A sleek bun is the hairstyle that works everywhere: the office, a wedding, a holiday party, or a day when your hair just needs to be out of the way. It looks polished with almost no effort once you know the technique, and it lasts all day.
Below are eight sleek bun styles, step-by-step instructions for getting it smooth at home, and what to ask your stylist for if you're going somewhere special. For more party styles, see our holiday hairstyles guide.
What is a sleek bun?
A sleek bun is a bun with the hair brushed completely smooth and close to the head, usually with gel or a smoothing cream, and finished with shine. It can sit low at the nape, high on the crown or anywhere between, with a middle or side part.
Sleek bun styles
1. Classic low sleek bun
A tight, round bun just above the nape with a middle part. It's the most classic version and suits every face shape and neckline.
Ask for:low sleek bun at the nape, middle part, smoothed with gel and finished with shine spray.
2. High sleek bun
A smooth bun on top of the crown. It's sporty and modern, and it shows off earrings and necklines.
Ask for:high sleek bun on the crown, no part, smoothed back with gel.
3. Side-part sleek bun
A deep side part with a low bun. It's softer and more elegant than a middle part, especially for evenings.
Ask for:deep side part, low sleek bun, smooth sides tucked behind the ears.
4. Sleek bun with face-framing pieces
A sleek low bun with two soft pieces left out at the front. It's a little softer and more flattering if you don't love a fully pulled-back look.
Ask for:low sleek bun, two face-framing pieces left out and softly curled.
5. Braided sleek bun
A low ponytail braided and then wrapped into a bun. The braid adds texture while the rest stays smooth.
Ask for:sleek low ponytail, braided, then wrapped into a bun and pinned.
6. Twisted low bun
Two sections twisted and wrapped into a low bun. It looks more detailed but is still smooth and polished.
Ask for:two twisted sections wrapped into a low sleek bun at the nape.
7. Sleek bun with a bow
A classic sleek bun with a satin or velvet bow at the base. It's the easiest way to make a sleek bun festive.
Ask for:low sleek bun with a satin bow tied around the base.
8. Sleek bun on curly hair
A sleek bun on natural curls, with the edges smoothed and the bun left full and curly. It's polished while keeping your texture.
Ask for:edges smoothed with gel, curls gathered into a full low bun, curl texture kept in the bun.
How to do a sleek bun at home
- Start with dry or slightly damp hair. Fully wet hair can dry frizzy inside the bun.
- Apply a strong-hold gel or smoothing cream along the hairline and through the lengths.
- Brush the hair back with a boar bristle brush into a tight ponytail at the height you want.
- Secure with an elastic, then twist the ponytail and wrap it around the base.
- Pin the bun with bobby pins crossed in an X.
- Smooth any flyaways with a little gel on a clean toothbrush.
- Finish with shine spray or a light hairspray.
Who a sleek bun suits
Keeping your edges healthy
A sleek bun pulled too tight every day can stress your hairline. Alternate with looser styles, avoid pulling hard at the edges, use a soft scrunchie or spiral tie, and take the bun out before bed.
FAQ
How do you get a sleek bun without flyaways?
Use a strong-hold gel and a boar bristle brush, and smooth any leftover flyaways with gel on a toothbrush. Finish with a light hairspray to hold everything in place.
Can you do a sleek bun with short hair?
If your hair reaches a small ponytail, yes. Use a bun donut or a few pins to make the bun look fuller, and smooth shorter layers with gel.
Is a sleek bun bad for your hair?
Not occasionally. Wearing it very tight every day can stress your hairline, so keep it gentle and alternate with looser styles.
What products do you need for a sleek bun?
A strong-hold gel or smoothing cream, a boar bristle brush, an elastic, bobby pins and a shine spray or light hairspray.
The bottom line
A classic low sleek bun with a middle part is the place to start. Use gel, a bristle brush and crossed pins, and finish with shine. Save the version you like, and browse more hair ideas for your next event.
