A bandana is the fastest way to make second-day hair look deliberate. It covers a flat root, hides a grown-out fringe, and turns a basic bun or ponytail into an outfit detail. And it costs less than almost any other hair accessory.
Below are the bandana hairstyles worth trying, how to fold the scarf so it doesn't slide, and the small tricks that keep it in place all day.
How do you wear a bandana in your hair?
Fold a square bandana into a triangle, then fold it from the long edge into a band two or three fingers wide. Tie it as a headband, knot it under a bun or ponytail, or weave it into a braid. Pin it at the nape or behind the ears so it stays put.
How to fold a bandana (the step most people skip)
- Lay the bandana flat and fold it corner to corner into a triangle.
- Starting at the long, folded edge, fold it over itself in strips until you have a band the width you want.
- For a headband look, keep it narrow. For a wrap or kerchief look, fold only once or twice so there's more fabric.
A wider band grips better on fine or silky hair. A narrow band looks neater on thick hair.
The looks
1. Messy bun with a bandana tied underneath
Twist your hair into a loose bun, then wrap the folded bandana around the base and knot it underneath. Leave the tails long so they show below the bun.
2. Low ponytail with a scarf bow
Secure a low ponytail with an elastic first, then tie the scarf over it. The elastic does the holding and the scarf just does the looking good, so it never slips down.
3. Silk scarf as a headband with loose waves
The waves here are golden brown hair with blonde highlights. Push the folded scarf back from your hairline and tie it at the nape under your hair. A few bobby pins behind the ears keep it from creeping forward.
4. The classic top-knot headband
Tie the band so the knot sits on top of your head, just off center, with the tails sticking up. It's the most playful version and works best on medium to long hair worn down or in a high ponytail.
How: A narrow fold, knot on top of the head, tails tucked or left up.
5. Braided in with a bandana
Fold the bandana into a thin rope, tie it around the base of a ponytail, then braid the scarf tails in as if they were a third strand. It hides flyaways and keeps a braid neat for hours.
How: A thin rope fold, tied at the ponytail base, tails braided in.
6. Half-up with a bandana knot
Pull the top section of your hair back into a small half-up ponytail and tie the bandana around the elastic. It looks polished with very little effort and keeps hair out of your face.
How: A small half-up ponytail, bandana knotted over the elastic.
7. Kerchief tied under the hair
Fold the bandana into a triangle only, place the long edge at your hairline, and tie the ends at the nape underneath your hair with the point hanging at the back. It's the easiest way to cover roots or a bad hair day.
How: A triangle fold only, tied under the hair at the nape.
Cotton or silk?
Cotton bandanas grip better and hold a knot, so they're the easiest to start with. Silk looks dressier and is gentler on hair, but it slides, especially on clean, fine hair. A little dry shampoo or texture spray at the root gives silk something to hold onto.
Keeping it in place
- Pin it. Two bobby pins crossed in an X behind each ear stop a headband from moving.
- Tie over an elastic. For ponytails and buns, let a hair elastic do the holding and the bandana do the styling.
- Don't tie it tight. A band that's too tight pulls forward and can give you a headache. Snug is enough.
Bandana hairstyles by hair length
Short hair and bobs. Stick to a narrow headband fold or a kerchief tied at the nape. Pin it firmly behind the ears, because there's less hair to anchor it.
Shoulder length. Almost everything works. Try the half-up knot, a low ponytail with a scarf bow, or a headband with loose waves.
Long hair. You have the most options, including braiding the bandana into a ponytail or tying it under a big messy bun. Long hair also balances a wider, bolder scarf.
Curly and textured hair. A wide fold worn as a headband or a pineapple-style high bun with the bandana wrapped around the base keeps curls out of your face without flattening them.
What to wear it with
A bandana is an accessory like a belt or earrings, so treat it as part of the outfit. Pull one color from your clothes into the scarf, or keep the scarf neutral if your outfit is busy. Black and cream paisley goes with nearly everything; a bright silk print is the easiest way to make jeans and a white tee look styled.
FAQ
How do you keep a bandana from slipping out of your hair?
Fold it wider, add texture spray or dry shampoo at the root, and pin it behind the ears with crossed bobby pins. For ponytails and buns, tie the bandana over an elastic rather than relying on the knot to hold your hair.
Can you wear a bandana with short hair?
Yes. A narrow headband fold or a kerchief tied at the nape both work on bobs and even pixie cuts. Pin it at the sides so it doesn't slide back.
What size bandana is best for hairstyles?
A standard square bandana folds down easily into a headband or a ponytail tie. For kerchief styles that cover more of your head, a larger square scarf gives you more fabric to work with.
The bottom line
A bandana turns five minutes of effort into a hairstyle that looks planned. Start with a cotton one and the messy bun or low ponytail, then try silk once you've got the fold down. For dressier styles, see our half-up half-down wedding hairstyles, or browse all our hair ideas.
