If we were to try and describe the zeitgeist of now, it would involve flats (anywhere, everywhere), kale, round Ray Bans and the messy half bun.

We’re not 100% sure what officially validates something as a trend, but when everyone from Harry Styles – to Sienna Miller – to Mary-Kate jumps on board, that has to count for something, right?

You see, the whole ponytail, topknot, hair-out rigamarole has been getting kind of monotonous so we’ve been looking for other options. We’ve got a lot of love for the new dishevelled braid, but when time is of the essence, you need something quick and easy – enter the messy half bun.

The catch is, it’s all in the technique. The bun has to be the right shape, with the right amount of hair and just enough ‘messy’ to make it all look effortless.

Our beauty editor has it down-pat, so we got her to spill the beans on exactly how it’s done.

There’s a knack to it, but this technique is fail-safe.

Let’s roll…

Ok, we’re not gonna lie – it’s easier to make it look right if you have short, textured hair, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done on other lengths.

Get some gritty texture going with a few generous spritzes of sea salt spray.

step 1

Use your fingers to part your hair – start with one finger at each ear, and run them back towards the crown to section your hair in two.

Begin to tie your elastic around the top section BUT don’t pull the ends the whole way through.

Now take the elastic with the other hand, twist, and loop it back over the top of the bun.

Use your fingers to rotate the bun if needed or create more texture and tease the ends.

See? Half your average top knot, but twice as good. The end.

you're done!