How to Do Space Buns: A Playful Look for Festivals
Published July 26, 2026
Two high buns, a little teasing, and the right placement give you the festival-ready space buns that survive crowd-surfing and heat.
What Makes Space Buns Work
Space buns are simply two buns positioned symmetrically high on your head — the playful, slightly Y2K cousin of the topknot that's become a festival and concert staple. Their charm is in the symmetry and placement: too low and they read as pigtail buns; positioned high and evenly, they look intentional and fun. The look is forgiving and works on almost everyone, which is part of why it's so popular for events where you want something cute, secure, and hands-off for hours. The two things that separate a great set of space buns from a sloppy one are clean, even sectioning and secure anchoring so they don't droop as you move. You can wear them sleek and polished or deliberately messy and textured. Either way, the core method is the same, and once you've got it, the whole look takes about five minutes.
Section for Perfect Symmetry
Symmetry is everything, so the part does most of the work. Flip your head forward and part your hair straight down the center from your forehead to the nape, using the tail of a comb for a clean line. Tie each half into a high ponytail, positioning them symmetrically — a good landmark is to align each pony roughly above the arch of your eyebrow or the top of your ear, depending on how high you want them. Check them in a mirror or, better, two mirrors from behind, because uneven placement is the most common space-bun mistake and it's hard to see from the front alone. Secure each ponytail tightly with an elastic; this base elastic is what holds the whole style, so don't skimp. Crooked buns almost always trace back to a crooked part or mismatched pony height, so fix it here before you twist.
Twist, Wrap, and Secure
Once you have two even, high ponytails, building the buns is quick. Take one ponytail and either twist the length into a rope and coil it around its base, or simply backcomb and wrap the loose hair around for a messier bun — twisting gives a neater spiral, wrapping gives more volume. Coil it snugly around the elastic base and tuck the ends under. Secure the bun with a second elastic or, better, two or three bobby pins crossed into an X through the base and into your scalp hair so it can't unravel. Repeat identically on the other side, matching the size and tightness so the pair looks balanced. The bobby-pin X is what keeps space buns alive through dancing — relying on the elastic alone lets them loosen and slide as the day goes on.
Festival-Proof Hold and Texture
Festivals mean heat, sweat, dancing, and hours without a mirror, so durability matters. Start on second-day hair or add texturizing spray or dry shampoo before you begin — grippy hair holds buns far better than clean, slippery hair. Mist hairspray over each finished bun and smooth flyaways with a touch of gel or an edge brush for a cleaner front. For the trendy messy version, gently pull and loosen the buns after pinning to add volume, then lock with hairspray so they stay puffy without falling. Keep extra bobby pins and a travel hairspray in your bag for mid-day touch-ups. If your buns are heavy or long, use more pins distributed around each base rather than one central elastic. Done right, space buns genuinely outlast almost every other festival style because the secured, off-the-neck shape resists heat and motion.
Make Them Your Own
Space buns are a blank canvas, which is why they're a festival favorite. Pull out a few face-framing pieces at the front and curl them for a softer, romantic finish. Add small braids leading up into each bun, weave in colorful cord or ribbon, or dust the parts with body glitter and tuck in tiny flowers, butterfly clips, or gems for full festival energy. You can do a half-up version — two small buns up top with the rest of your hair flowing down — if you want length to show. Curly and coily hair makes naturally voluminous, gorgeous space buns with no teasing needed. Before the event, preview a few placements and accessory ideas on your selfie with GlowMaxing so you walk in already knowing exactly how high to set them and which embellishments suit your face.
Adapt for Your Hair Length and Type
Space buns flex to most hair, but the approach shifts by length and texture. Long, thick hair makes big, dramatic buns — twist the length before coiling so it wraps neatly and use plenty of pins to support the weight. Fine hair benefits from texturizing spray and backcombing at the base for fuller-looking buns that don't look sparse. Shorter or layered hair can absolutely do mini space buns; just secure loose ends with extra pins and accept smaller, cuter knots, leaving any too-short pieces out as wispy tendrils. Curly and coily textures form full buns effortlessly and hold especially well. If your hair is too short to bun fully, do half-up space buns or faux buns using small hair donuts for volume. Whatever your type, even placement and a generous, secure pinning are the universal keys to buns that look balanced and last.
The quick checklist
- Part hair dead-center with a comb tail for true symmetry
- Align each high ponytail above your eyebrow arch and check from behind
- Twist the length before coiling for neat buns, wrap loose for messy ones
- Secure each bun with a crossed bobby-pin X, not just an elastic
- Start on second-day or texturized hair so buns grip and hold
- Mist hairspray and smooth edges with gel or an edge brush
- Pack extra pins and travel hairspray for mid-festival touch-ups
- Add glitter, clips, or face-framing curls to personalize the look