The Easiest Ways to Create Space Buns

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From single buns to braided space buns, there’s an option for any hair length
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Space buns are a cute, fresh, and funky updo that won’t be leaving our orbit anytime soon. To help you achieve this stellar hairstyle, we’ve put together this article to walk you through how to do space buns step-by-step, along with some other galactic updos that might pique your interest. Don’t worry—doing space buns isn’t rocket science, and we’ll help you every step of the way.

Things You Should Know

  • Create an even vertical part in your hair with a rat-tail comb and tie off both sections of hair into pigtails.
  • Twist each pigtail so it resembles a rope. Then, coil the twisted hair around the base of each pigtail, creating a bun shape.
  • Secure the bun in place with another hair tie, along with bobby pins and hairspray (as needed).
Section 1 of 4:

Classic Space Buns

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    Comb your hair until it’s smooth and free of any knots or tangles. Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to create a part running down the center of your head from your forehead to your nape. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    You can make them high on the top of your head, or you can make them low on either side of your nape—experiment with what you like best here. Smooth down the hair going into the pigtails so that they’re nice and neat. Secure the pigtails with hair ties that match your hair color. [2]
    • Feel free to leave some strands around your forehead loose for a softer touch.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Lift your first pigtail and run a comb through it a few times, starting at the tips and finishing at the hair tie. Repeat this for the second pigtail too. This is a great idea if you have thin hair, as it will make your hair appear thicker and give you larger space buns in the end. [3]
    • Alternatively, wrap 3-comb hair extensions around the base of your pigtails instead. This will help give you a little more volume. [4]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Take 1 of your pigtails, and twist it away from your face to create a rope. The tighter you twist the rope, the sleeker and smaller your bun will turn out. [5]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Wrap the rope around the base of the pigtail. Make sure that you wrap it away from your face, not towards it. Tuck the end of your hair under the bun, then wrap another hair tie around the base of the bun. [6]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Twist the second pigtail into a rope, then coil it into a bun. Tuck the ends of the rope under the bun, then secure it with a hair tie.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    To make the buns messier or more voluminous, gently tug on the outer edges to loosen the strands. For even more volume, gently tug on the hair going into the buns to loosen it up. Focus on the hair on the top and sides of your head. [7]
    • If you left strands out of your buns, consider straightening them with a flat iron . Give them a wispier look by curving the iron towards your face rather than straight down.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    If the buns feel loose, secure them with bobby pins , using as many as you need. Once you are happy with your style, mist it with hairspray and let the product dry. [8]
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Section 2 of 4:

Half-Up Space Buns

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Comb your hair so that it is nice and smooth. Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to create a part in the middle of your head. Start the part at your forehead and finish it at the nape. Drape the left half of your hair over your left shoulder, and the right half over the right. [9]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Take the right half of your hair, and secure it with a hair tie—feel free to do a loose bun or even a pigtail. It does not matter; the goal is to keep this half of your hair out of the way while you work on the other side.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Create a horizontal part on the left side of your head at about eyebrow level. Start the part at your hairline and finish it at the center part in the back of your head. Pull the hair above the part into a high ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. [10]
    • Instead of making the ponytail in the back center of your head, make it on the top-side of your head, sort of like a puppy ear.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    You are working with less hair than when creating a basic space bun, so it would be a good idea to tease your ponytail a little. Simply lift strands of your ponytail, then backcomb it towards the hair tie with a brush. [11]
    • Teasing can help if your hair is on the thinner, less voluminous side.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Twist the ponytail away from your face to create a rope first. Next, coil the rope around the base of the ponytail to make a bun. Tuck the ends of the rope under the bun, and then wrap a hair tie around the base. [12]
    • The tighter you twist, the smaller and sleeker the space bun will turn out.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Go back to the right side of your head and undo the loose, temporary bun you created earlier. Create another half-up ponytail , tease it, and then wrap it into a bun. Secure the bun with another hair tie.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    You don't have to do this, but it's a great way to complete the vintage 90s look. [13] Alternatively, if you made your buns nice and sleek, try straightening the rest of your hair instead.
    • For even more volume, pull on the hair going into the buns to loosen it up. Focus on the sides and top of your head. [14]
    • It's okay if the part in the back center of your head goes away at this point. You don't need it anymore.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Make any finishing touches, then mist the space buns with hairspray . If the buns feel loose, secure them to your hair with bobby pins. Once you are happy with the overall look, lightly mist your hair with hairspray. Let the hairspray dry before setting out.
    • These space buns are great if you have shorter hair.
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Section 3 of 4:

Braided Space Buns

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Brush out your hair so that it is nice and smooth. Part it down the middle from forehead to nape with the handle of a rat-tail comb. [15]
    • Braided space buns likely work best on longer hair (or hair that’s long enough to comfortably braid).
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Feel free to do 2 high pigtails at the top of your head, or 2 low pigtails at the base of your nape. You can even position the pigtails on the sides of your head, just above your ears for a Princess Leia-inspired look.
    • If you want something more intricate, try half-up pigtails instead.
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    Braid the pigtails and secure them with clear hair elastics . Split the first pigtail into 3 equal strands, then cross the left and right strands over the middle strand to create the braid. Once you run out of hair, wrap a clear hair elastic around the end of the braid to secure it. Repeat this step for the other pigtail too.
    • For a more unique look, try a 2-strand rope braid instead. This works especially well for natural hair. [16]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    You don't have to do this, but it's a great way to add volume to your hair, especially if it’s thin. Starting from the bottom of the braid, gently tug on the outer loops until you reach the top, then do the other braid too.
    • Skip this step if you made a 2-strand rope braid.
    • Don't pull too hard, or the braid will come undone.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Pick up the left braid, and wrap it around the hair tie to create a bun. Tuck the end of the braid under the bun, then wrap another hair tie around the base of the bun. Repeat this step for the other braid.
    • Do not twist the braids into a rope like you would with a standard bun.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    If the buns feel loose, secure them along the side edges to the rest of your hair, using as many bobby pins as you need. Once you are happy with how your space buns look, mist them with hairspray, and let the hairspray dry.
    • If you did braided half-up buns, consider straightening the rest of your hair for a sleeker look.
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Section 4 of 4:

Alternate Space Buns Hairstyles

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    Brush and part your hair down the middle using a rat-tail comb; then, grab one section of your hair and pull it into a ponytail. As you’re sliding your hair through the elastic for the second time, pull your ponytail out partially rather than all the way. Repeat this process with the rest of your hair. Using the leftover tail of hair on each side, wrap around the base of the bun and tuck the tail tip into the elastic along the backside of each bun. [17]
    • Pull on the strands in your messy buns to make them seem larger and more voluminous.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Vertically split your hair down the middle, tying off one section to hold it in place. Split the other section into two equal strands and start twisting them around each other; then, coil the twisted hair into a bun shape. Secure this hair in place before repeating the process with the other section of hair that you tied off earlier. [18]
    • Tug on the hair of your secured bun to make it look even bigger.
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    Split your hair down the center with a rat-tail comb to make even parts. Then, comb each section of hair and treat it with hair growth oil , followed by professional styling oil . Brush each section of hair upwards, securing it with a hair elastic. Wind a second elastic around each section of hair, a little higher up than the base hair tie—this creates a more defined puff of hair. To finish things off, pin down some hair strands from each section to create a more spherical bun. [19]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do Space Buns
    Tie up your space buns as you normally would, securing them in place with hair ties and bobby pins. As an extra touch, tie ribbons around the base of each bun for a stylish touch.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What if I have really curly hair?
    Community Answer
    You can use no-heat straightening methods (check out How to Straighten Your Hair Without Heat ). Your hair really doesn't need to be pin-straight for space buns; in fact, I think that messier, curlier ones look better. I've seen people with really curly hair make it work without straightening their hair. If it's really difficult to get an even part or get the hair to twist, dry getting it damp.
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    Not Helpful 39 Helpful 124
  • Question
    How can I do this with hair that gets tangled easily?
    Community Answer
    There are plenty of products for untangling your hair. Otherwise, I suggest going very slowly and carefully, brushing your hair and untangling rough spots as you go.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    Instead of twisting the pigtail, could I braid it?
    Community Answer
    Yes, braid the ponytails, then wrap them around like buns and secure them with bobby pins.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      • For a more clean look, try twisting the pigtails tightly before finishing the process. If you want a cuter, more disheveled look, don’t twist them as tightly.
      • If you don't have a donut bun maker, use a large scrunchie and only twist it around twice. It works just as well!
      • For basic space buns, you can just tuck the ends into the bun and it stays. Hair ties are optional.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPR9pePKEPE&t=0m10s
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkUeVYiI0oo&t=0m24s
      3. ↑ https://hellogiggles.com/space-buns-hairstyle-tutorial/
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bILieWhzgbk&t=190s
      5. ↑ https://hellogiggles.com/space-buns-hairstyle-tutorial/
      6. ↑ https://hellogiggles.com/space-buns-hairstyle-tutorial/
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIqMH9Yq0-w&t=120s
      8. ↑ https://hellogiggles.com/space-buns-hairstyle-tutorial/
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPR9pePKEPE&t=0m10s
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIqMH9Yq0-w&feature=youtu.be&t=2m20s
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIqMH9Yq0-w&t=170s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIqMH9Yq0-w&t=180s
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIqMH9Yq0-w&feature=youtu.be&t=3m45s
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIqMH9Yq0-w&t=215s
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPR9pePKEPE&t=18s
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t5SCEa81_g&t=110s
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkUeVYiI0oo&t=0m28s
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWAWlldDAnY&t=0m27s
      10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oLKlLIGT0U&t=1m15s

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To put your hair in space buns, first part your hair down the middle. Then, tie each half of your hair into a pigtail using hair ties. Twist one of the pigtails with both hands to make it tighter. The tighter you twist your hair, the smaller and firmer your space buns will be. Next, wrap the twisted hair around the base of the pigtail several times until you have about 4 inches (10 cm) of hair left. Tuck the end of your pigtail underneath the bun you’ve just made, and secure the bun by sticking a bobby pin through the end of your hair where it tucks under the bun. Repeat this process with your other pigtail. Finally, spray your space buns with hairspray to help them stay in place. For more help, including how to make braided space buns, read on!

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        Aug 20, 2020

        "My twin always wanted space buns. I chose this article and the buns were amazing! Everyone in my family loves what ..." more
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