Kim Kardashian’s “Flip Bun” Is This Season’s Coolest—and Easiest—Updo
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Kim Kardashian’s latest updo—dreamed up by hairstylist Chris Appleton—is practically effortless.
Sometimes, it’s the seemingly subtle looks that turn the most heads. Such is the case with Kim Kardashian’s latest updo, a bun-ponytail hybrid that exudes effortless cool. From the front rowFront RowThe seats nearest the runway at a fashion show, reserved for editors, celebrities, buyers, and top clients. The front row signals influence and access, and its famous faces and street-styleGo to Front Row Glossary at Fendi to the streets of NYC, Kardashian’s latest look pulls focus to the deep roots of her grown-out peroxide lengths—which is kind of the point.
“A bun can look quite serious—this one is less done,” says hairstylist Chris Appleton, who calls the updo the wet-look flip bun. Appleton adds that, though the style does appear effortless, the positioning is key. “Kim’s usual low bun tends to be lower, while this one follows the eyeline…it snatches the eye.” The look is strongest when combined with a bit of extra texture, achieved by Appleton through a finger-rake rather than the usual super-slicked finish.
The midi knot ushers in a new era for Kardashian, a quiet elevation of her signature aesthetic. In this case, it turns out that understated makes a major statement. “It’s funny how many people have stopped me about this,” laughs Appleton.
This post was originally published on Vogue.com
Frequently Asked Questions
The flip bun is a bun-ponytail hybrid that Calin Van Paris describes as effortlessly cool. Hairstylist Chris Appleton calls it the wet-look flip bun. The article also calls it a midi knot and says it marks a quiet update to Kardashian’s signature look.
Hairstylist Chris Appleton created the look. He says a bun can look serious, but this one is less done, and that many people have stopped him to ask about it, according to the Vogue.com article republished by Vogue Philippines in September 2022.
Placement is key. Kardashian’s usual low bun sits lower, while this version follows the eyeline, which Appleton says snatches the eye. He adds texture with a finger-rake instead of the usual sleek, super-slicked finish, so the style reads relaxed and deliberately undone.
The look was seen on the front row at Fendi and on the streets of New York City, according to the article. It also draws attention to the deep roots of Kardashian’s grown-out peroxide hair, which the writer says is part of the point of the style.
The article calls the updo practically effortless and one of the coolest and easiest updos of the season. Appleton’s approach uses a wet look with a finger-rake for texture rather than slicked-back styling, though the piece is short and gives no step-by-step tutorial.