How to Create Rainbow Space Buns: The Ultimate Festival Hair Tutorial

Elevate your festival look with vibrant rainbow space buns, featuring braids and temporary hair color for maximum impact.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach
Created on

Rainbow Space Buns: The Ultimate Festival Hair Trend

With festival season here, it’s time to dial up your look beyond flower crowns and standard beachy waves. The rainbow space buns hairstyle—just as playful as it sounds—combines the enduring popularity of space buns with vivid colors and braided details, turning heads at every event. Whether you’re hitting Coachella or a local summer concert, this bold style merges easy techniques with creative color play for an unforgettable festival vibe.

Why Rainbow Space Buns?

  • Visual Impact: Multi-hued strands and structural braids add dimension and artistic flair.
  • Customization: Boasts versatility with shades to suit any skin tone or personal style.
  • Temporary Fun: Uses wash-out color, so your commitment lasts only as long as your festival wristband.
  • Social-Ready: A favorite among influencers, with frequent appearances on TikTok and Instagram.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Do Rainbow Space Buns

Follow this step-by-step process for salon-worthy results. No professional tools—just creativity and a few essentials.

Step 1: Start With a Clean Canvas

Wash and towel-dry your hair for best color payoff. If your hair is second-day, mist with dry shampoo for grip.

  • Brush out knots to ensure smooth sectioning.
  • Part your hair down the center using a rattail comb for precision.

Step 2: Secure the Top Sections

Section off the top half of each side and use clips to keep it separate from the bottom half. These top sections will form your base buns.

  • Separate evenly to maintain symmetrical buns.
  • Work with manageable chunks for easier coloring and braiding.

Step 3: Apply Temporary Rainbow Hair Color

The magic of rainbow space buns lies in their color. For festivals or spontaneous experimentation, opt for a temporary hair color makeup like L’Oreal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup, which provides bold, buildable pigment and washes out easily. The product comes in 13 shades, including Pink Violet, Lilac, Silver Blue, and Gray, letting you layer or alternate tones for a true spectrum effect.

  • Dispense a dime-sized amount of color onto fingers—no gloves required.
  • Apply color to sections: try four shades in succession for a vertical rainbow.
  • Rub the product into strands, focusing on lower sections for vibrant buns.
  • Air dry or use a cool setting on your blow dryer to set color.
  • Brush gently for even distribution.
ShadeTonal FamilyFestival Pairing
Pink VioletBold PinkPop or EDM Festivals
LilacSoft PurpleFolk or Indie Events
Silver BlueMetallic BlueCosmic or Rave Themes
GrayCool NeutralUrban Street Fests

Step 4: French Braid Each Section

For added intricacy, French braid each side from the nape up toward the clipped top section. This technique fuses color with style and creates a seamless transition into the buns.

  • Braid tightly for definition; loosen for a boho feel.
  • Secure the end of the braid with a small elastic.

Step 5: Fuse Braids and Top Sections, Form Buns

Take the colored, braided bottom and combine it with the clipped-up top section, braiding them together just an inch or two. Then, twist and wrap it around to form space buns on either side.

  • Pin the buns securely with bobby pins or grips.
  • For extra volume, backcomb the sections before coiling.

Step 6: Add Metallic Spray for Festival Flair

If you crave extra sparkle, finish the look by misting your buns with metallic hair color spray—think silver, rose gold, or holographic for futuristic vibes.

  • Spray in short bursts, holding the can 6-8 inches from your hair.
  • Concentrate on the buns for maximum visual effect.

Recommended Products for Vibrant Festival Hair

  • L’Oreal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup: Best for quick, temporary bold color; washes out effortlessly.
  • Dry Shampoo: Adds grip and volume for styling.
  • Metallic Hair Spray: Provides a shimmering festival finish.
  • Fine-Tip Hair Clips: Perfect for sectioning and securing.
  • Bobby Pins/Grips: Keep buns locked in place all day.

Hairstyle Inspiration

Looking for funky alternatives or trending adaptations? Here are some of the latest hair transformations dominating social media and runways:

  • Red Hair Trend: Bold crimson tones are in, as spotted on TikTok.
  • Best Summer Beauty Trends: Texture, bright accessories, and playful updos rule.
  • Miley’s Slicked-Back Pony: Met Gala inspired, easily recreated with budget-friendly products.
  • Edge Moments: Intricate baby hairs and sculpted flyaways for artistic drama.
  • Millennial Makeup Looks: Pair your buns with dewy skin for a modern finish.

Pro Tips and Troubleshooting

  • Volume Boost: Backcomb each section gently before forming buns for extra lift and texture.
  • Longevity: Setting spray or lightweight hairspray keeps your style looking fresh.
  • Quick Rework: Temporary hair makeup allows for hassle-free re-application if you want to change or intensify the colors mid-festival.
  • No Mess: Most hair makeup formulas are stain-resistant and wash out with standard shampoo.
  • Accessory Add-Ons: Tiny stars, pearls, or neon clips amplify your look for nighttime events.

Common Problems and Solutions

IssueSolution
Color FadingReapply color as needed; shield hair from rain and sweat.
Buns UnravelingDouble up on pins; use strong elastics.
Uneven SectionsRe-part hair and re-section for symmetry.
Product BuildupClarifying shampoo post-event.
  • Bubble Ponytails: Layered elastics create voluminous bubbles down the length.
  • Pastel Balayage: Soft washes of color blend seamlessly for a dreamy effect.
  • Braided Headbands: Chic and functional, perfect for sweaty concert days.
  • Accessorized Curls: Statement hairpieces add polish to natural textures.
  • Pixie Buns: Mini space buns for short hair—just as vibrant, twice as cute.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How long does temporary hair makeup last?

Most wash right out with shampoo. Depending on color intensity and product, you’ll have festival-perfect hues for up to two washes.

Q: Will hair makeup color work on dark hair?

Yes! Modern temporary colors are designed for all hair shades, providing vibrant payoff even on brunette or black hair.

Q: Can I use regular hair dye for rainbow space buns?

Permanent dyes offer stronger saturation but are less adaptable for festivals. Temporary makeup lets you switch up your look day-to-day.

Q: Will the color stain my scalp or pillows?

No, provided you use reputable temporary hair products. Most formulas are no-transfer.

Q: Can space buns work on short or layered hair?

Absolutely! You may need extra pins, but the technique adapts for virtually any length with creative parting and strategic use of elastics.

Q: What’s the best way to remove metallic spray?

Wash with clarifying shampoo; follow up with a hydrating mask.

Quick Reference: Rainbow Space Buns In Five Steps

  1. Middle-part your hair and section off the top halves with clips.
  2. Apply 3–4 temporary hair color shades down the length of each section.
  3. French braid each colored section up towards the top.
  4. Braid together the colored bottom and top section for extra texture.
  5. Wrap each section into buns, secure, and finish with metallic spray.

Celebrity Inspiration Gallery

  • Miley Cyrus: Sleek space buns with subtle rainbow fades at the Met Gala.
  • Tyla: Statement buns paired with edgy liner and metallic accents.
  • Influencer Trends: TikTok stars showing off ever-changing rainbow color combos.
  • Best root touch-up sprays for on-the-go perfect color.
  • Try-it kits for festival hairstyles: hair chalks, metallic sprays, quick braid tools.
  • Drugstore buys for high impact, low commitment style.

Festival-Ready Checklist

  • Colorista Hair Makeup
  • Flexible hold hairspray
  • Hair clips / elastics
  • Metallic spray or glitter gel
  • Portable travel brush
  • Bobby pins and grips
  • Photo-ready makeup to complement your new look
  • Hydrating hair mask for post-event recovery

Dance Into Festival Season With Rainbow Space Buns

Rainbow space buns are more than just a hairstyle—they’re a vibrant, expressive celebration of personal style. Thanks to temporary hair makeup and playful styling, anyone can achieve this trending look at home. Whether you love the metallic finish, the braided details, or just the attention-grabbing color, it’s time to stand out from the crowd and make your festival hair truly unforgettable.

Sneha Tete
Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete