8 beautiful headbands for short hair and how to wear them, according to pro hairdressers

If you've been browsing Pinterest for accessory ideas but found that most are shown on longer hair, fear not. There are some brilliant headbands for short hair out there, and you’ve come to the right place if you want to learn how to style them.

Accessorizing short hairstyles with a headband is a really nice way to add a little something to your look, or even help to disguise oily roots. Whether you’re looking to elevate your everyday style or add a bejeweled piece for a special occasion, there are loads of good-quality and stylish options on the market. And though there are no rules when it comes to personal style, there are a few things to consider when thinking about how to wear headbands in shorter styles. 

“The width of the headband will depend on the cut and style of your short hair,” says celebrity hairdresser Lorraine Dublin (opens in new tab). “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 off more of your haircut." That’s not to say short hair never works with a wider style. “If you use something that’s quite wide, you'll give short hair a retro sixties-seventies feel,” top hairdresser and accessories expert Zoë Irwin (opens in new tab) tells us. "It’s so often to do with what you’re wearing it with."

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 top hairstylist, Patrick Wilson (opens in new tab) explains, “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 headbands 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."
• 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 favorites 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.”

The best headbands for short hair, chosen by our experts

Sometimes you want a statement piece adorned with jewels or in a standout color, other times you simply want something elegant that's going to stay in place while blending in with the rest of your look – and these affordable bands from hair accessory brand Kitsch tick that exact box. 

Complete with a built-in grip to keep the band in place even on the shortest pixie haircuts you get three headbands for the price of one here, two in black, and one in a timeless torte pattern. One five-star Ulta shopper writes that they're "the only headbands I've ever been able to wear that don't hurt my head or slip", which is a great endorsement that we heartily agree with. 

This is one of Patrick Wilson's favorite 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,” says Wilson. 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. Essentially, sore heads from wearing too-tight headbands will be a thing of the past with this adaptable style.

We love that there are lots of different designs to choose from, whether you'd prefer a thicker satin band like the champagne-colored Let's Get Fizzycal style, or a thinner jeweled band like the Dark Sparkle design pictures, which we think would look ultra sophisticated with a bob hairstyle or chic French-girl bob with bangs. 

As its name suggests Only Curls' products cater mainly to all varieties of curl type, but the brand also makes chic accessories for curls (don't panic, straight-haired types - anybody can wear these beautiful accessories) 

As well as silk scrunchies and satin-lined beanies for winter, there are several headband styles to choose from. This elevated ruched number is our personal favorite and would make a great statement headband for short hair as it's eye attaching without being overly wide plus it comes in eight different colors. The satin is particularly good for curls as it won't create excess frizz and helps to prevent tangles, plus we love how comfortable and soft this particular headband style is. 

Oliver Bonas is one of the high street retailers that Patrick recommends as a go-to for perusing the best affordable headbands for short hair, and we love this party piece. This particular design features lots of iridescent gemstones and would really pop in a shorter crop or pixie cut to complete your look. 

The sparkly star design is fun but also sophisticated enough to slip into short hairstyles for women over 50, and we love how it hits the perfect balance of sparkle without being tacky, as well as being well-made and comfortable. This would make a very nice addition to your hair accessories wardrobe! 

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. (The brand also makes some of the best silk pillowcases, which are good for your skin, too). With an elasticated section at the back, this particular headband also promises not to leave an imprint on your hair after wearing it, making it a fab option for daytime wear on vacation. 

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 and it's available in black, pink, or navy and white stripes, so you have a few different options to choose from.

You're probably already aware that Kristin Ess makes incredible hair products, including some of the best shampoo and conditioner buys and best hair masks. But on top of that, the brand also offers some really cute hair accessories, including scrunchies and headbands. 

Just as its name suggests this on-trend knot headband in a fuzzy fabric is a super cozy option that's perfect for when you want to add a fun element to an everyday outfit. We love the comfortable feel in hair and stylish knot that would add some height to fine, short hairstyles that lack volume. What's more, you can pick from two wearable colorways, rust and white. Lovely!

For a real statement look you can't go wrong with an oversized bow, which will suit all shorter lengths ranging from shorter crops to a bob that sits just above the shoulders – and according to Zoë Irwin, luxury name Lelet NY has the perfect piece. 

“This is a really cute accessory and works amazingly well. Although it has this huge bow, if you put your hair back or even if you had a fringe down, this would be a little bit Breakfast at Tiffany’s I think," Explains Irwin. "Grosgrain ribbon or satin ribbon is fantastic for an evening look or a chic Parisian vibe. It would be all about what you wore with it, so no overkill, but paired with a simple black dress would be quite fantastic."

When it comes to chic accessories brand Baublebar, there are so many different gorgeous headband options to choose from that it was hard to recommend just the one for shorter hairstyles. 

But we found this design particularly pretty with its pearl embellishment that will give a real classy vibe to your look, with one Ulta shopper pointing out they'd worn it as a wedding hairstyle accessory on their big day. The medium-thick and eye-catching band would suit just about any wearer but will pop particularly well against dark hair that's in a chic bob or cheekbone-length crop. You just can't go wrong with pearls.

How to style headbands in 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, sitting 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 accessory in place. With short hair, you’ve 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 texturizing product,” Irwin agrees. “Sam McKnight has one called Easy Updo, which I think is really good. 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 ghds— 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. 

The world is your (very stylish) oyster when it comes to accessories that compliment short hair. Consider your crash course in shopping for the best headbands for short hair complete.