Ah, the man bun. A divisive hipster staple in the 2010s, and one that many of us (myself included) were glad to see virtually disappear for the past few years.
Now though, it seems like the man bun is back. It seems the likes of Brad Pitt and Antoine Griezmann are proving that it might just have outgrown its hipster reputation.
With longer hair proving a definite trend in 2021 (likely because of the months of lockdown and lack of access to a haircut that isn’t performed by your mum with the kitchen scissors), it seems that a cultural reset on the man bun is here. And honestly? We’re ready to welcome it back with open arms. Here’s how to bring the man bun into 2021.
By Beth Ryan
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1 What's changed?This year, the man bun has upped the casual factor even more, with a surfer-y, laid-back style proving most popular. Instead of tying the hair at the top of the head, it is pulled to the back of the head or the nape of the neck. For an even more relaxed look, pull or leave a few strands out around the face, or leave a ‘tail’ of sorts like Jason Momoa. Bonus? This look is super easy to achieve.
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2 Who does the man bun work best for?
It sounds obvious, but length is key for the perfect man bun. The hair should reach at least jaw length to be able to pull it back. If the hair isn’t long enough, you can try a half-bun, by tying the top section of the hair in a hair tie. Alternatively, you might be able to tie it back into a mini ponytail (not technically a ‘bun’ but still effective and IMO super stylish). Hair type isn’t particularly important here – the man bun will look great with straight or curly hair. What does matter though, is the thickness. If your hair is very fine or thin, the man bun might not be the best option.
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3 How to achieve it
Good news – it’s really easy. Give your hair a quick brush, then pull it back by simply running your fingers through the lengths. This will give you a much more natural and casual look than using a hairbrush or comb. Tie the hair with a hair tie, then *zhuzh* to your liking. You might want to give it a bit of a ruffle with your hands, which will allow some strands to come loose and add a bit of volume. You can then add some product such as hairspray, if you’re prone to frizz.
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4 Looking after long hair
The condition of the hair is everything when it comes to a man bun (and just long hair in general), so it’s really important to take good care of it. Damaged, broken, and dehydrated hair has a tendency to frizz and look straw-like, especially on longer locks. So, make sure to get regular trims, choose the correct products, and avoid over-washing. Luckily, the man bun works great with day 3+ hair, so it’s a win-win, really.
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