There’s nothing quite like the Canadian summer heat and humidity to send you straight to the salon to chop off your locks. But before you decide on a major hair makeover, you might just want to try the lazy girl’s sleek back bun hairstyle. It keeps you cool and looking cool all summer long. Basically, you’ll move your hair off your face, neck and back, while still looking chic AF. And, not to mention the fact that adopting the style is a great hack on those days when your locks are in dire need of a wash – hence the ode to the lazy girl. I spoke with Radford Studio’s hairstylist, Katie Pirie to learn how to nail this look. 

TikTok says long hair is “cheugy”—but know this before you grab the scissors

Nailing the sleek-bun look

Popular for years within Black and Brown communities, championed by numerous TikTok influencers, embraced by celebrities like Sofia Richie Grainge, and favoured by ballerinas, this sleek hairstyle clearly has appeal. It frames the face for a naturally defined, off-duty model look. It’s easy to create and perfect for those hot summer days and nights. 

Sofia Richie Grainge recently took to TikTok to give her 3.7 million followers a slick-bun tutorial or the “sleek lazy girl bun,” as she calls it. Here are her instructions:

First things first, here’s what you’ll need to start

While this hairstyle, realistically can be done with very little tools or hair product (nothing like a little natural hair oil to really sleek things back, amirite), here’s a list of things to have on hand to achieve the perfect sleek bun look:

1. Wet hair that needs to be washed – it’s called “sleek” for a reason (Freshly washed hair will do, too, but it’s up to you! Either way it must be wet.)
2. Leave-in conditioner
3. Tail-comb or something to split your hair down the middle
4. Hair oil
5. Texturizing hair lotion or wax hair stick
6. Hair clips to separate your hair into sections (the number depends on how thick your hair is
7. 4 hair ties to secure the bun (thickness depends on hair texture)
8. Bristle hair brush to smooth out frizz or bumps
9. Hair spray

Sofia’s steps for a lazy-girl bun

1. Give yourself a strong centre part. Spritz detangling spray post-wash on hair, and gently brush the knots. Using a tail-comb, draw a centre-part down the top of your head.
2. Apply a hair masque. While Richie Grainge says, she “can pretty much do this hairstyle with any product,” in the video she uses an oil, texture lotion and a regenerating hair masque. Liberally use the products through the length of your hair, and ensure you reach the shorter strands around your neckline.
   Pirie tells me, “I wouldn’t necessarily suggest leaving a hair masque in all day, though. This can lead to ‘moisture and protein overload.’ I would spritz damp hair with a leave-in conditioner instead of a hair masque before brushing out your damp hair.”
3. Part your hair behind the ear. Using the tail comb, draw a line from your centre part to behind your ears. Swirl the front section of your hair and temporarily secure it with hair clips, as needed.
4. Secure the bun position. “This is the moment where you decide where you want your bun to live,” says Richie Grainge. Using the texturizing lotion again, she applies it to the back section of hair. She then uses a bristled hair brush to create a ponytail where she wants her bun to sit. When you do this, smooth any hair bumps and bubbles along the scalp. Secure with hair tie.
5. Attach the front part of your hair to the ponytail. Take the clips out of the front section of your hair, seal the hair with the texture lotion, and then brush one side of the hair back. Do this “as tightly against your head as you can,” says Richie Grainge. Tie that side to the ponytail with a second hair tie. Repeat on the other side, with a third elastic.
6. Twist the ponytail into a bun and secure with a fourth hair tie. “Brush out any imperfections,” says Richie Grainge. “Honestly, because I started [with] wet [hair], it is so secured to your head.” Use a texture lotion or a wax hair stick to secure any flyaways.
7. Apply a hair oil to seal the look. “For extra sleek shine, I think [hair oil] makes all the difference,” says Richie Grainge.

What is the “clean girl aesthetic” trend?

How to perfect the sleek bun

Achieving the perfect sleek bun starts with preparation. Pirie says, “Doing this style straight out of the shower with damp hair will be easiest to control your hair. Make sure you are wearing clothing that’s easy to pull over your head – there’s nothing worse than achieving your desired look and ruining it while changing!“ 

Use this for a sleek back bun

To master the slick back bun, having the right tools and products for your hair type is essential. “The key to nailing this look is to be prepared with all necessary tools and proper products,” says Pirie. For denser, thicker and fuller hair, she recommends thick hair elastics, as well as taking your time to section the hair out. “Someone with finer hair may require fewer sections since they have less hair to control,” says Pirie.

Why the sleek bun can be so hard to do

Some Tiktokers have expressed their frustrations in doing this hairstyle. Holding your hands up and around your head for too long can get tiring, and the burn is real. At least it’s kind of a mini-workout, right. (Us barre girls know the burn.)

Pirie has some tips:

• “Remember to breathe, because people definitely lose patience trying to execute this perfected look.”
• “Watch a tutorial while attempting to accomplish any hairstyle at a beginner level. The Sofia Richie Grainge video is a perfect example of a step-by-step process.”
• “Don’t give up on the first try – practice truly does make perfect. You’ll be more confident and speedier with each attempt.” 

So, what’s the deal with hard water and our scalps?

Watch out for a side-effect of the slick back bun: Breakage

Pirie warns that styling wet hair and excessive hair gel can lead to hair breakage. Proceed at your own risk. You could also try doing this look on dry hair, preferably on a day that it needs to be washed.

“You may do this style after you wash your hair, or maybe after only rinsing your hair,” Pirie says. Hair oil will just make your hair look even oilier the next day. Do what feels best for you and your hair.

Shop our top sleek back bun product picks