20 Bandana Hairstyles for Women: Easy Bandana Hair & Headscarf Styles for Short, Long, Curly & Straight Hair (Buns, Ponytails, Braids, Vintage & Boho Updos)

Hi, I’m Lena — a salon stylist with 10+ years of hands-on experience creating wearable, everyday looks. In this post I share 20 bandana hairstyles for women that span quick, polished, and playful — from vintage headscarf wraps and boho updos to sleek ponytails, messy buns, and braided styles. Bandanas and headscarves are one of my go-to tools for adding instant personality while protecting hair, disguising second-day texture, or creating festival-ready vibes. These looks suit every length and texture: short cuts get instant edge, long hair gains effortless style, and curly or textured hair benefits from protective wrapping and moisture retention. I’ll walk you through practical styling tips I use in the salon — choosing the right fabric and size, prepping with lightweight products, securing with pins instead of elastic when needed, and adjusting tension so styles hold without breakage. Grab 20 inspiring images and simple steps to make these bandana looks part of your daily routine.

Boho Bandana Headband with Loose Beach Waves for Medium to Long Hair

This look suits medium-to-long lengths and most textures — especially naturally wavy to thick hair; fine hair works well too with added texture. Begin on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a lightweight mousse or texturizing spray. Blow-dry smooth or let hair air-dry until about 80% dry, then section. Use a 1 curling wand or iron to wrap 1–1.5 sections, alternating direction away from the face for a natural, lived-in wave; leave the ends slightly straighter for a modern finish. Allow curls to cool, then gently finger-comb or run a wide-tooth comb through to soften. Fold a cotton bandana into a 2–3 strip, place over the hairline, and tie a small knot at the top — tuck ends or leave a soft bow and pull a few face-framing pieces free for softness. Tools: 1 curling iron/wand, blow dryer, wide-tooth comb, clips, bandana. Products: heat protectant, sea-salt or texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, dry shampoo. Difficulty: easy–medium (20–30 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, reheat a few sections on day two, sleep with a silk scarf or the bandana in place, and trim every 8–12 weeks to prevent split ends.

Braided Crown Bun with Bandana Headband and Face‑Framing Tendrils

This polished braided crown bun with a tied bandana is ideal for medium to long hair and works well on straight, wavy, or softly curled textures. For fine hair, add a texturizing product or light backcombing for grip; for thick hair, section and secure each braid tightly. Technique: start on dry or slightly second‑day hair, mist with salt or texturizing spray, create a crown or halo braid (one or several small braids) around the top, gather remaining length into a high bun and pin the braids around it. Fold a bandana into a narrow headband and tie a secure knot at the top, leaving a few face‑framing tendrils loose for softness. Tools: rat‑tail comb, small elastics, bobby pins (crossed for security), optional hair donut, and a curling wand for tendrils. Products: dry shampoo, texturizing spray, light smoothing serum, and flexible‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 15–30 minutes. Maintenance tips: night wrap with a silk scarf, refresh texture with dry shampoo, retwist any loose braids and re‑pin as needed, and re‑tie the bandana to keep the look crisp.

Boho Bandana Style — Loose Beach Waves for Long Dark Hair

This relaxed boho look pairs a folded bandana with loose, piece-y waves and works best on medium to thick long hair or naturally wavy textures. Start with towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a lightweight mousse or sea-salt spray to add grip. Rough-dry with a diffuser or blow-dryer until mostly dry, then section the hair. Use a 1–1.25 curling wand or flat iron to create alternating away-from-face bends, leaving the ends slightly undone for a lived-in finish. Backcomb lightly at the crown for lift, then fold a cotton bandana into a 2–3 strip and tie it snugly across the forehead or hairline, leaving face-framing pieces loose. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, curling wand/flat iron, wide-tooth comb, clips, tail comb. Products: heat protectant, sea-salt spray or texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, and dry shampoo for second-day refreshes. Difficulty: easy–moderate; 15–25 minutes depending on skill and length. Maintenance tips: refresh waves with a spritz of water + salt spray, sleep in a loose braid or silk scarf to preserve texture, and trim ends every 8–12 weeks to avoid split ends.

High Curly Top Knot with Red Bandana — Voluminous Messy Bun for Textured Hair

This playful high top knot with a tied bandana is ideal for natural curls, coils and wavy hair that want quick volume and hold. Start on damp or day-two hair: apply a leave-in conditioner and curl cream to define strands, then gather hair into a high ponytail at the crown using a snag-free elastic. For extra lift, place a small donut or wrap the base with an extra elastic; loosen the ponytail and gently tease for a fuller silhouette. Twist or wrap hair into a loose bun and secure with bobby pins, leaving a few curly tendrils out for softness. Fold a square bandana and knot it at the front above the forehead, tucking ends under for a clean finish. Tools needed: wide-tooth comb, rat-tail comb, hair ties, bobby pins, optional hair donut and diffuser. Products: leave-in conditioner, curl cream or light gel, anti-frizz serum, and a flexible hold hairspray. Difficulty: easy–moderate; beginners may need a few tries to get balance. Maintenance: refresh with a water + curl cream spritz, retie the bandana nightly or sleep on a silk pillowcase, and avoid heavy oils that flatten the bun.

Classic Bandana Headwrap with Pulled‑Back Hair — Boho Headband Look

This bandana headwrap is a versatile, salon‑friendly look that suits medium to long hair and adapts well to straight, wavy or curly textures. Start with clean, towel‑dried or second‑day hair: smooth a small amount of lightweight styling cream or serum through the lengths to control frizz. Create a low ponytail or loose bun at the nape (or leave hair down for a softer finish) and secure with a small elastic. Fold the bandana into a wide strip, place it across the hairline and tie at the nape or slightly to the side; tuck the tails under and anchor with a couple of bobby pins for extra hold. Tools: wide tooth comb, brush, small elastic, bobby pins, and a cotton bandana. Products: smoothing serum or cream, light texturizing spray (for grip), and light‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: easy (1–2/5) — quick to master in the chair. Maintenance tips: don’t tie too tightly to avoid tension at the hairline, refresh with dry shampoo between washes, re‑tuck pins after active days, and wash the bandana frequently to prevent scalp buildup. Great as a protective, on‑the‑go style.

Tousled High Bun with Bandana Headwrap and Curtain Bangs

This relaxed high bun with a wide bandana and soft curtain bangs suits medium to thick, wavy or curly hair best — fine hair can also wear it with added texture. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a salt or texturizing spray and a light mousse, rough-dry with a diffuser to enhance natural wave, then gather hair into a loose high pony. Twist the pony into a messy bun and secure with an elastic and a few bobby pins, leaving face-framing pieces out. Fold a cotton or silk bandana into a broad band and wrap it around the hairline, tying at the nape or slightly to the side. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb, elastic, bobby pins, and a tail comb for placement. Recommended products: texturizing/salt spray, light mousse or volumizing spray, heat protectant if using heat, dry shampoo and a flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: easy–medium — quick once you master placement. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer between washes, retie the scarf daily, sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz, and trim bangs every 6–8 weeks to keep the curtain shape.

Messy High Bun with Bandana Wrap — Casual Boho/Rockabilly Updo

This easy, salon-tested messy high bun with a knotted bandana suits medium to thick hair best; fine hair can be volumized with padding or a texturizing powder. Start on towel-dried or second-day hair: apply a sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse and rough-dry for texture. Gather hair into a high pony, tease the crown lightly for lift, then twist the pony into a loose, messy bun and secure with an elastic and a few bobby pins, leaving tendrils around the face for softness. Fold a square bandana into a long strip, wrap it around the hairline and tie a secure knot on top or to the side. Tools: brush, tail comb, elastic, bobby pins, blow dryer (diffuser optional), and a small flat iron if you want defined face-framing pieces. Products: dry shampoo for grip, texturizing or sea-salt spray, light-hold hairspray, and an anti-frizz serum for flyaways. Difficulty: easy–medium — great for beginners after one practice. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and re-tighten pins, avoid sleeping with metal accessories, and deep-condition weekly to prevent breakage around the elastic.

Textured Low Bun with Patterned Headscarf — Loose Updo for Natural & Wavy Hair

This easy, polished look pairs a relaxed, textured low bun with a folded patterned headscarf — ideal for natural, wavy, or curly textures and also adaptable for fine or chemically straightened hair. Start on towel-dried or second-day hair: work a light leave-in conditioner through the lengths, then mist a texturizing or sea-salt spray for grip. Gather hair to the nape, twist into a loose bun and secure with an elastic, using bobby pins to anchor pieces and create volume. Pull a few face-framing strands free for softness. Fold a square scarf into a band, position it across the hairline and tie at the back or side, tucking ends under for a clean finish. Tools needed: wide-tooth comb, tail comb, elastic, bobby pins, optional donut or sock for extra fullness, hairdryer if shaping. Products recommended: leave-in conditioner, texturizing spray, light-hold gel or edge control for baby hairs, and a drop of smoothing oil. Difficulty: easy–moderate, 10–20 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep with a silk wrap or re-tie the scarf, refresh texture with dry shampoo or mist, and avoid heavy oils that can soil the fabric.

Textured High Messy Bun with Bandana Headband and Curtain Bangs

This look suits straight to wavy hair and adapts well for fine, medium or thick textures; very curly hair can be smoothed in the bang area or worn with natural texture for a bohemian finish. Start on second‑day or dry hair for better grip: apply dry shampoo and a texturizing spray, tease lightly at the crown, gather hair into a high pony, twist into a loose messy bun and secure with an elastic plus bobby pins. Fold a medium-width bandana into a headband and knot at the top, then pull out face‑framing tendrils and style curtain bangs with a round brush or small flat iron for shape. Tools: paddle brush, tail comb, small round brush or flat iron, hair elastic, bobby pins, sectioning clips. Products: dry shampoo, sea-salt or texturizing spray, lightweight hairspray, heat protectant and a smoothing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: easy–moderate — requires basic styling and pinning. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and finger‑tease daily, resecure the bandana and pins as needed, trim bangs every 6–8 weeks, and store on a silk pillow or wrap with a scarf overnight to preserve shape.

Textured Messy Bun with Bandana and Loose Face‑Framing Tendrils

This relaxed, textured messy bun paired with a folded bandana headband flatters most hair types — best on medium to thick and on fine hair when pre-texturized or lightly teased. Start on towel‑dried or second‑day hair: apply sea salt or texturizing spray at the roots and lengths, then rough‑dry for grip. Gather hair into a loose high or low bun, secure with an elastic and anchor with bobby pins, leaving two small front sections out for face‑framing tendrils. Fold a square bandana into a slim band, position it at the hairline, and tie a small knot on top or tuck ends under. Use a 1

Messy Curly Bun with Bandana and Face-Framing Tendrils

Suitability: Best for wavy to curly hair and medium-to-thick textures; fine hair can wear this look if you add texturizing products or light teasing to build volume. Styling technique: Start on towel-dried hair, apply a sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse and rough-dry with a diffuser to enhance natural texture. Gather hair loosely at the nape into a low messy bun and secure with an elastic, leaving two to four face-framing tendrils out. Wrap a square bandana around the head and tie at the nape or top, tucking ends for a clean finish. Use a 1 curling wand to define the tendrils and soften them with your fingers. Tools needed: diffuser-equipped blow dryer, 1 curling wand, elastic band, bobby pins and a wide bandana or scarf. Products required: sea-salt spray or mousse, light-weight smoothing oil, dry shampoo or texturizing powder for grip, and a light-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: Easy–Intermediate; 10–20 minutes depending on curl definition. Maintenance tips: Refresh with a water mist and texturizer, re-tuck loose pieces with pins, sleep with a silk scarf to preserve shape, and swap or wash the bandana if it becomes oily.

Sleek Headscarf Wrap with Center Part and Face‑Framing Tendrils

Perfect for medium-to-long straight or slightly wavy hair, this sleek headscarf wrap highlights a clean center part with soft face‑framing tendrils and a low pony or bun hidden beneath the scarf. Styling technique: blow-dry smooth, create a precise center part with a tail comb, leave two 1–2 inch front sections out, gather the rest into a low pony or loose bun and secure. Fold a square scarf into a band, place at the hairline, wrap toward the nape and knot over the bun so the ends drape naturally; release the front tendrils and refine with a flat iron if needed. Tools needed: tail comb, paddle brush, blow dryer, flat iron, elastic bands and bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, smoothing serum or cream, light-hold hairspray, dry shampoo or texturizing powder for grip, and optional edge-control for sleek baby hairs. Difficulty level: easy–medium — straightforward for beginners familiar with basic heat styling and wrapping. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillow or retie the scarf to reduce friction, refresh roots with dry shampoo, lightly re-smooth tendrils with a flat iron and a drop of serum, and avoid tying too tightly to prevent tension.

Textured Blonde Messy Topknot with Bandana and Curtain Bangs

This look is a relaxed textured topknot wrapped with a bandana and soft curtain bangs—ideal for shoulder-length to long hair and works best on medium to thick textures; fine hair can wear it too with added texture. To create it, apply a sea-salt/texturizing spray to towel-dried hair, rough-dry, and backcomb lightly at the crown for lift. Gather hair into a loose high pony, twist into a messy bun and secure with an elastic and bobby pins, leaving a few face-framing strands. Fold a square bandana into a long strip and wrap it around the head, knotting at the top or back; pull pieces for a lived-in finish. Tools: blow dryer, tail comb, small elastics, bobby pins, and an optional 1 curling iron to shape tendrils. Products: sea-salt spray, dry shampoo, heat protectant, lightweight pomade for flyaways, and a flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: easy–medium — salon-friendly and achievable at home in 10–20 minutes. Maintenance: refresh texture with dry shampoo, re-spray texturizer, retuck loose pins, sleep with a silk scarf or remove the bandana to avoid creasing, and trim bangs every 6–8 weeks to keep the shape.

Boho Headscarf with Tousled Beach Waves

This relaxed boho style pairs long, textured waves with a wide headscarf tied across the forehead — ideal for medium to long hair and especially flattering on natural waves or straight hair that you want to add texture to. Start on towel-dried hair: apply heat protectant and a salt- or texture-spray, then blow-dry with your fingers or a diffuser to enhance natural movement. For more defined pieces, wrap random 1–1.25 sections around a curling wand, leaving ends loose for an undone finish. Lightly tease the crown for lift, then smooth the top layer and position a medium-weight scarf (cotton holds better; silk slips more easily) across the forehead and knot at the back or side. Tools: blow dryer, diffuser or round brush, curling wand, wide-tooth comb, teasing brush, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, sea-salt/texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, dry shampoo, small smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: easy–medium — a few practiced steps give an effortless result. Maintenance: refresh texture with dry shampoo and a spritz of texturizer, retouch a few wave pieces with the wand as needed, and trim ends every 8–12 weeks to keep the look clean.

Tousled Short Shag with Curtain Bangs and Bandana Accessory

This tousled short shag with soft curtain bangs works particularly well on fine to medium hair and on medium-thick hair when cut with weight-reducing layers. The cut depends on razor-pointed, face-framing layers at the crown and fringe to create natural movement and a lived-in texture. Styling technique: start on towel-dried hair, apply a light mousse at the roots and a sea-salt texturizing spray through the mid-lengths, then rough-dry with a diffuser while scrunching to enhance wave. Use a small round brush or a flat iron to shape the curtain bangs as needed, then finish with a light texturizing spray and flexible-hold hairspray; tame flyaways with a pea-sized serum. Tools needed: thinning scissors or razor for texturizing, blow-dryer with diffuser, round brush, flat iron (optional) and sectioning clips. Products required: lightweight mousse, sea-salt/texturizing spray, heat protectant, flexible-hold hairspray and dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty: easy–moderate — quick daily styling but requires a precise professional cut. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks, refresh between washes with dry shampoo, and sleep on silk or use a loose headband to preserve shape.

Textured Messy Bun with Bandana and Wispy Curtain Bangs

This relaxed, retro-inspired updo suits naturally wavy to curly hair best and works well on medium to thick textures; fine or straight hair can achieve the look with added texture. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a light mousse or salt spray, rough-dry with a diffuser or blow-dryer to enhance natural wave, then optionally wrap a few random pieces on a 1

Messy High Bun with Bandana — Textured Updo for Wavy and Straight Hair

This relaxed, textured high bun with a knotted bandana suits shoulder-length to long hair and works well on wavy, loose-curly, or straight hair with medium to thick density. Start on towel-dried or dry hair: apply a sea-salt or texturizing spray through the mids to ends and a heat protectant if you will curl pieces. Create loose waves with a 1 curling wand or add volume with a blow-dryer and round brush for straighter hair. Gather hair into a high, slightly off-center pony, leaving out a few face-framing pieces. Twist the pony into a loose bun and secure with elastic and bobby pins, pulling gently at the crown for lift and movement. Wrap a bandana or scarf around the head and tie a small knot at the top. Finish with a light flexible hairspray and a dab of lightweight oil on ends. Difficulty: easy–medium; salon time 10–20 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo for overnight oil, re-tug pieces for volume, re-curl tendrils as needed, and sleep in a silk scarf to preserve shape and reduce frizz. For fine hair, use volumizing mousse or clip-in padding for fullness.

Textured Low Bun with Red Bandana Headscarf — Boho Headwrap Style

Suitable for fine through coarse hair and most textures (straight, wavy, curly), this look uses a bandana-style scarf to anchor a relaxed low bun while keeping the hairline neat. Start on towel-dried or dry hair: apply a light leave-in and a salt or texturizing spray for grip. Gather hair into a low pony at the nape or slightly off-center, twist into a loose bun and secure with an elastic and a few bobby pins, leaving some volume at the crown for a lived-in finish. Fold a square scarf into a 3–4 cm band, position it across the forehead or hairline, and tie at the back/top depending on preference. Tools: tail comb, paddle brush, elastic, bobby pins, scarf, optional blow dryer or diffuser. Products: leave-in conditioner, texturizing/salt spray, edge control or smoothing cream, light-hold hairspray. Difficulty: Easy–moderate (salon time 10–20 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and re-tie the scarf to reduce oil transfer, tuck loose pieces with pins as needed, and sleep with a silk scarf to preserve shape and reduce frizz. For slippery hair, use a thin silicone grip strip beneath the scarf.

Boho Bandana Updo with Face‑Framing Micro Braids — Textured Messy Style

Suitable for medium to long hair, this boho bandana updo works best on wavy or textured hair but can be adapted for straight or curly types. Start on second‑day hair or add dry shampoo for grip. Section two small areas at the temples and create 2–4 micro braids (or simple three‑strand braids) secured with tiny elastics. Tease lightly at the crown for lift, gather the rest into a loose, low or mid bun and pull out a few face‑framing pieces for softness. Fold a bandana and tie it across the forehead, tucking ends under the bun or knotting at the back with a relaxed finish. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, boar bristle brush, optional curling iron or wand. Products: sea‑salt or texturizing spray, light mousse for volume (fine hair), smoothing serum for ends, flexible‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: easy–moderate — basic braiding and styling skills required. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and re‑spritz texturizer, re‑tighten braids every few days, sleep with a silk scarf to preserve shape, and avoid overtight bandana tension to prevent scalp stress.

Textured Short Pixie with Red Bandana Headwrap and Soft Fringe

This youthful textured pixie with a soft, eyebrow-skimming fringe and a tied bandana is ideal for fine to medium hair and works well on straight to slightly wavy textures; thicker hair can be thinned by a stylist for the same silhouette. Styling technique: towel-dry damp hair, apply a lightweight volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray at the roots, then blow-dry using fingers or a small round brush to lift the crown and shape the fringe. Create texture with point-cutting or a small flat iron to soften ends; finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte paste or styling wax through the top for separation. Bandana tips: fold to a 2–3

As a stylist, I recommend treating bandana styling as both creative expression and protective care. Choose softer fabrics (silk or modal) when you want to reduce friction and cotton for a firmer hold; pick sizes proportionate to your hair length so wraps sit comfortably without slipping. Prep hair with a light leave-in or curl cream to reduce flyaways and avoid tight knots that stress edges. For longevity, secure bandana looks with bobby pins placed flat and finished with a flexible-hold spray — and rotate styles to prevent repeated strain in the same spots. Wash and air-dry bandanas regularly to keep them fresh and avoid residue. If you’re unsure how a style will translate to your texture, start with looser tension and practice the steps on second-day hair. Want a custom version of any look? Book a salon consult — I love adapting bandana styles to flatter face shape, lifestyle, and hair health.