I used to say ponytails meant defeat. They meant "I surrender hair. You will do what you want." But as I've gotten my hair a bit longer, I've enjoyed wearing a ponytail!
::::gasp::::
So here is a tutorial for one of my favorite ways to wear my hair. My husband loves my hair both in a ponytail and in what he calls "the explosion" (aka messy bun)!
The Messy Ponytail/Bun/Explosion
*the clear rubber bands I use are Conair Poly Bands.
**you will have greater success with curled/curly hair. Here is the tutorial for curling your hair. You may get a similar effect with straight hair, but probably with less volume.
My Outfit -- Earrings: Elisabeth Ashlie Jewelry, White 3/4 length shirt: J. Crew Outlet, Grey vest: Banana Republic Fall 2011, Scarf: Banana Republic Fall 2011, Jeans: very old clearance Gap jeans!
so throw that hair up and rock the messy bun!
Another awesome style! So great!!
ReplyDeleteYou have THE best tutorials! I always make sure my ears aren't sticking out when I make a ponytail too...I thought it was just me! I struggle with the height that I should wear mine (nape of the neck vs. on top of my head, haha) but this was definitely helpful. Great video:]
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog the other night and spent so much time watching your tutorials!:) They are GREAT! And then I realized with this morning's post that you look very much like the mom in Modern Family! Hope you take that as a compliment:)
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial today and I'm excited to see the make-up one when it is ready:)
Jayne
Love it! I'm sooo trying this once my hair gets a little longer. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDelete-Holly @ Eight Six Eleven
you are just too cute!
ReplyDeleteHa! John always informs me that my hair is covering my ears when I put my hair back now... glad to see I AM doing it right!
ReplyDeleteLove this tutorial!! I have tried to do this style but always failed. I think because my hair is so straight and I didn't curl it first. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I've totally allowed myself to get stuck in a ponytail rut, but maybe now this will start pulling me out! :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow!! This is AWESOME! I've never even heard of or thought of 2 rubberbands. Pure genius!! I'm totally going to go buy the equivalent of what I can find here in Spain and doing this the next time I do my hair! LOVE it!! Thank you sososo much!! I love your makeup, btw, esp your eyes! You should do a tutorial on your eyeshadow/eye makeup :) You're so stylish!!
ReplyDeleteI always do a messy bun, but it NEVER turns out that good! I'm going to try that technique though. Hopefully it works for my hair! Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteawesome, I'll try this tomorrow :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I must try this! I am LOVING all the tutorials you give each week! Thanks for letting us know how to do this!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I wear buns all the time since I'm always working out and definitely will keep this tutorial in mind.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting it!
The hair AND the outfit are adorable! I've got to try this!
ReplyDeleteWow, your blog is awesome! I am definitely getting my haircut soon so I can try all your styles :) Quick question though, I can never manage to get the volume you have at the top when I do a ponytail/bun. How do you manage that??
ReplyDeleteI love the messy bun. I have one almost everyday. So fun and your hair looks great!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving all of your tutorials! You are inspiring me to pay more attention to putting myself together! Love it, thank-you!
ReplyDeleteJo-Anna
I love the ponytail, but more importantly, I love your sweater vest! Where is that from?
ReplyDeleteMandy: tease your hair a bit at the crown. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your great ideas. I've been putting a few of them to use on my hair and it's made such a difference. How do you get your bangs to always look so great?
ReplyDeleteLove the hair style! Love your clothes! Super cute! And umm can you please tell me where the earrings are from, I want!!!! :) :)
ReplyDeletecute, cute, cute!
ReplyDeleteenjoy *~*
I always love your tutorials. You do a great job! I also like how you noted your outfit on this post. I love your scarf and earrings. Cute, cute, cute!!
ReplyDelete~Michelle
I spent over an hour last night reading through your blog and tutorials. I think you are adorable and you have the best hair. Thank you so much for all the hair tips. You have inspired me to actually take the time and do my hair and invest in some better products. :)
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog through Pinterest! One of your hair tutorials was posted there :) Anyway, I just wanted to say that your blog is super cute and I have spent this whole morning reading all your posts! I am the worst at styling my hair, but I'm gonna try to follow some of your tutorials! Thanks for posting them!
ReplyDeleteLindsay: They are Elisabeth Ashlie! (see etsy shop on my page) I'll be making more soon! Send us a message on Etsy to place a custom order! :)
ReplyDeleteAli: see the "how to style your bangs" post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAnother great tutorial! I have learned a to about styling my hair thanks to you.
ReplyDeletelove love love the messy pony! great look and great tutorial. i'm visiting from the keeping it simple link party and have pinned your great post!
ReplyDeleteLove your hair! Totally cute! Will try this.. not sure if my hair is long enough.. I have the exact same haircut as you, but a tad shorter at the moment. Trying to let mine grow out! :) Love seeing all your hair tutorials. BTW--I have managed to get fairly close results with the flat iron volumized hair w/ the teasing. I now love my hair! Thanks Kate!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog via Pinterest and it's the best thing I've found on there so far!!!!!! I love love love your tutorials!! My hair is a smidge shorter than yours and it hasn't been this 'long' in almost 20 years (I've always been a lover of short hair) ) so I really love that I can *almost* do the styles you show - I have a few layers that don't want to cooperate just yet! Thanks for the work you put into your blog...it's great!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so cute! This tutorial is great. I never know what to do with my hair.
ReplyDeleteHey Kate! I remember you vaguely when you lived in Greenville and went to Covenant. I just wanted to say that I found your blog on Pinterest and girl, I'm hooked! I have tried, tried, and tried to practice the tutorials but my finished product is never as good as yours-- you are truly the hair god(dess). Keep them coming! I love the variety of styles!
ReplyDeleteHow do you keep so much volume in your ponytail? I for the life of me cannot get a pony with any life in it.
ReplyDeleteKrista
adorable!love the hair, outfit& you should do make up tutorials too!
ReplyDeleteLoving the earrings & the tutorial! I'm headed to walgreens right now to get the rubberbands. Can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteLove Your Blog!!!! How did you tie your scarf? I love that look. I like the messy bun too, but the scarf caught my eye Lol :0)
ReplyDeleteKari
Kate,
ReplyDeleteI am with Kari... would love to know how you tied your scarf?! I love to wear them... they are one of my favorite accessories, but I can never come up with cute new ways to tie them.
Could we possible see a tutorial or a step by step photo post?
Thanks!
I followed your video for this messy bun today and i was so shocked that it actually worked! My hair is super super silky so it never holds anything unless i wash it in hairspray! I was so happy when I did this and it worked! Thanks so much for the help!
ReplyDeleteThis is so helpful! I love all of your videos!!! Can't wait to try this. Hopefully it works on my hair even though it's long.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeleteI Love tour hair style! I have an appointment next week. Any tips on what to tell my stylist for the layers like yours?
Thanks,
Tina
Great tutorial...genius on the second rubber band! that's the part my messy bun as been missing!!! (with one, by bun was so tiny and doping looking!)
ReplyDeleteawesome..thank you thank you thank you <3
ReplyDeleteLove it! The 2nd rubber band must be the secret..can't wait to try tomorrow!! Also love the earrings!
ReplyDeleteI love this chic messy look.
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful! Love this look on you, and such a cute updo too! I discovered your lovely blog through Pinterest and am so glad I did!
ReplyDeleteLiesl :)
I just found your blog via pinterest and I LOVE your hairstyles!
ReplyDelete-meesch
http://www.aperfectkindofday.com
Just found your blog! I LOVE it! Thanks so much for all the hair help! I need it! Hah
ReplyDeleteHey Kate!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your blog and LOVE your hair and you too! LOL! I am going to feature this tutorial tomorrow on my blog! YAY! www.johnnyinadress.com
Oh yea - I live in SC so that makes up pretty much neighbors! :)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog yesterday and I love it! At some point, could you do a video on how to blowdry your hair with details on the brush and products you use? I love your video tutorials - they're all so helpful :)
Jessica: #11 might help! I just flip upside down to blow dry! Read here: http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/p/faq.html
ReplyDeleteNatalie: I'm heading to SC this weekend! :) Thanks for the feature!
ReplyDeleteQ-you have so much volume, when I pulled my hair back, it was totally flat...if I use the Aquage Uplifting Foam is that what creates that affect? Would that work on a wig? I'm bound and determined to learn how to do my wig like normal hair, and I've never had a knack for hair to begin with...but your tutorials really inspire me!
ReplyDeletewill you be listing more of those earrings? I love them!!!! ginny
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE your blog! I'm always excited to see what hairstyle you'll blog about next. You're amazing and I can't wait to try out this messy ponytail!
ReplyDeleteBriana
I tried this style today and its cute!
ReplyDeleteAsrubin: I have never used it on a wig, so I can't advise one way or another.
ReplyDeleteAnd pull some of your hair up after you pull it in the ponytail to get a little bit more lift at the crown!
You are so cute! I love your video. I found you from Lil Luna & am so glad I did. Thanks for sharing all your fabulous tutorials!
ReplyDeleteMelissa :)
www.sweetcocontlime.com
Yep... I'm convinced! You have perfect hair! Do you ever have a bad hair day I swear lol :) Thanks so much for sharing all of your fun hair styles!
ReplyDeleteI saw your tutorial on Pinterest, and I had to try the messy bun. It turned out pretty well, although my hair is a little too short to pull it off perfectly. I was also worried it might not stay, because my hair is thick and somwhat course, but I loved the end result!I also purchased some of the clear hair bands by Goody, and I love them. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteMy ponytail is my BFF!!!! So glad you posted this beacuse mine is looking a little dull these days!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to try it!
I'm also a Carolina girl! I'm just below you in SC.
Any who! So glad to find you and your great tutorials! I'm goin' to get my bun on! ;-)
This was such a help to me. Found your blog last night after looking around on Pinterest. You're as cute as can be! Can't wait to keep reading your blog as well as your sister's.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this tutorial! I always see these girls with cute hairstyles, but I can never figure out how they did it. I tried it this morning and it was totally cute. I felt so stylish! I can't wait to read some of your other posts.
ReplyDeleteLove this style!! Thanks so much for posting this. My hair is the same length as yours, and I never know what to do with it! I tried this out yesterday for work and received a lot of compliments! I can't wait to try your other tutorials out!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!! You, my dear are a hair genius!!
ReplyDeleteLoving all of your stuff, pretty sure you're a celebrity on Pinterest!! :)
I will so be doing this, this week!
Thanks very much for linking up to Show & Share!!
I love your tutorials! You are gorgeous and have great hair! You give us all hope! You are an average, nice girl and you are showing us easy things to do with our hair that it seems we can all try and be successful at!
ReplyDeleteI love all your hairstyles!!! I have long frizzy wavy hair. The wave hair is kind of coming back where I live but I have problems controlling mine. Do you have any tips for naturally wavy hair? Also where do you get your earrings...I am in love!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: I made the earrings and I'm currently sold out of them! Sorry!
ReplyDeleteAlright I'm featuring this as one of my favs from Show & Share!! Hope you'll grab a button!
ReplyDeleteI have hair that is quite a bit longer. How do I put in the second elastic?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: grab your hair in a mess and just throw that second elastic around it!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that you have amazing hair (I want it) and you're gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI just found your site today...LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteFor the first time in my LIFE I've was able to make a decent messy bun! Thanks!
Looking forward to trying some of the other dos you've shared!
Blessings,
Malaika
http://handmedowndesigns.com
I'm going to try this as soon as I get some of those special rubber bands.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog!! You are absolutaly gorgeous!! I have tried many of your techniques and they turn out great. I shared this one on my little blog. Hope that is ok. :)
ReplyDeleteThank-you! That's awesome. We pretty much have the same hair! This is very helpful
ReplyDeleteI am at work watching your Hair Tutorials and it makes me want to go home and start now......Cant wait to try these ideas out:)
ReplyDeleteDo you have any tips for pretty long hair? Mine is typically lower to mid-back length, but sometimes I really struggle making cute things because I have too much hair versus too little hair :)
ReplyDeleteYour tutorials are fantastic! I was wondering also about longer hair. The hairstyles don't look as cute as yours do.
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to know what your natural hair color is and if it just lifts well or are you naturaly blondish... I'm thinking about going blonde myself.
ReplyDeleteI love your tutorials!! My hair is much longer (it's 3 inches past my shoulders) and I just tried this messy bun technique. Lets just say it didn't turn out as well as I hoped :/ How can I make it work for longer hair? Is there another way? Thanks in advance! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for making this so easy for me! I found your blog on pinterest, my hair is about the same length as yours and I have always tried the messy bun look, but it never looked very cute. I did it your way the other day and loved it! I also tried the style with the hair half up with braids, but I used twists instead since I was in a hurry, loved it! Anyway, I have really enjoyed your tips and I will be continuing to check out your tutorials to play with my hair! Thank you so much for sharing! Oh and I also really appreciated your comment in your about me on how we have to find our worth in Christ not our looks or talents; I couldn't agree more! God bless! :)
ReplyDelete-Rachelle
I love this! I work in construction management and am always looking for cute ways to rescue hard hat hair! This seems to work for me. It is very quick. Thank you for allowing me to look somewhat stylish on a job site! Ha. (: I ran across your tutorial on pinterest and had to repost!
ReplyDeletejust found your blog off of pinterest, and I wanted to say that it's probably the best pin I've found yet. many of the things I have found on there are not helpful once you click on the links but you are absolutely wonderful.
ReplyDeletewhat if you have long hair and would like to do a messy ponytail?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: pin up any of the long hairs into the messy "bun" with bobby pins.
ReplyDeleteHello Kate, I am learning so much from your turorials. I first found you on pinterest and now check your blog often. I'm growing out my bob and haven't had any luck with styling it as it grows. The messy bun is a lot of fun to wear (hard to mess up messy). I got many compliments on it at a Christmas party last weekend. Thank you for sharing :) Alesha
ReplyDeleteHow do you get your hair where it does not lay flat on your head?? my hair isnt bouncy! :( help please
ReplyDeleteOh so cute!! :o)
ReplyDeleteI am heading into the bathroom now.
I have a bit of curl to my hair and
it is nearly as long as yours, but
my bangs are a bit shorter. :o)
Thanks so much for showing us how!
Sincerely, Trish
Thanks for the lesson. It turned out cute as pie!!!
ReplyDeleteJenny
where did u buy your earrings?
ReplyDeleteI have long hair, is there a version where I can do the messy bun? I have tried it but it doesn't work because my hair is too long. Thank you! Your blog is awesome and you have the most perfect hair.
ReplyDeleteWish my hair would do this.. its so curly and too long. :/
ReplyDeleteLove all your styles! If I were a celebrity, I would definitely want you as my personal stylist.
ReplyDeleteI'm a hair fanatic and love learning new do's and tips on styling hair! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteyou are absolutely adorable! I think I'll be spending hours in front of the mirror tomorrow :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, your blog has changed my hair life! I love to leave my hair down but when I'm at the office and things get stressful I can't stand having down near my face and neck and always throw it into a sad, pathetic messy bun. This makes it look classy. :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE your blog! Can you tell me the brand / color of your higlights and lowlights? You have beautiful hair! Boo from Texas
ReplyDeletehi. i know you have a zillion comments on this tutorial, but i just wanted to say thanks. because of you, i was finally able to do a messy bun. i had searched youtube, vimeo, etc. looking for something to work on my fine hair and the bun always looked wrong...too small or something. also, with the other techniques i tried never felt secure. thanks for the ideas. i love your tutorials.
ReplyDeleteMy hair is super thin, but getting long. How do you french braid your bangs without noticing the thinning hair. :/
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and love it! You are beautiful and have great style! Will your earrings be available again in your Etsy shop?
ReplyDeleteSo, I just found this blog and I love it! I'm in high school (senior, woohoo!) and have just cut my hair to right above my shoulders because I needed a change from long hair. The only problem is, I'm lazy, so I need quick but cute things to do with my hair on the mornings! This one is perfect for me:) thank you for all the lovely ideas!!!
ReplyDeleteFound you through YouTube. I love your hair tips - I can certainly use them. I'm not creative at all. :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am so hair challenged, but I followed your tutorial and did the messy bun today and it worked! I could not believe I was actually able to put my hair up withouy using a hair clip! This looks so much more professional than the Scunci clip I've been chained to for 5 years! Thank you so much!!!
ReplyDeleteSooo...first of all, love your blog! :) Second, you may have already told this somewhere, but how do you fix a messy bun if your hair is longer? Can you still use the two elastics? I can figure out what to do with the first one!
ReplyDeleteI have done this look twice already & have gotten compliments on it both times! Thank you for sharing all your tips & tricks!
ReplyDeleteLove this hairstyle and am currently wearing it for the 2nd time! This time I tweaked it a bit and pulled it to the side for a little different look and it works!! Thanks so much for your hair tutorials! I love trying them out!!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog today through pinterest, and I love it. My hair is in the in between stage right now (not long, but not short) and I never know what to do with it, your videos have given me so many ideas. Thanks so much!!! Can't wait to try them out!!!
ReplyDeleteI have been slowly watching all of your fabulous tutorials! They are great and so are you! such pretty skin, hair, but most of all you seem beautiful from the inside out! My hair is very thick and is virgin, with no color or anything. I've been wondering if maybe I need some layers to help with the styling. Plus I have been anti-product for a while and I guess I should drop that too! Well, off to try the messy bun again...think I'll do better this time! Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Kate! So digging you video tutorials. Wearing a side messy bun and head band today and it looks fab. Could you do some hat & style tutorials? Especially interested in baseball caps.
ReplyDeletewhat is a good deep conditioner to use for dry, color treated hair?
ReplyDeleteHi Kate! I just found your blog and I love it! I am getting my hair cut soon and came across your blog and you have definitely inspired my new cut. Are the earrings you have on in this video still available on your etsy site? I didn't see them but I know it was filmed a while ago. Thanks for the great hair tips!
ReplyDeletePlease help: I haven't had a REAL haircut in years and love the style you have, its seems you have limitless possibilites with that length...Is there a name for your haircut / sytle?
ReplyDeleteMy daughter showed me your link on pinterest and off we went into the bedroom ready for a good half hour session to do this. We both did it in minutes with a fabulous result. We both have very curly hair and just a little longer than yours and we tried this last night. It was so easy to do and I wanted to say thank you for sharing this I have been so sick of tying it up in scrunchies. We have thr type of hair that looks good the first days wash and then takes on a life of it's own. love your tutorials.
ReplyDeleteI've styled my hair somewhat lime this for almost a year now, but only for work. Never really liked it. After watching your video I made just a few changes, wearing it lower and just slightly covering my ears. And what a change!! My new go too!!!! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteLove your Blog! You have given me so many ideas! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, this really helped me! Love your videos and I'll have to let you do my hair sometime :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for all the great tutorials! I struggle trying to figure out hairstyles for my hair so these are verrrry helpful :) love your hair by the way!
ReplyDeleteI did this 'do this morning - so easy, so cute! It took me less than 3 minutes. I have naturally curly hair, and this is a nice, "polished" look for work or out! All your tutorials are so straightforward. I'm no longer scared to tackle certain styles! THANK YOU! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this site! I am CLUELESS when it comes to my hair. It's thick and SUPER fine. I have been on here for about an hour looking around. Thank you for taking the time to show up "hair virgins" a thing or two!!!
ReplyDeleteTHATS AWESOME! I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED HOW TO DO IT SO IT STAYED AND LOOKED GOOD!
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome!!
ReplyDeletewww.door251.com
I love your site!! Your hair and instructions are amazing! Thank you so much! I just found this today and am obsessed with your awesome ideas! Again thank you so much for sharing all your info and great ideas!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kate for the tutorial of the Messy Bun! I've tried numerous times and with straight hair it was just not looking right. But your little tips here help. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I've never got the messy bun look down to how I would like it, or any hairstyle for that matter, so this is helpful! Also, weird compliment, but you have a really nice voice! LoL :)
ReplyDeleteI actually want to cut my hair like yours. I have seen your pictures all over pinterest and loved them for how you show what you can do with your hair in that cut. If only I could have found this earlier my ugly hair days would have been far and few between.
ReplyDeleteI love your tutorials. But it's nearly impossible to get such scrunchies in Germany :(
ReplyDeleteI've tried sooo many Pinterest "hair tips" and yours was the only one that was actually doable! Tried it today and mine looks almost identical to yours... yay!
ReplyDeleteYou get height to your hair when you put it in a low ponytail and tighten it. I don't ever get that. Could it be that my hair is thicker and heavier than yours? How can I get this height?
ReplyDeleteI love watching your blog..thanks for putting hairstyles on that look awesome and are easy to do!
ReplyDelete