Headbands are a popular hair accessory for women, but do they suit everyone?
Today, we’re going to break it down and help you figure out whether headbands are the right look for you:
Here’s How to Determine if a Headband Suits you:
Consider the shape of your head and the thickness of your hair. A wide headband can make it seem like you have a more oval-shaped face. A wider headband can make your hair look thicker if you have thin hair. For thicker hair, a narrower headband may help to keep your locks under control.
How Can You Make Headbands Fashionable?
While headbands can be an easy-add accessory to make any outfit pop or pull a look together, they’re not an afterthought. A headband can be a great way to elevate whatever you wear.
Choose to match your outfit by using the same color and fabric in your headband as in your outfit. Add some contrast with a different color or print.
Headbands are also sometimes made with different materials, like pearls, beads, ropes, or jewels. Regardless of how you style a headband with your outfit, it’s important to choose the style of headbands you wear.
Alice Bands:
The titular character from “Alice in Wonderland” wears a simple black headband.
It’s a U-shaped headband with a little bow on the top, and those styles of U-shaped headbands are sometimes called Alice Bands after the movie.
Most of us probably wore these in elementary school, but now there are way more options for a U-shaped headband than just a thin piece of plastic with teeth that digs into the spots behind your ears.
However, grown-up Alice bands are sometimes very thick and chunky. They are frequently embellished with beads or jewels since the pieces will stay in place.
Depending on how you want to style them, you can push them back from your forehead or place them on top of your middle part.
Complete Loop:
These styles are often made from a piece of cloth sewn together to form a loop, or you can DIY one with a bandana. Some have a twist or knot at the top, and many people find these styles more comfortable.
They can also look more casual, and they’re also pretty functional. People use these when working out to keep their hair out of their face, and there are even specialized headbands to keep your hair from getting wet as you shower or wash it.
This can help you extend the time between washes, making your hair healthier overall.
Do Headbands Look Good on All Face Shapes?
There are ways to style your headband for every face shape. Whether you’ve got a heart-shaped, round, square, diamond, or oval-shaped face, there’s a way to style a headband that will accentuate those features.
Headbands also look great for short or long hair, and they can be a great accessory for those in the process of growing out their hair.
Whether you’ve got a pixie cut, bangs, flowing locks, braided hair, natural curls, or fine, wispy hair, you can style a headband around it. Combining your hairstyle, your face shape, and the type of headband you’re wearing can elevate your look.
Some options include:
- Wear a headband over a side part with fun materials, like velvet (heart-shaped).
- Centering a knot or twist on top of your head (round).
- Thick, padded headbands to add volume and be reminiscent of a crown (square).
- Wearing the bow or knot off-center gives a softer look (diamond).
- Go for bold patterns and shapes (oval).
Do Headbands Look Best on Everyone?
Since headbands provide so many options, they’re a great accessory for anyone, regardless of hair length, face shape, or gender. Finding a headband that works and fits in with one’s style can make everyone feel and look their best.
You can channel all sorts of celebrities, many of whom rock headbands on the red carpet or in their day-to-day life, running around town.
A-listers like Zendaya and Jessica Alba use a headband to match their great looks at Hollywood events or keep things casual like Bella Hadid, Chrissy Teigen, or former One Directioner Zayn Malik.
Myths Around Headbands:
While we love these accessories, some people may be hesitant about wearing them for fear of damaging their hair.
Do Headbands Flatten Your Hair?
If you have curly hair or hair with a lot of volumes and you wear a very tight headband in the same place on your hair day in and day out, you may notice some breakage or damage to your hair.
Ensure that you vary your hairstyles, especially if you favor a hairstyle or hair accessory that places a lot of tension on the roots of your hair. A thick headband can add the appearance of volume to your hairstyle rather than making your hair look flat and uninspired.
Do Headbands Make Your Forehead Look Bigger?
If you have a small forehead and want to create the illusion of a longer face shape, headbands can be great for that purpose. They draw the eye upwards, a look that some people may be looking for.
However, if you don’t care for your hair, probably when you’re wearing a headband, you can damage your hair at the roots.
This will create what’s known as traction alopecia, which will make your forehead look bigger because it will cause your hairline to recede. But again, keeping a rotation of accessories and styles will always be the best for your hair in the long term.
Sources:
How to wear headbands: 6 ways to rock the trend | Today
The Celeb-Approved Guide to Wearing a Headband Without Looking Like a Child | Glamour