19 Space Buns Hairstyles That Slay in 2024

If you’re wondering how to do space buns, you’re not alone — it’s one of the hottest styles of the year. Read on to learn why it’s trending, how to get this iconic look, and see real-life examples of space buns in action.

What Are Space Buns?

Bun hairstyles have always been in fashion thanks to their simplicity and unique look. From messy buns to braided buns, there’s a wide range of bun hairstyles, so there’s something for everyone.

Recently, you may have noticed a peculiar bun style popping up everywhere on social media — space buns. These space buns are loved for their science fiction vibe and one-of-a-kind appearance. And, as it turns out, the hairstyle has a pretty interesting history.

While many space bun styles are indeed modeled after Leia from Star Wars, there are all sorts of space buns that range from subtle to dramatic. The hairstyle can also be found in other space-themed media, and over time, people have come up with variations on the simpler space bun styles.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the best space bun hairstyles and break them down to understand what makes them tick. We’ve also popped a brief style guide at the end, so you’ll know exactly how to get this hairstyle.

19 Women Slaying the Space Bun Trend

Spacey Highlights

If you have two-toned (or three-toned) hair, you can get a lot of mileage and visual interest out of space buns. Depending how you create your buns, you can choose to showcase more or less of your vibrant color. 

This is a nice way to have some pops of color at the top of your head and/or create unique daily looks with the same basic style and technique.

Rainbow Space Buns

This style takes the idea of showing off your hair color and puts it on steroids. If you have multicolored hair—whether that’s galaxy hair, holographic hair, or something else entirely—you can use space buns to show off all of those colors.

Because of the way the buns get twisted, they display multiple colors in a kaleidoscopic swirl. It’s a look you can’t get any other way.

High Space Buns

Maybe neat and tidy buns aren’t your thing. You might be after something looser and more casual like this party-ready space bun hairstyle.

The hair is formed into loose buns that more closely resemble pigtails for something a little different. This is a great solution if you like the space bun hairstyle but don’t want the typical bun look.

Asymmetrical Space Buns

A cool way to add some extra style to your space buns is to make them asymmetrical. You can create that asymmetry by either changing the size, the position, or both the size and position.

For a subtle flavor, you can create a slight asymmetry as shown here. A little goes a long way! Heck, if you want, you could go all the way and just have one bun on one side.

Messy Space Buns

Introducing a little messiness is a great way to change up the “standard” space bun look. By pulling a few hairs out of the buns, you create jagged lines that provide contrast.

You can create a lot of messiness for a truly unruly style or stick to a few out-of-place hairs for a more low-key look.

Braided Space Buns

Braided buns are tons of fun, so it makes complete sense that braided space buns look so cool. You can pack a lot of texture into a small bun, so this is a great way to show off your braids.

The thicker the braid, the more texture that will be visible. And, as shown here, you can throw in an accessory like a bandana or beads.

Loose Space Buns With Braids

You can easily get several unique textures by combining different styling techniques with space buns. In this hairstyle, the buns are loosely braided so that they’re quite large.

Two smaller braids run from each bun, mirroring each other across the part in the middle. It’s a fun combination of styles that’s well worth the effort.

Pastel Braided Buns

Want something really bold? Try pairing space buns with super long colored braids. This otherworldly pastel style features thick buns created by coiling the braids.

The waterfall of the braids seems to fall directly from the buns, which is a cool effect. This is another style that’s great for accessories (we dig the matching bandana).

Curly & Braided Space Buns

Here’s yet another way of doing braided space buns that’s frankly underrated. This unique style is made by making two flat twists in the front and puffing them up after a few days.

It’s a fresh take on space buns that’s perfect for curly, coiled, or kinky hair. You can get crazy amounts of texture with this method.

Curly Space Buns

An easy way to get space buns with curly hair is by blending the buns into the rest of the hair. By putting some the hair up into buns and letting everything else fall naturally, you can get a nice and full look while still having those distinct space buns.

This hairstyle lends itself well to a tousled look, so if you like messy curls, this might be the one for you.

Cotton Candy Space Buns

While most colors pair well with space buns, blue is a popular choice. This is especially true for the kinds of light blues you often see in galaxy hair. Blue buns will seriously pop, giving your hair an undeniable appearance. And, of course, the bigger the buns, the more they’ll pop.

Textured Space Buns

It’s easy to get space buns with just about any hair type, so even if your hair is extremely textured, you can still achieve this look. Check out how this heavily textured hair is shaped into space buns. Since you’re just gathering up the hair into two buns, it’s easy to get this style with even the toughest of hair.

Blueberry Space Buns

You can never go wrong with too much blue. The style shown here features two-toned blue galaxy hair tied up into space buns that show off the distinct colors on either side. The middle part also helps to highlight each color equally.

Colorful Space Buns

Here’s another take on two-toned space buns that uses bold colors to emphasize the buns. The hair is dyed in such a way that the buns pop out from the rest of the hair.

With a dark, blueish purple on one side and a hot magenta on the other, this hairstyle is a fun way to express your colorful personality.

Space Bow Space Buns

If you’re after an elegant space bun look, this might be the ticket. The buns are styled loosely to resemble a bow that sits on top of the head. The rest of the hair then falls from a middle part. It’s a simple yet effective style that proves a little goes a long way.

Blonde Space Buns

While space buns and bold colors tend to go hand in hand, you can rock space buns with any hair color. These blonde buns are a little more subtle than some of the others on this list, but they’re every bit as stylish, and they prove that space buns are truly versatile.

Kinked Space Buns

Got kinky hair? Yep, even you can sport space buns! Kinky, coiled, or extra curly hair adds a ton of texture to this look, so while it will probably take a bit of extra effort, it’s so worth it. Plus, you’ll be able to wear space buns in a way few others can.

Galaxy Colored Space Buns

If you want maximum intergalactic vibes, try combining space buns with galaxy hair. You can get some really cosmic results with this pairing, especially if you go with bold colors like the blues, greens, and oranges shown here. These colors evoke the northern lights — very fitting for this spacey style!

Leia Buns

And last but certainly not least, we’re ending our list with the original iconic Princess Leia hairstyle. Space buns may not have existed without Carrie Fisher’s memorable hairdo, which still serves as a source of inspiration for galactic gals everywhere.

How to Do Space Buns in 5 Steps

Not only do space buns look spectacular, they’re actually not all that hard to create. All you need are a comb, clear elastics, hairpins, hair spray or styling spray, and any desired accessories. In a nutshell, you’ll:

1. Make sure that your hair is clean and dry
2. Part your hair in the center, put it in ponytails, twist or braid the ponytails, coil them into buns, and secure them in place
3. Add accessories or other embellishments if desired

Of course, this is just a summary. Keep reading to learn about each of these steps in detail and see a few things to consider before rocking this edgy look.

Step 1: Understand Space Buns

With Elon Musk and Richard Branson competing in a second space race, it’s no surprise that people are rocking space-related hairstyles. Galaxy hair, anyone? Most of us probably know that the “space bun” style gained popularity in this country when Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia wore the iconic double buns to do battle in Star Wars in 1977.

But hair buns and double buns have centuries of history behind them. Princess Leia certainly wasn’t the first strong woman to wear the double buns.

George Lucas has stated that he modeled the space bun style after a “Southwestern Pancho Villa woman revolutionary look…the buns are basically from turn-of-the-century Mexico.” Before that:

• Native American Hopi women wore “squash blossom” double buns
• Some third-century Terracotta Warrior statues depict double buns
• Japanese women wore Shimada wings during the Edo period
• The Iberian “Lady of Elche” sculpture features a double-bun-styled headdress
• Early Elizabethan-era British women wore double buns with a heart-shaped part
• American flappers wore “earphones” of braids coiled into double buns

And now, here we are. I happen to be a HUGE space fan, so I appreciate the hairstyle. While you won’t find me wearing it, I’m happy to show you how to rock the trend yourself.

Step 2: Gather What You Need

You don’t need specialized or fancy styling tools to get your space buns going, but you still want to ensure that you have all your supplies in easy reach. You’ll be using both hands to create your space buns, so that doesn’t leave much room to fetch a forgotten item.

You’ll need a good comb, clear elastics, hairpins, and your favorite styling spray. If your hair is thick, curly, or hard to manage, you may want to use alligator clips to hold some of it out of the way while you are styling the rest. If you want to embellish your space buns with color, glitter, or hair jewelry, be sure that you have those nearby as well. 

Step 3: Wash and Dry Your Hair

As with most styles, you’ll want to start with hair that is clean and dry. Wash, condition, and dry your hair as you usually do. Don’t use any styling products or leave-in conditioner at this point. If you have very curly hair, you may find it easier to create your space buns if you straighten it.

But that is entirely optional. Comb or brush your hair well so that there are no tangles, and part it in the middle. Use a precision comb for a nice, clean part.

Step 4(a): Create Classic Space Buns

Continue parting your hair down your head from your forehead to your nape. Make two ponytails, which can be as high or as low as you like. Low space buns are more discreet and may be more suitable to wear to work, if that is a concern.

Try to ensure that the hair going into the ponytails lies flat and smooth, although you can also leave a few short hairs around your face for a softer look. Tease the first ponytail to get some volume. You do this by holding up the ponytail and combing backward from the tips to the elastic. Then twist the ponytail into a rope.

A tight twist makes a neat, tight bun and a looser twist makes a larger bun. Coil the rope around itself, tuck the ends under, secure it with a hair tie, and pin it in place. Repeat with the second ponytail, and finish with hairspray or the styling product of your choice. Use a flat iron to straighten any strands that didn’t make it into the buns.

Step 4(b): Create Braided Space Buns

The process for making impressive, braided space buns is very similar to the classic space buns above. You’ll start with two smooth ponytails. Again, these can be high or low on your head, and you can position them above your ears or close together above the nape of your neck.

But instead of twisting and coiling the ponytails into the buns, you’ll braid them. If you have thin or fine hair and think your braids look too skinny, you can add volume by gently pulling on the outer loops (go bottom to top) to make them look a little fatter.

Then, coil the braids into buns, tuck the ends under, secure them with hair ties, and pin them into place. Finish with hairspray or styling product and straighten any loose strands if you like.

ReadNext: Types of Braids and Popular Braided Hairstyles

Step 4(c): Create Hybrid Space Buns

If you can’t decide whether you want classic space buns or braided ones, you can have both! Start with two ponytails, as described above. This style works best with medium or high ponytails. Work with one ponytail at a time for the best results.

Take a small section of hair from the underside of one ponytail and braid it tightly. Clip the end with a hairpin or elastic to keep it from unraveling while you work with the rest of the ponytail, but don’t worry about using a pretty clip or tie since you’ll be removing it later.

Tease the rest of the ponytail by combing backward from the tips of your hair to the elastic securing the ponytail. Then clip the braid down so that it’s out of the way. Twist the rest of the ponytail, coil it into a bun, tuck the ends under, secure it with a hair tie, and pin it into place.

Then retrieve the small braid, remove the clip, and wrap the braid around the bun as a decorative touch. Tuck the ends of the braid under to keep them from unraveling. Pin it into place (you may have to use several hairpins to keep it secure). Finish with hairspray or the styling product of your choice.

Step 4(d): Create Half Space Buns

Part your hair from forehead to nape, and put half of it in a loose bun, ponytail, or alligator clip to keep it out of the way. Then, divide the section you are styling in half horizontally with a clean part. Pull the top half into an alligator clip and pull the bottom half into a loose ponytail or another alligator clip to keep it out of the way.

Then, loosen the top half and comb it out. Start with a neat ponytail and make a twisted or braided space bun as described above. Finish with hairspray or another styling product. Repeat with the other side of your hair so that you have two small space buns on top of your head. Then release the bottom half of your hair on both sides and comb it out.

Step 5: Embellish Your Space Buns

Now that you’ve got your space buns right where you want them, you can dress them up a bit if you want. Decorative hairpins or combs look great with this style and can add some extra interest. Try adding them to the back of your head too!

You can also add temporary color or glitter along the center part, or anywhere else you like. If you chose to do hybrid space buns, you can also embellish the decorative braid for a special touch. Space buns are a style that is sure to be noticed, so you may as well go all out and make them look spectacular!

Things to Consider With Space Buns

Space buns are fun, and they’re also quite versatile. If you’re considering space buns for your next hairdo, here are a few things that you might want to keep in mind.

• Don’t be afraid to experiment. Since space buns are literally just tied-up hair, you don’t have to make any long-term commitments. This means you can play around with different sizes, shapes, and positions until you find something that works for you.
• Consider your hair type. Although space buns will indeed work with almost all hair types, it will still help to think about your specific hair type. For example, if you normally have some difficulty tying your hair up into a regular bun, you might want to be aware of that before styling.
• Accessorize! As we saw earlier, an accessory or two can really spice up this look. A bandana is a great way to accessorize, though you can also add beads and other jewelry if you want to.

Thankfully, space buns aren’t complicated, so it won’t take long at all to try out this style for the first time.

If you’re looking for a whimsical style that’s easy to get, space buns may just be right for you. You can even try these at home right now! And if you decide you like the look, you can experiment even more.

So, How Do You Do Space Buns?

Space buns start with ponytails, which can be either high or low on your head. Then you twist or braid the ponytails, coil them into buns, and secure them in place. You can do variations on space buns or embellish them to make them even more fabulous.