How to Wear a Head Wrap or Hair Scarf

Head wraps and hair scarfs are the latest hairstyle trend that we’re loving. They’re the perfect stylish solution for bad hair days, as well as a quick way to have your hair appear styled in 30 seconds flat. You’ve probably already seen this trending hairstyle gracing your social media feed this summer and may be wondering how to add it into your styling repertoire. If that's the case, we can help. Whether you have long hair, medium hair, or short hair, we’re here with 20 hair scarf styles you can try to get in on this current trend.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #1: TEXTURED AND LONG

The easiest way to wear a head wrap or hair scarf is to simply leave your hair down. All you have to do is grab your head wrap and slip it on while leaving your locks as they are. If you’re using a hair scarf, simply wrap it around your head and tie it at the nape of your neck. Your head wrap or hair scarf will keep your hair out of your face and hide oily roots—in case you happen to have run out of dry shampoo. For a fast, easy way to style your locks, use a texturizing mist, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Boost It Air-Blown Texture Mist, to add volume and texture to your mane in a few quick spritzes. Alternatively, try a hair pomade like the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty to give your hair a boost in texture and thickness.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #2: UPDO OR BUN

Another way to wear a head wrap scarf is to put your hair into an updo or bun hairstyle. Style your hair into your updo of choice, then throw on a head wrap to transform the look. Whether you choose to put your hair into a sophisticated hairstyle or a messy bun, a trending accessory will definitely complement your updo. This also happens to be a great way to keep your hair out of your face and off your neck on hot, humid days. Speaking of which, check out our article on 5 Updos and Buns That Are Perfect for Hot Summer Days.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #3: BRAIDS FOR DAYS

Braid hairstyles are always in style. Whether you want to wear a French, Dutch, or fishtail braid, a head scarf is the perfect way to take your everyday braid to the next level. For a simple yet super boho-chic look, part your hair to the side and style it in a fishtail braid. Put on your head wrap and then pull a few face-framing strands loose.

Editor’s tip: Don’t assume you only have three options when it comes to how you braid your hair. If you want to think outside the box, you can! Just head over to our article, Braided Hairstyle Update: 2 New Ways to Wear a Side Braid. There, you’ll find out how to create two new braids you can wear with a hair scarf.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #4: MODERN PIGTAILS

Head wraps and hair scarves come in all sorts of fun textures and patterns. From lace to polka dots, there are plenty of playful options. Why not play up the fun factor by taking a style tip from your childhood self and putting your hair in pigtails? While you may think this is something you definitely can’t pull off at your current age, we have a few articles that can help you rock pigtails at any age. Read our articles, How to Make Pigtails Look Chic and How to Rock Pull-Through Pigtails.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #5: GYM HAIR

Head wraps can also be worn to the gym! They’re a super cute and trendy alternative to the traditional gym headband or baseball cap. Whether you prefer to throw your hair in a ponytail or a top knot, a head wrap can pull your look together and keep your hair from getting in the way during your workout.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #6: HALF-UP BUN

Want your hair out of your face but still want your locks to hang free? A half-up bun paired with a hair scarf is the way to go. To get the look, grab a section of hair from temple to temple going toward the back of your head and put it into a small bun. Then, grab your hair scarf and wrap it around the bun, securing it by crisscrossing the two ends. For this look, you’ll want to use a hair scarf that isn’t too long, or you’ll be left with ends that are longer than your hair.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #7: ACCENTED TOP KNOT

Who says a top knot hairstyle has to be boring? If you’re rushing out the door and pulling your hair into this classic hairstyle, consider sprucing up the look with a head wrap or hair scarf. All you need to do is wrap the scarf around the base of your bun for an on-trend, accented style.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #8: FULL COVERAGE

Having a really bad hair day or simply want to use your hair scarf to protect your hair? Consider this full coverage option. Don’t worry—we’ll go over how to wrap hair with a scarf. First, clip all of your hair up into a style that keeps your locks close to your head, such as a French twist. Then, reach for a square silk hair scarf and fold it in half to form a triangle. Place the straight edge of the scarf along the nape of your neck, then bring the two ends of the triangle to the front of your head. Pull the tip of the triangle so that it falls forward over your forehead. Next, tie the two ends by crisscrossing them and tuck the tip of the triangle into the knot you created. All done!

HAIR SCARF STYLE #9: ACCESSORIZE YOUR ENDS

Love wearing your hair in a braid? You don’t have to limit yourself to wearing your head wrap or scarf as a headband! Instead, tie the scarf at the end of your braid, wrapping it around your hair tie to take your look to the next level.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #10: SCARFED BRAID

Want’s cuter than a braid? A braid with a fun, colorful hair scarf mixed in, of course! To get the look, start by splitting your hair into three sections. Then, wrap your scarf around your middle strand, leaving an equal length of scarf on either side. Combine each scarf end with the side sections of your hair, then braid. Easy, peasy!

HAIR SCARF STYLE #11: BUBBLE PONYTAIL

The bubbly ponytail is one of our favorite hair scarf styles. This fun, carefree look is perfect for a hot summer day. First, put your hair into a high ponytail. Then, tie small hair scarves down the length of your ponytail, about two inches apart. Fluff each section to create your bubbles and you’re all set!

HAIR SCARF STYLE #12: LOW PONYTAIL

To upgrade a simple style, consider adding a head wrap or scarf to a low ponytail. First, put your mane into a low pony. Then, tie the scarf at the base of your ponytail. That’s it!

HAIR SCARF STYLE #13: BOW HEADBAND

We’re sure you’ve seen this retro hair scarf style circulating your social media feeds, and you can rock it too. Simply wrap your scarf around the base of your neck and tie it at the top of your head, forming a bow. You can then let your remaining hair fall down or style it into an updo or ponytail—it’s really up to you.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #14: BRAIDED HALO

Love the romantic vibes a halo braid creates? Well, you can take them a step further with the help of a head scarf. Simply incorporate a scarf into your braid. To do so, place the center of the scarf under the middle strand and add the two ends to each side strand of hair. Once you have your scarf ready to go, follow the steps in our tutorial, Look Like an Angel: Mixed Halo Braid Tutorial to get the look.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #15: HALF-UP PONY

Remember the half-up bun hairstyle we mentioned? You can get a similar style by rocking a half-up ponytail. As you can probably guess, all you have to do is put the top section of your hair into a party pony, then wrap the base of your ponytail with your scarf. How cute!

HAIR SCARF STYLE #16: ACCENT BRAID

Grab a section of hair from the side of your part and split it into three pieces. Place the center of your scarf underneath the middle strand and begin French braiding your hair, incorporating the scarf as you go. Braid toward the back of your head, then secure with bobby pins behind your ear. Allow the rest of your hair and the ends of your scarf to hang down. It also never hurts to add some wave to your style, so feel free to reach for a wave spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #17: KNOTTED HEADBAND

There’s more than one way to wear your head wrap or scarf as a headband! For a knotted headband look, start by putting your mane into a pineapple updo. Then, hold your scarf by either end and place it at the nape of your neck. Bring the ends forward and double knot them at the front of your head by crisscrossing twice. Then, tuck the extra cloth at the back of your head into itself so there’s no free-hanging material but the back of your head is still covered. Finally, gently tug at the knot you created to add a bit of volume.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #18: LOW BUN WRAP

Sometimes, when it comes to hair scarf styles, simple is best. Put your hair into a low bun, then tie your hair scarf around the base of the bun to complete the look.

HAIR SCARF STYLE #19: MID-BRAID

Can you tell we love the head wrap and braid combo? For this hairstyle, you can braid your hair any way you choose (traditional three-strand, fishtail, or French are a few recommendations). After you’ve finished braiding, tie your hair scarf halfway down the braid for a statement look!

HAIR SCARF STYLE #20: CRISSCROSS PONY

Last but not least, give your ponytail an upgrade with a head scarf! First, put your mane into a high ponytail. Then, wrap your scarf once around the base of your pony. Take either end of the scarf and wrap it around your ponytail in a crisscross motion. This hair scarf style is best for those with long hair.

Enjoyed reading about how to wear this hairstyle trend? Check out our article, 5 Ways to Use Jeweled Hair Accessories, for more hair accessory-centric hairstyles.