How to Do a Top Knot Bun: Tutorials to Achieve 3 Top Knot Bun Styles

For days when you are running late to work or being a lazy natural, a top knot bun should be on your list of good to have go-to hairstyles.

The top knot bun is super easy to achieve, doesn't need a lot of products, and can be styled in multiple ways. And the best part is how hair-friendly it is for any hair type or texture!

In the mood for a top knot already? Let's show you 3 ways you can easily style your top knot. 

How to do: A Top Knot Bun with a Side Swoop Bang

What you need

• Hair cream
• Rattail comb
• Styling gel
• Bristle brush
• Elastic band or ponytail holder.
• Bobby pin
• Edge control
• A scarf

Step 1: Apply your hair cream of choice

• You can start with freshly washed hair or not. Either way, apply your favorite hair cream or grease to your hair.
• Because this is an up-do style, you may need to apply the cream to the front of your hair and your ends evenly.

Step 2: Part your hair to the side

• Using a rattail comb, part your hair to the side at the front. You can pick how deep you want your part to be. 
• When you are done with that, you are going to clip away the parted section until the end.

Step 3: Put your hair into a bun

• Taking out your gel, rub some onto the front of your hair and back of your hair.
• Then, brush up your hair with the bristle brush to make sure it's all straight and sleek!
• You can now put your hair in a nice tight bun with an elastic band or ponytail holder.

Step 4: Apply gel to the part and brush

• To make your side swoop bang, unclip the parted section.
• Apply gel generously to your part and then brush it to the side. Make sure you brush your part thoroughly and continuously until it stays that way and in that style.
• Then bobby pin your side part to the back of your head. And that's your side swoop bang right there.

Step 5: Apply some edge control and lay your edges

• Apply edge control to your side swoop and your edges at the opposite side.
• You can apply the gel to the back of your hair and then lay your edges at the other side of the swoop.

Step 6: Sleek down your hair with a scarf or two

• You can tie a scarf over the front of your hair and another one over the back of your hair to keep it flat and laid for some minutes.
• Take off the scarves and your top knot bun with a side swoop bang is ready!

How to do: A Sleek Top Knot Bun with a Twist

What you need

• Spray bottle of water
• Leave-in conditioner
• Styling gel
• Tangle teezer
• Hair oil of choice
• Elastic hair tie
• Bobby pin
• Hair sheen
• Scarf

Step 1: Moisturize your hair

• If you are starting out with dry unwashed hair. For moisture, spritz over your hair with water and follow up with a leave-in conditioner.
• If your hair is freshly washed, you can also moisturize your hair with the leave-in conditioner.

Step 2: Apply some gel and brush

• You can apply a bit of gel to the front and back of your hair and brush it all up with your tangle teezer.

Step 3: Put your hair up in a high puff

• First, apply your favorite hair oil to your hair and then put your hair into a high puff.
• When making your high puff, make sure you push the hair tie from the back towards the crown of your head.
• Then tie it around and secure in place. Make sure your puff isn't too tight.

Step 4: Separate your puff into 3 sections

• Separate some hair from the puff at the front and then part the rest at the back into two sections.
• Take out one section at the back, apply some leave-in and oil and stretch it out with your fingers. You can apply some sheen to it.

Step 5: Make the top knot bun

• To make your top knot bun, twist the ends of the section you took out.
• Then pin it at the back with a bobby pin.
• Take out the second section at the back, apply some oil, leave-in and sheen and stretch with your fingers.
• Twist the ends and then pin it at the back with a bobby pin.

Step 6: Make your chunky twist

• Apply some sheen to the section of hair at the front.
• Separate into two smaller sections and do two loose chunky twists.
• Wrap each twist around your top knot bun and bobby pin it at the back.

Step 7: Apply gel and oil to your edges and brush

• Spray water over your hair, apply some oil and gel around your edges.
• Then brush around the edges and smooth down with your palms.

Step 8: Tie-down with a scarf

• Tie-down your hair with a scarf and leave for about 10 minutes.
• Before you take down the scarf, make sure your hair is completely dry. 
• Then rock your top knot bun with a twist!

Jemima | Instagram: @limitlessbloom

 How to do: A Ninja Top Knot Bun

What you need

• Leave-in conditioner
• Hair oil
• Styling gel
• Hair extension 
• Bobby pins
• Hairbrush
• Toothbrush

Step 1: Prep your hair

• Apply your favorite leave-in conditioner and hair oil to get started.
• Then apply your styling gel to your hair and brush thoroughly to slick it up into a top bun. Make sure your top bun sits at the crown of your head.
• Use the gel and a toothbrush to smoothen down your edges and any flyaways.

It should look like this👇🏽

Step 2: Use any hair extension

• For this step, get any hair extension and tie an elastic band at the middle of it.
• You can also use natural hair ponytail if you prefer. 

Step 3: Make the Ninja top knot bun

• Attach the hair extension to your top bun and secure it nicely.
• Split your hair extension into two and twist around your bun to get a sleek look. 
• Twist both parts of the extension in one direction and don't go over the bun from the top. Everything should go over under the bun.
• You can use attach bobby pins to your top knot bun for extra security.
• For a final look, you can spray oil to add some shine.