Achieve The Sleek Bun Updo Look: Here’s How 

Image credit: @kendalljenner

The sleek updo bun look basics  

Whether it is our own Bollywood queens like Deepika Padukone or Western stars like Zendaya and Bella Hadid, sleek bun hairstyles have been adopted as a mainstream fashion trend. If that doesn’t convince you, it works for all hair types, whether you have thick or thin hair, straight or curly. While a messy bun may not be appropriate in a formal setting, this sleek updo manages to impress at a work event while also elevating your look on a night out. All you need is some hair styling gel, pins and a hair tie to keep it in place. 

Image credit: @haileybieber, @clausetyohadi

Steps for the sleek bun updo 

There are two types of sleek bun hairstyles that are both easy to get. You must have noticed dancers going for a high updo while models tend to go for a low bun to keep the focus on their outfits. A top knot bun makes your face look more structured and defines your cheekbones. If you have a long face, positioning the bun low balances your face. There really are tons of different updos you can do depending on the mood and occasion.  

You can pin in the ends to give a neat look. If you want to try the 90s supermodel spiky bun, position the ends of your hair on top of your bun. You can also frame your face by pulling out a few strands in the front if a completely sleek look is not your thing. Well, let's get into the steps and how to make a sleek bun. Apart from shampooing your hair, you need some styling gel, a comb, some hair ties and some bobby pins. 

Step 1 - Wash and dry your hair 

Fresh and clean hair is the key to achieving any hairstyle easily and with minimum frustrations. After shampooing, towel dry your hair. Your hair should be damp but not dripping wet. But if you don’t have time to wash your hair, you can always spritz some water as damp hair makes it easier to create a bun.  

Step 2 - Part your hair 

Next, comb your hair thoroughly using a wide-toothed comb or brush. Using the comb, create a middle parting from the centre of your forehead to the back of your hair. If you do not like a middle parting, you can always go for a side parting. The key here is basically to get two sections of hair on either side of your head. Comb both sections out so that they fall smoothly. If you have curly hair, your best bet is a brush with natural bristles. If your hair still turns frizzy, you can apply a little bit of leave-in conditioner before brushing your hair. 

Step 3 - Apply hair-styling gel generously  

If you have thin and straight hair you can skip this step. Basically, to get that sleek finish, you need to smoothen the hair with some styling gel. You can also use some hair mousse to neatly pull your hair back from the front to the back.  Next, take some styling gel and apply it to the baby hair near your temple and pull them back as well along with any flyaways or frizz. 

Step 4 - Brush out the gel 

Evenly spread the styling gel by combing back your hair tightly. Use the same bristle brush in a diagonal direction and pull your hair up. Make sure that there are no bumps in the front or the back and that the hair falls completely smoothly.  

Image credit: @deepikapadukone

Step 5  - Decide how high or low 

Let’s get to the fun part. After brushing your hair, gather it all with your hand. Decide if you want to go for a sleek high bun or low bun. After positioning the hair gathered in your hand, brush to make sure there are no bumps or splits. You can place a mirror in the back to make sure that your hair is still falling smoothly. 

Step 6 - Tie it in place 

After deciding the position of your bun, take a hair tie and tie your hair into a ponytail tightly. Use a second hair tie if you have thick and/or curly hair. If you still see any flyaways, you can take a little gel in your palm and lightly run it over the area. Once you are happy with the way your crown looks, let’s get to the actual bun. 

Step 7 - Create the bun 

You can leave your hair as is if you want to go for a sleek ponytail, to be honest! Or if you want to finish up your sleek bun updo, take your ponytail and twist it a couple of times. Next, take the twisted ponytail and wrap it around the base. If you want to go for a neat look, tuck in the edges of the ponytail. You can also leave the strands and let them stick out like those ramp models. If you have gone for a high updo, take some bobby pins and pin them below the base to secure the height of the bun. You can also pull out a few strands in the front to frame your face.  

Image credit: @bellahadid

FAQs on how to achieve the sleek updo bun  

Can I make a sleek updo without any gel? 

Yes, you can create a sleek look even without any hair-styling products. Make sure your hair is damp and pull it back tightly before tying it into a ponytail. 

How do I make my sleek bun look good? 

The key to having a sleek finish is that there should be no bumps or splits in the hair that is covering your crown. Also, tame the flyaways and frizz by dampening your hair and generously applying some hair gel or mousse. Brush your hair tightly and pull it all back before tying it. 

How do you get the spiky bun? 

Want to try out Kendall Jenner or Hailey Bieber’s supermodel spiky bun? See to it that you don’t twist your ponytail all the way to the end. When you wrap it around the base, tighten or loosen the coil accordingly so that the ends of the ponytail are positioned upward. 

How to get a sleek updo for short hair? 

If you have short hair, you can go for a sleek low bun. Add as much styling gel as you can to hold your hair in place in case they don’t reach the hair ties in the back. Bobby pins are also your best friends as you will need to secure the flyaways with them.  

Well, are you having a bad hair day where your hair is falling flat or is all greasy? Or are you bored of the same old ponytail? Well, check into work by channelling your inner ballerina with a high sleek bun or go low if you are not feeling it.