How to Do Space Buns: Step-by-Step Guide for Every Hair Type

The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Space Buns for Every Hair Type

From festival fields to casual coffee runs, the space buns hairstyle has proven its staying power. The space bun hairstyle is a cute and trendy look that stands out among popular hairstyles, especially on Instagram where it's often featured in influencer and celebrity posts. This playful, versatile look is more than just a fleeting trend; it’s a stylish and practical way to manage your hair with a touch of cosmic flair. Many Instagram posts showcase the space bun hairstyle as one of the cutest hairstyles trending today. Whether you’re aiming for a sleek, polished finish or a perfectly undone look, this guide will walk you through every step. The global hair care market is a testament to our collective love for styling, forecasted to reach £106.4 billion by 2028, and mastering iconic looks like space buns is a key part of that passion. This isn’t just another tutorial; it’s the ultimate roadmap to achieving flawless space buns, specifically tailored to your unique hair type.

What Are Space Buns and Why Are They So Popular?

Space buns are a hairstyle characterized by two buns placed symmetrically on the head, typically high up on either side of a central part. Their popularity stems from their blend of retro-cool and futuristic vibes. The style is incredibly adaptable, suiting various occasions and outfits. Compared to pigtails, space buns are a cooler, more mature alternative that works for a range of aesthetics. It’s a practical choice that keeps hair neatly off the face and neck, yet it makes a bold statement. Space buns can be styled in a messy way for a relaxed, tousled look or made sleek for a more polished appearance. The recent surge in popularity for natural styles, with searches for “natural bun hair styles” increasing 160%, shows a clear demand for versatile updos like this one. This style transitions seamlessly from day to night, making it perfect for evening events as well.

A Promise for Every Hair Type: Your Perfect Space Buns Await

Many tutorials offer a one-size-fits-all approach, leaving those with fine, thick, short, or curly hair feeling frustrated. This guide is different. We will break down the core technique and then dive deep into specific modifications for every hair texture and length, ensuring your space buns are secure, balanced, and perfectly suited to you. Plus, you'll find tips for all hair types so everyone can achieve the look with confidence.

Gather Your Galaxy-Building Tools: What You'll Need

Having the right tools is the first step toward achieving a professional-looking style at home. The global hair styling tools market was valued at USD 35.5 billion in 2023 for a reason—quality equipment makes a significant difference.

Accessories such as decorative pins, scrunchies, or clips can also be used to personalize and elevate your space buns.

Essential Styling Tools

• Comb: A rat tail comb is especially useful for creating sharp, clean parts, making it easier to split your hair for space buns or pigtails. A wide-tooth comb is ideal for detangling, especially for curly hair.

• Hair Elastics: Hair ties are essential for securing your initial pigtails and the final buns. Use at least two strong hair ties to keep your style in place, and consider a smaller hair tie for extra hold or to wrap and hide for a polished finish.

• Bobby Pins: These are the key to locking your buns in place. Choose pins that match your hair color for a seamless look. U-shaped pins are also excellent for securing buns without creating tension.

• Hairbrush: A boar bristle brush can help smooth hair and tame flyaways for a sleeker look, while a paddle brush is great for general detangling.

Recommended Styling Products

• Hairspray: A medium to strong-hold hairspray will set your style and control frizz.

• Dry Shampoo or Texturizing Spray: These products are miracle workers for adding grip and volume, especially to fine or freshly washed hair.

• Smoothing Cream or Pomade: Use a small amount to tame flyaways along your hairline and part for a polished finish.

• Heat Protectant (if applicable): If you plan to use any heat tools to prep your hair, a protectant spray is non-negotiable.

Prepping Your Canvas: Hair Preparation for Optimal Buns

Proper preparation is the foundation of any long-lasting hairstyle. Taking a few extra minutes before you start creating your buns will pay off in hold, volume, and overall finish. Gently lifting sections of hair at the roots can add volume, making your buns appear fuller and more defined. Working with individual strands can also help you achieve a more textured and voluminous look.

Starting with the Right Base: Clean vs. Day-Old Hair

While you can create space buns on freshly washed hair, many stylists agree that day-old hair is the ideal canvas. The natural oils provide a bit of grit and texture, which helps the style hold better and prevents the buns from slipping. If your hair is too clean and silky, it can be difficult to work with.

Detangling and Smoothing: A Crucial First Step

Before you begin parting or sectioning, ensure your hair is completely free of knots and tangles. Start by gently brushing or combing from the ends and work your way up to the roots. This prevents breakage and creates a smooth surface for a neater final style.

Adding Texture or Volume (Optional, but recommended for fine hair)

If your hair is fine, straight, or freshly washed, it may lack the texture needed to hold the buns securely. To counteract this, spritz a texturizing spray or dry shampoo throughout your hair, focusing on the roots and mid-lengths. This will absorb excess oil and add the necessary volume and grip to make your buns look fuller and last longer.

The Foundation: Mastering Your Parting

The part is the architectural blueprint of your space buns hairstyle. It determines the symmetry and overall aesthetic of your look. Creating a part down the middle of the head helps ensure the two sections are even, which is essential for achieving balanced and neat space buns.

The Classic Center Part: Simple and Symmetrical

The most common choice for space buns is a straight center part. It creates a balanced, harmonious look that frames the face evenly. This classic approach is timeless and suits virtually everyone.

The Zigzag Part: Adding a Playful Edge

For a fun, '90s-inspired twist, a zigzag part adds an element of visual interest and playful energy to your style. It’s an easy way to elevate the look for festivals or parties.

Side Part: An Asymmetrical Twist

While less common, a deep side part can create a fashion-forward, asymmetrical version of space buns. This places the buns at different points on the head, offering a unique and edgy take on the traditional style.

Techniques for Clean and Defined Parts (using a rattail comb)

To achieve a perfectly straight and clean part, use the pointed end of a rattail comb. Place the tip of the comb at your hairline where you want the part to begin. Pressing it gently against your scalp, draw a straight line back to the crown of your head. Use the comb to separate the hair on either side cleanly.

The Core Technique: Step-by-Step Guide to Basic Space Buns

With your hair prepped and parted, it’s time to build your buns. Ahead, you'll find a step-by-step guide to creating flawless space buns. Follow these steps for the classic space buns hairstyle.

Step 1: Sectioning Your Hair into Two Pigtails

Following your chosen part, divide your hair into two equal sections. Smooth each section with your hands or a brush to eliminate any bumps before securing them.

Step 2: Securing Your Ponytails

Gather one section of hair and create a high pigtail. The placement of the pigtail on your head will determine the final position of your bun. For a classic look, place them slightly back from the crown. Secure the ponytail tightly with a hair elastic or tie it securely with a hair tie. Repeat on the other side, ensuring the two pigtails are symmetrical in placement and height.

Step 3: Twisting and Coiling the Bun

Take one pigtail and twist it firmly from the base to the ends. A tighter twist will result in a smaller, neater bun, while a looser twist will create a larger, softer bun. Once twisted, begin wrapping the hair around the base of the elastic, coiling it into a bun shape.

Step 4: Securing Your Space Buns with Bobby Pins

Tuck the ends of your hair under the bun and begin securing it with bobby pins. The key is to anchor the bun to the base hair on your head. Insert the pins with the ridged side facing your scalp for maximum grip. Use as many pins as needed until the bun feels completely secure and will stay in place throughout the day. A common technique is to push the pin through the outer edge of the bun and then hook a bit of the base hair before pushing it back into the center.

Step 5: Refining and Finishing Touches

Repeat the twisting and pinning process on the other side. Once both buns are secure, gently tug and pull at them to adjust their shape and size until they are symmetrical. You can pancake the buns by pulling at the sides to make them appear larger and fuller. Mist your entire head with hairspray to lock everything in place and tame any stray hairs.

For a softer, more fashionable finish, consider leaving out a few face framing pieces around your face to add a trendy touch to your style.

Tailoring Your Space Buns: Techniques for Every Hair Type (The Ultimate Differentiator)

This is where we move beyond the basics. The perfect space buns hairstyle is not one-size-fits-all. There are countless space bun hairstyles to suit every preference and occasion. Here’s how to adapt the technique for your specific hair needs.

For Fine or Thin Hair: Adding Volume and Preventing Slip

The biggest challenges for fine hair are creating fullness and preventing the buns from slipping. Before creating your pigtails, backcomb the hair at the crown and at the base of each ponytail to build volume. When twisting the pigtail, twist it loosely to maintain as much volume as possible. After coiling the bun, gently pull on sections to fan it out before pinning. A generous mist of texturizing spray is your best friend.

For Thick or Voluminous Hair: Managing Weight and Ensuring Security

With thick hair, the primary goal is to manage the weight and ensure the buns are securely anchored. Consider splitting each pigtail into two smaller sections, twisting them individually, and then wrapping them around each other to form the bun. This distributes the weight more evenly. Use larger, heavy-duty bobby pins or U-shaped pins for superior hold.

For Curly or Textured Hair: Embracing Natural Bounce and Minimizing Frizz

Celebrate your texture! Avoid brushing your curls out before styling. Instead, use your fingers and a leave-in conditioner or curl cream to gather your hair into pigtails. When forming the buns, don’t twist the hair too tightly; a gentle coil will allow your curls to maintain their beautiful shape and volume. Use bobby pins to tuck and secure the bun, embracing a slightly undone, voluminous finish.

For Short Hair: Creating Fullness and Holding Power

For shorter hair, the half-up space buns style is a fantastic option. If you’re aiming for full buns, the key is placement. Position the pigtails higher on your head where the hair is longest. Create a small loop with your ponytail instead of pulling it all the way through the elastic on the last wrap. Then, pin the loose ends around the base to create the illusion of a fuller bun. Use small clips to secure any shorter pieces at the nape of your neck.

For Long Hair: Managing Length and Achieving Balance

The challenge with long hair is managing the length without creating overly large or heavy buns. After creating your pigtails, braid each one before coiling it into a bun. This not only helps contain the length but also adds a beautiful braided texture to the final look. A braided bun is more compact and secure than a simple twisted one, preventing it from loosening under its own weight over time.

For Kinky Curly Hair or Hair Extensions: Enhancing Volume and Shape

Whether you’re working with natural kinks and coils or want to enhance your buns using clip-in extensions, you’re in the perfect position to achieve bold, statement-making space buns. For type 4 hair, it’s best to work with your natural pattern rather than smoothing it out — this keeps the look full of bounce and personality.

If you’re aiming for longer buns or more volume, try using clip-in hair extensions designed for kinky curly textures. These blend effortlessly with natural hair and can be strategically clipped around each pigtail base before forming the buns. The added length gives you more to twist and coil, resulting in fuller, fluffier buns that still look natural.

📝 Pro Tip: Perfect Locks offers kinky curly clip-in extensions in 100% Remy human hair for a natural blend — great for protective styling or boosting volume with minimal effort.

Beyond the Basic Bun: Creative Space Bun Variations

Messy buns are another popular variation, especially at festivals and on red carpets.

Once you’ve mastered the classic style, you can explore creative variations. Alternatively, you can try different looks by opting for messy buns instead of classic space buns.

Braided Space Buns: Adding Intricate Detail

As mentioned for long hair, braiding hair such as your pigtails before coiling them is a stylish option for any hair length. You can do a simple three-strand braid, a fishtail braid, or even an inverted (Dutch) braid for a more pronounced effect. This adds texture and visual interest, instantly elevating the hairstyle.

Conclusion

The space buns hairstyle is a universally flattering and endlessly customizable look that anyone can master. The true secret to perfection lies not in a rigid set of rules, but in understanding how to adapt the core technique to your specific hair type. By prepping your hair properly, choosing the right tools, and applying the tailored methods for fine, thick, curly, short, or long hair, you can move beyond simple replication and truly make the style your own.

Now that you have the ultimate guide, it’s time to experiment. Try a classic center part for a sleek daily look or a zigzag part for your next festival. Embrace your hair’s natural texture and don’t be afraid to adjust your technique until you find what makes your space buns feel secure, balanced, and perfectly you. Your inner galactic goddess is ready for launch.

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