From simply gathering your natural hair on top of your head, to getting creative with the use of braids, accessories and extensions, a bun can be as easy or elaborate as you like.
How do you style natural hair into a bun?
First decide on the position of your bun, brush your hair into place and secure with an elastic band. Popular positions include high, low at the base of your head, in the middle, as with a classic ballerina bun, or to one side. Twist your hair until it wraps around itself in a circular motion and secure with bobby pins.
If you prefer a more laid look, add a little edge control around the perimeter and tie it down with a scarf for a few minutes.
Are buns a healthy hairstyle?
More than just a fashionable updo, a bun is also functional, serving as the perfect protective style. Just be sure not to pull tightly when creating your look, as tension will totally defeat the purpose. If a bun is your signature style, be mindful about switching up the parts and position, so as not to repeatedly stress the same areas.
50 Bun Styles for Natural Hair You’ll Want to Try Today
No need to worry if you’re short on styling ideas. We’ve got you covered with all of the images and inspiration you need. No matter your hair type or the occasion, bun hairstyles don’t get better than this.
1. Twisted High Bun
Start by slicking your hair up into a high afro puff. Then, divide your hair into 3-5 sections, two strand twisting each one. Keep in mind, that the chunkier they are, the more volume your final look will have. Lastly, freestyle pin each twist into place, creating a bun in the process.
If you want to get fancy, you can create two flat twists going up the back first, but that’s totally not necessary for this cute, classy look.
2. Two Strand Twists High Bun with Bangs
Two strand twists are not only super easy to install, but they’re lightweight, low manipulation and low maintenance. They’re also incredibly versatile enough to be styled any way you want, like into this super cute high bun with a side bang and gold cuffs.
3. Space Buns
Why stop at one bun, when you can create two, especially if they’re out of this world?
4. Sleek Low Bun with Braided Band
Comb your natural hair back into a sleek bun and cover it with kinky straight clip-ins, added for length, volume and versatility. Use two of the remaining wefts to create a halo braid to carefully conceal the clips.
At that point, you can opt to create the bountiful bun you see pictured above or try out the variety of styles captured in the video below, for an edgy, but effortless slay.
5. Bun Hawk with Cornrows
This bun hawk looks best on stretched natural hair. While her frohawk would have still been fire with just three buns, and you can feel free to stop there, adding cornrowed accent braids takes it to a whole other level.
Splitting a pack of braiding hair into three and using it to top each section off with a knotted bun is…chef’s kiss.
6. Low Side Bun with Deep Part
Change your bun’s position and your part by moving them both to the same side, for a simple but lovely switch.
7. Grey Top Knot
This timeless top knot is proof that grey hair doesn’t automatically have to age you.
8. Ninja Bun
In just a few minutes with minimal skills, you can create a tall, taut and gorgeous ninja bun.
Simply gather your natural hair into a high ponytail and split it into two sections. Twist one side with your left hand and the other with your right. Then, wrap each one around the other from the opposite direction, layering vertically, as you go.
9. Sleek High Bun
At the opposite end of the size spectrum is this voluminous high bun done on slicked back tresses. If your length isn’t quite there yet, a pack of braiding hair can easily be added for maximum impact.
10. Sleek High Bun with Gold Rings
A single cornrow accented with gold rings lends a little unexpected edge to the back of your high bun.
11. Sleek Low Jumbo Bun
Simple but chic, this jumbo low bun can be worn as an every day look, but is still elevated enough for a beautiful natural bride.
12. Flat Twisted Low Bun
Straight-back doesn’t have to be so literal. Slanted flat twists are gathered into a low bun for a chic, simple style.
13. Kinky Braids High Bun
This kinky braided high bun dazzles thanks to sparkly hair jewelry.
14. Braided Rope Top Knot
This lovely look was started on stretched natural hair. Although applying heat is completely optional, a flat iron was used to help ensure the sleekness.
After braiding a single cornrow up each side, her hair was gathered into a high ponytail and wound into a small bun. A pack of braiding hair was then attached using the included rubber band.
The majority of the hair was used to create a rope twist, which was wrapped into a bun. Three small braids were then created out of the small section remaining, which were wrapped around the bun.
As a final touch, gold cuffs were added, completing this top notch top knot.
15. Butterfly Locs High Bun
If you’re already wearing your natural hair in a protective style like butterfly locs or box braids, gathering them into a high bun is a simple, but sophisticated switch from just letting them hang loose.
16. Box Braids in a High Bun
17. Two Low Buns with Beaded Cornrows
Take your buns from basic to booyah by adding two cornrows with beads in the front.
18. Rubber Band High Bun Hairstyle
This lovely rubber band look is just one of the endless styling options for the front of your bun, beyond simply slicking it back.
19. Jumbo High Bun
We like big buns and we can not lie. LOL! But for real, the best part about this jumbo bun is that it showcases her natural texture without the need to gel the perimeter or lay her edges.
20. Classic High Bun
Simplicity at its finest, a high bun will always be high on our list of go-to natural hairstyles.
21. Red Ombre Box Braids High Bun
If full-on fiery red is too in-your-face for your liking, opt for a more subtle ombre color instead to create a bun that’s bold but not overbearing.
22. Curly Space Buns with Tendrils
Leaving your mane a bit messy can make a style like these space buns even more appealing.
23. High Bun with Bangs
Would you believe this beautiful high bun with bangs was made possible with just one pack of braiding hair? Watch the tutorial to see how she worked her magic in just a few minutes.
24. Jumbo Box Braids with Cornrows and Beads
Click the video to see how pre-separated braiding hair was used to bring these jumbo box braids to life without the bulk. Pretty and protective? Yes, please.
25. Flat Twists High Bun with Bangs
Flat twists and two strand twists come together in a look that can’t be beaten. High bun and bangs for the win!
26. High Afro Puff Bun
This simple style tends to look best on an old wash and go or twist out to take advantage of the texture. Then, wrap around and freestyle pin your puff to create this intentionally imperfect bun.
27. Copper Afro Puff Top Knot
There’s no need to wait for your hair to grow out to get this look. Experiment with braiding hair wrapped around your bun to explore your copper-colored curiosity.
28. Half-Up Half-Down Space Buns
Featuring two space buns with longer lengths in the back, we are over the moon about this adorable half-up half-down hairstyle.
29. Ghana Braids High Bun
Whether you opt for a high regal bun, or a low, sexy one styled to the side, you really can’t go wrong with Ghana braids.
30. Ghana Braids Low Side Bun
31. Curly Top Knot with Accessories
Hair clips, charms and cuffs are a quick way to take a cute, curly top knot, to the next level.
32. Tribal Braids High Bun
Your mane can’t get more majestic than tribal braids gathered into a high bun. Yas queen!
33. Passion Twists Jumbo Layered High Bun
Edgy and elegant, we’re loving this layered passion twists bun.
34. Knotless Box Braids with Loose Ends in Space Buns
Whether you leave the ends of your box braids loose and curly, or experiment with ombre colors, simple changes to your braiding hair, can ultimately add so much flair, when gathered into a bun.
35. Ombre Box Braids High Bun with Swoop Bangs
36. Ginger Flat Twists into Cinnamon Buns
Ginger flat twists braided back into two cinnamon buns? This style is too sweet not to try.
37. Head Wrapped Box Braids High Bun
Not just for laying your edges, accessorize your box braided high bun with a head scarf that complements your outfit for a laidback, but oh so stylish look.
38. Straight-Back Blonde Cornrows in Two Low Buns
Opt to go bold with multiple buns, braids and blonde.
39. Statement Bun with Bangs
Adding some bling to your bun can literally and figuratively make a statement.
40. Microloc Extensions High Bun
If your microlocs aren’t quite long enough for a bun, extensions can get you there, seamlessly and stylishly.
41. Mini Twists in Jumbo High Bun with Head Wrap
As you’ll see from the next several styles, whether you’re rocking mini twists or jumbo braids, a pretty protective bun is possible. Deciding whether you want it loosely gathered, tightly wrapped, pulled back with a scarf or left with a bang, is simply a matter of mood.
42. Knotless Box Braids in High Messy Bun
43. Jumbo Knotless Box Braids in High Bun
44. Zig-Zag Cornrows in Boho Braided Bun
We absolutely adore buns with braids up front, like this zig-zag cornrowed crown or the Ghana and Fulani braids below, which make an already beautiful style, even more striking.
45. Ghana Braids in Space Buns
46. Fulani Braids High Bun
47. Microlocs in High Layered Bun
Going beyond a simple high bun, these dreadlocks were twisted in layers to create this work of art.
48. Straight-Back Cornrows in Chignon
Straight-back cornrows are loosely tucked away into a chignon, a classy twist on the typical tightly-wrapped bun.
49. Cornrow Bun Updo
Cornrows braided toward the center of your head tend to limit your styling options to a ponytail or bun. But what more do you really need when it looks this good?
50. Low Bun
When you’re in a time crunch or just feeling lazy, and still want to look put together, a classic low bun will always be a great go-to style that gets the job done.