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    1. Beauty

    Simone Biles Wins the Sleek Bun Olympics

    What can’t she do?

    Ariel Wilson's avatar
    By Ariel Wilson
    Published 18 August 2025 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Simone Biles headshot
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    Simone Biles is in her relaxation era, and the beauty moments just keep on giving. After a vacation with fellow Chicago Bears wags (wives and girlfriends of professional athletes) a few weeks ago, Biles is on the road again, this time with her sister, Adria Biles. Before the fun started, she hung out with a friend, inadvertently showcasing one of her chicest off-duty hairstyles to date.

    Biles opted for a classic look: a bun hairstyle that is equal parts functional, yet chic. To achieve the bun, her hair was first parted down the middle and gathered into a ponytail. The ends were then tucked into a bun, and some type of gel or flyaway control product was applied to the front of her hair to keep the style sleek all day.

    @simonebilesowens

    ♬ originalljud - Areq

    Bun hairstyles have made a comeback lately, as they are not only extremely practical given the scorching summer heat in many parts of the United States, but they can also be styled for a variety of occasions. Selena Gomez was just spotted in her version of the look at an event promoting her new fragrance. Tracee Ellis Ross wore a cornrow style while visiting Martha’s Vineyard recently. Even Jennifer Lopez has been spotted in the look.

    The look has been cemented as a part of the “clean-girl” aesthetic on TikTok, but beyond social media trends, it’s ideal for those seeking a low-maintenance, high-impact hairstyle. The bun can stand alone or be paired with styles like baby braids, half-up, half-down looks, and more. While buns are fairly simple to recreate, achieving the sleekness of Biles’s is where the real challenge lies. Keep reading to shop the products that will help you create the sleekest bun just in time for transitional fall hairstyles.

    D3 Original 7 Row Styler - Wildflower

    Denman
    D3 Original 7 Row Styler
    $25
    SHOP NOW

    Denman makes some of my favorite detangling brushes, especially if you're styling wet hair.

    The Mermaid Brush Essential Boar Bristle Brush

    Bur Bur
    The Mermaid Brush Essential Boar Bristle Brush
    $72
    SHOP NOW

    Another detangling favorite, this time for dry hair, is this brush from Bur Bur. (Bonus points for it looking really chic.)

    The Silk Scrunchie No. 001 Set

    Crown Affair
    The Silk Scrunchie No. 001 Set
    $15
    SHOP NOW

    When working with my natural hair, I like to divide my hair into two sections horizontally, secure each of them with a hair tie, and use a larger (and more aesthetically pleasing) hair tie to finish the look.

    Strong Hold Hair Gel

    PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross
    Strong Hold Hair Gel
    $28
    SHOP NOW

    Any sleek hairstyle requires a strong-hold hair gel like this one from Pattern.

    Frizz and Flyaway Lightweight Gel Hair Taming Wand

    IGK
    Frizz and Flyaway Lightweight Gel Hair Taming Wand
    $24
    SHOP NOW

    Tame any additional flyaways with a hair taming wand like this one from IGK.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

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    Ariel Wilson
    Ariel Wilson
    Social Links Navigation
    Beauty Writer

    Ariel Wilson is the Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. Previously the associate beauty editor at PS, she also has bylines in InStyle, Forbes Vetted, Women's Health, and more.

    Shaped by her experience in research, social sciences, and the non-profit sector, Ariel enjoys looking at beauty from a sociocultural lens, looking to avenues like politics, culture, and the arts, to inform her views on the space. That being said, as a true beauty-product obsessive, testing the latest items to hit the market, keeping up with trends, and meeting industry icons, will always be her favorite part of working in the beauty space.

    When she's not working, Ariel can be found hanging out with her husband and loving on their two cat daughters: Cow and Chicken.

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