Preview a man bun on yourself
Upload a selfie and see a tidy bun with faded or tapered sides. Decide if the grow-out is worth it before you commit.
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What is a Man Bun?
A man bun ties medium-to-long hair into a bun at the crown or upper back of the head. Sides can stay long or be faded for a cleaner outline.
The style keeps 6-10+ inches on top and back, gathered into a bun or knot. Modern versions often pair a low or mid fade to slim the silhouette while leaving length on top for a full, rounded bun. It suits straight, wavy, and curly hair with the right product and tension.
From topknot to mainstream
Topknots date back centuries in East Asia and among samurai. The modern man bun surged in the 2010s as a fashion staple and now coexists with fades for a polished look.
It remains popular with creatives, athletes, and anyone who wants long hair without hair-in-face hassles.
Man Bun examples
Browse real examples to find the perfect variation for your style. Tap any image to enlarge.
These man bun examples showcase different variations including straight hair, curly hair, and wavy textures. Each style demonstrates how the fade can be customized for different face shapes and hair types. Save your favorite to show your barber!
Try Man Bun on yourself
Upload a clear selfie and see exactly how this haircut will look on you. Our AI preserves your natural face, skin tone, and lighting.
Formats
PNG or JPG (≤5MB)
Resolution
200px–4090px each side
Face
Keep face clear & ~10%+ of frame
Angle
Front-facing, within ~30° turn
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Photos are processed securely and never stored or shared with anyone.
Best Results
Use a front-facing photo with good lighting and your full head visible.
Realistic Preview
See the haircut on your actual face before visiting the barber.
Who suits a man bun?
Use this as a quick checklist before committing to the cut.
Elongates round faces when paired with height on top
Balances square faces with softer edges
Works on oval faces in any bun position
Best with medium to thick hair for a full bun
Wavy and curly textures add natural volume
Fine hair can work with a looser, lower bun
Great for active or gym routines; keeps hair off the face
Low daily styling once grown out
Requires patience during grow-out months
Cut difficulty: low; main effort is maintenance of sides
Styling difficulty: easy once hair is long enough
Maintenance: trims for split ends every 8-10 weeks
How to ask your barber for a man bun cut
Focus on side length, fade height, and keeping the top long enough to tie.
Key phrases to use
- 1Specify how high the fade/taper should start.
- 2Ask to preserve length on top and back (no thinning).
- 3Request a soft, tapered neckline to match the bun.
- 4Mention you tie it at the crown or mid-back.
- 5Ask for bulk removal only if hair is too thick to tie.
- 6Use an AI preview photo to show bun size.
Please keep all the length on top and back for a bun. Give me a low taper on the sides and a tapered neckline. Just clean the ends and remove bulk so it ties cleanly.
💡 Pro tips for the best result
- • Show a photo – Use your AI preview from this page! It's worth a thousand words.
- • Speak up during the cut – If something looks off, it's easier to fix mid-cut than after.
- • Build a relationship – Same barber = better results over time.
- • Tip well – 15-20% for good service keeps your barber motivated.
How to style a man bun
Master the look with our step-by-step styling guide
Step-by-Step Routine
Detangle and prep
Brush or comb dry hair, apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner or light oil.
Gather and anchor
Collect hair at the crown or slightly lower. Secure with a snag-free band, loop twice for medium hair or three times for thick hair.
Form the bun
On the last loop, pull hair halfway to create a rounded bun, tucking loose ends for a clean finish.
Tidy the sides
Smooth flyaways with a small amount of cream or gel. For faded sides, brush with a soft brush to lay baby hairs.
- Use a spiral hair tie to avoid breakage.
- Do not tie when hair is soaking wet to prevent tension damage.
- Shift bun position daily to reduce stress on one spot.
How to maintain a man bun
A simple routine to keep your man bun looking sharp between barber visits.
- 1Use sulfate-free shampoo 2-3 times a week; condition every wash.
- 2Apply leave-in conditioner or hair oil to avoid dryness and breakage.
- 3Trim ends every 8-10 weeks to prevent splits.
- 4If faded, refresh sides every 2-3 weeks.
Man bun: common questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about this haircut.
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