You know the look. It is perhaps the most recognizable hairstyle in cinematic history. When Carrie Fisher stepped onto the set of A New Hope in 1977, she probably didn’t realize she was about to make hair history with two giant coils of brunette hair pinned to the sides of her head.
Honestly? Most people think how to do leia buns is just a matter of making two pigtails and twisting them until they go into a circle. It’s not. If you do that, they’ll probably fall off by lunch or look like weird little knobs rather than the regal "cinnamon rolls" we all know and love.
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George Lucas famously told Fisher that he wanted something that didn't look modern, something timeless and "vaguely Southwestern." He actually looked at photos of Mexican female revolutionaries—specifically the "Soldaderas" from the early 20th century—for inspiration. The result was iconic. But for those of us trying to recreate it for a convention, a party, or just because it’s a Tuesday, it requires a bit of structural engineering.
The Secret to Making Leia Buns Stay Put
The biggest mistake is starting with clean hair.
Freshly washed hair is too slippery. It has no "grip." If you want these buns to stay on the side of your head without sliding down to your neck, you need some grit. Professional stylists usually recommend second-day hair or a very generous amount of dry shampoo or texturizing spray.
You’re basically building a foundation.
Think about the physics here. You are hanging two heavy weights on the thinnest part of your scalp’s "real estate." Without a solid anchor, gravity is your enemy.
What You’ll Actually Need
Don’t just grab a couple of rubber bands. You need the right kit:
- Two thick hair elastics (the heavy-duty kind).
- About twenty large bobby pins. Not the tiny decorative ones; you want the industrial-strength ones that actually hold weight.
- Hair donuts (optional, but highly recommended if your hair isn't three feet long).
- A fine-tooth comb for that sharp center part.
- Hairspray with a "frozen in time" level of hold.
Step-by-Step: How to do Leia Buns Like a Pro
First, part your hair. It has to be a straight line from the forehead all the way down to the nape of the neck. Use the bridge of your nose as a guide for the starting point.
Once you have two even sections, tie them into high pigtails. Here is the trick: place them higher than you think. They should be centered just above your ears. If you put them too low, you look like a Victorian doll. Too high, and you’re a cartoon mouse. Aim for that sweet spot right at the temple line.
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Dealing with Length and Volume
Now, if you are Carrie Fisher, you have the benefit of hair extensions and a team of stylists. If you’re a normal human, your hair might be too thin to create those massive coils.
This is where "hair donuts" or "socks" come in.
Slide the donut over the pigtail. Spread your hair over the foam like a fountain, covering the material completely. Then, tuck the ends under and pin the living daylights out of it.
If you're going for the authentic, "wrapped" look without a foam filler, you need to twist. Twist the hair tightly until it starts to coil naturally around the base of the elastic. Keep it flat against your head. Don't let it "cone" outward. A common issue is the "beehive" effect where the bun sticks out three inches. You want it wide and flat, like a disc.
Keep pinning as you go. Don't wait until the end to add pins. Pin the "inner" circle of the bun to the base pigtail as you wrap the "outer" layers.
Why Most People Fail at the Cinnamon Roll Look
It’s the tension.
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If you wrap too loosely, the bun wobbles. If you wrap too tightly, you’ll have a migraine within twenty minutes. You have to find that middle ground where the hair feels secure against the scalp but isn't pulling your eyebrows into your hairline.
Another thing: the ends.
Tucking the very tips of your hair is the hardest part. Use a "U-pin" (also called a hair fork) to catch the loose ends and shove them deep into the center of the bun. Then, hit the whole thing with hairspray until it feels like a helmet.
Different Styles for Different Eras
While the A New Hope buns are the most famous, the "Leia Look" evolved. In The Empire Strikes Back, she wore more intricate braids and updos because the character was on the move. In Return of the Jedi, we got the "Ewok Village" braided crown.
But the "cinnamon rolls" remain the gold standard.
Interestingly, Carrie Fisher famously hated them. She thought they made her face look rounder and joked that it took two hours to get them right every morning. However, for the 2020s, we have better tools. We have synthetic hair loops that you can simply clip onto your own pigtails. If you are short on time or have hair that just won't cooperate, a pre-styled clip-on is a perfectly valid "cheat" that many cosplayers use to save their sanity.
Maintaining the Style Throughout the Day
If you’re wearing this to a convention, you’re going to be walking, sweating, and probably bumping into people.
Check your pins every two hours.
The weight of the buns will naturally cause the bobby pins to migrate outward. Just give them a little push back toward the center. If one side starts to sag, don't just add more pins—tighten the central elastic if you can.
Actionable Next Steps for the Perfect Bun
- Audit your hair length: If your hair doesn't reach at least your mid-back, go buy two medium-sized hair donuts in a color that matches your hair.
- Practice the part: Spend five minutes just getting that center part perfect. It’s the difference between looking like a pro and looking like you got dressed in the dark.
- Test your pins: Open a bobby pin. If it doesn't snap back shut instantly, throw it away. Weak pins are the primary cause of "bun failure."
- Prep the texture: Spray your hair with a sea salt spray or texturizer tonight if you plan on styling it tomorrow. The overnight "settle" makes the hair much easier to manipulate.
The key to the Leia look isn't perfection; it's structure. Once those buns are locked in place with enough hardware to set off a metal detector, you're ready to lead the Rebellion. Just remember to keep your chin up—literally—because the weight of the hair will try to pull your head back until you get used to it.