It is getting progressively famous on runways, red carpets, and making appearances in professional set-ups too. An article published by GQ even defined it as the “final frontier of grooming”. While a large number of men are enthusiastic fans of the man bun and have been sporting it for years, only recently it has gained such huge popularity thanks to celebrities like Jared Leto, Brad Pitt and the Instagram’s hottest guy, Brock O’Hurn — who have been rocking the disheveled or sleek knots on the top of their heads with exceptional ease.
What Is a Man Bun
A man bun is a masculine twist on the female bun. It is simply a bun hairstyle that is worn on the crown of the head or low at the nape or can even be customized according to one’s likes and preferences. It is created by pulling the entire hair or just the top hair into a pony which is looped into a bun. It has many names such as the bro bun or the hipster bun; sometimes even referred to as a “mun”.
How to Grow a Man Bun
One of the most important essentials for a bun is a fairly long hair length. You’re looking at eight to nine inches of hair for a full bun — which is around seven to eight months of growth. At the same time you could sport a semi-bun with just four to five inches of hair on the top of your head or at the nape. Taking care of hair while it’s still growing is a crucial step — a well-groomed mane of hair is a perfect candidate for a bun that is not just convenient but aesthetically appealing. So, make sure you condition your hair and use the right products for your hair type.
How to Do a Man Bun
There are two types of man buns — a full bun and a semi-bun, which can further be styled in many ways. The only requirement for a basic man bun is an elastic band. You can build up from there according to your preferences, using hair creams and wax for different levels of texture and shine. But just like the female bun, the no-fuss way to wear the man bun is — for a full bun first, gather all your hair and pull it on the top, on the crown of the head, or at the nape and tie into a single large bun. This is the ideal bun style for long hair.
The semi-bun is best suited for someone who has medium length hair. Gather the half of your hair on the top of the crown and pull it into a bun. This hair style can be paired with shaved sides or a fade haircut. In this case, put all your hair in a bun.
A more detailed instruction how to make a neat guy’s bun:
- Wash your hair and blow dry it (straighten if needed, using a good heat protectant).
- Sleek your hair back with a small amount of pomade, wax or favorite oil.
- Grab all of your hair at the top of your head or at the nape.
- Take hair elastic and tie a ponytail first.
- Loop the hair tie 1-2 times more.
- The last time stop half way, creating a ‘loop’ bun.
- Take the excess piece of hair and wrap it around the bun.
- Stick the ends underneath the elastic band or pin with bobby pins.
Watch a video to get more useful tips:
Man Bun Styles in 2024
Hipsters, celebs, Caribbean and Asian men have been taming the flow of their handsome locks by pulling them into fashionable-artsy buns, and now you can too. Stay tuned.
1. Man Bun with Fade Line Up
A very confident style — basically a top man bun and shaved sides all the way around the head. A clean, well-groomed round beard and a blunt line up are perfect complements to the overall appearance.
2. Classic Full Bun for Long Hair
The most iconic and ageless knot — the hardcore man bun connoisseurs will happily admit that a single tied-up full bun is the most sought-after man bun trend out of the lot. If you have really long hair, this style clearly does not need much effort.
3. Tied Back Long Braids with Fade
The adventurer in you will fall in love with these well-cared long braids tied back in a half pony bun that showcases the artistic edge. And the neat undershave with clean lines only accentuates the aesthetics of the wanderer knot.
4. Artsy Fishtail Bun with Tattoo
Pairing natural hair man bun with a fishtail braid promises a marvelous hairdo. The high fade gives the appearance of high maintenance and rightfully so, but appears exceptionally creative with a cute tattoo and bushy beard.
5. Thick Man Bun with Line Up
The man bun and beard is quite a pair — the undercut in this style adds a decent amount of thickness to already dense hair and provides dimension with layers while the fade accents the clean straight lines and curves. This style is great for someone who wants to maintain their curly hair texture, and yet exude edgy sexuality.
6. Loose Bun for Dreads
Loosely twisting the dreads into a full weighty top bun is not just interesting to sport but is hugely popular among African-American men and professional athletes like the American Football sensation, Harry Fitzgerald.
7. Black Man Bun with Mid Fade
This sexy and edgy burst fade and the natural texture peeking through adds an interesting touch to the cut. The style seems refined but easy to maintain as it gives the right height and the bun just blooms out of the top of the head.
8. Casual Man Bun with Long Beard
In this chic rock-star-inspired-style the undercut conveys a refined look to the sloppy bun, while the long hair length makes the protruded ends stand out, quite literally! The long, silky, and beautifully grown beard only magnifies the level of interest of the man bun.
9. Swirled Bun in Wavy Hair
For all you busy men out there — there are no fancy cuts in this style, just pull your long wavy hair into a messy, swirly bun and you’re good to go. Even when paired with a full beard, it is low maintenance and portrays an extremely stylish and sexy image.
10. High and Tight Man Bun with Design
A high skin fade combined with a messy, shaggy knot and a unique design element is a great way to express yourself, and there are plenty of talented barbers who can create this cool style for you — just make sure you do your research well.
11. The Cosmopolitan Samurai Bun
Want to build a lasting impression? This well-structured, tight semi loop paired with a high fade spells an Asian vibe. A blunt, neat line up heightens this elegant man bun hair cut — what an absolute head-turning twist!
12. Top Knot with Shaved Sides
Quite a subtle version of the Mohawk style, this man bun with shaved sides is equally bold. The well-styled V-cut features sides that are neatly buzzed instead of shaved right down to the scalp. A trimmed, shapely beard goes well with the look.
13. Inverted Braid Faux Hawk
Man braids have become hugely trendy and the undercut in this style intensifies the thickness in the overall updo, literally emphasizing the high bun. While the braiding style is pure hard work, it adds so much depth and dimension to the already shiny hair color.
14. Asian High Bun-Tail with Undercut
Man buns come in all shapes and sizes and this beautiful brown, high bun-tail is quite easy to achieve if you have well-maintained dense hair. It looks exceptionally effortless in silky soft and long Asian hair. An undercut paired with long hair offers an exciting contrast of textures.
15. Crown Bun with Straight Line
This style is a timeless work of art and quite the trend setter. The precise contours of the line up accentuate the features and shape of the face while giving good lift to the high bun.
16. The Rebellion Semi-Bun
Oh this head screams defiance and how! The intricate design details all the way around the head convey an edge to the style, whereas, the high fade and line up at an angle make the bun and the shape of your face simply stand out.
17. Textured Bun with Full Beard
This full bun and beard combo is the ultimate of the man bun styles. A very straight forward loop with no major skills needed — just the right, low maintenance bun for someone with really long and dense hair.
18. The Weaved Man Bun
This perfect, shiny French braid and cornrows confidently running toward the crown couldn’t have had a better junction than the cute and compact bun set off by a neat undercut. The fade gives a polished appearance to the look but all the attention is still drawn to the eye-catching set of braids and bun.
19. The Quintessential Bun with Polished Sides
Looking for a tough, elegant and smart all in one bun? Get hooked on this style — the shaved sides faded into the beard provide clean lines while highlighting the face. The long hair on the top of the head makes a gorgeous and effortless high bun. This masterpiece is sure to make a solid statement.
20. Messy French Braid Bun
This features the most hassle-free take on the man bun. A French plait doesn’t have to be very neat, and a messy knot lends the appearance of a rather cool and relaxed vibe — a carefree, bohemian style bun…don’t you wish you could flaunt it too?
21. The South of France Fade Haircut
A new term for you? Actually, the South of France haircut is just one more take on the mohawk. Became popular after Usher has sported it for some time. The South of France haircut is a wide cut with the burst fade on both sides. The top may be short or long. In the latter case it pairs perfectly with a ponytail or a top knot.
22. Taper Cut Man Bun with Short Sides
If you want to try something new for you outgrown locks, consider the taper cut with a gradual decrease in hair length. To upgrade the style even more, ask your barber to add a shaved design: a simple line or an intricate carved pattern. Why do you actually need to shave off almost the two-thirds of your locks? First of all, short sides and long top cuts are a trend now. Secondly, it makes the hairstyle low-maintenance. What more do you need?
23. Hipster Messy Sock Bun
There exist different bun styles for longer hair — sleek and messy, high and low, neat and fluffy, business- or hipster-styled. To find your own you have to experiment a lot. One thing we know for certain is that a really sexy man bun is the one that embraces your hair texture. So let some hair strands stick out from your top knot, it will look very natural.
24. Asian Braided Bun with Shaved Sides
Most Asian men have thick textured hair. That is why they like to wear braided hairstyles with shaved sides so much. To tame your hair plait several cornrows in the front, start two more side braids from the top section. Complete the hairstyle with regular 3-strand braids. Make a ‘loop’ bun and wrap the braided ends around its base. Thoroughly fix everything in place. To make the style even more interesting, consider including one more shade into your braids.
25. Half-Ponytail Bun and Long Beard
To beard or not to beard? That is the question that constantly haunts the majority of men. If your facial hair is growing fast, savour this moment. Just be sure to find the perfect balance between the hair on your head and your chin. The best in this style is the combination of medium locks and long beard. Wet effect is the second reason we love the following half up bun hairstyle so much. Use some wax to get the same look.
Buns are not just reserved for the ladies. More and more men are discovering that they are equally stylish and can pull off the trend with so much ease and grace. Make use of the above styles as a guide to choose what bun hair cut would fit your face and hair type. Unlike other popular today hairstyles, the man bun is very versatile — it certainly gives an edge to your look and it doesn’t leave you with just one impression — it can be modified guided by your changing mood every now and again.
