When you’re short on time but still want your Halloween look to stand out, messy buns and braids are your best friends. These styles are quick, chic, and easy to pair with any costume—whether you’re going for spooky, glam, or something in between.
From romantic undone braids to dramatic high buns, these hairstyles instantly elevate your Halloween vibe. The best part? They require minimal tools and can be customized with accessories like ribbons, spider clips, or glitter.
Here are 17 quick Halloween hairstyles you can create using messy buns and braids!
1. Classic Messy Bun with Spider Clips
The classic messy bun becomes instantly Halloween-ready with the addition of tiny themed accessories like spider or bat clips. This style embraces the effortless charm of a tousled bun—loose strands, natural volume, and a laid-back feel—while adding a fun, spooky touch.
Simply gather your hair into a high or mid bun, pull out soft pieces around the face for that intentionally undone effect, and tuck miniature spider, bat, or creepy-cute clips throughout the bun.
The contrast of a relaxed style with bold Halloween décor makes it perfect for school events, office celebrations, or casual parties. This quick and playful look is ideal for last-minute styling when you want something festive without the fuss.
Why you must try: It’s easy, works with any costume, and looks intentionally stylish.
Style suggestions: Pull hair into a high messy bun, leaving loose strands around the face. Secure with bobby pins and scatter clips throughout for a creepy-cute effect.
2. Low Braided Bun
A low braided bun is the perfect blend of sophistication and subtle Halloween drama. This hairstyle begins with a braid—three-strand, fishtail, or Dutch—woven smoothly before being wrapped into a low bun at the nape of your neck.
The braided texture adds depth and elegance, giving the style an old-world, mysterious charm. It works beautifully for costumes like witches, vampires, dark queens, enchanted characters, or Victorian-inspired looks.
The low placement creates a graceful silhouette that pairs well with veils, lace accessories, or gothic makeup. Whether attending a themed dinner, Halloween party, or cosplay event, this style offers polish, comfort, and timeless allure.
Why you must try: It’s polished yet simple, ideal for both casual and formal Halloween events.
Style suggestions: Braid your hair into a low ponytail, twist it into a bun, and secure. Add lace or dark ribbon for a dramatic touch.
3. Double Messy Buns (Space Buns)
Double messy buns—often called space buns—bring a fun, energetic, and whimsical vibe to any Halloween costume. This style involves dividing the hair into two sections and creating soft, slightly undone buns on each side of the head.
The messy texture keeps the look youthful and carefree, making it a great choice for playful characters like fairies, dolls, aliens, or cosmic-inspired creatures. You can enhance the style by adding glitter, mini bows, colorful hair sprays, or themed clips to match your costume.
Whether you’re aiming for cute, quirky, or intergalactic, double messy buns offer a trendy and universally flattering option that’s easy to style and perfect for festive occasions.
Why you must try: It’s youthful, easy to do, and gives instant volume.
Style suggestions: Part hair down the middle, twist two messy buns high on each side, and accessorize with glitter, mini horns, or webs for Halloween flair.
4. Braided Crown
A braided crown creates a beautifully soft, whimsical look that instantly elevates any Halloween costume. This style involves creating two braids—either standard, Dutch, or fishtail—and wrapping them around the head like a halo.
The braid sits neatly along the hairline or slightly behind it, giving you an ethereal, fairytale-inspired appearance. It’s a perfect choice for characters like fairies, woodland goddesses, enchanted spirits, or haunted brides.
The woven texture adds elegance and structure, while the crown-like placement gives a magical and regal feel. Add small flowers, pearls, or Halloween-themed charms for even more character.
Why you must try: It’s romantic, secure, and stays put during long events.
Style suggestions: Braid two sections of hair on each side, cross them over your head, and pin. Add flowers or metallic pins for extra detail.
5. High Messy Bun with Veil
A high messy bun topped with a delicate veil or netting creates a dramatic, hauntingly beautiful silhouette. This hairstyle works wonderfully for ghost brides, dark witches, gothic queens, or any costume that calls for a blend of elegance and eerie charm.
The bun sits high on the crown and is intentionally tousled to give it a wild, otherworldly appearance. Adding a mini veil brings mystery and movement to the style, enhancing its ghostly allure.
This look photographs incredibly well and instantly transforms even the simplest outfit into something theatrical and captivating.
Why you must try: It’s elegant, spooky, and ideal for themed costumes.
Style suggestions: Tease the bun slightly for volume, secure the veil, and leave tendrils around the face for softness.
6. Side Braid with Halloween Charms
A side braid becomes festive and enchanting when tiny Halloween charms are woven into the strands. By adding small pumpkins, bats, skull beads, or miniature spiders, a simple braid transforms into a themed accessory on its own.
This style works beautifully for witches, playful ghouls, spooky fairies, or even casual costumes that need a touch of personality.
The braid drapes over one shoulder, giving a soft and charming silhouette, while the charms add detail, sparkle, and Halloween charm without overwhelming the look.
Why you must try: It’s quick, detailed, and customizable to your outfit.
Style suggestions: Do a loose side braid and weave in charms or clips. Pull out pieces gently to give it a relaxed, lived-in feel.
7. Half-Up Braided Bun
This hairstyle blends the structure of a braid with the ease of a bun, creating a balanced and casual-chic finish. The top half of the hair is braided—either loosely or tightly—and then twisted into a small bun, leaving the rest cascading down.
This look is versatile and suits many Halloween characters, from woodland spirits to cute witches or medieval-inspired costumes.
It offers both polish and playfulness, making it a great choice when you want something stylish but not overly formal.
Why you must try: It’s versatile, working well with almost any costume.
Style suggestions: Create a small braid from the crown, twist it into a bun, and let the rest of your hair flow naturally. Add ribbons or glitter spray for Halloween sparkle.
8. Messy Fishtail Braid
A messy fishtail braid is full of movement, texture, and romantic drama. It’s created by loosely weaving strands in the signature fishtail pattern and then gently pulling the braid apart for a fuller, undone effect.
This hairstyle is ideal for mermaids, boho witches, sea spirits, or characters with a wild, mystical energy.
The wispy pieces and imperfect texture give the braid depth and softness, making it a stunning option for both casual and elaborate Halloween looks.
Why you must try: It looks intricate but is surprisingly easy to do.
Style suggestions: Loosely braid, then tug at each section to fluff it out. Add seashell pins or spider clips depending on your costume.
9. Twisted Rope Bun
A twisted rope bun looks intricate and polished but is surprisingly simple to create. Two sections of hair are twisted together into a rope and wrapped into a bun, forming a smooth, structured style that sits low or mid-height.
This elegant hairstyle works beautifully for vampires, gothic queens, dark angels, or any costume requiring refinement and drama.
Its sleek texture provides a striking contrast to elaborate makeup or accessories, making it a strong choice for sophisticated Halloween aesthetics.
Why you must try: It’s secure, sleek, and adds a sophisticated touch.
Style suggestions: Twist two sections of hair like a rope, wrap into a bun, and pin. Finish with a dark ribbon or tiara.
10. Messy Top Knot with Glitter Roots
Turn an everyday top knot into a dazzling Halloween hairstyle by adding glitter roots. The top knot is styled high and intentionally loose for a playful, effortless appearance. Glitter gel or loose glitter applied along the roots instantly gives the style a bold, festive twist.
Whether you’re dressing as a unicorn, witch, cosmic creature, or simply want a fun party-ready look, this hairstyle is eye-catching and perfect for nighttime events.
It’s easy, dramatic, and guaranteed to stand out.
Why you must try: It’s fun, trendy, and makes even a basic hairstyle festive.
Style suggestions: Apply hair gel along the part, sprinkle glitter, and secure your top knot loosely. Pair with bold eye makeup for balance.
11. Snake Braid
A snake braid is a striking, eye-catching hairstyle that instantly adds drama and mystery to any Halloween look. The braid’s tight, serpentine pattern mimics the slithering movement of a real snake, making it perfect for characters rooted in mythology, dark fantasy, or enchantment.
Whether you’re transforming into Medusa, a cursed sorceress, or a forest-dwelling creature, this braid brings texture, tension, and an eerie beauty. It looks complex but is surprisingly easy to create, making it a great choice for those who want bold impact without heavy styling time.
Pair it with green accents, metallic clips, or scale-inspired makeup for an even more spellbinding finish.
Why you must try: It’s unique, eye-catching, and surprisingly easy to achieve.
Style suggestions: Create a three-strand braid, push it upward to create the “snake” effect, then pull it back down. Decorate with snake clips or green ribbons.
12. Braided Ponytail with Halloween Ribbons
This look blends simplicity with festive charm, turning a basic ponytail into a Halloween-ready hairstyle. A sleek or tousled ponytail becomes instantly more eye-catching when you weave in themed ribbons—think orange and black stripes, spiderweb prints, tiny pumpkin charms, or velvet ties.
Braiding sections of the ponytail while incorporating the ribbons adds both movement and color, giving you a playful, spirited style. It’s perfect for school events, parties, or costume looks that need a touch of holiday flair without going over the top.
This hairstyle works beautifully for witches, cheerleader costumes, dolls, and whimsical characters.
Why you must try: It’s low-maintenance but looks festive.
Style suggestions: Braid your ponytail and weave in black-and-orange ribbons or cobweb-patterned fabric.
13. Low Messy Bun with Web Netting
A low messy bun already carries an effortless charm, but when styled with delicate web-like netting, it instantly transforms into a spooky, haunted masterpiece. The loose tendrils and soft texture of the bun create a ghostly silhouette, while the added netting—whether lace, mesh, or decorative fabric—introduces eerie elegance.
This look is ideal for haunted brides, gothic spirits, witches, or vintage ghost costumes. It’s easy to achieve yet looks dramatic and intentional.
Pair it with dark lipstick, smoky eyes, and pale tones for a chilling, ethereal finish.
Why you must try: It’s subtle yet striking and works well for witches and ghosts.
Style suggestions: Create a loose bun at the nape and wrap netting around it, securing with pins. Add a spider clip for extra effect.
14. Waterfall Braid with Spooky Accessories
A waterfall braid offers a soft, romantic flow, making it perfect for supernatural and ethereal Halloween characters. The cascading strands give a dreamy, drifting movement, but adding spooky accessories—like tiny skulls, miniature bats, moon charms, or glittery cobweb clips—instantly adds seasonal magic.
This hairstyle strikes a beautiful balance between elegance and fantasy, making it ideal for ghosts, woodland fae, haunted princesses, and celestial beings.
It photographs beautifully and adds texture without overpowering your overall look.
Why you must try: It looks intricate and magical, perfect for fairies, vampires, or haunted characters.
Style suggestions: Add tiny charms or pearls throughout the braid. Leave hair wavy for a soft finish.
15. Braided Space Buns
Braided space buns combine structure, playfulness, and futuristic style into one adorable Halloween-ready look. Starting with two braids that lead up into double buns creates a polished yet fun vibe, perfect for characters like magical witches, cosmic creatures, anime-inspired roles, aliens, or mischievous villains.
The braids add detail and dimension, while the buns keep everything upbeat and youthful.
Add glitter, colored extensions, or themed clips to make the look even more costume-focused.
Why you must try: It’s secure, unique, and holds up all night.
Style suggestions: Braid pigtails first, then twist each into a bun and secure. Add glitter, webs, or colored hairspray.
16. Upside-Down Braid into a Bun
This dramatic hairstyle starts with a braid at the nape of your neck and works upward toward the crown, ending in a stylish bun.
The inverted direction instantly gives it a bold, editorial vibe—almost like a professional runway or red-carpet look. It’s perfect for costumes that need an elevated sense of power and sophistication, such as dark queens, vampires, warrior characters, or high-fashion villains.
The style looks intricate and impressive but is surprisingly manageable with a bit of practice.
Why you must try: It’s bold and elevates basic buns.
Style suggestions: Flip hair upside down, braid upward, secure at the crown, and twist into a messy bun. Add jewels or themed clips.
17. Accent Braid with Messy Bun
Sometimes, one small detail can transform an entire style—and that’s exactly what the accent braid does. By adding a single thin braid along the hairline or at the side and pairing it with a messy bun, you instantly give the look texture, personality, and a hint of Halloween flair.
This style is versatile and can fit almost any costume—from witches and fairies to pirates, gothic characters, and even modern party looks.
The messy bun keeps things casual and effortless, while the accent braid adds that little spark of creativity that ties the whole look together.
Why you must try: It’s quick but adds a stylish twist.
Style suggestions: Braid a small section near the hairline, then gather the rest into a bun. Pull out soft strands for a romantic finish.
Conclusion
You don’t need hours in front of the mirror to create a memorable Halloween hairstyle. Messy buns and braids offer endless possibilities, whether you’re going for spooky, romantic, or playful.
With a few accessories—like spider clips, ribbons, or glitter—you can transform simple styles into show-stopping looks that complement any costume.
These 17 quick Halloween hairstyles prove that effortless can still be unforgettable. So grab your bobby pins, a little creativity, and get ready to slay the spooky season in style!