Sana
Ghost buns are having a moment this Halloween, and I completely understand why. Two cute buns with a pale ghost-white twist turn any costume into a full look in minutes. The double-bun shape is already the internet’s favorite party hairstyle, and the ghost-white color plus tiny spooky accessories make it unmistakably October. I rounded up 20 ghost buns halloween hairstyles for every hair type, from sleek and polished to wild and messy.
This guide is for anyone with short-to-long hair who wants a cute Halloween look without the scary – teens, moms, working women heading to office parties. Most of these take under fifteen minutes and need nothing more than elastics, pins, and one ghostly accessory. You will learn how to build double buns that stay put, how to get the ghost-white effect with and without dye, which accessories read cute versus cheap, and how to match the bun style to your face shape and costume. As a stylist, I love ghost buns because the double bun shape does all the work – even the simplest version photographs like you tried hard.
20 Cute Ghost Buns Halloween Hairstyles to Try
Every idea below is a double bun look with a spooky-cute twist. Find the one that fits your hair length and your Halloween plans. I added time and difficulty notes for each style.
1. Classic Ghost White Space Buns
Two round buns sit high on the crown, parted down the middle, with the hair colored a pale ghost white. Each bun gets a small white felt ghost clip with tiny black eyes, the signature cute-spooky touch. For the white, use a temporary white hair spray or wash-out color on light hair – on dark hair, a white wig-safe spray gives the ghost effect without bleach. Part down the middle, make two neat round buns, and clip the felt ghosts on the front of each. Fifteen minutes with spray. Easy difficulty.
I would choose this if you want your hair to do the costume talking. It works best on medium to long hair, and the pale white shade makes the whole look pop. Keep the buns neat and round for the cutest result. Pro tip: white spray transfers onto everything, so apply it before getting dressed and seal with hairspray – then do not touch the buns all night.
2. Messy Ghost Buns with Face-Framing Tendrils
Two loose, undone buns with thin strands left out to frame the face. The buns look soft and a little wild, not perfect. A pale ghost-white blonde tone through the strands adds the Halloween feel. Part loosely, twist each side into a messy bun, and pin – pull pieces out deliberately for the undone texture. Leave two thin tendrils out at the front and curl them lightly. For the ghost tone, a white-blonde temporary spray on the buns does the job. Ten minutes. Very easy difficulty.
I would choose this if you like cute with zero effort. It suits round and oval faces really well because the tendrils soften everything. Mess it up more, not less, that is the charm. One caveat: messy buns loosen fast on silky hair, so use at least four pins per bun in an X pattern or the mess turns into a collapse.
3. Braided Ghost Buns with Ribbon Lacing
Each section is braided first, then wrapped into a bun, with a thin white ribbon laced through the braids. Part down the middle, braid each side into a firm three-strand plait, coil each braid into a bun, and pin. Lace the thin white ribbon through the braid ridges like shoelaces, tying it off underneath. The braids give the buns texture and grip, and the ribbon looks like spiderweb thread. Twenty minutes. Easy to medium difficulty.
I would choose this if your hair slips out of plain buns. Braids hold everything in place all night. It takes a few extra minutes, but the ribbon detail gets all the compliments. Pro tip: lace the ribbon loosely – pulled tight it disappears into the braid, but loose lacing reads as webbing.
4. Ghost Buns with Galaxy Color and Glitter
Two high buns in swirled galaxy color – teal, blue, purple, and pink melted together – with glitter dusted along the part. The color is the whole story here. For the galaxy blend, use semi-permanent dyes in teal, blue, purple, and pink, melting them into each other in horizontal sections. Twist into two high buns and pin. Dust fine cosmetic glitter along the center part and over the buns while the hair is slightly tacky. The glitter catches the light like stars. Thirty minutes with dye. Medium difficulty.
I would choose this if you want the most colorful look on the list. It suits anyone ready for vivid color, and the galaxy blend flatters every skin tone because there is a shade for everyone. The glitter makes it party-ready. One caveat: vivid dyes bleed for the first few washes, so rinse with cold water, wash separately, and sleep on a dark pillowcase the first week.
5. High Ghost Puff Buns with Pale Streaks
Two high, perky puff buns with pale ghost-white streaks woven through them. The puffs are full and round, sitting right at the top of the head. Part down the middle, gather each side high, and puff the hair out – backcomb lightly underneath for fullness – securing with strong elastics. Weave pale white clip-in streaks or temporary white spray through each puff. The pale streaks make them read Halloween instantly. Fifteen minutes. Easy difficulty.
I would choose this if you love a fun, playful look. It suits thick hair best because the puffs need volume. Wrap the base of each puff tight so they stay perky all night. Pro tip: white clip-in streaks beat spray for this style – spray dulls the puff’s texture while clip-ins keep the fullness and add the color.
Keep exploring: 22 Halloween Hairstyles with Bangs: Fringe-Focused Looks
6. Ghost Buns with Cobweb Hair Wraps
Two small buns wrapped with thin white ribbon gauze, crisscrossed loosely like a spiderweb stretched across the crown. Make two small neat buns first and pin them firmly. Then wrap thin white ribbon or gauze strips around and between the buns in a loose crisscross – airy and uneven, just like a real cobweb. The wrapping is the decoration, so keep it loose enough that the bun shape still shows through. Twelve minutes. Easy difficulty.
I would choose this if you want creepy-cute with craft supplies you already own. It works on any hair length that can make a bun. Keep the wrap loose so the bun shape still shows through. One caveat: gauze wrapping slides off sleek buns, so tease the buns lightly first to give the wrap something to grip.
7. Half-Up Ghost Buns with Loose Waves
The top half of the hair is split into two small ghost-white knotted buns, while the bottom half falls in loose waves. Gather the top half, split it down the middle, and twist each side into a small knotted bun at the crown. Add the ghost-white tone with temporary spray on the buns only. Leave the bottom half down and curl loosely with a 1.25-inch iron. You get the cute buns and the pretty length at the same time. Fifteen minutes. Easy difficulty.
I would choose this if you cannot give up wearing your hair down. It suits long hair beautifully. Curl the loose half loosely so it balances the buns on top. Pro tip: keep the buns small – oversized top buns with long hair underneath looks top-heavy, while mini buns keep the proportions cute.
8. Ghost Buns with White Spider Clips
Two neat space buns decorated with small white spider hair clips. Make two neat, round space buns high on the head – smooth the hair first with a brush and light serum so the buns look polished. Clip the small white spider clips right at the base of each bun, two or three per side. The white spiders pop against darker hair. Simple, cute, and instantly Halloween. Eight minutes. Very easy difficulty.
I would choose this if you need a five-minute Halloween hair fix. It suits literally everyone. Buy the clips once and you can reuse them every October. One caveat: white clips disappear on platinum or white hair, so on light hair choose spiders with black detailing to keep them visible.
9. Sleek Polished Ghost Buns with Center Part
A sharp center part with the hair smoothed flat into two polished, glossy buns. Set the center part with a rattail comb, brush each side back perfectly smooth with a smoothing brush and anti-frizz serum, and twist into two tight, glossy buns. Smooth the hairline with edge gel. Everything is sleek with no flyaways. The ghost-white finish – temporary spray or wash-out color – completes the clean look. Fifteen minutes. Easy to medium difficulty.
I would choose this if you like clean and classy over messy. It suits oval and heart faces with that strong center part. Smooth with gel and finish with shine spray. Pro tip: polished buns show every bump, so brush each section twice – once before twisting, once after pinning – for that glass finish.
10. Ghost Buns with Vivid Purple and Braid
Two buns in vivid purple and magenta with a thick braid wrapped around the base and a delicate pearl strand woven through. The color is bold, not pastel – rich purple melting into bright magenta. For the color, use vivid purple and magenta semi-permanent dyes, blending them through the lengths. Braid a thick section and wrap it around the base of the buns, pinning as you go. Weave the pearl strand through the braid for a pretty contrast. Twenty-five minutes with dye. Medium difficulty.
I would choose this if pastel feels too soft for your Halloween. It suits anyone who loves bold color, and the vivid purple flatters cool skin tones beautifully. The braid keeps the buns interesting while the pearls add a pretty twist. One caveat: vivid purple fades fast, so wash with cold water and color-safe shampoo to keep the color glowing through October.
Keep exploring: 27 Vampire Halloween Hairstyles: Dark & Seductive Hair Ideas
11. Textured Ghost Buns with Crimped Ends
The hair is crimped first for zigzag texture, then twisted into two full buns. Work through the hair in half-inch sections with a crimping iron – always with heat protectant – then gather into two high buns, letting the crimped ends stick out a little for a spiky, electric look. Pale ghost-white pieces make it extra spooky. The crimping doubles the volume, so this suits fine hair beautifully. Twenty-five minutes. Medium difficulty.
I would choose this if you love big texture. It suits fine hair because crimping doubles the volume. Crimp the whole head first, then bun it up fast. Pro tip: crimped hair tangles badly, so detangle with a wide-tooth comb and leave-in conditioner before bed or the morning after will be rough.
12. Ghost Buns with Boo Bow Accessories
Two round buns with small bows clipped at the base of each one, one white and one black. Make two neat round buns, then clip one small white bow at the base of the left bun and one small black bow at the base of the right. The bows are plain and cute, and they read Halloween without any scary elements. If you cannot find Halloween bows, make them from ribbon. Ten minutes. Very easy difficulty.
I would choose this if cute is your whole costume strategy. It suits shorter hair too. Make the bows from ribbon if you cannot find Halloween ones. One caveat: mismatched bow sizes look accidental, so keep both bows the same size – the color contrast is the statement, not the size.
13. Low Double Ghost Buns with Wispy Fringe
Two buns sitting low near the nape, paired with a soft wispy fringe across the forehead. Gather the hair into two low buns at the nape – keep them soft, not tight. Style the fringe wispy and light with a small round brush, letting it fall softly. Pale ghost-white tones through the buns lighten the whole style. The low placement feels elegant. Twelve minutes. Easy difficulty.
I would choose this if high buns feel too loud for you. It suits longer face shapes because the low buns balance the length. Keep the fringe light and airy, not heavy. Pro tip: low double buns look best slightly asymmetric – place one a touch higher than the other for an effortless feel.
14. Ghost Buns with Platinum White Strands
Two neat buns with a few platinum white strands pulled out and left to fall around the buns. Make two neat round buns first and pin them firmly. Then clip in three or four platinum white strands around each bun, letting them fall naturally. The white strands glow like ghost trails against the rest of the hair. The buns themselves stay neat. Ten minutes. Very easy difficulty.
I would choose this if you want spooky detail without coloring your whole head. It suits any hair color. A few white clip-in strands are all you need. One caveat: clip-in strands show their clips if placed too high, so clip them underneath the bun where the teeth hide in the pinned hair.
15. Curly Ghost Buns with Big Volume
Two huge buns made from big, bouncy curls, stacked high for maximum volume. The curls spill out of the buns for a wild, cloud-like shape. Define your curls first with cream and gel, then pick them out wide with an afro pick for maximum volume before gathering. Make two high buns, letting curls spill out freely – do not tuck everything in. Pale ghost-white curl spray makes it the loudest look in the room. Twenty minutes. Easy to medium difficulty.
I would choose this if you were born for volume. It suits curly and coily hair perfectly, no heat needed. Pick the curls out wide before pinning for the biggest shape. Pro tip: big curly buns are heavy, so anchor each bun with at least six pins pushed into the hair underneath, not just the bun itself.
Keep exploring: 24 Zombie Halloween Hairstyles: Messy Undone Hair
16. Ghost Buns with Silver Moon Charms
Two soft round buns decorated with tiny silver moon and star charms pinned into the hair. Make two soft, round buns – slightly loose for a dreamy feel. Pin the tiny silver moon and star charms into the buns at different angles, scattering them unevenly so it looks like a real night sky. The charms glint as you move. The buns stay soft and round underneath the jewelry. Twelve minutes. Easy difficulty.
I would choose this if you like witchy-night-sky energy. It suits medium hair that can hold pins well. Scatter the charms unevenly so it looks like a real sky. One caveat: charms pinned only to the bun surface tip forward, so push each pin through the bun into the hair underneath.
17. Triple Twisted Rope Ghost Buns
Three small twisted rope buns in ghost-white hair, placed across the crown. Each bun is a tight rope twist coiled into a mini bun. Part the hair into three sections across the crown. For each section, split into two strands, twist each strand the same direction, then wrap them around each other the opposite way to form a rope. Coil each rope into a small bun and pin. The trio looks like little ghost puffs. Twenty minutes. Medium difficulty – rope twists take practice.
I would choose this if two buns feel expected and you want something different. It suits medium to thick ghost-white or silver hair, and the trio flatters oval faces with its width. The rope texture keeps each bun interesting up close. One caveat: rope twists loosen on silky hair, so work with a little styling cream on your fingertips and pin each bun to the hair underneath.
18. Ghost Buns with White Feather Accents
Two soft buns with small white feathers tucked into the base of each. Make two soft, round buns first and pin them firmly. Tuck three or four small white feathers deep into the base of each bun, angling them outward. The feathers are light and fluffy, like a ghost floating by. The look is dreamy and soft, not scary at all. Ten minutes. Very easy difficulty.
I would choose this if you want Halloween hair that still feels romantic. It suits fine hair because feathers add fullness without weight. Tuck them deep so they do not fly away. One caveat: feathers and wind are enemies, so this is an indoor-party look – or carry spare feathers and a pin for touch-ups.
19. Mini Ghost Buns with a Braided Base
Two tiny mini buns sitting on top of small braids that run along the scalp to each bun. Braid a small section along the scalp from each temple toward the crown, then twist the ends into tiny mini buns and pin. The braided base anchors the buns and adds detail. The mini size keeps everything cute and doll-like. Fifteen minutes. Easy to medium difficulty.
I would choose this if you have shorter hair that cannot make big buns. It suits fine hair because small sections are easier to control. Keep the buns truly mini for the cutest effect. Pro tip: the scalp braids must be tight or the mini buns wobble – braid close to the scalp with small, even sections.
20. Ghost Buns with Smoky Gray Ombre
Two buns with a smoky gray ombre that fades from dark roots to pale ghost-white ends. The gradient looks like mist rising. For a one-night version, spray dark roots with temporary black root spray and the ends with white spray, blending where they meet. For a longer version, a salon ombre grows out beautifully. Wrap into two buns so the color shift shows in every wrap. Twenty minutes with sprays. Easy difficulty.
I would choose this if you love dimensional color. It suits long hair where the ombre has room to fade. This one photographs beautifully, so wear it to the party with the best lighting. One caveat: two spray colors means double the transfer risk, so seal everything with hairspray and wear dark.
Keep exploring: 26 Halloween Hair Color Ideas: Orange & Purple Combos
How to Choose the Right Halloween Hairstyle for You
Start with your hair length and texture. Shoulder-length to long hair makes the fullest ghost buns, but the half-up versions – the half-up ghost buns, the glitter roots, the mini buns with braided bases – work beautifully on shorter hair and lobs. Fine hair should pick the styles that build volume: the crimped ends, the backcombed puffs, the feather accents that add fullness without weight. Thick and curly hair owns the big-volume looks – the curly ghost buns, the high puffs – because the texture does the work. Straight hair gets the sleekest results with the polished center-part buns and the braided ribbon-laced buns.
Next, decide your ghost-white strategy. Temporary white spray is the fastest – it works on any hair color, washes out in one shampoo, but transfers onto everything, so seal it and wear dark. Wash-out white dye lasts a few shampoos and looks more natural on light hair. White clip-in strands give you the effect with zero mess and zero commitment – my top pick for anyone nervous about color. For face shapes: high buns flatter round faces, low buns flatter long faces, and tendrils flatter square faces. Beginners should start with the clip-based ideas – the spider clips, the bows, the charms – which take under ten minutes. The braided and crimped versions deserve a trial run the weekend before.
Styling Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here is my ghost-bun playbook. First, part precisely – the center part is the foundation of every double bun look, so set it with a rattail comb while the hair is damp and check it from the front, not just the top. Second, build both buns to match: make the first bun, then build the second to mirror it, checking symmetry in the mirror before pinning the second one down. Third, pin generously – double buns carry twice the weight of a single bun, so use at least four pins per bun crossed in X patterns. Fourth, apply white spray before accessories and before getting dressed, then seal with hairspray and do not touch the buns again.
The mistakes I see most are avoidable. The biggest is mismatched buns – one high and one low, one big and one small – which reads as a mistake rather than a style, so check symmetry from the front and the back. The second is placing accessories before the buns are secure; clips and charms slide off a loose base, so pin the bun solid first, decorate second. The third is forgetting that white spray and glitter transfer – onto costumes, car seats, and other people – so seal everything, wear dark, and warn your hug-prone friends. Get these right and your ghost buns will be the cutest hair at the party.
Final Thoughts
Ghost buns prove that Halloween hair does not need to be scary to be perfect. Whether you go full ghost white or just add a spider clip, the double bun shape does all the work. Pick the version that fits your hair and your night, and give it one trial run.
Try one of these 20 ghost buns halloween hairstyles this October and tag your spooky-cute look. Cute ghosts get all the candy – and the best hair compliments too.
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