Space Buns 101: The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Out-of-This-World Hair
Space buns have transcended from a fleeting trend to a timeless hairstyle embraced by people of all ages and hair types. Whether you’re aiming for a playful, festival-ready look, a chic and modern vibe, or simply need a quick and easy way to keep your hair out of your face, space buns are a versatile and fun choice. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about creating perfect space buns, from preparing your hair to mastering different variations. Get ready to elevate your hair game and unleash your inner cosmic goddess!
## What are Space Buns?
Space buns, also known as double buns or odango (in Japanese culture), are a hairstyle characterized by two buns worn on top of the head. They are typically positioned symmetrically on either side of a center part, creating a cute and whimsical aesthetic. The size, texture, and styling of the buns can vary greatly, allowing for endless customization and personalization.
## Why Choose Space Buns?
Space buns offer a multitude of benefits, making them a popular choice for various occasions:
* **Versatility:** Space buns can be dressed up or down, making them suitable for casual outings, parties, festivals, and even formal events.
* **Ease of Creation:** With a little practice, space buns can be created in just a few minutes, making them a convenient option for busy individuals.
* **Hair Health:** When styled correctly, space buns can be a gentle hairstyle that minimizes tension and breakage, especially compared to tight ponytails or braids.
* **Face-Framing:** Space buns can accentuate your facial features and draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones.
* **Expressive:** They allow you to showcase your personality and creativity through different variations and embellishments.
* **Great for Any Hair Length:** While often associated with longer hair, space buns can be adapted for shorter hair lengths as well.
## Preparing Your Hair for Space Buns
Before diving into the styling process, it’s crucial to prepare your hair to ensure the best possible results. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. **Cleanse and Condition:** Start with freshly washed and conditioned hair. This will provide a clean base and add manageability to your strands. Use a shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair type. If your hair tends to be oily, opt for a clarifying shampoo. If it’s dry, use a moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioner.
2. **Detangle:** Thoroughly detangle your hair using a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush. Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots to avoid breakage. For stubborn knots, apply a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner.
3. **Apply Product (Optional):** Depending on your hair type and desired style, you may want to apply a styling product. Here are some options:
* **Mousse:** Adds volume and texture, making it easier to create full and voluminous buns.
* **Texturizing Spray:** Enhances natural waves and adds grip, preventing the buns from slipping.
* **Hair Spray:** Provides hold and control, keeping the buns in place throughout the day.
* **Serum or Oil:** Adds shine and smoothness, taming frizz and flyaways.
4. **Blow Dry (Optional):** If you have naturally curly or frizzy hair, you may want to blow-dry it smooth before creating space buns. This will create a more polished and refined look. Use a heat protectant spray to prevent damage from the heat.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Classic Space Buns
Now that your hair is prepped, let’s get started with the classic space bun style:
1. **Create a Center Part:** Using a comb, create a clean and even center part from your forehead to the nape of your neck. Accuracy is key for symmetrical buns.
2. **Section Your Hair:** Divide your hair into two equal sections, one on each side of the part. Secure one section with a hair tie or clip to keep it out of the way while you work on the other.
3. **Create a Ponytail:** Take the first section of hair and gather it into a high ponytail on top of your head. The placement of the ponytail will determine the height of your bun. Secure the ponytail with a hair tie, ensuring it’s snug but not too tight.
4. **Twist the Ponytail:** Twist the ponytail tightly from the base to the ends. This will create a rope-like texture that will help the bun hold its shape.
5. **Wrap the Twisted Hair:** Wrap the twisted ponytail around the base of the hair tie to form a bun. Tuck the ends of the hair underneath the bun to conceal them.
6. **Secure the Bun:** Secure the bun with bobby pins. Insert the bobby pins around the perimeter of the bun, ensuring they catch both the bun and the hair underneath. Use enough bobby pins to keep the bun secure and in place.
7. **Repeat on the Other Side:** Repeat steps 3-6 on the other section of hair to create the second bun. Make sure the buns are symmetrical and positioned evenly on both sides of the head.
8. **Adjust and Refine:** Once both buns are in place, take a step back and assess the overall look. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure the buns are even and symmetrical. Smooth down any flyaways with hairspray or a serum.
## Variations and Styling Options
The beauty of space buns lies in their versatility. Here are some variations and styling options to explore:
* **Half-Up Space Buns:** Create space buns with only the top section of your hair, leaving the rest of your hair down. This is a great option for adding a playful touch without committing to a full updo.
* **Braided Space Buns:** Incorporate braids into your space buns for a more intricate and detailed look. You can braid the ponytails before twisting them into buns, or create small braids along the part line.
* **Messy Space Buns:** Embrace a more relaxed and undone vibe by creating loose and textured space buns. Don’t worry about perfect symmetry or perfectly smooth hair – the messier, the better!
* **Space Buns with Bangs:** If you have bangs, you can style them in various ways to complement your space buns. Sweep them to the side, wear them straight across, or even curl them for a more playful look.
* **Colored Hair or Highlights:** Space buns are a great way to showcase vibrant hair colors or highlights. The buns will highlight the different tones and add dimension to your hair.
* **Embellished Space Buns:** Add accessories to your space buns to elevate your look. Consider adding:
* **Hair Clips:** Decorative hair clips can add a touch of sparkle or personality to your space buns.
* **Headbands:** A headband can add a pop of color or texture to your hairstyle.
* **Scrunchies:** Scrunchies are a fun and retro accessory that can add a playful touch to your space buns.
* **Flowers:** For a bohemian or whimsical look, add small flowers to your space buns.
* **Glitter:** For a festival-ready look, sprinkle glitter onto your space buns.
* **Low Space Buns:** Create the buns at the nape of your neck instead of on top of your head. This creates a more mature and sophisticated look, while still maintaining the fun aesthetic of space buns.
* **Space Buns for Short Hair:** Even with shorter hair, you can create space buns. Try half-up space buns or use texturizing products to add grip and volume to your hair.
* **Knotted Space Buns:** Instead of twisting the hair, create simple knots and pin them in place to form the bun. This is a quick and easy alternative.
* **Space Buns with Hair Rings:** Add small hair rings to the base of the ponytails or around the buns for an edgy and modern touch.
## Tips and Tricks for Perfect Space Buns
* **Use the Right Hair Ties:** Choose hair ties that are gentle on your hair and won’t cause breakage. Opt for seamless hair ties or scrunchies.
* **Bobby Pin Placement is Key:** The way you place your bobby pins can make or break your space buns. Insert them at an angle, catching both the bun and the hair underneath for maximum hold.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment:** Space buns are all about having fun and expressing your creativity. Don’t be afraid to try different variations and styling options to find what works best for you.
* **Practice Makes Perfect:** Like any hairstyle, mastering space buns takes practice. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Keep practicing, and you’ll eventually get the hang of it.
* **Consider Your Face Shape:** The placement of your space buns can affect how your face looks. If you have a round face, try creating higher space buns to add length. If you have a long face, try creating lower space buns to add width.
* **Use a Mirror:** When creating space buns, use a mirror to ensure that the buns are even and symmetrical. This will help you avoid any lopsided or uneven results.
* **Hair Extensions:** If you have thin hair or want to add extra volume to your space buns, consider using hair extensions. Clip-in extensions can be easily added to your ponytails before creating the buns.
* **Sleep in Space Buns (Carefully):** If you want to maintain your space buns overnight, sleep on a silk pillowcase to prevent frizz and breakage. You can also wrap your hair in a silk scarf.
## Troubleshooting Common Space Bun Problems
* **Buns are Slipping:** If your space buns are slipping, try using more bobby pins or applying a texturizing spray to your hair for added grip.
* **Buns are Too Tight:** If your space buns are too tight, they can cause discomfort and breakage. Loosen the hair ties and bobby pins slightly to relieve the tension.
* **Buns are Uneven:** If your space buns are uneven, adjust the placement of the ponytails or the size of the buns until they are symmetrical.
* **Flyaways and Frizz:** Tame flyaways and frizz with hairspray or a serum. You can also use a toothbrush to smooth down any stray hairs.
* **Headache from Space Buns:** If you experience a headache from wearing space buns, it may be due to the tension on your scalp. Loosen the hair ties and bobby pins or try a looser space bun style.
## Space Buns for Different Hair Types
* **Fine Hair:** Use volumizing products like mousse or texturizing spray to add body and grip to your hair. Consider using hair extensions to add fullness to the buns.
* **Thick Hair:** Divide your hair into smaller sections before creating the ponytails to make the buns more manageable. Use strong hair ties and plenty of bobby pins to secure the buns.
* **Curly Hair:** Embrace your natural texture and create messy or textured space buns. Use curl-defining products to enhance your curls and prevent frizz.
* **Straight Hair:** Add texture to your hair with texturizing spray or sea salt spray before creating space buns. This will help the buns hold their shape and prevent them from slipping.
* **Oily Hair:** Use a dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and add volume to your hair before creating space buns. This will help the buns stay fresh and clean.
* **Dry Hair:** Apply a moisturizing serum or oil to your hair before creating space buns. This will add shine and prevent frizz.
## Conclusion
Space buns are a fun, versatile, and easy-to-create hairstyle that can elevate your look for any occasion. Whether you’re going for a playful, whimsical, or chic vibe, space buns offer endless possibilities for personalization and self-expression. By following this comprehensive guide and experimenting with different variations, you can master the art of space buns and achieve out-of-this-world hair. So, go ahead and embrace your inner cosmic goddess and rock those space buns with confidence!