How to Tie a Scarf in Your Hair

Co-authored by Hannah Park and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

Want to turn your scarf into a super cute accessory? Tying a scarf into your hair is a great way to add a pop of color and fun to your look. In this article, we’ll walk you through tons of cute styles you can create with your scarf, including making your scarf a headband. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about creating chic, gorgeous looks with a scarf in just a few minutes!

Things You Should Know

Turn a scarf into a headband by folding it into a triangle, then rolling it into a straight line. Tie it on top of your head in a bow, or behind your head in a knot.
Add your scarf to a braid by combining the ends of the scarf with 2 sections of hair. Treat the ends of the scarf like your hair, and braid them like normal.
Wrap a scarf around a bun or a ponytail for an easy way to jazz up any outfit.
Make a headwrap by folding your scarf into a triangle, then pulling it over the top of your head. Tie the ends in the front, then again behind your head.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Scarves as Headbands

1
Make a headband with a cute bow on the top. Fold your scarf into a triangle, then roll it up so it’s in a straight line. Pull the scarf underneath your hair at the back of your head with the ends at the top of your head. Tie the 2 ends together to create a cute, floppy bow on top of your head.^{[1]
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- Center the bow over your forehead for a cutesy look, or have it off to the side for a more sophisticated headband.
2
Tie the scarf behind your head for a seamless headband. Grab your scarf and fold it into a triangle, then roll it into a straight line. Pull your hair back into a bun at the nape of your neck to keep it out of the way. Put the scarf over your head, and tie the ends together at the back of your head (right above your neck). Let your hair down for a cute, simple headband.^{[2]
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- You can push all of your hair behind the headband, or you can pull a few strands in front to frame your face.
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3
Wrap your scarf twice to make a headband out of a long scarf. Put your hair up into a high ponytail or bun to keep it out of the way. Grab your scarf and fold it into a triangle, then roll it into a straight line. Pull the scarf around your head with the 2 ends near your forehead, then knot them once. Then, grab the ends and pull them to the back of your head and double knot them behind you.^{[3]
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- This is the same style as a simple headband, but modified so you can use a long scarf instead of a small square one.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Braids and Twists

1
Braid a thin scarf into a pair of milk braids for a cute twist. Part your hair in the middle, then drape a thin scarf around your nape. Split the left side of your hair into 2 strands, and create a braid, using the left side of the scarf as the third strand. Tie the braid with an elastic, then repeat the process on the right side. Grab the end of each braid and pin them to the top of your head with bobby pins to create milk braids.^{[4]
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- For best results, use a thin, silk scarf that's about 3 feet (0.91 m) long.
2
Weave a scarf headband into a simple braid for an easy hairstyle. Wrap a long, skinny scarf around your head like a headband, then tie it into a knot under your head at the nape of your neck. Split your hair into 3 strands, making the middle one thicker. Add each half of the scarf to the 2 thin outer strands. Braid the 3 strands together. When you run out of hair, wrap and tie the ends of the scarf around the end of your braid.^{[5]
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3
Twist a small scarf into a half-up hairdo to elevate it. Brush your hair and pull all the hair from your ears upward into a hair tie. Grab your scarf and pull it halfway through your hair, right above the hair tie. Split your hair in half and add 1 end of the scarf to each half. Then, twist the sections around each other and secure the end of the ponytail with another hair tie.^{[6]
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- If you’d like to make this look a little fancier, twist your braid up into a bun and secure it with bobby pins on the back of your head.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Buns and Ponytails

1
Wrap a scarf around a ponytail for an easy look. Pull your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. Roll your scarf into a line, then wrap the scarf around the base of your ponytail. Tie the scarf in a double knot to secure it, then let the ends hang loosely with your hair.^{[7]
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- Try this look on a low ponytail for a vintage Hollywood vibe.
2
Elevate a simple bun with a scarf wrap. Slick your hair back into a high ponytail, then wrap your hair around the base of the ponytail into a bun. Use bobby pins to secure your bun in place. Grab your scarf and roll it into a straight line, then wrap the scarf around your bun. Tie the ends together to keep the scarf in place to keep it secure.^{[8]
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- Wrap the scarf tightly enough so that it doesn't fall off, but loosely enough so that it doesn't disappear under the bun.
3
Add a pop of color to your bun by wrapping it around a scarf. Pull your hair into a high ponytail, then roll your scarf of choice into a straight line. Make a bun by putting the center of your scarf at the end of your ponytail, then rolling your hair up over the scarf toward the base of the ponytail. Secure the front of the bun to your head with bobby pins, then tie the ends of the scarf together to secure the back.^{[9]
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- Pull the rest of your hair over the sides and back of the scarf to complete the bun. The ends of the scarf will hang behind your head for a cute accessory.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Head Wraps

1
Cover the top of your head with a scarf for a simple headwrap. Fold a square scarf into a triangle, then place the scarf on your head with the pointed end over your forehead. Tie the other 2 ends into a knot over your forehead with the front point underneath the knot. Then, wrap the ends around to the back of your head and double knot them. Tuck the front point underneath the wrap to hide it.^{[10]
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- You can try this style with your hair down, or you can do it with a low bun or ponytail.
2
Use a long scarf to secure your hair at the nape of your neck. Choose a scarf that's wide enough to cover your head from forehead to nape. Drape it over your head with the edge at your hairline. Wrap the ends around your head and tie them into a tight knot.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.} For a fancier look, tie the ends into a bow.
- Alternatively, twist the ends together to form a long rope, then wrap the rope around your head like a crown. Tuck the end under the scarf at your nape.
- It is a good idea to wear a scarf that matches your eye color. For example, if you have blue eyes, you can use a pink, blue, purple, or white scarf.^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  Hannah Park
  Professional Stylist
  Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.}
3
Secure your hair in a top knot for a taller headwrap. Pull your hair up into a top knot at the top of your head. Wrap a headscarf around your nape and bring the ends towards your forehead. Grab the ends and tie them together in a knot, then twist them up individually so they look like ropes. Wrap the ends of the scarf around the base of your top knot, and tuck the end of the scarf under the wrapped rope to secure it.^{[13]
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- This style works really well with natural hair or locs.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I fashionably use a scarf?

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Hannah Park is a professional stylist and personal shopper with experience in e-comm styling, celebrity styling and personal styling. She runs an LA-based styling company, The Styling Agent, where she focuses on understanding each individual she works with, and crafting wardrobes according to their needs.

Hannah Park

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

If you want to be fashionable, you can wrap a scarf around your head. Choose a color that matches the color of your eyes.
Question

Which color scarf can I use if I have blue eyes?

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Hannah Park is a professional stylist and personal shopper with experience in e-comm styling, celebrity styling and personal styling. She runs an LA-based styling company, The Styling Agent, where she focuses on understanding each individual she works with, and crafting wardrobes according to their needs.

Hannah Park

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Pastel colors like pink, blue and purple, and even white look good on those with blue eyes.
Question

What's the best way to cover hair rollers with a scarf?

Community Answer

You will need quite a large scarf, like those square-shaped scarves. You could tie it like a turban to cover completely, or you could embrace the look and go slightly vintage and tie the scarf around your head, but show some rollers at the back.