Are Banana Buns the New Messy Buns? Here’s How to Create the Low-Key Style

April 20, 2020
Sarah Ferguson
By: Sarah Ferguson | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

For those occasions when a messy bun feels too, well, messy and a French twist feels too polished, there’s the banana bun. The effortless style, which quite literally resembles the curve of a banana,  involves twisting hair down the back of the head and securing it into a low, loose bun.  It’s truly the perfect in-between style. It looks just as good with a T-shirt and jeans as it does with a cocktail dress, plus it’s easy to create. The banana bun is “supposed to be messy,” says New York City-based hairstylist Jasmine Burnside. “It doesn’t have to look exactly the same on everyone — it’ll be unique to your hair texture.”

Here, Burnside walks us through how to achieve the banana bun at home.

  • STEP 1:

    Start by creating a center part, teasing at the roots and spritzing texture spray throughout to create volume and hold.

  • STEP 2:

    Next, starting right above the ears, gather hair up into a twist and secure with a pin. For a soft, laidback look, leave out pieces on either side of the face.

  • STEP 3:

    Feed the rest of hair into the twist in two-inch sections. Secure with bobby pins along the way. Allow the hair to curve on its own — it doesn’t have to be straight or too perfect (hence the banana reference!). Apply a light hairspray like the Garnier Fructis Style Flexible Control Anti-Humidity Aerosol Hair Spray as you work to help keep the style in place. 


  • STEP 4:

    When you get down to the nape of the neck, twist the remaining hair into a low side bun and secure with U-shaped pins throughout for hold. Tuck the tail into the bun if it’s sticking out.


person twisting someone's hair into a bun

  • STEP 5:

    Finish the look by securing the bun with pins and giving it a final spritz of hairspray. 

     

    Tip: If you have a lot of hair or you’re having trouble securing the style, Burnside recommends using pins that have more of a grip, like strong hold bobby pins or matte bobby pins. She especially likes the latter because they don’t reflect light and are less noticeable in the hair.


person wearing a banana bun hairstyle
Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Melissa San Vicente-Landestoy, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Makeup Assistants: Crisdanil and Nikol Elaine, Hair Stylist: Jasmine Burnside, Visual Designer: Hannah Packer, Supervising Producer: Jessica Thiel, Line Producer: Kaela Francesca, Digital Tech: MJ Kroeger, Model: Lynley Eilers

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