When it finally reaches below 65 degrees here in Southern California I reach for my favorite funnel (a.k.a. turtleneck) sweaters and pull up my hair into a messy bun. I love the sophisticated structure of a high neck sweater contrasted with a relaxed messy ponytail or bun. Although some may think having clothing around their neck is not comfy, I think otherwise. I enjoy layering. I am pretty sure I can attribute this affinity of layers around my neck to my college days in San Francisco, where it’s windy and cold most of the time. I now am most comfortable when wearing scarves and high neck attire.
Check out my top 3 Funnel neck sweaters for Winter:
How to Master the Messy Bun in 5 Steps:
While there are tons and tons of hair products out there to help tame your mane, I like to keep it simple. I think all you need is “dirty, day-old hair,” a hair tie, and a few hair pins.
Step 1. Pull your hair back into a ponytail.
Step 2. Twirl your hair around your finger, twist the end around into a bun, and place the end of the “tail” under the hair tie that is holding your ponytail in place.
Step 3. Start “messily” pulling the ponytail out of the neatly twisted bun…the key is to add volume. Pull pieces up and spread pieces wide (*it’s easiest to shape when you hair is dirty). I start with pulling the part of the bun that is towards the back of my head and then pulling out the piece of the bun towards the front as to shape it they way I want it to look from the front. I care a little less about how it turns out in the back.
Step 4. Start to pull out pieces of hair along the sides of your face and out of the already messy bun.
Step 5. Here’s where the pins come in. If you’ve pulled out too much hair in your attempt to go wild with the messy look… no need to start all over, just pin the hair back in. Feel free to only pin some in and leave some out. And, as for me, my hair tends to get a bit too frizzy in the back so I always pin my hair up on the back/under side of my messy bun. My hair is wild enough in that area.
Viola! – You now have a relaxed messy bun to contrast your sophisticated high neck sweater. Now Go out and flaunt your chic look!