Princess Leia Buns: The Hairstyle Carrie Fisher Made Iconic

Carrie Fisher in her starring role as Princess Leia for Star Wars. (Photo credit: REX)
Carrie Fisher in her starring role as Princess Leia in Star Wars. (Photo: Rex)

Actress Carrie Fisher, who passed away Tuesday morning, was legendary for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies.

Though Fisher was also a wonderful writer, storyteller, and humorist, it was the strength with which Fisher imbued Princess Leia, and the character’s iconic, don’t-mess-with-me braided buns, which left an impact on the beauty world that will never be forgotten.

When George Lucas, the filmmaker and creator of Star Wars, was questioned by Time back in 2002 about the unique hairstyles in his movies, he responded: “In the 1977 film, I was working very hard to create something different that wasn’t fashion, so I went with a kind of Southwestern Pancho Villa woman revolutionary look, which is what that is. The buns are basically from turn-of-the-century Mexico. Then it … became such a thing. In the new trilogy, the same thing applies, to try and do something timeless. I’m just basically having a good time.”

The Cinnabon-sized buns, which were large enough to cover both of Fisher’s ears, became a well-recognized staple look associated with her character — and the look has been so influential that it’s served as inspiration for everything from couture runways to Halloween costumes to everyday street style.

Here are more than a few memorable beauty moments that give the nod to the famous Princess Leia buns:

Model Kendall Jenner walks the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2016 runway show during Paris Fashion Week. (Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage)
Model Kendall Jenner walks the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2016 runway show during Paris Fashion Week, with two low brunette buns. (Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 02: Miley Cyrus seen on the streets of Manhattan on December 2, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)
Miley Cyrus spotted in New York City with two platinum-blond braided buns. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)
deluxe-princess-leia-wig
People have always been so much in love with the iconic Princess Leia buns that her look has become a go-to Halloween staple. This costume wig is available at HalloweenCostumes.com.
ellen and carrie
Ellen DeGeneres and Carrie Fisher wore Princess Leia hair buns to sell Star Wars seats to fans in December 2015. (Photo: YouTube)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 11: Actress Yara Shahidi attends ESSENCE 7th Annual Black Women In Music at Avalon Hollywood on February 11, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/WireImage)
Actress Yara Shahidi attended the seventh annual ESSENCE Black Women in Music event in Los Angeles rocking a slanted middle part and two braided knots. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/WireImage)
Famed fashion influencer, Chiara Ferragni striked a pose with effortlessly chic bronde buns in NYC September 2016. (Photo by Timur Emek/Getty Images)
Fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni struck a pose with effortlessly chic bronde buns in New York City in September 2016. (Photo by Timur Emek/Getty Images)

Loyal fans have begun to express their sympathy by posting photos on social media of themselves wearing Princess Leia buns, using #princessleiabuns as a tribute to their love for the look.

Princess Leia forever! #nerdsinmourning #princessleiabuns

A photo posted by Heidi Joemama (@he3idi) on Dec 27, 2016 at 10:51am PST

Fans of the star and hair lovers around the world will most certainly miss everything about the late Carrie Fisher, and that classic hairstyle we just couldn’t get enough of.

She will truly be celebrated, and her legacy will live on forever.

Rest in peace Carrie Fisher. Photo by Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox/REX/Shutterstock (5886297ff) Carrie Fisher Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope - 1977 Director: George Lucas Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox USA Film Portrait Scifi Star Wars (1977) La Guerre des étoiles
Rest in peace, Carrie Fisher. (Photo by Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox/Rex/Shutterstock)