How to Do the Perfect Sleek Bun

Sleek buns are having a moment right now, and we are absolutely here for it. They’re super chic, simple. easy to achieve on your own, and can elevate any look in a matter of minutes. We’ve seen celebrities like Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Hailey Bieber, and Sofia Richie also wearing these more frequently, and we don’t see this style sizzling out any time soon. 

“What I love the most about a sleek bun is that any hair type can achieve the look with the right products,” explains celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons. “Whether you have thick, thin, straight, or curly hair, this look is accessible for everyone.”

That being said, you need to make sure your hair is the proper length for this style. “All hair types can achieve a sleek bun look given the hair is long enough to be pulled into a bun,” explains Meredith Kirkland, a stylist and ghd’s National Education Manager. “Those with very thick or curly hair may have a harder time, but with the right products and prep it can be achieved.”

Below, we’ve asked Fitzsimons and Kirkland to help us walk through the easiest way to create a sexy sleek bun on every hair texture. 

How to Do the Perfect Sleek Bun

What You’ll Need;

• A hairbrush
• A straightener or wet-to-dry hair tool
• Styling oil
• Smoothing cream
• Elastic
• Bobby pins
• Hairspray

Step 1:

Before you do anything, you need to make sure that your hair is prepped and ready to go. There are two ways you can go about achieving the sleek bun look: You can start with clean, wet hair, or you can start with dry hair that hasn’t been washed in a few days. “The best thing about a sleek bun is that you do not need to start on clean hair,” explains Fitzsimons. Do make sure that your hair is free of any knots and tangles. Brush it out thoroughly. 

If you start with wet hair, Kirkland recommends getting the smoothest hair possible for the best result. “There is no better tool for sleek, smooth hair than ghd Duet Style 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler,” she says. “Begin with freshly washed, towel-dried hair. Apply a styling oil, like ghd Sleek Talker® - Wet To Sleek Styling Oil, and dry the hair with ghd Duet Style.” To use this device, place the Duet Style in the hair and pause at the roots for 2-3 seconds. Glide down the strand at a slow and steady pace. Pass over each section 2-4 times until dry.

If you are starting with dry hair or hair that hasn’t been washed in a few days, you can skip to step 2. 

Step 2:

Next, apply a thick styling cream throughout your hair, like the Andrew Fitzsimons Prism Shine Creme, focusing on your roots and ends. This will help smooth the flyaways and add hold to help keep the bun in place. 

Step 3:

With a natural bristle brush, slick the hair back into a ponytail. “This will be the base of the bun, so make sure you’re also picking the position you’d like the bun to be in,” says Fitzsimons.  

Step 4:

Once the hair is extra tight and secure, wrap your ponytail into a bun, secure it with a hair tie, and tuck in any loose ends with some bobby pins. Kirkland recommends using a brush, like ghd The Final Touch Narrow Dressing Brush, to brush sections of your hair, from the crown to the base of the bun, in a single motion toward the bun to smooth and remove any flyaway.

Step 5:

Finish the look off with a strong hold hairspray, like Andrew Fitzsimons Hard Strong Hold Hairspray, to set the sleek bun look in place.

Warning: One thing to note is that it’s probably not a great idea to put your hair into a sleek bun every single day. “Just ensure you are not doing this look every day, as tight up-dos have the potential to damage hair by causing too much tension in your scalp,” explains Fitzsimons.