Headbands are a must-have hair accessory right now. Whether you’re channeling your inner Blair Waldorf, recreating Vanessa Hudgens’ festival vibes, or loving the resurgence of the cloth headband look, the headband is a fun and versatile piece to include in your hairstyles.
Aside from just slipping on a headband, though, it’s not always easy to come up with different ways to style it. And just like any of the clothes in your closet, we’re sure that you’ll want to get as many wears out of it as possible—girl math!
There’s also the impostor syndrome that sometimes comes with bringing out new hair accessories. We’ve all seen the memes about putting on a cap and thinking to yourself, “I bet everyone can tell I don’t usually wear caps. Everyone’s staring at me and thinking, ‘she doesn’t wear caps’”.
Well, we’re here to tell you to throw that impostor syndrome out the window, because you are a headband girly now. And we’re going to tell you how to style a headband to match your unique hair type. Follow our tips and you’ll be left wondering how you ever managed without them!
How to Style a Headband for Any Hair Type
If you think headbands don’t suit your hair type, you’re mistaken. Headbands can look incredible on any hair type, from finer, straight hair to thicker, coiled hair. Short, medium, and long-haired women can all rock a good headband, too.
Whether you’re trying to push your hair wash day back an extra day by concealing it with a good headband, or you’re heading to a formal occasion with an embellished headband to crown your outfit, they’re for everyone and every event!
Some headband types do work especially well for specific hair types and lengths, so let's explore how to wear a headband to complement your unique locks.
Choosing the Right Headband for Your Hair Type
There are loads of different types of headbands. Some are decorative, some are practical accessories to lock your hairstyle into place, and some offer the best of both worlds!
Alice Bands
An Alice band is a flexible headband designed to hold back longer hair. Can you picture Alice in Wonderland with her blue headband? That’s where the name comes from!
The Alice band looks great on all hair types, from short curly hair to long and straight. If you do have thicker, coiled hair, you may need to adjust your hairstyle to let it lie flat, but it can be done!
Alice bands are usually associated with plastic decorative headbands. The harder headbands can sometimes be a little uncomfortable to wear for a long time, so they’re not necessarily used for their practicality. If you are looking for something that looks good and is practical, spiral headbands are usually better than hard plastic.
The Alice band can range anywhere from the slimmer plastic bands to the thicker, larger bands designed to make a statement. They look gorgeous, but aren’t ideal for everyday use.
Cloth Headbands
The cloth headband is having its moment right now. They’re all over social media, with creators and influencers matching their colorful cloth headbands to their outfits. They’re normally easier to use on finer hair, but they’re good for everyone.
A cloth headband is particularly nice for more casual daytime and sporty looks. They’re super comfortable and keep hair out of your face. They can sometimes slip back, so they don’t have the best hold. But they are pretty good at hiding a greasy hair day, which is always a win!
Metal Headbands
Metal headbands are typically used for practical purposes. They often have a zigzag shape and teeth that hold your hair out of your face. Again, these headbands are good for all hair types.
Athletes often wear these types of headbands to secure their hair back, so it doesn’t distract them while playing sports. They’re not overly comfortable, so not ideal for wearing for longer periods of time.
Silk Headbands
The silk headband is a perfect decorative headpiece for day or evening occasions. You can get soft silk headbands, or hard bands wrapped in silk. Just like the Alice band, anyone can wear them, they just might need extra adjustments if your hair is super thick.
This one is usually better for protecting your hair, as silk helps to prevent friction and reduce frizz and breakage. Silk scrunchies are another good option if you’re looking for a more elevated, hair-friendly accessory.
Spiral headbands
If you’re looking for a headband that looks cute, is versatile, is comfortable, and keeps your hair securely out of your face, then the spiral headband is your best bet.
They’re great for all hair types and won’t cause dents in your hair, so you can slip them in and out as needed without ruining your do. Whether you’re playing sports, heading to a festival, or just chilling out around the house, the spiral headband will be your go-to.
How to Wear a Headband with Long Hair
There are many ways to wear a headband with long hair. The key is to mix up the type of headband you’re wearing, as well as the hairstyles you’re wearing them with.
1. Boho Waves with a Cloth Headband
To achieve this look, start with soft, beachy waves. Then, slide a wide cloth headband over your forehead for a relaxed, bohemian look. Tuck a few face-framing strands behind the band for an effortless vibe.
2. High Ponytail with a Silk Headband
Start by gathering your hair into a sleek, high ponytail. Secure it in place with a strong hair tie, preferably one that matches your silk headband of choice!
Then, slide a silk headband over your head, or if it’s a piece of material, wrap it around your head. Make sure that all the shorter pieces of hair and flyaways are smoothed down and held by the headband.
3. Braided Crown with a Metal Headband
To create a braided crown, braid two pieces of hair either side of your head. Pin them together at the back of your head to create a crown shape. Add a metal headband to give it an extra touch of shape and texture.
How to Wear a Headband with Short Hair
If you have shorter hair, headbands can be a great way to add versatility to your hairstyles.
1. Sleek Bob with a Thin Headband
This is an iconic style. To perfect it, you’ll want poker-straight hair, so be sure to use a flat iron. Get a thin headband and position it around an inch behind your hairline. Opt for a neutral color to ensure it matches most of your wardrobe, or select one that matches your outfit!
2. Pixie Cut with a Bold Headband
It can feel like there aren’t many ways to style a pixie cut, but with a headband, the possibilities are endless! Choose a wide or printed headband to add volume and texture to your look.
Push it back slightly to keep your hair out of your face while maintaining a stylish look.
3. Messy Waves with a Spiral Headband
Remember that festival hairdo we mentioned earlier? Here it is! To get that iconic Coachella look, use a curling wand to achieve soft waves. Then, slide in your spiralled headband to get that carefree, tousled effect.
Ways to Wear a Cloth Headband
Want to know how to style a headband to get as many looks as possible? Here’s some inspo with a cloth headband.
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Classic Top-Knot Look: Tie up your hair into a top knot. It can be as messy or as neat as you desire! Pair a cloth headband with your high bun for a sporty yet stylish appearance.
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Turban Style: The turban style always comes back into fashion. Twist the cloth headband in the front for a trendy, vintage feel.
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Low Bun with a Headband: Sometimes a low bun feels like it needs something extra. A cloth headband not only helps to keep all your strands in check, but it also makes your hairstyle look even more neat and elegant.
Protective Hairstyles That Support Healthy Hair
Many of us are going through our healthy hair journey right now. Whether you’ve overdone the bleach, used too many products, or applied too much heat to your hair, it deserves a break from time to time.
To keep your hair strands healthy and reduce the likelihood of tangles and split ends, it’s best to use protective hairstyles.
Here are some protective hairstyle ideas that incorporate headbands:
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Braided Updos: Helps keep hair from tangling and breaking. Add a metal headband to keep your hair out of your face while adding something more dynamic to the look.
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Loose Ponytails: Prevents tension on the scalp while keeping hair secure. A cloth headband helps make the pony even more secure while maintaining your comfort.
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Heatless Overnight Curls: Use a silk headband to create soft, bouncy curls without heat damage.
TELETIES headbands are designed to be stylish and comfortable, all while staying securely in place.
For more protective styling options, check out TELETIES hair clips and hair ties that are gentle on your strands. Or, for more styling inspiration and hair accessories, explore the full headband collection.