The best headbands for short hair are those that, as well as being suitably chic, are perfectly-sized to compliment a shorter length cut. From crystal embellishments to soft silk and satin, this woman&home guide to such accessories includes options to work on any head of hair – all hairdresser-approved, of course.
Adding a stylish headband to your hair is an easy way to elevate your overall look. With the right placement, doing so can even disguise oily roots. But regardless of whether you want to spruce up your everyday short hairstyle or accessorise an asymmetric bob, there are loads of options for to suit different hair types and personal styles.
According to professional hair stylists, 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 [length] or shorter – a thin headband will be more flattering as it will show more of your haircut." No matter your specific haircut, you'll be able to find a fashion-forward piece for short hair in our expert-approved edit ahead.
Lorraine Dublin is a renowned hairdresser with more than 20 years of experience, whose famous clients include names like Serena Williams and Kelly Rowland. In this guide she's advised readers on choosing 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. Ahead he has recommended some of his go-to styles and retailers, as well as sharing tips to choose the right size and fabric.
The best headbands for short hair, chosen by hair experts
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RRP: £10
This is one of hairstylist Patrick Wilson's favourite headband designs for short hair. “Invisibobble offers an adjustable HairHalo 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 adjusted wherever they feel too tight or too loose, really demonstrating the "one size fits all" approach.
RRP: £185
A classic padded design that's a best-seller of this luxury brand, Jennifer Behr's Tori headband is a simple yet chic accessory that would look great on any short head of hair. Of course, this designer option is close to £200, making it out of reach on many people's budgets. But if you do have the means and like to invest in designer pieces, this quality brand comes recommended by the experts. Do note that it'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 for nighttime wear, the Pineapple Protector is a great choice for those whose curls are just long enough to secure into a pineapple (wearing them atop your head to protect their shape while sleeping). If you're unfamiliar with this design, the larger section actually goes at the back of your head while your curls are up to protect it 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 another undoubtedly luxury purchase, but one that can be justified if you wear it often as part of your accessories rotation. A fantastic alternative to fascinators or hats, it works when weighing up what to wear to the races or weddings and could become the centrepiece of any minimalistic outfit. Despite its 3D design, it sits quite flat against the head, making for more comfortable wear. A gorgeous investment piece which we reckon 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 a set of two. Fans of this brand rave about the comfort of its headbands, noting that they don't cause any pain and work brilliantly for keeping curly and frizzy hair in place. For the budget cost, they're a must-have.
How to choose the best headbands for short hair
We've touched on some of the things to consider to find the best headbands for short hair, but our experts have expanded on some of the most important factors below.
- 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." Wilson adds: “Silk is best to protect your style, but isn’t always the [best] 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 one with grips if you want it to stay in place or hold a particular style.
- Size: A big accessory can make a statement, 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,” hairdresser Zoë Irwin tells us. "It’s so often about what you’re wearing it with."
- Try some on: 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 colourist, as well as holding the position of creative director at John Frieda Salons. Here, she's advised on choosing and styling the right sized headband for short hair, including products that will help it stay in place.
How to make a headband look good on short hair
Below are a few key points from our experts that will help you to successfully style a headband on shorter length hair, no matter your hair type or specific cut.
- 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,” Irwin explains. The headband shouldn’t sit too far forwards and instead sit across the middle of your head, the ends positioned behind your ears. How you style your hair around the band can also change the overall look; pushing hair away from your face can make a great evening look, while added height at the back of the head can balance out the jawline.
- Grip: Once you have positioning nailed, your next consideration is keeping your headband in place. Short hair provides less of an anchor and not all headbands will come with built-in grip. “A good way of keeping headbands in place on short hair is by using [separate] grips and hairpins,” says Dublin. Place any grips towards the ends of your band if you want them to be out of sight.
- Finish with products: Some styling products can give your hair a bit of grip and add texture around your accessory, too. “A little tip that I think always helps is to use a root powder to help anchor the band or accessory,” Wilson suggests. “Sprinkle at the root to give stability before placing the hairband. Irwin agrees. "I’m a huge fan of a texturising product," she says. "Spraying that on the roots of the hair will give it more support and you'll have more lift in your style. Root Lift spray is fantastic too – I like ghd's – as is the best dry shampoo." Using shine-boosting products is another great way to elevate your look, particularly if your headband is made from a very shiny material.
FAQs on styling headbands for short hair
Can older ladies wear headbands with short hair?
Of course; headbands can be worn at any age and are a great way to elevate shorter hair, which doesn't always work as well with certain updos that require a bit more length. Certain colours, like bold blues and greens, can really stand out on grey hair for a pretty contrast, too.
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