How to Nail the Half-Up Space Buns Trend in 2025: Your Ultimate Style Guide

The half-up space buns hairstyle has officially cemented its place as one of 2025’s most versatile and Instagram-worthy looks. What started as festival hair has evolved into an everyday statement that works for everything from brunch dates to office creative days. If you’ve been eyeing this playful-yet-chic style on your feed but aren’t sure where to start, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide that’ll have you rocking space buns like a pro in no time! 💫

Why Half-Up Space Buns Are Breaking Pinterest in 2025

The viral Pinterest post that inspired this article perfectly captures why this trend has exploded. The aesthetic appeal is undeniable—the soft, face-framing tendrils combined with structured top knots create the perfect balance between edgy and feminine. The neutral color palette in the original pin allows the hairstyle itself to be the focal point, while still showcasing its versatility across different hair textures and colors.

What’s making this particular style dominate Pinterest feeds in 2025 is its accessibility—it works on virtually all hair lengths from bob to waist-length, and the half-up approach makes it less intimidating than full space buns. The trend also hits the sweet spot between nostalgia (hello, ’90s Spice Girls vibes) and modernity with its messy-on-purpose finish that today’s beauty lovers crave.

Plus, unlike many trending hairstyles, this look doesn’t require professional styling or expensive tools—making it perfectly aligned with the current “beauty democracy” movement that’s defined 2025’s approach to trends.

Master the Half-Up Space Buns Look: Step-by-Step Tutorial

What You’ll Need:

• Fine-tooth comb for parting
• 2-3 small elastic hair ties (clear or matching your hair color)
• Bobby pins
• Texturizing spray
• Light-hold hairspray
• Optional: Hair donut or bun maker for fuller buns
• Optional: Decorative hair pins or mini butterfly clips (the Y2K revival is still going strong in 2025!)

The Perfect Half-Up Space Buns Technique:

1. Prep Your Canvas: This style works best on second-day hair with some natural texture. If your hair is freshly washed, add some texturizing spray to create grip. For super sleek hair, try the new microwave-activated texturizing powders that are trending in 2025.
2. Create Your Part: Use a comb to create a clean middle part from your forehead to the crown of your head. For the 2025 update on this look, extend the part slightly farther back than traditional half-up styles for more dramatic buns.
3. Section Your Hair: Divide the top section of your hair into two equal parts (right and left of your middle part). The current trend favors taking slightly more hair than traditional half-up styles—aim to section off the top 40% of your hair for maximum impact.
4. Create Your Buns: Take the right section and twist it into a high ponytail, securing with an elastic. Don’t pull the hair all the way through on the last loop—instead, create a bun by wrapping the remaining hair around the base and securing with bobby pins. Repeat on the left side, ensuring both buns are symmetrically positioned.
5. Perfect the Placement: The 2025 version of space buns sits slightly higher on the head than previous iterations. Position your buns just behind the crown for that perfect face-lifting effect that’s become signature this year.
6. Loosen and Texturize: Gently tug at the sides of each bun to create fullness and that effortless undone look. The goal is controlled messiness—the hallmark of 2025’s beauty aesthetic.
7. Frame Your Face: Pull out a few face-framing tendrils around your temples. The latest trend is for these pieces to be slightly curved rather than poker-straight, so twist them around your finger before letting them fall.
8. Set the Style: Finish with a light mist of hairspray, focusing on taming any flyaways without creating stiffness. The biodegradable micro-mist hairsprays that launched earlier this year are perfect for this.

2025’s Trending Variations:

Slicked-Back Base: For a more dramatic contrast, apply hair gel to the remaining down section of your hair for an ultra-sleek look that pairs perfectly with the textured buns.

Bubble Bun Upgrade: Instead of traditional buns, create multiple small elastics down each ponytail for the bubble effect that’s been gaining traction since late 2024.

Color Pop: Temporary hair color sprays in pastel tones just on the buns create a festival-ready look that washes out easily—perfect for weekend experimentation.

Braided Base: Start with two French braids that lead into your buns for added texture and hold, especially great for finer hair types.

Who Wears This Style Best?

While this style is universally flattering, it particularly complements:

• Heart-shaped faces: The height of the buns balances wider foreheads
• Round faces: The vertical lines created by the style add length
• Oval faces: Can rock any variation of this trend
• Square faces: Soften angular jawlines with looser tendrils around the face

For hair types, the style works across the spectrum but might require different approaches:

• Fine hair: Add volumizing powder at the roots before styling and consider using hair donuts for fuller buns
• Thick hair: Focus on securing buns firmly with extra pins and consider slightly smaller sections for the buns
• Curly hair: Embrace your natural texture in the buns for gorgeous dimension
• Straight hair: Add texture spray for grip and that effortless messy finish

Style It Right: What to Wear with Half-Up Space Buns

The beauty of this hairstyle is its chameleon-like ability to work with various aesthetics:

• For Festival Vibes: Pair with the new sustainable sequin tops that have dominated 2025’s festival circuit
• For Office Chic: Balance the playful hair with structured blazers and the minimalist jewelry that’s defining workwear this year
• For Casual Cool: High-waisted denim and the return of baby tees create the perfect Y2K-inspired ensemble
• For Evening Elegance: The slicked-back variation works beautifully with this year’s popular asymmetrical necklines and statement earrings

Complete Your Look: Beyond the Buns

To truly nail the 2025 aesthetic, pair your half-up space buns with:

• The “cloud skin” makeup trend (the successor to 2024’s “dewy dumpling” look)
• Floating graphic eyeliner in transparent gel formulas
• The new generation of lip oils with color-adapting technology
• And don’t forget to match your digital accessories—custom phone cases that complement your aesthetic are essential for the complete look (though we’re focusing on the hair here!)

Half-Up Space Buns: From Day to Night

One of the reasons this style has maintained its popularity into 2025 is its transformative potential:

Morning: Keep it casual with loose buns and minimal product for a coffee run or weekend errands.

Workday: Sleeker, more controlled buns with fewer face-framing pieces strike the perfect professional-yet-creative balance.

Evening: Add decorative pins, temporary color, or even the light-up hair accessories that became mainstream earlier this year for night-out vibes.

What’s particularly exciting about 2025’s take on this trend is how it’s become a canvas for self-expression rather than just a hairstyle. We’re seeing everyone from corporate professionals to creative freelancers adapting the look to fit their personal style sensibilities.

Ready to Space Out?

Half-up space buns offer that rare combination of being on-trend while remaining completely wearable for everyday life. Whether you’re a festival-goer, busy professional, or just looking to switch up your daily hair routine, this style delivers maximum impact with minimal effort—exactly what we’re all seeking in our beauty routines in 2025.

Have you tried the half-up space buns trend yet? Tag us @TheGlowGrove in your space bun selfies, or pin this tutorial to your hairstyle inspiration board! For more trending beauty looks and step-by-step guides, check out our “2025 Hair Revival” collection on our Pinterest, where we’re constantly adding fresh inspiration for every hair type and occasion. And don’t miss our upcoming live tutorial where we’ll be demonstrating this look on five different hair textures!

Until next time, keep glowing and growing! ✨

– Mia Collins, Senior Beauty Editor at TheGlowGrove.com