How To Recreate Pamela Anderson's Iconic Messy Bun

Pamela Anderson and a messy bun go together like butterfly clips and frosted lip gloss. The tousled style, which somehow manages to look fancy and casual at the same time, was a signature for the '90s icon. It perfectly symbolizes the "Baywatch" star's rock music meets "Playboy" aesthetic. "It's a messy, yet sexy updo with bangs and pieces of hair falling to give the look a sultry glam style," says Raven Hurtado, a stylist at Maxine Salon, in an exclusive interview with Women.com.

While an updo might sound inherently finicky, Anderson's version is simple without sacrificing glamor. Of course, it helps that Anderson is gorgeous, even with short hair. But there's no denying how flattering her edgy, messy bun is. In a 2023 interview for British Vogue, she revealed just how low-maintenance this style really is. It's so casual, in fact, that Anderson sometimes used G-string underwear in lieu of a scrunchie. "This is the trick of the trade, we're really flashing back to the '90s," she said, demonstrating with a pink thong. "The tousled updos always had a pair of panties in them." Proof that, when it comes to recreating this look, attitude is just as important as technique — though what else would we expect from a celebrity who has unabashedly owned her success after Hollywood tried to tear her down?

This easy style is perfect for almost any occasion, whether you're wearing an oversized t-shirt or the kind of black leather dress that Pamela Anderson herself might have rocked in the '90s. It's the kind of messy bun perfect for when you don't feel like looking overly put together.

Start with lots of volume. "Apply a mousse on damp hair for volume and body," advises Raven Hurtado. "Blow dry your hair and curl it by using a large barrel. I recommend a large, two-inch curling iron for tousled pieces." Starting with lots of texture will help give the style its fullness and edginess once you've pinned it up.

Next, you'll create your updo. "Gather your hair in a ponytail and loosely wrap the ponytail around into a loose bun, leaving the ends out and secure with bobby pins," says Hurtado. "You can pull and stretch out the bun and pull more hair out for a more textured look." By pulling out pieces, you can recreate the tousled look that Anderson was known for. Maximize hold and texture by finishing it off with your go-to hairspray and pair it with smoky eye makeup for the full Anderson effect.