PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Personal Care and Style
Hair Care
Hairstyles
Updos
Hair Buns
How to Do Space Buns on Short Hair Download Article Co-authored by Janet Miranda
Last Updated: April 11, 2025 References
Download Article
Creating Half-up Space Buns
|
Styling Full Hair Space Buns
|
Adding Braids into Your Space Buns
|
Video
|
Expert Q&A
|
Tips
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Janet Miranda. Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 151,963 times.
Looking to make space buns with short hair? You're in luck! Just pull the upper portion of your hair into a half updo for space buns, or separate your hair into two sections and pin all of your hair up into two space buns, securing any stray hairs with bobby pins. Incorporating braids into your space buns is a great way to ensure all of your hair is secured and styled.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Creating Half-up Space Buns
Download Article
1 Brush and part your hair so it’s ready to be pulled up. Brush out any tangles in your hair using a hair brush or comb. Use a comb to part your hair roughly down the middle so that you’ll have equal amounts of hair in both buns.
2 Tie off two pigtails using the upper portion of your hair. With your hair evenly parted, pull half of your hair from up behind your ear to one side of your part. This is the section of hair you’ll use to make your half-up space bun. Once you’ve gathered the pigtail, tie it together using a small hair elastic so it doesn’t move. Repeat the same process to create the pigtail on the other side of your part as well.[1]XResearch source
Use a brush to smooth out your hair after you’ve gathered your pigtail in your grip, if desired.
Purchase small hair elastics from a local drugstore or big box store.
Advertisement
3 Twist the entire length of one pigtail using your fingers. Hold one pigtail in your fingers and twirl it so that it begins to twist. Continue doing this until the entire pigtail is twisted, all the way down to its end.[2]XResearch source
Create a tight twist if you want small space buns, while twisting your pigtail loosely will help create larger space buns.
4 Wrap the twisted pigtail in a circle around itself to form a bun. While keeping your pigtail still in its twist, start wrapping the pigtail around itself right where the elastic is sitting. Use your fingers to guide the pigtail in a circle until it has created a bun.[3]XResearch source
Use one hand to hold the bottom of your pigtail to keep the twist in place, and use the other hand to guide the pigtail in a circle around itself.
5 Use bobby pins to hold the bun in place securely. Hold the bun in place with one hand and use the other hand to push bobby pins into your hair to keep the bun in place. Position the bobby pins around the bun evenly so that it won’t move, and pin back any stray hairs that pop out from the bun if needed.[4]XResearch source
Press the bobby pins far enough into the bun that they can’t be seen and provide good support.
The more bobby pins you use, the more secure your space buns will be.
6 Repeat the same steps with the other pigtail to form the second bun. Twist the second pigtail just like you did with the first. Wrap it around in a circle at the base of its elastic to form the bun, and use the bobby pins to secure it in place.[5]XResearch source
If your second space bun doesn’t look exactly the same as the first, try using bobby pins or loosening sections of your bun with your fingers until they look similar.
7 Style the bottom portion of your hair as you’d like. With the upper portion of your hair in two space buns, choose to style the rest of your hair or leave it as it is. Create soft curls using a curling iron or straighten your hair with a flat iron, if desired.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Styling Full Hair Space Buns
Download Article
1 Part your hair down the middle after brushing out any tangles. Since your space buns will contain almost all of your hair, part your hair starting in the front and going all the way down the back of your head. Form a straight line using a comb, and use a mirror to help you see the back of your head, if needed.[6]XResearch source
While a straight part looks best, don’t worry if your part isn’t perfect.
Use large hair clips to section off your two parts, if desired.
2 Tie each half of your hair near the top of your head. Using your part as a guide, pull together one side of your hair so it’s resting near the top of your head, close to your part. Use a brush to smooth it out if necessary, and secure it using a hair tie or elastic. Repeat the same steps for the other side of your hair so you have two large pigtails.[7]XResearch source
Look in the mirror and see if your pigtails are evenly placed on your head. If one is lopsided or not even, try redoing it to make them more symmetrical.
If you want space buns similar to Princess Leia's, tie them closer to your ears so they're on each side of your head.
3 Tease the hair in your pigtail to give it more volume. Hold the pigtail out with one hand so you can tease your pigtail with the other. To tease your hair, comb or brush towards your scalp instead of down the length of your hair. This will give it more volume and make your bun look more full.[8]XResearch source
Avoid over-teasing your hair, as this damages it. Use the comb to tease your pigtail using 3-5 strokes and see if this makes it appear fuller before teasing it more.
4 Wrap the pigtail in a circle to create a bun. Use your fingers to guide the teased pigtail around in a circle, forming a bun. How tightly or loosely you wrap your bun will determine how small or large it is.[9]XResearch source
Wrap your bun loosely for a larger bun, or wrap it tightly for a smaller, more secure bun.
5 Secure the bun with bobby pins or a hair tie. Hold the bun in place with one hand and use the other to place the bobby pins. Focus on the base of the bun, sticking bobby pins evenly around the bun to hold it in place. Once the bun is secure, pin down any stray strands if needed.[10]XResearch source
To test your bun to see if it’s secure or not, insert the bobby pins and let go of the bun. Give your hair a small shake, and see if the bun moves or not. If it moves, add more bobby pins to keep it in place.
6 Repeat the same steps on the other side to form the second bun. Tease your other pigtail just as you did with the first one. Twist the pigtail around itself to form a bun, wrapping it just as tightly or loosely as the other. Use bobby pins to secure the second bun in place.[11]XResearch source
If one of your buns is smaller than the other, use your fingers to gently pull on the hairs a bit, causing the bun to look larger.
7 Use bobby pins to pin back stray hairs at the nape of your neck. Since your hair is short, you’ll likely have hairs that weren’t able to stay in your space buns. Gather these hairs together at the back of your head and use a bobby pin to secure them against the rest of your hair. Check in a mirror to make sure they’re all pinned up, if needed.[12]XResearch source
If you’re worried about the bobby pins holding your short hairs being visible, cover them using a stretchy, thick headband. Pull the headband up onto your forehead, and stretch it out at the back of your neck so it’s covering the bobby pins.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Adding Braids into Your Space Buns
Download Article
1 Opt for braided pigtails instead of twisted ones to avoid flyaway hairs. After you’ve created two pigtails by gathering up equal sections of your hair, tie each one with an elastic so it’s secure. Braid each pigtail all the way to the end, and secure each braid with another elastic. Now when you go to twist the pigtail into a bun, the hair will be much more secure.[13]XResearch source
You can braid pigtails whether you're doing half-up or full space buns.
2 Create a double dutch braid at the front of your hair for a stylish look. After parting your hair down the middle, begin braiding the first section starting above the outer corner of your eye. Gather more hair into the braid as you move back across your head. Stop the dutch braid once you get to the spot where you want your space bun to rest, and pull the rest of your hair into a pigtail. Secure the dutch braid and pigtail with an elastic, and form a bun to finish off that side.
Do the same thing with the other section of your hair, creating two dutch braids at the top of your head leading into your two space buns.
If you’re worried about your dutch braid coming undone when you go to gather up the rest of your hair in a pigtail, secure it with an elastic first.
3 Braid the short hairs at the back of your neck so they aren’t loose. Part your hair all the way down the back, and separate the two sides using clips. Flip your head over and start braiding one side, beginning at the base of your neck going upwards along your head. Once you get to the top of your head, secure the braid with an elastic and continue forming the rest of your bun.[14]XResearch source
Repeat this process on the other side of your part to create the other bun as well.
Brush your hair out one more time while your head is flipped over for a smoother look.
Keep pulling hair into the braid as you work your way up the length of your head.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question
Question What can I do to make the hair easier to work with? Janet Miranda Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan. Janet Miranda Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist Expert Answer I think pomade is exceptionally helpful with this, since it can give the hair a tack and grit that makes it a lot easier to work with. 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 Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 15
Question How can I make my braids stick together while I'm working with them? Janet Miranda Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan. Janet Miranda Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist Expert Answer Try getting your hair a little damp before you start. It's often a lot easier to craft space buns when the hair is a little damp and it's hard to keep the braids together when the hair is dry. 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 Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 19
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Reader Videos
Submit a Video Tip!
Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!
Submit a Video Coming Soon!
Tips
Fix flyaway hairs that are sticking up out of your space bun by spraying a bit of hairspray on your hand and using your hand to flatten the stray hairs. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Purchase small bobby pins, which are roughly half the size of normal bobby pins, to make sure they aren't visible in your space bun. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Things You'll Need
Brush or comb
Small hair elastics
Bobby pins
Mirror
Hairspray (optional)
You Might Also Like
The Easiest Ways to Create Space BunsHow toDo Princess Leia HairHow toMake a Braided BunHow toMake a Bun for Short HairHow toDo Your Hair Like Sailor MoonHow toDo a Ponytail with Short HairHow toFrench Braid Short HairHow toMake a BunHow toUpside Down BraidHow toStyle Wet HairHow toMake a Bun in Medium Layered Hair4 Cute Top Knot Buns You Can Do at HomeHow toDo Your Hair in a Side BunHow toDo Your Hair for School Advertisement
Co-authored by: Janet Miranda Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist This article was co-authored by Janet Miranda. Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan. This article has been viewed 151,963 times. 10 votes - 64% Co-authors: 5Updated: April 11, 2025 Views: 151,963 Categories: Hair Buns In other languages Spanish Portuguese Dutch German
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 151,963 times.
Reader Success Stories
Anonymous
Nov 10, 2024
"It improved my casual look for school."
Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Janet Miranda Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist 10 votes - 64% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 5Updated: April 11, 2025 Views: 151,963
Anonymous
Nov 10, 2024
"It improved my casual look for school." Share yours!
Quizzes & Games
What's My Hair Type QuizTake QuizHair Curl Type QuizTake QuizWhat Makeup Should I Wear QuizTake QuizWhat Haircut Should I Get QuizTake QuizWhat Men's Haircut Should I Get QuizTake QuizAre You a Big Spoon or a Little Spoon QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
The Easiest Ways to Create Space BunsHow toDo Princess Leia HairHow toMake a Braided BunHow toMake a Bun for Short Hair
Featured Articles
How toMake a Paper AirplaneHow toLearn Morse CodeHow toFold an Origami Star (Shuriken)How to Fold and Use a Paper Fortune Teller
Trending Articles
What Female Body Shape Are You? How to Identify YoursWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Pokémon Am I QuizDo I Have Brainrot QuizSigns a Woman is Sexually Attracted to YouFinish the Lyrics Quiz
Featured Articles
What Animal Am I QuizAm I Gay QuizHow Well Do I Know My Best Friend QuizAm I an Alpha, Beta, or Omega Quiz
Featured Articles
160+ Good Roasts to Burn Your Friends & Family MembersHow to Play the Snaps Guessing Game140+ Wavelength Game Categories & Questions to Extend Your PlayThe Ultimate Collection of Funny, Cheesy, & Romantic Rizz LinesVirtual Truth or Dare Questions to Keep Things Interesting180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any Argument
Watch Articles
How toEat GuavaHow to Get Yellow Stains Out of White ShoesLeft Eye Twitching for Females: What Astrology Says About Eye Twitching50 First Date Conversation Starters to Spark a ConnectionHow to Make a Mask Out of Paper (for Kids or Adults)How to Put Jibbitz on Crocs
Trending Articles
Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?How to Read Face Moles: Lucky and Unlucky PlacementsWhat JJK Character Am I QuizFade Hairstyle Types for Men: A Complete GuideRecessed Maxilla (Upper Jawbone): Symptoms & TreatmentCan Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?
Quizzes & Games
What’s My Perfect Hair Care Routine?Take QuizMakeup Quiz: Discover The Perfect Stye For YouTake QuizWhat Color Should I Dye My Hair QuizTake QuizWhat Pasta Shape Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Is Your Outer Space Personality Type QuizTake QuizWhat Kind of Lesbian Am I QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Personal Care and Style
Hair Care
Hairstyles
Updos
Hair Buns
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Download Article Co-authored by Janet Miranda 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Janet Miranda Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist This article was co-authored by Janet Miranda. Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan. This article has been viewed 151,963 times. 10 votes - 64% Co-authors: 5 Updated: April 11, 2025 Views: 151,963 Categories: Hair Buns In other languages Spanish Portuguese Dutch German 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
721 
1 Brush and part your hair so it’s ready to be pulled up. Brush out any tangles in your hair using a hair brush or comb. Use a comb to part your hair roughly down the middle so that you’ll have equal amounts of hair in both buns. 
2 Tie off two pigtails using the upper portion of your hair. With your hair evenly parted, pull half of your hair from up behind your ear to one side of your part. This is the section of hair you’ll use to make your half-up space bun. Once you’ve gathered the pigtail, tie it together using a small hair elastic so it doesn’t move. Repeat the same process to create the pigtail on the other side of your part as well.[1] 
3 Twist the entire length of one pigtail using your fingers. Hold one pigtail in your fingers and twirl it so that it begins to twist. Continue doing this until the entire pigtail is twisted, all the way down to its end.[2] 
4 Wrap the twisted pigtail in a circle around itself to form a bun. While keeping your pigtail still in its twist, start wrapping the pigtail around itself right where the elastic is sitting. Use your fingers to guide the pigtail in a circle until it has created a bun.[3] 
5 Use bobby pins to hold the bun in place securely. Hold the bun in place with one hand and use the other hand to push bobby pins into your hair to keep the bun in place. Position the bobby pins around the bun evenly so that it won’t move, and pin back any stray hairs that pop out from the bun if needed.[4] 
6 Repeat the same steps with the other pigtail to form the second bun. Twist the second pigtail just like you did with the first. Wrap it around in a circle at the base of its elastic to form the bun, and use the bobby pins to secure it in place.[5] 
7 Style the bottom portion of your hair as you’d like. With the upper portion of your hair in two space buns, choose to style the rest of your hair or leave it as it is. Create soft curls using a curling iron or straighten your hair with a flat iron, if desired. Advertisement 
1 Part your hair down the middle after brushing out any tangles. Since your space buns will contain almost all of your hair, part your hair starting in the front and going all the way down the back of your head. Form a straight line using a comb, and use a mirror to help you see the back of your head, if needed.[6] 
2 Tie each half of your hair near the top of your head. Using your part as a guide, pull together one side of your hair so it’s resting near the top of your head, close to your part. Use a brush to smooth it out if necessary, and secure it using a hair tie or elastic. Repeat the same steps for the other side of your hair so you have two large pigtails.[7] 
3 Tease the hair in your pigtail to give it more volume. Hold the pigtail out with one hand so you can tease your pigtail with the other. To tease your hair, comb or brush towards your scalp instead of down the length of your hair. This will give it more volume and make your bun look more full.[8] 
4 Wrap the pigtail in a circle to create a bun. Use your fingers to guide the teased pigtail around in a circle, forming a bun. How tightly or loosely you wrap your bun will determine how small or large it is.[9] 
5 Secure the bun with bobby pins or a hair tie. Hold the bun in place with one hand and use the other to place the bobby pins. Focus on the base of the bun, sticking bobby pins evenly around the bun to hold it in place. Once the bun is secure, pin down any stray strands if needed.[10] 
6 Repeat the same steps on the other side to form the second bun. Tease your other pigtail just as you did with the first one. Twist the pigtail around itself to form a bun, wrapping it just as tightly or loosely as the other. Use bobby pins to secure the second bun in place.[11] 
7 Use bobby pins to pin back stray hairs at the nape of your neck. Since your hair is short, you’ll likely have hairs that weren’t able to stay in your space buns. Gather these hairs together at the back of your head and use a bobby pin to secure them against the rest of your hair. Check in a mirror to make sure they’re all pinned up, if needed.[12] 
1 Opt for braided pigtails instead of twisted ones to avoid flyaway hairs. After you’ve created two pigtails by gathering up equal sections of your hair, tie each one with an elastic so it’s secure. Braid each pigtail all the way to the end, and secure each braid with another elastic. Now when you go to twist the pigtail into a bun, the hair will be much more secure.[13] 
2 Create a double dutch braid at the front of your hair for a stylish look. After parting your hair down the middle, begin braiding the first section starting above the outer corner of your eye. Gather more hair into the braid as you move back across your head. Stop the dutch braid once you get to the spot where you want your space bun to rest, and pull the rest of your hair into a pigtail. Secure the dutch braid and pigtail with an elastic, and form a bun to finish off that side. 
3 Braid the short hairs at the back of your neck so they aren’t loose. Part your hair all the way down the back, and separate the two sides using clips. Flip your head over and start braiding one side, beginning at the base of your neck going upwards along your head. Once you get to the top of your head, secure the braid with an elastic and continue forming the rest of your bun.[14] 
Janet Miranda Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan.