There Are A Million Ways To Dress Up A Bun, & These Celebrities Know It

It’s a debate old as time: when it comes to a major party or event, do you go for hair up or hair down? Sure, there’s something to be said for a sleek center part or a bouncy blowout, but if you’ve been leaning towards the hair-down camp, one look at Hollywood’s favorite updo might just have you switching sides. Bun hairstyles of every type are enjoying a serious moment, likely thanks to their classic shapes but endless versatility. Few looks are this customizable, which means a stylish star can wear a month’s worth of red carpet buns and still manage to look totally different and distinct each time.

Despite their aesthetic differences, buns are suited for all sorts of styles. There’s the tried-and-true method of mixing edgier hair with a more polished ensemble (and vise versa) to allow for attention-grabbing contrast, like Kristen Stewart’s headline-making bow-bun aptly demonstrates. Then, of course, you can align the vibes — Tessa Thompson’s sculpted, romantic bun, for example, is a perfect match for her storybook gown — to emphasize them even further.

Regardless of what sort of bun you go for, there’s no denying the style’s timeless appeal. Get inspired for your next updo with helpful demonstration by your favorite celebrities.

Tessa Thompson’s Retro Bun

For an award show, Thompson looked so regal in dramatic, Cinderella-esque ball gown with matching patent leather evening glove and a full, sculpted bun anchored by a glossy side part. The effect is one-part fairytale and one-part Audrey Hepburn, the latter of which was acknowledged by hairstylist Lacy Redway as one of the look’s references.

Eva Longoria’s Messy Ballerina Bun

Perfectly on-theme for a Jacquemus show full of ballet-inspired garments, Longoria’s strategically messy bun feels like a classic ballerina updo with some fashionable deconstruction. Notably, the bun’s high positioning keeps it feeling so polished still.

Kerry Washington’s Half-Up Bun

Washington often does a half-up moment for the red carpet, photoshoots, and chill days at home, but this bun version is among her best. The wrapped nature of the bun itself feels so elevated, but her free-flowing, blonde-streaked braids adds some casual glamour.

Selena Gomez’s Italian-Inspired Bun

Gomez trotted out a series of themed hairstyles for a Rare Beauty trip to Europe, and her Italian stop was next-level. For the occasion, Gomez had her long, highlighted hair pulled back into a sleek bun with a wreath of curls spread out above and below. The effect is more than a little La Dolce Vita — exactly how she planned it.

Taylor Swift’s Low Cottagecore Buns

To complement the homespun aesthetic of Folklore, Swift showed up at the 2021 Grammys with two low, braided buns that echoed the pair she wore in the album photoshoot. Upon closer inspection, the buns are actually two-strand twists gathered up and looped around for an appropriately DIY feel.

Gemma Chan’s Bun With Bangs

Clip-in bangs are having a serious moment in Hollywood, and Chan’s incredible updo from Cannes is all the endorsement the trend needs. Paired with her elegant, mid-height bun, it adds an extra element to her entire look.

Hailey Bieber’s Slicked Bun

Bieber helped popularize the 2020s edition of a classic slicked bun, but she’s been experimenting with accessories and hair parts for the better part of a year. For a Tiffany & Co. celebration, she went for a dramatic diagonal part and a tiny black hair bow wrapped around the bun.

Kristen Stewart’s Bow Bun

For her artfully-mussed bow bun, Stewart turned to her longtime hairstylist, Adir Abergel, who has masterminded all of star’s buzzed-about hair moments of the year — remember that Met Gala pin-up ponytail?

Yara Shahidi’s Space Buns

The only thing better than one bun? A perfect-shaped pair of them. Shahidi’s playful space buns are trendy and still so sleek. With her collared dress shirt, the buns add some youthful flair.

Dakota Johnson’s Loose, Luxe Updo

A formal event doesn’t necessarily require every hair needs to be locked into place. Johnson is the queen of effortlessly undone updos, and this loose, high-piled bun is one of her best. The intentionally messy tendrils falling on either side of her jaw act as a subtle face-frame.

Zoë Kravitz’s Snatched & Sleek Bun

On a hot summer day, few things are as chic as a sleek, slicked-down bun — there’s a reason the look is always going viral on social media. Kravitz somehow makes the style look even cooler, with all of her hair pulled back into a tight, lifting updo.

Issa Rae’s Curly, Sculptural Bun

Curls command attention no matter the style — they don’t need to be fanned out to stand out. Rae’s cinnamon-colored curls only emphasize the tall, towering structure of her glamorous bun, with the portion around her scalp slicked down to accentuate the spiral shapes even further.

Jennifer Lopez’s Black Tie Bun

To go with her minimalist makeup look at the 2024 Met Gala, Lopez opted for a simple, tousled bun. It stood in cool contrast with her elaborate, jewel-encrusted dress, and proved that there are plenty of ways to wear the updo at a black-tie event.

Sydney Sweeney’s Side Bangs-Accented Bun

Side bangs are making a serious comeback, but they really take center stage when added into an updo. Sweeney left a swath of golden-brown hair down to cup the side of her face, arranged to look like it casually spilled down from the loosely-tied bun up top.