I stood in front of my closet this morning with a perfectly good sweater on and that feeling like nothing was quite right. You know it — the top works, the jeans work, but something’s missing. Half the time, the answer isn’t another piece of clothing. It’s your hair.
A messy bun is one of those moves that makes an outfit look intentional without actually costing you anything. Two buns takes it a step further: playful enough for brunch, simple enough for a weekday morning when you’d rather sleep five extra minutes than fight with a blow dryer.
Here’s how I do it — two steps, under three minutes if you don’t count the coffee part.
Step 1: Two low ponytails
Part your hair down the middle and make two low ponytails behind your shoulders. Not tight — these aren’t going to a meeting. Lightly tease the base of each pony with a comb if you want lift, then mist with texture spray so there’s grip.
Texture spray is the key here. It gives that piece-y hold without making hair feel crunchy. I’ve had good luck with drugstore options under $15 — look for anything labeled “volume” or “beach texture.” If you prefer a sleeker finish instead of tousled, skip the spray and smooth a bit of shine pomade from roots to ends. Both approaches work; pick based on your hair type.
Step 2: Wrap and pin
Wrap each ponytail around its base until it forms a small bun. Secure with one large bobby pin through the center, then add two U-pins along the outside edge so the wrap doesn’t unravel while you’re walking to your car.
Here’s the part nobody talks about: let them fall apart a little. Pull out small face-framing pieces in front. Spray lightly with hairspray if it’s a windy day, otherwise skip it entirely. The whole point is that these should look like you didn’t try too hard.
A few things I’ve learned
- Second-day hair works best. Freshly washed hair slides right out of the pins. If your hair was washed yesterday, it holds better and has natural texture already built in.
- Thin hair? Tease more. A bit of back-combing at the base adds volume so the bun doesn’t look flat against your head.
- Thick hair? Split into three sections per side. Wrap each section separately for a fuller, more defined bun instead of one dense knot.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any special products?
No. Texture spray helps but isn’t required — dry shampoo or even a light hold hairspray works as a substitute. The pins are the only non-negotiable item.
Will this work with short hair?
If you can gather enough length to wrap around once, yes. Shoulder-length or longer is ideal, but chin-length bob hair can still do a mini version of this look.
How long does it hold?
I’ve worn these through a full day — commute, office, errands — and they stay put. The buns loosen as the day goes on, which is fine; that’s part of the messy aesthetic.
A note from Ava: I keep two extra-large bobby pins in my bag at all times now. Not for this hairstyle specifically — just because hair emergencies are real and a single pin does more than you’d think.
