You know those mornings. You’ve hit snooze four times, the dry shampoo is barely holding on for dear life, and you have exactly six minutes to look like a functioning human before a Zoom call or coffee date. Enter half up space buns. Honestly, they’re the goat of "I tried but not really" hairstyles. They aren't just for Coachella anymore. They’ve migrated from 90s rave culture to become a genuine staple because they solve the ultimate hair dilemma: wanting your hair down while also needing it out of your face.
It’s a look that’s basically two tiny buns perched on the top of your head while the rest of your hair hangs loose. Some people call them "hunny buns" or double top knots. Whatever the name, the vibe is consistently playful. It’s a little bit Sailor Moon, a little bit Y2K, and surprisingly functional.
The weird history of those double knots
We can't talk about space buns without acknowledging the Princess Leia of it all, though hers were full side buns, not the half-up version we see trending on TikTok now. The 90s really cemented this. Think Gwen Stefani in her No Doubt era or Mel B (Scary Spice) rocking them with neon colors and serious attitude.
The "half-up" variation is a newer evolution that gained massive traction around 2016. It took the edgy, somewhat intimidating full space bun and made it softer. It’s more wearable. It’s less "I’m going to a warehouse party" and more "I’m grabbing brunch and then maybe doing a face mask." Hair stylists like Justine Marjan, who has worked with everyone from the Kardashians to Ashley Graham, have frequently utilized half-up textures to create height and volume without the commitment of a full updo.
The appeal lies in the silhouette. By pulling the top section of your hair into two distinct points, you’re essentially contouring your face. It draws the eyes upward, giving a faux-lift effect that’s way cheaper than a thread lift.
How to actually make them stay (without looking like a toddler)
If you just grab two chunks of hair and twist, you’re probably going to end up with floppy, sad little nubs. Or worse, you’ll look like you’re five years old headed to preschool. To get that "cool girl" half up space buns aesthetic, you need a bit of grit.
First, sectioning is everything. Use a rattail comb. Or your finger if you’re lazy, but a comb makes the middle part crisp. You want to part your hair down the center, but only stop at the crown. If you go too far back, you lose the volume in the back of the "down" section.
- Texture is your best friend. Clean hair is the enemy here. It’s too slippery. If you just washed your hair, blast it with some sea salt spray or a dry texturizer.
- The "Pigtail" Base. Secure two small pigtails first. Don't try to twist the bun directly from loose hair. Securing the base with a clear elastic gives the bun an anchor so it doesn't slide down your skull by noon.
- The Twist vs. The Loop. You can either twist the hair into a rope and coil it, or do the "messy loop" method where you don't pull the hair all the way through the elastic on the last wrap.
- Bobby Pin Strategy. Don't just shove pins in randomly. Hook a bit of the bun, then push the pin downward toward the center of the base.
Sometimes people worry about the "Mickey Mouse" effect. To avoid this, keep the buns closer to the back of your head rather than right on top of your forehead. Or, pull out some face-framing "tendrils." Those little wisps of hair around the ears and temples soften the whole look instantly.
Does hair type matter?
Short answer: yeah, but not how you think.
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If you have thin hair, you’ve probably tried this and felt like you had two tiny blueberries on your head. The trick for thin hair is "pancaking." Once the bun is secured, gently tug at the outer loops to widen them. It creates the illusion of thickness. You can also tease the pigtails before twisting them.
For curly or coily textures, half up space buns are actually a top-tier protective-adjacent style. The natural volume of curls means you don't need to do much to make the buns look full. In fact, many people in the natural hair community use this style to showcase their curl pattern while keeping the front sections manipulated and sleek. Using a firm-hold gel or pomade for the "slicked" part of the hair creates a beautiful contrast with the textured buns.
If you have a bob or a lob (long bob), you might struggle with the back pieces falling out. That’s fine. Let them fall. A "messy" half-up look is often more stylish than something that looks like a structural engineering project. Use a couple of U-shaped pins to catch the stray layers if they’re really bothering you.
Why the "Clean Girl" aesthetic loves this style
You’ve seen the "clean girl" trend everywhere—slicked back hair, dewy skin, gold hoops. Usually, that involves a singular slicked-back bun. But the double bun is the slightly more chaotic cousin of that trend. It’s still polished at the roots, but it has more personality.
Hairstylist Chris Appleton, famous for his work with Jennifer Lopez, often talks about the importance of "snatching" the hair. By pulling the sides of the half-up section tight, you accentuate the cheekbones. It’s a functional beauty trick.
But let’s be real for a second. There is a point where this style can feel "costumey." If you’re wearing a neon tutu and glitter, you’re at a festival. If you’re wearing an oversized blazer and straight-leg jeans, you’re a fashion editor in Soho. The context is what changes the buns from "childish" to "chic."
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Asymmetry. One bun is at 2 o’clock, the other is at 10:30. It happens. Check your reflection in a hand mirror to see the back of your head. The buns should be siblings, not necessarily identical twins, but they should at least be in the same neighborhood.
- Too much tension. If you’re getting a headache, you’ve pulled too tight. This can actually lead to traction alopecia over time if you do it every single day. Give your scalp a break.
- The "Cone" Bun. If your buns look like traffic cones, you’ve wrapped the hair too vertically. Wrap it flatter against the head for a more modern look.
Making it work for different occasions
Can you wear half up space buns to a wedding? Maybe not a black-tie one, but for a casual outdoor ceremony? Absolutely. Just swap the rubber bands for something more elevated, like silk scrunchies or even pinning some baby's breath into the base of the buns.
For the gym, this is actually a pretty terrible style. The "down" part of your hair will get sweaty and matted against your neck. If you're working out, just go full space buns. Your neck will thank you.
For work, it depends on your office culture. In creative fields, it’s a total non-issue. In more corporate environments, you might want to keep the buns smaller and lower toward the back of the crown, using pins that match your hair color so the "mechanics" of the style are invisible.
Real talk on hair health
A lot of people don't realize that repetitive styling in the same spot can cause breakage. If you're obsessed with this look, try to vary the placement slightly. One day, go high and tight; the next, go for a lower, looser version.
Also, the type of elastic matters. Those tiny clear plastic ones are great for staying power, but they are notorious for snapping hair when you try to take them out. Pro tip: use a seam ripper or a pair of small nail scissors to carefully snip the elastic when you're done. It saves your hair from the "rip and tear" method.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re ready to try this right now, here is the move. Don't overthink it.
Start by prepping your hair with a dry shampoo—even if it's clean—to add some grip. Grab the top third of your hair, roughly from the temples up, and split it down the middle. Use your ears as a guide for height; aim for the buns to sit just above the curve of your upper ear for the most flattering angle. Secure with elastics, twist, and pin.
If it looks too perfect, it’s probably wrong. Tug at a few strands. Let the hair behind your ears fall forward. The goal is to look like you did it effortlessly in the car, even if you actually spent fifteen minutes hovering over the bathroom sink.
Check your profile in the mirror. Adjust the volume of the "down" section with a quick hit of hairspray or a wide-tooth comb to make sure it doesn't look flat in comparison to the buns. You're basically creating a balanced silhouette that works with your face shape.