Hi, I’m Lena — a professional hairstylist with over 10 years in the salon chair. In this post I share 16 bandana hairstyles for women, from easy everyday looks to polished salon-ready styles. Bandanas are one of the most versatile accessories: they work on curly, straight, long and short hair, protect strands from friction, and give instant polish to an outfit. I’ll walk you through looks like a tied-back ponytail, boho headband, twisted updo, pin-up scarf, and braided styles — each paired with simple steps and product recommendations. Whether you’re aiming for a vintage vibe, a protective style, or a quick morning fix, these bandana ideas suit busy commuters, festival-goers, and anyone who loves effortless style. Follow my tips for knot placement, fabric choice, and holding techniques so your bandana stays secure and your hair stays healthy. This gallery includes 16 images to inspire every hair texture and length.
Textured Pixie with Tousled Fringe and Retro Bandana Wrap
This look pairs a short, textured pixie and soft, side-swept fringe with a folded bandana tied at the crown — a versatile everyday style that reads modern-retro. Suitability: Best on fine to medium hair for easy shaping, but works on thicker hair when thinned and texturized. Styling technique: Start on towel-dried hair. Apply a root-lift spray at the crown and a small amount of sea-salt or texturizing spray throughout. Blow-dry using fingers or a small round brush to lift roots and encourage separation; rough-dry the fringe in the desired direction. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte paste or light pomade through the ends to define texture. Fold a square cotton bandana into a 2–3
Textured Messy Bun with Bandana Knot — Face‑Framing Tendrils for All Hair Types
This easy, salon-friendly look pairs a low or mid-height messy bun with a knotted bandana and soft face‑framing tendrils. Hair type suitability: works well on fine, medium and thick hair; straight or slightly wavy hair benefits from added texture, and curly hair looks great when smoothed at the crown before tying. Styling technique: prep damp or second‑day hair with a sea‑salt or texturizing spray, scrunch and rough‑dry. Gather hair into a loose bun (low or mid‑crown), secure with an elastic, and hide ends by tucking and pinning with bobby pins. Tie the bandana around the head with a small knot at the top or off‑center. Pull out a few face‑framing pieces and finish by softly curling them for dimension. Tools needed: tail comb, hair elastic, bobby pins, 1 curling wand (optional), blow dryer. Products required: heat protectant, texturizing/sea‑salt spray, dry shampoo, light hold hairspray, occasional shine serum. Difficulty level: easy–medium (10–20 minutes). Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo and a mist of sea‑salt spray, retie the bandana gently, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and preserve shape.
Boho Headscarf with Face‑Framing Layers — Textured Low Bun for Medium to Thick Hair
This boho headscarf look pairs a loosely tied scarf with a textured low bun and soft face‑framing layers. Suitable for medium to thick hair and shoulder length to long cuts, it also adapts to fine hair when prepped with texturizing products or a small padding/donut. Technique: mist roots and lengths with texturizing spray, rough‑dry or air‑dry to build grit, then gather hair into a low messy bun or ponytail, leaving 2–4 small front sections out. Wrap the scarf around the crown and tie a knot or twist at the top, tucking ends under and securing with pins. Tools needed: wide‑tooth comb, paddle brush, tail comb, hair tie, bobby pins, optional bun donut. Products required: lightweight mousse or sea salt spray, dry shampoo for lift, smoothing serum for ends, light‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: easy–medium (salon level: 2/5). Maintenance tips: retwist scarf daily to prevent creasing, refresh volume with dry shampoo, reapply a light mist of texturizer rather than washing, and protect edges by tying scarf loosely to avoid tension and color transfer onto delicate hair.
Messy Curly High Bun with Knotted Bandana
A versatile, salon-friendly look that pairs a loose, textured high bun with a knotted bandana for instant polish. Best suited to natural curls and waves or medium-to-long hair; straight hair works well when pre-texturized with a curling wand or sea-salt spray. Technique: gather hair into a high pony several inches back from the crown, secure with an elastic, then loosely twist and wrap into a messy bun, allowing curl ends and face-framing tendrils to fall free. Place the bandana across the hairline, tie a small knot at the top and tuck ends under or leave a short tail for style. Tools needed: elastic, bobby pins/U-pins, tail comb, diffuser or blow dryer, optional curling iron. Products: lightweight curl cream or mousse to define, sea-salt spray for grip, dry shampoo for volume, light-hold flexible hairspray and heat protectant if using hot tools. Difficulty: easy–medium — quick to achieve with basic skills. Maintenance tips: refresh with a water spray plus curl cream, re-secure loose pieces with pins, use dry shampoo to extend wear, and remove the bandana at night or wear a silk scarf to protect curls.
Textured High Bun with Curtain Bangs and Folded Bandana
This textured high bun paired with soft curtain bangs and a folded bandana is a practical, salon-ready style that flatters straight, wavy and loose-curly textures. It works best on medium to thick hair; fine hair benefits from a volumizing powder, clip-in bump or light teasing at the crown, while very curly/coily hair can be smoothed or stretched first for a sleeker bun. Styling technique: prep hair with a root-lifting spray or dry shampoo, rough-dry for grip, then section off bangs and face-framing pieces. Gather remaining hair into a high pony, twist into a loose bun and secure with an elastic and bobby pins; pull small pieces free for softness. Fold a cotton bandana into a strip and tie it across the hairline or beneath the bun for a polished finish. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush or paddle brush, tail comb, elastic, bobby pins and optional flat/curler. Products required: heat protectant, texturizing spray, dry shampoo/volumizer, lightweight smoothing serum and light-hold hairspray. Difficulty: easy–moderate (10–25 minutes). Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo, retie bandana nightly or sleep on silk, trim bangs every 4–6 weeks and re-pin stray pieces as needed.
Voluminous Natural Curls Styled with a Bandana Headband
This look suits type 3–4 natural curls and kinky-textured hair that benefit from moisture and volume. Start on freshly washed, conditioned hair: apply a creamy leave-in detangler, then a curl-defining cream or curl custard through soaking-wet sections, using fingers or a wide-tooth comb to distribute. Scrunch from ends toward roots and diffuse on low heat with a diffuser attachment to set shape without causing frizz, or allow to air-dry for softer definition. Fold a cotton or silk bandana and position across the forehead, tying at the back to secure — this frames the face and controls flyaways. Tools: wide-tooth comb, diffuser or microfibre towel, sectioning clips, and a soft brush or toothbrush for smoothing edges if desired. Products: sulfate-free shampoo, rich conditioner, leave-in cream, light oil (argan/jojoba), and optional gel for hold. Difficulty: easy–moderate — basic product application is simple but balancing volume and definition takes practice. Maintenance: pineapple at night or use a satin bonnet, refresh with water + leave-in spray between washes, deep-condition weekly, and trim ends every 8–12 weeks to maintain shape.
Boho Bandana Headband with Loose Double Braids — Textured Low Braids
A relaxed boho look that pairs a folded bandana headband with two loose, low braids — ideal for medium to long hair in straight, wavy or slightly curly textures. For fine hair, add volume with a salt/texturizing spray; for thick hair, smooth and section evenly before braiding. Styling technique: work on second‑day or dry hair, mist with texturizer, part center or slightly off, fold the bandana into a 2–3
Boho Bandana with Loose Double Braids — Headband Braid Style
This relaxed boho look pairs a folded bandana headband with two loose braids — ideal for medium to long hair in straight, wavy, or loosely curled textures. It works well on fine hair when pre-texturized and on thick hair when smoothed at the roots. Start with second-day hair or add a sea-salt/texturizing spray to clean hair for grip. Part down the middle, fold the bandana to desired width and tie it across the forehead or slightly back. Create two low, three-strand (or fishtail) braids, securing with small elastics; gently pancake each braid for fullness and pull out face‑framing pieces for softness. Tools: rat-tail comb, elastic bands, soft-bristle brush, sectioning clips, and optional curling iron. Products: texturizing or sea-salt spray, light smoothing serum, dry shampoo and a flexible-hold hairspray for hold without stiffness. Difficulty: easy–moderate; allow 15–25 minutes. Maintenance: refresh texture with dry shampoo, re-pancake or re-braid as needed, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or re-tie with a silk scarf to prevent frizz and breakage. Ideal for casual outings and festivals.
Textured Bandana Updo with Curtain Bangs
From salon experience this casual, textured bandana updo flatters most face shapes and works especially well on fine to medium hair, and on thicker hair when slightly thinned at the crown. Technique: start with hair about 70–80% dry, apply heat protectant and a root-lifting mousse or texturizing spray, then rough-dry while lifting at the roots with fingers or a round brush. Leave curtain bangs and a few face‑framing strands out, gather the rest into a low loose bun or tuck at the nape and secure with an elastic and bobby pins. Fold a bandana into a narrow band, place at the hairline and tie a small knot on top, adjusting tension so it holds volume without flattening. Tools: blow dryer, round brush or fingers for lift, tail comb, hair elastic, bobby pins, flat iron (optional). Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray or mousse, dry shampoo, light-hold hairspray, a smoothing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: easy–moderate; 10–20 minutes. Maintenance: refresh roots with dry shampoo, re-tie or reposition the bandana after sleep, tame flyaways with a dab of serum, and avoid heavy oils that will weigh down the texture.
Short Textured Bob with Scarf Wrap and Side‑Swept Fringe
This look suits fine to medium hair and layered thick hair cut to short–medium length with a side‑swept fringe. Start on towel‑dried hair: apply a lightweight heat protectant and a root‑lift mousse, then blow‑dry with a round brush to create volume at the crown and shape the fringe. Use a flat iron or small-barrel curling iron to soften ends and add subtle texture. Gather hair at the nape, leaving the fringe and a few face‑framing pieces loose; secure loosely with an elastic and tuck excess into a low chignon or loose knot. Place a medium-width scarf over the crown, tie at the nape, and adjust to cover the top while allowing soft volume on the sides. Anchor with a couple of bobby pins if needed and gently pull small sections for lived‑in texture. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, tail comb, flat or curling iron, elastics, bobby pins, scarf. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or spray, texturizing/sea‑salt spray, light hold hairspray and a smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: easy–moderate. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, retie scarf daily, trim fringe every 4–6 weeks, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve lift.
Curly High Puff with Bandana Wrap — Natural Texture Updo
This elevated high puff with a bandana wrap suits naturally curly to coily hair (3A–4C) and works best on mid-length to long hair. Start on damp, detangled hair: apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner and a curl-defining cream or gel to enhance curl pattern without weighing the roots. Gather hair into a high ponytail using a gentle elastic or satin scrunchie, positioning it near the crown for maximum volume, then fluff and shape the puff with fingers or a wide-tooth pick. Place the bandana or scarf under the ponytail, tie it across the forehead and knot at the top or side, tucking tails under for a neat finish. Tools: spray bottle, wide-tooth comb/Denman, edge brush, satin scrunchie, bobby pins. Products: leave-in conditioner, curl cream or light gel, small amount of oil for shine, light-hold hairspray for flyaways. Difficulty: easy–moderate — beginner friendly with a little practice to balance volume and secure the scarf. Maintenance: sleep on a satin pillow or bonnet, refresh with a water + leave-in mist, retie bandana loosely, and deep-condition weekly to maintain hair health and elasticity.
Short Platinum Pixie with Textured Fringe and Red Bandana
This cropped pixie with a textured fringe and tied bandana suits fine to medium straight or slightly wavy hair; thick hair can wear it but will benefit from thinning for manageability. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a root-lifting spray or light volumizing mousse, then blow-dry using a small round brush to lift the crown and smooth the fringe. Use a flat iron for precise shaping of the bangs or to add a gentle bend. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte texturizing paste or light pomade through the top layers to separate and define pieces. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, small round brush, flat iron, wide-tooth comb, clips, and the bandana. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse/root lift, texturizer or light wax, flexible-hold hairspray, and dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty: easy to moderate — a quick 10–15 minute routine once you’re practiced. Maintenance: schedule trims every 4–6 weeks, use purple or tone-preserving shampoo for platinum color as needed, deep-condition weekly, and rotate bandana placement to avoid friction and breakage at the hairline.
Bandana Headband with Messy Low Bun and Loose Face‑Framing Pieces
From a salon point of view, this look pairs a folded bandana headband with a relaxed low messy bun and soft, face‑framing pieces — great for weekends or casual shoots. Suitability: works best on medium to fine straight or wavy hair; thick hair can also wear it but may need more pins or a second elastic. Technique: prep hair with dry shampoo or sea‑salt/texturizing spray for grip. Leave two front sections out, gather the rest into a low pony, twist into a loose bun and secure with an elastic and a few strategically placed bobby pins. Fold the bandana into a long strip, place it across the hairline and tie slightly off‑center; tuck or trim the tails. Optional: add soft waves with a 1
Messy Curly Top Knot with Bandana Headband
This effortless, textured top knot with a bandana wrap works best on naturally curly, wavy, or textured hair; fine hair can also achieve this look after adding texture with a sea-salt spray or light curling. Start on damp or second-day hair: apply a leave-in conditioner and curl cream for definition, then rough-dry with a diffuser to enhance natural shape. Gather hair high on the crown, twist into a loose bun and secure with an elastic; pull out soft face-framing tendrils and gently tug at the bun for volume. Wrap a lightweight bandana or scarf around the hairline and tie at the top or side for a bohemian finish. Tools: elastic, bobby pins, wide-tooth comb or fingers, diffuser or blow-dryer, optional curling wand for defined tendrils. Products: leave-in conditioner, curl cream or mousse, dry shampoo for grip, light-hold hairspray, heat protectant if using hot tools. Difficulty: easy–medium — straightforward but benefits from practice in tension and placement. Maintenance: refresh with a water/curl-cream mist, sleep on a satin pillow or loosely wrap in a scarf, avoid tight ties to prevent breakage, and deep-condition weekly to maintain curl health.
Messy Top Knot with Bandana and Curtain Bangs
This relaxed top knot with a tied bandana and soft curtain bangs suits fine to thick hair and works best on straight to wavy textures; tight curls will need light smoothing or larger-section twists. Start with second-day hair or refresh freshly washed hair with a volumizing mousse and a salt or texturizing spray to add grip. Backcomb lightly at the crown for lift, gather hair high on the head leaving out face-framing bangs and a few tendrils, then twist into a loose bun and secure with an elastic and a few bobby pins. Tie a cotton bandana or scarf around the hairline, knotting at the top for a vintage touch. Tools: elastic, bobby pins, tail comb, blow dryer (optional), curling iron for soft tendrils. Products: texturizing spray or sea-salt spray, dry shampoo, light-hold hairspray, heat protectant and smoothing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: easy–medium; 10–20 minutes depending on skill. Maintenance: refresh volume with dry shampoo and rework the bun daily, trim bangs every 6–8 weeks, and sleep with a silk scarf to preserve shape and reduce frizz.
Textured Curly Fringe with Bandana Headwrap
This look suits fine to medium naturally wavy or curly hair and can be adapted for relaxed curls on thicker hair. Technique: keep the face-framing fringe slightly shorter and texturized with point-cutting; leave the rest shoulder-length or pulled back into a low bun/ponytail. To style, apply a lightweight curl cream or mousse to damp hair, use a diffuser on low heat while scrunching to enhance natural texture, then shape the fringe with fingers or a small round brush and a blow-dryer on low for soft lift. Wrap a folded bandana or scarf from the nape, bringing ends up to tie a knot at the crown; tuck tails or leave a small bow. Tools needed: diffuser, small round brush (optional), hair tie, bobby pins, scissors for trimming bangs, and a bandana. Products required: curl-enhancing cream or mousse, heat protectant, light-hold hairspray or texturizing spray, and a tiny amount of styling paste for piecey ends. Difficulty: easy–moderate. Maintenance: trim the fringe every 4–6 weeks, refresh curls between washes with a water + leave-in mix, avoid heavy oils that weigh curls down, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely rewrap the bandana to preserve shape.
Bandanas are a small accessory that deliver big impact. As a stylist, I recommend choosing a soft, breathable fabric (like cotton or rayon) for everyday wear and a silk or satin scarf when you want to reduce friction at night. Match bandana width to your hair length — narrow for pixie and bob styles, wider for long or voluminous hair — and secure with a small elastic or discreet bobby pins to avoid slippage. For color balance, pick patterns that complement your skin tone and outfit; neutral bandanas are best for work, while bright patterns suit weekends or events. Maintain healthy hair by using a light leave-in or heat protectant before styling and refreshing styles with dry shampoo or a texturizing spray between washes. Experiment with placement, knot styles, and layering with braids to make each of the 16 looks your own — and don’t be afraid to ask your stylist for a custom twist that flatters your face shape and routine.