I don’t think there are enough hair tutorials that show naturally curly hair so I’m loving my mini-series of hair tutorials in my messy curls.
These bun hairstyles are perfect for second (or third) day curls that are a bit slept on and don’t look fresh enough to wear out.
For most of my tutorials, I usually wear my hair straight. I know this is a contradiction but there are a couple of reasons.
It’s just much easier to shoot clear step-by-step tutorials in straight hair. I can redo each step and I don’t have to worry about continuity.
With curly hair, the more I play with my hair, the frizzier it gets.
Styling and shooting my messy curls can be tricky, especially after the fourth take.
But these curly hairstyles are so easy, you can do them in one go.
My first tutorial is the curly braid bun. After I shot it I thought you might want an easier, no-braid version.
The curly twist bun is for you.
Both styles are easy to do in your own hair, and will make your bedhead curls neat in just a minute.
Curly braid bun hairstyle tutorial
You’ll need:
- A hair elastic or hair bungee
- Small clear hair elastic (optional)
- Bobby pins
Step-by-step
- Separate a section of hair on the left and gather the rest of your hair at the nape of your neck. This section will become your braid, so make it as big or as small as you like.
- Put the rest of your hair in a ponytail. You can use a hair elastic but I prefer a hair bungee in curly hair. There are far less tangles and knots that when I try and pull my curls through an elastic. I recommend all curly girls pick up a few hair bungees for ponytails.
- Twist your ponytail around into a bun. If you have fine hair, you can use a hair donut to create a larger bun.
- Create your braid. Take some hair from the top and split it into three equal sections. Cross the right over the middle, then the left over the right. On the next section, add in some hair to combine with that section and cross it into the middle. Continue until all your hair is combined in the braid. Secure the end of you braid with a small elastic if you need to. I find my curls keep the braid in place.
- Wrap your braid over and around your bun. Pin in place with bobby pins.
Curly twist bun hairstyle tutorial
You’ll need:
- A hair elastic or hair bungee
- bobby pins
Step-by-step
- Separate a section of hair on the left and gather the rest of your hair at the nape of your neck. This section will become your twist, so make it as big or as small as you like.
- Put the rest of your hair in a ponytail. You can use a hair elastic but I prefer a hair bungee in curly hair. There are far less tangles and knots that when I try and pull my curls through an elastic. I recommend all curly girls pick up a few hair bungees for ponytails.
- Twist your ponytail around into a bun. If you have fine hair, you can use a hair donut to create a larger bun.
- Create your twist. Starting at the top, twist two equal pieces of hair together. Twist away from your face. Add in hair and remember to keep twisting away from your face. You can also angle your twist back towards your bun so that it sits flatter against your head. Use a bobby pin to hold the twist in place if you need to.
- Wrap your twist over and around your bun. Pin in place with bobby pins.
Do you prefer the braid or the twist? Which style would you wear? Let me know in the comments!
Try more of my curly hair tutorials like the curly rolled headband hairstyle tutorial, the double bun hairstyle tutorial or the rope twist bun hairstyle tutorial.
Thank you so much for these ideas. The photos and tutorials are very helpful. I was looking for a way to style my curly hair for an interview, something simple and nice-looking. I did not want to straighten it. I tried the bun with the twist, and felt happy with it. I got the job, too!
Congrats Ava – that’s so awesome! Christina xx
Hey! How often do you wash your hair?
I wash my hair probably once or twice a week. It depends on how my hair looks and where I’m going. I probably only need to wash my hair every 4-5 days but sometimes I let it go a day longer and sometime I wash earlier so I can wear my hair out 🙂
I love the braid version
Thanks Paige xx
I just wanted to say thanks so much for this tutorial! I have natural curls myself and often struggle to find tutorials that I can do with my hair in its natural, frizzy state. My school just made it compulsory to have your hair up and these styles are the first ones I’ve added to my repertoire 🙂
Thanks again and please continue to do curly posts
X
Thanks Becky! Your school sounds really strict and I’ll definitely be doing more curly hair tutorial posts xx
I love your colored hair! I have dark, virgin hair. Do you have any suggestions or tips on how to bleach and color my hair and still keep the curl? Thanks!
Hi Alex, colour your hair slowly. If you go from dark to all bleach, it’s really hard on your hair. Start with highlights and go from there x
Could you start posting a front view of the hairstyle? The problem I have with my curly hair is that one side is always more voluminous than the other, and it would be nice to see how you balance your part.
Hi Megan, will try and take some more pics (where I’m not pulling a weird face lol!) I find my hair is bigger on one side too, especially with side styles, but I don’t mind it. If it’s too big, I use a few bobby pins to tame it down x
Definitely agree … would love to see more from the front. Especially to get a look at how much volume you keep on top, as well as how you do your side part. You’re hair (and your blog) are amazing, and giving me hope!
Thanks Alexis xx
LOVE them both! thanks! can you post how to use the bun donut? I don’t know how!
AND I spend a lot of time outside, on a boat in the summer and my curly hair is unruly and some of the curl actually gets BLOWN OUT! So I have this 1/2 curly 1/2 messy, 1/2 (wait the math doesn’t add up! 😉 ) hair! Once I put on a hat, that is it, it’s not coming off because the top is FLAT. But then if we go to dinner at a marina/port, I need to do something with it to look presentable! Maybe this bun? Any fun idea? I know that will be a challenge!
thanks for the curly ideas!
Shannon
Thanks Shannon! Here’s my donut bun tutorial – https://www.hairromance.com/2012/03/how-to-top-knot-hairstyle-tutorial.html but I should shoot another version in curly hair, don’t you think? I also have a great tip for avoiding hat hair – part your hair to the opposite side when you put on your hat. Then when you take your hat off, part your hair back to your normal side and you’ll have tonnes of volume on top. Works every time 🙂 The ends may still be a bit windblown so you could still put your hair up in this bun but at least your hair won’t be flat x
wow! great ideas, thanks!!
(also, this is an old picture of my – the profile – and I can’t figure out where to go to change it! I look much better and different now! 🙂 longer and darker)
Thanks Shannon! I think you can go to gravatar.com to update your profile picture there 🙂
wow, awesome (Y) thanks alot girl for such an easy to go tutorials 🙂
thank you 🙂
Can’t tell you how excited I am to stumble across your blog that shows hairstyles that can actually be achieved without a second set and can be achieved on CURLY HAIR!!! These buns will dress up my slept-in locks without having to have put in all the effort for frizz-free hair // timidlioness
Thanks Casey! You can find more of my curly hair posts here https://www.hairromance.com/category/curly-hair 🙂
Lovin’ you hair <3
http://labloguerapelirroja.blogspot.com
Thanks Celia 🙂
Wow beautiful! If my hair would be long enough, I would try this out in a heart beat!
x Aurélie
Thanks Aurelie 🙂
Thank you, I have curly hair and no-one seems to pay any attention to those of us that do these days….
Thanks Bec! I think curls are making a comeback, even if we have to make it happen ourselves 😉
thanks for the new curly hair ideas!! keep them coming please!! 🙂
Thanks Shannon! I’m definitely doing more curly hair tutorials 🙂
The version with the braid would be good to tame messy pool hair if you forget a hair brush! And the twisted one looks like Elsa’s hair in the coronation from Frozen! Great tutorial! I’ll use it often!
Thanks so much Maddy! It would definitely be great in wet hair and leave some pretty waves in your hair when it dries 🙂
I love this look. My hair is curly so I totally get the whole”Frizz” thing. I will definitely be trying this tomorrow 🙂
Thanks Veronica! Sometimes I can see the frizz growing while I’m styling my hair lol 🙂
Love this easy and laid back look. The messy details help to make this hairstyle look undone. 🙂
Thanks Abby 🙂