Man Bun Guide: How to Grow, Style, and Wear One
Learn how long it takes to grow a man bun, who it looks good on, and how to style it without hurting your hair.
A man bun is simple. You take long hair and tie it into a neat knot or loop on top of your head. Some people love it, and some people do not. But if you want to try it, this guide will tell you what you need to know.
Who Looks Good with a Man Bun?
A man bun pulls all your hair away from your face. This means people will see your whole face very clearly.
It usually looks great on guys with square jaws or strong cheekbones. If you have an oval face, it will work well too. If you have a very round face, a tight bun might make your face look rounder. In that case, keeping a beard or leaving the bun a little loose can help balance things out.
The Awkward Stage and Growing It Out
To make a real man bun, your hair needs to be at least 9 to 12 inches long. That takes about a year to a year and a half if you start with short hair.
Along the way, you will hit the awkward stage. This happens when your hair is too long to style with paste, but too short to tie up. Hats, headbands, and light hair cream will be your best friends during these months. Do not give up when it gets messy.
How to Ask Your Barber
You do not just stop going to the barbershop while growing a bun. You still need trims to stop split ends. Here is what to tell your barber:
Full Man Bun: Tell them you are growing everything out evenly. Ask them to only clean up split ends and your neck line. Top Knot with Undercut: Tell them you want to keep the top long, but buzz the sides and back short with clippers. * Fade with a Bun: Ask for a skin fade or taper on the sides while keeping all the length on the crown.
Taking Care of Your Hair
Long hair needs more work than short hair. If you pull your hair too tight every day, you can hurt your scalp and cause your hairline to pull back. Keep your bun a little loose.
Use soft hair ties that do not have metal bits on them. Metal bits snap hair strands. Wash your hair with shampoo only two or three times a week so it does not dry out, and always use conditioner.
See It on Yourself First
Growing your hair long takes a lot of time and patience. It helps to know if you will actually like the look before you wait a whole year. You can use HairMatch AI to check your face shape for free, then test a man bun render right on your own photo with packs starting at $0.99.