Looking for the best stylish headbands for short hair to accessorise your new, above-the-shoulder hair-do? From crystal embellishments to soft silk and satin, we've rounded up all the best headbands that complement any short hairstyle and hair type. All hairdresser-approved, of course.
Adding a stylish headband to your hair is an easy way to elevate your look or even disguise oily roots. Whether you're looking for ways to spruce up your everyday style or accessorise an asymmetric bob, there are loads of options for every short hairstyle, hair texture, and personal style. According to professional hairstylists, there are a few things to keep in mind when thinking about how to wear headbands on shorter hair.
"The width of the headband [you choose] will depend on the cut and style of your short hair," celebrity hairdresser Lorraine Dublin tells us. "If your hair is very short – i.e., a pixie cut or shorter – then a thin headband will be more flattering as it will show more of your haircut." No matter your haircut, you can find a fashion-forward piece in our expert-approved edit
Lorraine Dublin is a renowned hairdresser with more than 20 years of experience, whose famous clients include names like Serena Williams and Kelly Rowland. Here she's advised readers on how to choose a headband for short hair in terms of width, fabric, and retailer.
Patrick Wilson is a top hairdresser whose celebrity clientele includes Jodie Comer, Cindy Crawford and Jessie Ware. Here he has recommended some of his go-to styles and retailers, as well as sharing tips on choosing the right size and fabric.
The best headbands for short hair, chosen by our experts
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RRP: £10
This is one of hairstylist Patrick Wilson's favourite headbands for short hair. “Invisibobble offers an adjustable Hairlo Headband that is comfortable if you want to wear it all day, and you can bend and adjust the style to suit your head shape,” he says. Thanks to the patent-pending technology, these headbands can be bent wherever they feel too tight or too loose, really giving credit to the phrase 'one size fits all'.
RRP: From £185
A classic padded design that's a best-seller for this luxury brand, Jennifer Behr's Tori headband is a simple yet chic headband that would look great on any head of short hair. Of course, this designer accessory is not far off £200, making it out of reach for many people's budgets, but if you do have the means and like to treat yourself to designer pieces, this quality brand is recommended by experts. Do note that this is an accessory that'll add some height to your style, too!
RRP: £69
Slip's silk hair accessories are all made from the brand's own Slipsilk fabric, which was 10 years in the making and helps to prevent snagging and friction in your hair. (This brand also makes some of the best silk pillowcases from the same material, which are good for your skin, too!)
It's worth noting that this design is quite wide so it may lend itself better to longer bob hairstyles and, considering the luxe material and accompanying price tag, it is definitely an investment piece. But there's no denying it's a seriously chic accessory that is kind to your hair.
RRP: £10
Designed to be worn at night, the Pineapple Protector is a great choice for those whose curls are just long enough to squeeze into a pineapple (piling your curls atop your head to protect their shape while you sleep). If you're not familiar with this design, the larger section actually goes at the back of your head while your curls are up to protect the rest of your hair from friction. However, we love it as a daytime piece used back-to-front for curls worn in hair-up styles, too.
RRP: £250
This is certainly a luxury purchase, but one that can be justified due to the amount of wear it will get in your accessories rotation. A fantastic alternative to fascinators or hats for what to wear to the races and weddings, it can become the centrepiece of any minimalist outfit. Despite the 3D design, it actually sits quite flat against the head, making for comfortable wear. This is a gorgeous investment piece which you'll be wearing for years to come.
RRP: £9
A minimal statement piece that's going to stay in place while blending in with the rest of your look. This Kitsch zig zag headband comes in two. Fans of this brand rave about the comfort of Kitsch headbands, noting that they don't cause any pain and work brilliantly for keeping curly and frizzy hair in place. For the budget cost, these are a must-have.
RRP: £22
Oliver Bonas is one of the high-street retailers that Patrick Wilson recommends as a go-to when looking for affordable headbands for short hair that feels luxe. We love this soft braided design, velvet fabric and tauple hue that perfectly balances texture with versatility – a simple way to liven up any short hairstyle.
When styling short hairstyles for women over 50, don't be afraid to add colours and patterns through your accessories. This on-trend muted shade will liven up your look without feeling either too overbearing or too plain
RRP: £24
This is perfect if you're after a seasonless headband that you can reach for day after day and for special occasions or events. The comfy padded fit makes it adaptable to plenty of hair types and means that those who sometimes find headbands uncomfortable should get on just fine. In a rich navy hue and soft velvety fabric, it is totally timeless. Use the best hair straightening products and top off with this band for a glossy and refined look.
How to choose the best headbands for short hair
- Consider fabric: “Wearing a headscarf as a headband is great for short hair,” says Dublin. "If you have a curly hairstyle or afro hair, silk prevents friction damage." But hairstylist Wilson explains that “silk is best to protect your style, but isn’t always the most amazing fabric for short hair as it may slip.” Look for silk or satin-covered sturdy bands that sit across your head comfortably (not too tight or loose) to avoid this. Dublin also recommends trying a headband with grips if you want it to stay in place or hold a particular style.
- Size matters: You may want to make a statement with a big accessory, but balance is key. “I would say proportion matters and would stick to a headband that is around 1-2.5 inches wide and not much wider; you may not want to cover up half of your head if you don’t have too much hair,” says Wilson. "But I think it’s all about how the individual feels – a thinner band would look more delicate with a cropped haircut, but that’s not to say you can’t wear a statement piece." On the other hand, “if you use something that’s quite wide, you'll give short hair a retro sixties-seventies feel,” hair pro and accessories expert Zoë Irwin tells us. "It’s so often to do with what you’re wearing it with."
- Have a try-on session: Order a few options online to try on and return the ones that don’t suit you, or try on a bunch in-store to see what suits you best. Our experts also shared their shopping recommendations. “My favourites are Oliver Bonas and & Other Stories. For something special I would look at Lelet NY and Jennifer Behr,” says Wilson. Dublin adds: “I like getting headbands from Primark, Zara, and Accessorize as they always have a great selection.”
Zoë Irwin is a leading hairdresser and colorist and creative director at John Frieda Salons. She's advised on choosing and styling the right sized headband for short hair, including styling products that can help it to stay in place.
How to make a headband look good on short hair
- Consider position: “The position of your hair, even if it’s short, is massively important, because with hair pieces it’s all about the right proportions,” says Irwin. The headband shouldn’t be too far forwards, but instead sit across the middle of your head with the ends positioned behind your ears. How your hair is styled around the band can also change the overall look; having all of the hair pushed away from the face makes a great evening look, while added height at the back of the head can balance out a heavier jawline.
- Get a grip: Once you have positioning nailed, your next consideration is keeping your headband for short hair in place. With short hair, you have less to anchor it and not all headbands will come with a built-in grip. “A good way of keeping headbands in place on short hair is by using grips and hairpins,” says Dublin. If you want to keep the grips concealed, place them towards the ends of your band so that they are out of sight.
- Finish with products: There are also styling products that will help to give your hair a bit of grip and add texture around your accessory. “A little tip that I think always helps is to use a root powder to help anchor the band or accessory,” Wilson advises. “Sprinkle at the root to give stability before placing the hairband. "I’m a huge fan of a texturising product,” Irwin agrees. “Spraying that on the roots of the hair will give it more support and so you have more lift in your style. "Root Lift spray is fantastic too - I like ghd's - as is the best dry shampoo," she adds. Using shine-boosting products is another great way to elevate your look, particularly if your headband is made from a very shiny material.
FAQ
Can older ladies wear headbands with short hair?
Of course! Headbands can be worn at any age, and are a really great way to elevate shorter hair that may not work well with certain updos that require a bit more length. For grey hair specifically, certain colours can really stand out and pop against this backdrop, such as bold blues and greens.
If you came into this article thinking that your strands were too cropped to wear accessories, we hope you're leaving with at least one, if not two (no judgement here), of the best headbands for short hair in your basket.
View the latest NET-A-PORTER discount codes from woman&home's voucher team to get some money off your stylish headband purchases.
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