As parents, we are constantly on the hunt for solutions that help us maximize our time, and get out the door quickly. If you have young children, it can be especially hard to find time to do things we used to take for granted, like doing our hair and makeup.
Enter: The Mom Bun. It’s fast, it’s simple, and let’s be honest, it’s comfortable. When you’re running around trying to manage work, family life and relationships with friends, you don’t necessarily want to worry about hair falling in your face or getting tangled.
It’s the go-to hairstyle for a lot of us. Don’t get us wrong, Mamas, we love the Mom Bun as much as you do. Someday’s though, you want something more. You want to change up your look, or feel a bit more elevated than normal. We hear you. That’s why we’re sharing our seven favorite ways to elevate the Mom Bun. With these tips and tricks, you’ll have everyone asking for your secrets on how you always look polished and put together.
Sleek Bun
We’ve been seeing the “Clean Girl Aesthetic” all over social media lately. The look features minimal makeup, attention to detail, and hair that is free of flyaways. We can totally get behind that. The key to achieving this look is mastering a sleek, low bun. This is an excellent hairstyle that anyone can rock, regardless of hair texture. You’ll want to start by getting a clean, middle part. This look is all about precision, so take the time to ensure it’s even. We recommend using a light to medium hold hair gel for this look. Apply the gel to the roots and comb through, gathering your hair towards the back of your neck. Once your roots are entirely smooth, secure the rest of your hair with a hair tie. Use pins to create the bun shape you desire.
Braided Bun
Once you’ve mastered braiding your hair, you’ll find it’s the simplest way to add interest to any hairstyle. That includes a bun! We love using braids to keep our hair out of our faces, particularly as we near the summer months. There are so many ways to incorporate them into your everyday bun hairstyle.
One of the easiest ways is to french braid the crown of your hair into a low bun. It can take a bit of practice if you’ve never done a French braid before. Once you get it, though, it will feel like second nature. Want to learn? Follow along with this video if you have a tighter curl pattern or this one for straighter hair. We love the look of doing two braids at the front of your head, and having them come to meet in the back. There are lots of ways to get creative with braids. We also love the look of having two face-framing braids in the front while the rest of the hair is pulled back.
Space Buns
Why settle for one bun, when you can have two? Space buns can be worn high up on the head or lower down. It’s a playful twist on the traditional messy bun look. If you’re going to do this look, we recommend investing in some rubber hair ties that match the color of your hair. This will help elevate the look by making the hair tie look virtually invisible. Be sure to pull out a few face-framing pieces of hair. This look works best when it looks a little messy or undone.
Topsy Tail Bun
You can make any bun look like a fancy updo by using the topsy tail technique! Simply pull your hair back into a low ponytail, and secure with an elastic. Next, separate the hair in half, just above your hair tie. Thread the end of your ponytail through the base, and pull through. You’ll end up with a neat little twist at the base of your hair that adds interest and volume. You can then roll and pin your hair to create an intricate looking bun with very little effort.
Puff Bun
Want to rock the bun look,but still protect the texture of your natural curls? Switch it up by wearing a classic puff style! Start by combing a hair gel through your roots, to get a slicked back look. Then, taking either a shoelace or other long string, gather it around your curls, at the top of your head. Slowly, tighten it around, until you’ve created your desired shape. Tie off your string, and fluff your curls to help disguise it. Take care not to pull your hair back too tightly. This will help you avoid damage to your edges and a nasty headache!
Half Up Bun
Need to take baby steps away from the Mom Bun? Try putting just half your hair up in a bun! A half-up bun is a great way to keep hair out of your face, while looking effortlessly cool. We recommend pulling out a few face framing pieces. This will help you achieve that perfectly tousled, “I woke up like this, look.” Want to switch it up even more? Secure your bun with a fun claw clip, instead of a hair tie and pins. A claw clip will help your look seem like more of a put together outfit.
Accessorize!
Sometimes nothing but a Classic Mom Bun will do. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to rock the same look everyday! Accessories are a great way to help your hairstyle look polished and elevated.
In order to combat pesky flyaways, try adding a silk scarf or a cute headband to your look. Investing in some gorgeous hair pins is a great way to add a touch of elegance to a quick updo.
We’ve recently become obsessed with the look of using hair sticks to secure your updo. The effect is way cooler than simply using a hair tie. Plus, with the wide variety of designs available, you can find a style that perfectly matches your aesthetic. Not to mention, we think there is nothing cooler than pulling out a hair stick, and tossing your gorgeous locks. Talk about a Hollywood moment!
What is your go-to hairstyle when you are short on time? Share with us in the comments below!