21 Man Bun Hairstyles Ideas

Growing your hair long enough to do a man bun is one thing, but getting it to look well may be challenging.

Shorter portions will keep falling out, the bun may look smaller than desired or you might have difficulty attempting to find the right location.

Choosing between a full bun, half up style, fade or undercut might be even more perplexing.

Here you’ll find practical advice to choose, tie, and maintain a bun that works organically with your hair. 

Where Should You Position Your Man Bun for a Balanced Look?

If you want your man bun to be balanced looking, test the position before tightening the hair tie.

A bun above the crown offers height and makes the style pop, while a lower bun at the neck has a more relaxed look.

If the shorter pieces are struggling to get a lot of hair at a high collection point, you might try dropping the bun lower so that more hair is secured. 

If you don’t know where to begin, the middle of your crown or the back of your head are good places to start.

When your sides are fading short, keep the bun compact and allow the clean contrast define the haircut.

And slicking the longer section backward works, especially if you want the top controlled without adding extra bulk.

Ask your barber to integrate the fade well and leave enough length on top to hold securely without pushing down tight. 

With long thick hair, you have enough volume to create a larger bun without an exceedingly tight tie.

If you want the bun to become more of a fixture in your profile, pull your length higher, near the crown.

When the sides are totally long, you also have the option to let your hair down whenever you want a change. 

Extra length means you may wrap the bun into a bigger shape, while faded sides keep all that volume under control.

Use this technique when you’re tired of the thickness of a regular bun and feel like creating a more intentional shape.

Smooth the upper lengths, wrapping them but leaving enough room at the roots so your scalp doesn’t feel tight. 

Still waiting for additional length? A little top knot can work when you don’t have enough hair for fullness.

Support the longer top portion with control, without driving the shorter side pieces into the tie.

Leaving the ends out a little, the knot stays compact and works naturally when your growing hair can’t create a bun. 

If you have longer locs, then you can tie them up in a bun to keep the length in check but still let their texture be seen.

Work in neat sections, sweeping the front locs to the back so the finished bun looks ordered, not too squished.

Keep the tension comfortable around your hairline, especially when the locs have enough length and weight to cause extra straining. 

Instead of smoothing all the roughness into a compact shape, let the naturally curled ends give the bun volume.

A temple fade cuts down the sides without taking off too much hair, creating a sharper perimeter for a larger bun.

Keep some softness through the actual bun itself, so that your curls are still apparent and the final style feels naturally balanced. 

Want more contrast about longer hair? Gather the remaining hair into a circular bun above the undercut.

This clear division means thick straight hair can feel more manageable while the sleek upper part can stay visually dominant.

Just remember, if you desire long sides later, it will take quite a while for the short lower section to grow before you can choose this cut. 

Cornrows can direct longer hair straight back into the bun, giving you structure all over the scalp before you get to the top.

If you want the braided pattern itself to convey as much detail as the bun, use clean, evenly spaced portions.

Don’t request extremely tight braids across the front, a clean splitting can still be chic without too much tension. 

If your hair is extra-long, loop the bun twice for a more defined shape, without leaving lengths falling behind.

Keep the base tight but comfortable, and shape the loops loosely enough that the finished bun will retain its fullness.

This larger shape with lengthy sides is great if you want styling options without the commitment of an undercut. 

A unconnected fade makes a more distinct separation, keeping the long top sharp instead of melting gradually into shorter sides.

Pull the upper hair back and tie it off – this ensures the line of contrast stays clean and visible.

If you love regular barber upkeep this style is for you. The short sides grow out rapidly and soften up. 

Your bun doesn’t need to be perfectly wrapped for it to function, especially when you already have enough structure with a clean fade below.

For a more relaxed, less polished look, give the tied ends some natural movement.

The bun is placed toward the back, which helps to tame longer top parts and preserve the compact shape of the overall look. 

Team your bun with a sharp V-shaped fade underneath, and make the neckline a part of the hairdo.

This is a particularly effective look if your hair is long enough to be collected above the clearly defined neckline detail.

Keep the bun a bit looser, fuller, so the strong geometric finish underneath doesn’t make everything feel too rigid. 

When you need control over lengthy hair without tugging every portion up to the crown, try a lower bun.

By leaving the loop slightly open, you let the thicker hair to bend naturally, instead of pushing it into one tight knot.

A slight undercut around the ear can take off excess fat and keep most of your lengthier sides. 

If you’re wearing locs free and they’re feeling heavy, then braided parts can pull them back before they all come together in one big bun.

The patterned portions help spread visual detail throughout your head so the bun doesn’t have to do all the job.

Request for appropriate tension at the roots, as tight braiding in conjunction with heavy locs can lead to unwanted pulling. 

Not ready to tuck all your length? Just gather the top portion and allow the remaining hair to fall freely.

This half up style is particularly good for long layered hair because the shorter bits at the bottom never have to go to the tie.

Keep the bun loose, not precisely finished, and let the loose lengths give some movement over your shoulders. 

For the largest contrast between a thicker top and practically naked sides, go for a high skin fade.

Keep enough length through the top so that when you remove the sides, you’ll still have enough material to create a circular bun.

Before you commit, consider the grow-out, because if you go back to one long length, you will have to wait for the fading parts to catch up. 

Working with medium length hair? Keep the top long enough to make a little bun and eliminate bulk through the sides.

The high undercut creates an illusion of shorter knotted hair, as the contrast clearly separates the top area of your hair that is growing out.

If it still seems a little short, don’t try to tie a tighter knot, but make sure your tie is comfortably tight. 

Gather your complete length about the middle back of your head if you want adaptability without shaving the sides.

This way the bun is still visible, but not too high, which makes it a good choice for everyday long hair.

Instead of flattening everything out, use your natural texture through the lengths which helps the completed bun to keep some fullness. 

For a clean back finish, tidy the neckline, leaving enough length on the sides to flow upwards easily.

Wrapping the bun into a nice rounded shape is very good when your straight hair has got enough functional length.

If you want a long-hair style that is flexible, ask for minor clean-up near the nape instead than cutting significant parts. 

Thick hair can hold a larger bun well, and a slight taper at the temples prevents the edges from looking too heavy.

Length it up high enough to display its natural volume, and wrap loosely instead of crushing it all into tight circles.

This leaves most of the side length intact, as well, making this easier to grow out than a drastic fade or disconnected undercut. 

If you’re after a more voluminous bun that isn’t too sleek, leave some of your natural texture on show.

Gather your length higher at the back, then loosely wrap the ends so the bun preserves its rounded form.

A minor clean up around the temples and neckline keeps things neat while yet allowing for flexibility in the longer side hair. 

FAQs

Can You Wear a Man Bun Every Day?

One can be worn routinely, but do not pull your hair painfully tight in the same position every day.

Changing the height of your bun and keeping the tension comfortable will help to lessen recurrent stress around your hairline. 

Why Does My Man Bun Keep Falling Apart?

Some regions of hair may still be overly short, especially around the sides and nape.

Instead of pulling everything back with added tension, try lowering the bun, a half-up style, or letting shorter pieces grow out.