Copyright Parade
If your messy buns tend to fall flat or look more chaotic than cute, a viral TikTok hack might be the quick fix your hair routine needs. The “two ponytails messy bun hack,” shared by hairstylist and social media star Matt Newman, better known as @MattLovesHair, has taken HairTok by storm for its ability to create a fuller, more polished bun in seconds with no teasing or extra volume products needed. Matt tells Parade a few key tips to make this style work for your hair. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 A Simple Trick for a Fuller Bun The method is as easy as it sounds. You start by dividing your hair into two high ponytails—one right behind the other. Then, you knot those ponytails together, twist them around each other and secure the resulting bun with a hair tie or pins. The final touch is to gently pull at sections of the bun to fan it out, creating a soft, voluminous shape that looks both casual and put-together. While the steps sound simple, the results look like something you’d get from a professional stylist. The secret lies in the two-pony structure, which adds dimension and fullness to the bun without needing extra hair or extensions. It also helps balance the bun’s weight so it stays comfortably in place all day, which makes it ideal for busy mornings, long workdays or date nights when you want an easy yet elegant updo. Why This Messy Bun Hack Works Matt Newman, professional hairstylist and creator, talked to Parade to explain why this hack is so effective for a range of hair types: “This hair hack is for anyone with shoulder-length or longer hair because you need at least a few inches to tie the knots,” Newman noted. “Your hair doesn’t need to be super thick because you can fluff up the knots to make them look full, and they won’t fall into loose strands because they’re secured so well,” he tells Parade. That’s why this style works for those of us with fine hair, so people with a range of hair types can get the perfect messy bun look. Newman says a tip to get this style is to make sure that you don’t have stray hairs overlapping between the ponytails. “Those could easily turn into tangles once you start building the bun,” he says. Since the bun is built from two knotted ponytails, it gives the illusion of more volume while keeping everything neatly in place. The knots themselves act as anchors, so you’re less likely to end up with that dreaded floppy bun that starts unraveling halfway through the day. The Effortless Trend Continues Low-effort beauty continues to dominate social media, and this hack fits perfectly into that trend. It’s quick, beginner-friendly and doesn’t require heat styling or special products. Whether you’re running late for work or want to elevate your everyday look, this two-ponytail messy bun offers the perfect balance of ease and style.
