your bun and keep wrapping it around until the entire length has been wrapped. Use a bobby pin to secure the end of the braid in place.
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Spray your hair with hairspray to hold the style in place. To keep the braids from combing loose, use a firm-hold hairspray.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

High Ballerina Bun

1
Gather your hair into a high ponytail. Use a comb to gather your hair on top of your head and secure it with a hairband. Make sure the sides, back and top are bump-free and the hairband is nice and tight, so your bun will stay in place.
- Ballerina buns are usually positioned right on top of the head, but you could just as easily position your bun further back on your head. Just make sure it's securely in place.
- If you have a few strands of hair that won't fit in the hairband, pin them up using bobby pins.
2
Tease your ponytail. This will add some volume and make your bun appear bigger, so it looks like you have long, thick hair. To tease, lift your ponytail up straight. Insert a comb near the tips and comb back toward the roots. Repeat until your entire ponytail has been teased.
- You can skip this step if you prefer a sleek, smooth bun. Just keep in mind it will be smaller than the average ballerina bun, since your hair is on the shorter side.
3
Divide the ponytail into two sections. Just use your hands to pull your ponytail apart so that it resembles a fishtail. Make sure each section is the same width.
4
Wrap one section around your hairband and pin it down. Twist the section as you wrap to create a pretty twirled effect. Wrap it close to your hairband up against your head. Use several bobby pins to secure the ends in place. This is the first half of your ballerina bun.
5
Wrap the second section around your hairband and pin it down. Twist the section as you wrap and tuck it close to your head around the exposed part of the hairband. Tuck in the ends and pin them in place with several bobby pins.
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Tuck in loose ends. Check your hair in the mirror to see if it has the right appearance, and use pins to tuck in any loose ends. Finish the look with firm-hold hairspray to hold your bun in place.

Community Q&A

Question

If I have layered hair, can I do a bun by twisting it around itself?

Community Answer

You can try but I've got medium-length layered hair and I've never been able to do it.
Question

What do I do if my thick hair keeps falling out of place and I don't have bobby pins to fix them?

Community Answer

Wear a thick headband and apply a little water to a hair brush to fix the flyaways.
Question

It doesn't work. What do I do?

Community Answer

Consider getting better pins and changing where you position the bun. Use other products to help keep the hair smooth (gel, hairspray, hair net etc.).