Hi, I’m Lena — a professional hairstylist with over a decade of salon experience. In this gallery I showcase 24 zig zag headband hairstyles designed to be wearable for everyday life, special events, and everything in between. Zig zag headbands are one of my favorite quick tools: they add instant texture, keep hair off the face, and work on straight, wavy, and curly textures. These looks suit women with short bobs through long layers; I’ll show variations that add volume for finer hair and tame bulkier textures. Throughout the images you’ll find ponytails, half-ups, braids, sleek styles, and soft updos, plus tips on headband placement, choosing the right material, and finishing products. Whether you want a polished office look or a relaxed weekend vibe, the key is preparing the hair with light texture spray, securing with discreet pins, and balancing volume at the crown. Follow my step suggestions in each image to get salon-worthy results at home.
Braided Crown Updo with Wispy Bangs and Face‑Framing Tendrils
A soft, textured braided crown updo paired with wispy bangs — ideal for a romantic, wearable look. Best suited to medium–to–thick hair and straight to wavy textures; fine hair can also work with light backcombing or a small padding donut for volume. Start on dry, textured hair: section a crown band, create a three‑strand or Dutch/French braid from one side to the other, pancake the braid gently for width, then wrap and pin the braid into a low bun at the nape, securing with bobby pins and an elastic. Leave short bangs and a few face‑framing pieces loose; soften with a curling wand or flat iron for subtle bends. Tools needed: paddle brush, tail comb, sectioning clips, 1–2 elastics, bobby pins, small curling wand. Products required: heat protectant, salt or texturizing spray for grip, light smoothing cream for bangs, medium‑hold hairspray and dry shampoo for longevity. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 20–40 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with dry shampoo and a spritz of texturizer, and retuck any loose pins; avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve volume.
Braided Crown with Knotted Scarf and Soft Face‑Framing Bangs
This romantic braided crown paired with a knotted scarf and soft face‑framing pieces suits medium to thick hair and shoulder‑length to long lengths. Straight and wavy textures work best; fine hair will benefit from pre‑texturizing or light backcombing for grip, while curly hair can be smoothed slightly at the crown for a neater braid. Technique: create a Dutch or French crown braid around the hairline (or two braids joined at the nape), secure ends with small elastics, then pin the braid flat to form a halo. Place a lightweight scarf or headband over the crown and tie a small knot or bow at the top, tucking ends under the braid for a finished look. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, small clear elastics, bobby pins, and a scarf. Products: dry shampoo or texturizing spray for hold, light smoothing serum for flyaways, and a flexible‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — 20–35 minutes depending on practice. Maintenance tips: refresh texture with dry shampoo, re‑pin slipped sections, retie the scarf daily, and sleep in a silk wrap to preserve shape and reduce frizz.
Boho Side Braids with Beaded Headband — Textured Beachy Waves
Suitable for medium to long hair and ideal on straight-to-wavy textures (fine to thick), this relaxed boho look combines soft, beachy waves with two loose side braids and a decorative beaded headband. Start on dry hair with light texture: use a 1 curling wand or flat iron to create loose waves, then brush through gently. Create a slightly off-center part, pull two sections at the temples and braid loosely to the ends, pancake each braid for width and secure with small elastics. Place a woven or beaded headband across the forehead and anchor discreetly with bobby pins behind the ears; wrap any visible elastics with thread or twine for a finished look. Tools needed: curling wand/flat iron, tail comb, small clear elastics, bobby pins, hair ties, scissors (for trimming thread). Products required: dry shampoo for grip, sea-salt/texturizing spray, light mousse (optional), smoothing serum for ends, and a flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: Easy–Medium (15–25 minutes). Maintenance: refresh texture with sea-salt spray, re-pancake braids daily, retighten pins as needed, and sleep with a silk scarf to preserve waves and prevent frizz.
Long Natural Curly Hair with Boho Headband — Soft Definition & Volume
Ideal for natural to wavy curls (2B–3C) at medium to long lengths and mid-to-high porosity hair. Start with clean, towel‑dried hair: apply a hydrating curl cream or lightweight mousse, rake through with fingers to form clumps, then scrunch. Diffuse on low heat while cupping curls to build lift without disrupting pattern; finish by placing a wide fabric headband across the hairline and pushing a little root volume forward for a relaxed boho look. Tools: diffuser‑equipped dryer, wide‑tooth comb or detangling brush, microfibre towel or cotton T‑shirt, and a soft cloth headband. Products: curl cream, lightweight mousse or gel for hold, heat protectant spray, and a light finishing oil or serum to tame frizz; optional root‑lift spray for extra volume. Difficulty: easy to moderate — basic curl enhancement and diffusing technique needed. Maintenance: refresh with a water or curl‑refresher mist and a pea‑size cream on day two, pineapple at night with a silk/satin scarf to preserve shape, deep‑condition weekly to prevent frizz, and trim split ends every 8–12 weeks.
Textured Loose Waves with Boho Headband for Mid-Length Hair
A salon-friendly everyday look that combines relaxed, textured waves with a wide boho headband to add volume at the crown and frame the face. Best suited to naturally wavy or slightly straight mid-length hair (shoulder to collarbone), it also works on fine hair with added product or on thick hair thinned by layering. Technique: towel-dry, apply a volumizing mousse at roots and a sea-salt texturizer through mid-lengths. Rough-dry with a diffuser or blow-dryer while scrunching to enhance wave pattern. If needed, add loose bends with a 1–1.25 curling wand or turn sections through a flat iron for a softer finish; finger-comb to separate. Place a wide fabric headband just behind the hairline, gently pushing hair back to create lift at the crown. Tools: blow-dryer with diffuser, curling wand or flat iron, wide-tooth comb, clips. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, salt spray, light-hold hairspray, small amount of smoothing oil for ends. Difficulty: easy–moderate (15–25 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, spritz salt spray on day two, sleep on silk or loosely braid to preserve texture, and trim ends every 8–12 weeks.
Textured Braided Crown Updo for Short to Mid-Length Hair
This polished yet relaxed braided crown updo pairs a loose Dutch/French braid with a woven metallic headband for instant texture and elegance. Suitability: ideal for short-to-mid length hair (ear to shoulder), and works well on fine to medium hair with added texture; very short hair can use clip-in pieces or a thin extension braid. Styling technique: prep hair with a texturizing product, create a front-to-back Dutch braid along the hairline (or two side braids joined at the nape), pancake the braid to widen it, then pin ends discreetly and place the decorative headband over the braid to finish. Tools needed: tail comb, small clear elastics, bobby pins, sectioning clips, and a light curling iron (optional) to add loose waves. Products required: volumizing mousse or spray, sea-salt/texturizing spray, light hold hairspray, heat protectant, and a touch of shine serum. Difficulty level: moderate — basic braiding skill and patience for pinning. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or wrap in a scarf, refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer, re-pin loose sections, and touch frizz with a pea-sized serum.
Long Textured Beach Waves with Wide Headband
This relaxed boho look works best on medium to thick hair and natural waves; fine hair can achieve the style with added texture or clip‑in pieces. Start on towel‑dried hair with a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow‑dry using a round brush to lift the root area, then create soft, loose waves with a 1
Boho Textured Half-Up with Braided Headband and Beach Waves
This look pairs loose, beachy waves with a subtle half-up crown and a decorative braided headband for a modern boho finish. Best suited to medium-to-thick hair and long lengths; fine hair can be boosted with a volumizing mousse or temporary clip‑in at the crown, while naturally curly hair can either be smoothed slightly with a blowout or worn as-is for added texture. Styling technique: rough-dry hair with a salt-infused spray, create 1–1.25 inch alternating-direction waves with a curling wand, lightly backcomb the crown, gather the top section into a soft half-up and secure with an elastic and a few discreet bobby pins, then position the braided headband over the crown. Tools needed: blow dryer, 1–1.25” curling wand, teasing comb, bobby pins, elastic. Products required: heat protectant, sea-salt/texturizing spray, lightweight mousse or volumizer (for fine hair), dry shampoo, light-hold hairspray and smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: easy–medium; expect 20–35 minutes. Maintenance: refresh texture with a spritz of texturizer and scrunch, use dry shampoo at roots between washes, sleep with a silk scarf to preserve waves and re-curl only a few pieces as needed.
Boho Braided Headband with Loose Beachy Waves — Crown Braid for Long Blonde Hair
This boho braided headband with loose beachy waves suits medium-to-long hair and flatters straight to wavy textures. Fine hair benefits from a light volumizing mousse or clip-in braid extension for added body; thick hair will want to smooth and slightly thin the crown for easier braiding. Technique: create a deep side part, take a 2–3
Messy Voluminous Top Knot with Polka-Dot Headscarf
Suitability: Works best on medium to thick hair and shoulder-length to long cuts. Fine hair can achieve the look with texturizing products or light padding; very curly hair should be smoothed at the crown for the same front roll. Styling technique: Prep with towel-dried hair and apply a volumizing mousse at roots. Blow-dry using a round brush for lift, then mist with a salt spray or texturizing spray. Gather hair into a high, slightly off-center ponytail, backcomb the base lightly for extra hold, twist into a loose bun and secure with an elastic plus bobby pins. Leave a small front section to sweep back and pin for the soft roll seen here. Fold a lightweight scarf and tie it around the head with a small knot at the top. Tools needed: hairdryer, round brush, tail comb, elastic, bobby pins, and clips. Products required: volumizing mousse or spray, dry shampoo, texturizing/salt spray, smoothing serum, light-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: Easy–Medium; 10–20 minutes with practice. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo, loosen pins for a lived-in feel, re-tie the scarf nightly or sleep on a silk pillowcase to prevent frizz, and avoid heavy oils near the scarf to keep fabric clean.
Loose Beach Waves with Zigzag Headband — Long Layered Brown Hair
This relaxed, boho-inspired style suits long to mid-length hair with natural wave or fine-to-medium texture; thicker hair works well with long layers, while fine hair benefits from mousse or light root tease for lift. Start on dry hair: apply a heat protectant, then a salt or texture spray through the mid-lengths and ends. Create soft waves using a 1–1.25” curling wand, wrapping alternating sections away from the face and leaving the last inch or two straighter for an undone finish. Lightly backcomb the crown with a rat-tail comb to add subtle volume, then place a zigzag or decorative headband across the hairline, tucking small sections behind the band to anchor it. Tools: curling wand, heat protectant spray, rat-tail comb, wide-tooth comb, bobby pins, and a headband. Products: lightweight mousse or salt spray, anti-frizz serum, flexible-hold hairspray, and dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty: easy–moderate (salon friendly, ~20–30 minutes). Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or tie loose braid, refresh texture with dry shampoo or salt spray, and touch up a few waves with the wand as needed to restore shape.
Boho Halo Crown Braid with Loose Beachy Waves for Long Hair
This boho halo braid pairs a soft crown braid with undone, beachy waves — a versatile salon-style look for long to mid-back lengths. Best on medium to thick hair and on fine hair pre-textured with spray or clips; naturally wavy/curly hair also adapts beautifully. Technique: create a shallow center or off-center part, take two front sections and braid Dutch/French across the hairline toward the opposite ear, secure discreetly and tuck under or pin; leave the rest loose. Use a 1–1.25” curling wand to create alternating-direction waves, then finger-comb for a lived-in finish. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby pins, 1–1.25” curling wand, paddle/boar brush. Products required: heat protectant, sea-salt or texturizing spray, light volumizing mousse or root spray, flexible-hold hairspray, small smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: moderate — ~25–40 minutes depending on length and practice. Maintenance tips: refresh texture with dry shampoo or sea-salt spray, re-loosen braid and re-pin as needed, sleep with a silk scarf to reduce frizz, and avoid heavy oils that weigh down waves.
Boho Half-Up Textured Waves with Colorful Fabric Headband
This relaxed boho half-up style suits long, naturally wavy to lightly curled hair and works well on medium to thick textures; fine hair can achieve the same look with a texturizing spray or clip-in extensions for volume. Start on towel-dried hair with a heat protectant, then apply a sea-salt or texturizing spray and rough-dry while lifting at the roots. Create loose, uneven waves with a 1” curling wand or flat iron, alternating direction and leaving ends slightly undone. Lightly backcomb the crown for lift and gather the top section into a soft half-up, securing with bobby pins or a small clear elastic; add a thin accent braid if desired. Finish by placing a fabric headband across the hairline and pushing it back slightly to frame the face. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling wand/flat iron, teasing comb, pins. Products: heat protectant, sea-salt/texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: easy–intermediate (20–30 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with water or mist and scrunch, use dry shampoo between washes, and sleep with a loose braid or silk scarf to preserve waves.
Curly Half-Up with Knotted Headband & Vintage Front Roll
This look is ideal for medium to thick textured waves and curls (2B–3C) and works well on shoulder-length to long hair. Technique: create a deep front section for a soft victory roll, lightly backcomb the root for lift, twist and roll the section inward, then secure with bobby pins. Place a knotted fabric headband over the roll to lock it and add a polished vintage touch. Leave the remaining hair down and define with finger-coiling or a diffuser to enhance natural texture. Tools needed: wide-tooth comb, tail comb, bobby pins, a soft knotted headband or scarf, blow-dryer with diffuser. Products required: lightweight curl cream or mousse, heat protectant, small amount of pomade or edge control for smoothing, flexible-hold hairspray, and a shine serum for finishing. Difficulty: easy–medium — roughly 15–30 minutes once you’re familiar with rolling technique. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk/satin pillowcase or pineapple at the crown, refresh curls with a water + leave-in mist or a light mousse, re-secure the roll with pins as needed, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve volume.
Textured Braided Crown Updo with Soft Face‑Framing Tendrils
This textured braided crown updo with soft face‑framing tendrils suits medium to long hair and works best on wavy or thicker textures; fine hair can be boosted with light padding or clip‑in extensions. Prep hair with a salt/texturizing spray and a heat protectant on towel‑dried hair. Create a Dutch or French braid along the hairline, pancake the braid for width and softness, then gather remaining hair into a relaxed low bun, securing with elastics and bobby pins. Pull out a few tendrils and soften them with a 1 curling wand if needed. Finish by laying a decorative headband over the braid for a polished, bohemian touch. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, elastics, bobby pins, 1 curling wand. Products: sea‑salt or texturizing spray, light styling cream or smoothing serum for flyaways, medium‑hold hairspray, dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty: Moderate — requires basic braiding and pinning skills; allow 25–40 minutes in salon or at home. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh texture with dry shampoo, re‑pin loosened sections, avoid heavy brushing and reapply light hairspray to hold shape.
Boho Wavy Medium-Length Hair with Twisted Fabric Headband
A relaxed, salon-friendly boho style that flatters natural wavy to loose-curly hair at medium length. Best for 2A–3A textures and hair with some natural body; finer hair benefits from a volumizing base, while thicker hair may need light smoothing at the ends. Technique: start on damp hair—apply a lightweight curl-enhancing mousse and a small amount of leave-in conditioner, then scrunch from ends to roots. Diffuse on low heat to boost definition or air-dry for softer texture. Place a twisted fabric headband at the hairline, pulling out a few face-framing pieces and slightly backcombing crown sections for lift. Tools: diffuser-equipped hairdryer, wide-tooth comb, sectioning clips, and an optional 1
Boho Braided Crown Updo — Textured Loose Waves & Halo Braid
This boho braided crown updo works best on medium to long hair and suits fine, medium or thick textures—fine hair benefits from added texture and teasing, while thick hair creates a fuller crown. Start with towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse, then blow-dry while rough-drying with fingers or a diffuser to keep natural movement. Create loose waves with a 1–1.25 curling wand, alternating directions for a lived-in effect. Section the front hair into two or three narrow pieces and braid (3‑strand or rope) across the hairline to form a halo; gently pancake the braids for width. Tease the crown lightly for lift, gather remaining hair into a low, messy bun and pin the braids over the top, tucking ends and securing with bobby pins. Tools: curling wand, tail comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, bobby pins, small elastics. Products: heat protectant, texturizing/sea‑salt spray, dry shampoo for grip, flexible-hold hairspray and a light shine serum for ends. Difficulty: intermediate (20–35 minutes). Maintenance: refresh texture with dry shampoo and texturizing spray, re-pin stray pieces, sleep on a silk pillowcase and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve lift.
Woven Crown Braid with Loose Face‑Framing Pieces
This woven crown braid works best on medium to long hair and flatters fine, straight, and wavy textures; thicker hair will create more volume, while finer hair benefits from light texturizing. Begin by prepping dry hair with a texturizing spray or dry shampoo for grip, then create a deep side part. Section a wide band along the hairline and weave a tight multi-strand or ladder-style braid across the crown, adding small sections from the top and bottom to form the woven effect. Secure the braid at the nape and tuck or pin the tail under for a finished crown. Leave soft face‑framing pieces and slightly loosen the braid for a relaxed, lived-in look. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, small clear elastics, bobby pins, and a mirror; optional curling iron to shape tendrils. Products: texturizer/dry shampoo, lightweight smoothing cream for flyaways, medium-hold hairspray, and small shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate to advanced — requires practice for even tension. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, re-pin loosened areas, sleep on a silk pillow or wrap the braid in a scarf, and redo after 2–3 days for best shape.
Boho Crown (Halo) Braid with Loose Textured Waves
This soft boho crown braid with loose textured waves suits medium to long hair and works well on fine to medium-thick densities. Soft face‑framing layers enhance the finished look but it can be adapted for straighter or curlier textures. Technique: work on second‑day hair or prep freshly washed hair with a lightweight mousse for grip. Create a Dutch or French braid starting at one temple, braid across the hairline to the opposite temple, pancake slightly for width, then pin the tail under along the crown to form a halo. Add 1 barrel curls to the remaining lengths, alternating directions and brushing out with fingers for relaxed waves. Tools: 1 curling iron or wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics and bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or sea‑salt spray, texturizing spray, flexible‑hold hairspray and dry shampoo. Difficulty: Intermediate — basic braiding and sectioning skills required. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely pin the braid, refresh with a quick mist of water + texturizer or re‑curl a few pieces, use dry shampoo between washes, and trim ends every 8–12 weeks to keep shape.
Textured Crown Braid with Loose Romantic Waves
This look pairs a slightly pancaked crown (Dutch/French) braid with soft, loose waves — ideal for medium to long hair and most textures. Works best on straight-to-wavy or slightly textured hair; fine hair benefits from light texturizing products or clip-in pieces for volume, while very curly hair should be smoothed slightly before styling. Technique: create a deep side part, French- or Dutch-braid along the hairline adding hair as you go, pancake the braid for width, then secure and tuck it across the crown. Curl remaining lengths with a 1 curling iron or wand, finger-comb for relaxed waves and pull a few face-framing tendrils free. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, 1 curling iron/wand, elastic bands, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, texturizing or sea-salt spray for grip, lightweight mousse or root-lift for hold, finishing medium-hold hairspray and a light shine serum. Difficulty: Intermediate — requires basic braiding skills and curling technique (about 25–40 minutes). Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose braid, refresh texture with dry shampoo or spritz of salt spray, retighten pins as needed and avoid heavy oils that weigh waves down.
Braided Crown Updo with Headband — Textured Romantic Upstyle
An elegant braided crown updo anchored with a patterned headband, ideal for romantic events or everyday polish. Hair type suitability: Works best on fine to medium hair and on straight-to-wavy textures; thick or very curly hair also suits the style but will require smoothing or larger sections to keep the braid visually balanced. Styling technique: Create a Dutch/French braid along the hairline from one temple to the other, secure the braid at the crown, gather remaining hair into a low textured bun and wrap the braid around or over the bun. Place the headband over the braid to hide the start and add support. Tools needed: tail comb, hair elastic, plenty of bobby pins, sectioning clips, and an optional curling iron for added texture. Products required: dry shampoo or texturizing spray for grip, light hold hairspray, smoothing serum for flyaways, and heat protectant if using hot tools. Difficulty level: Intermediate—about 20–35 minutes in a salon or at home. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo, re-pin any loose pieces, sleep with a silk scarf, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve volume.
Boho Crown Braid with Loose Beachy Waves
Salon-style boho crown braid paired with loose beachy waves — ideal for wavy to curly hair textures and shoulder-length to long lengths. Begin with clean, towel-dried hair. Apply a lightweight heat protectant and sea-salt or texturizing spray from roots to ends; blow-dry with a diffuser to enhance natural wave or allow to air-dry for softer texture. Create a small Dutch or rope braid along the hairline from one temple to the other, fastening discreetly with a small elastic behind the ear and securing with bobby pins; alternatively lay a decorative elastic headband over the braid for a finished look. Use a 1-inch curling wand or flat iron to add random bends through mid-lengths and ends for consistent beachy waves, then break up curls with fingers and a little texturizing paste. Tools: 1-inch wand or flat iron, diffuser or blow-dryer, tail comb, sectioning clips, elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, sea-salt spray, light-hold hairspray, texturizing paste, shine serum. Difficulty: easy–intermediate. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and salt spray on day 2–3, re-tighten the braid as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase and trim every 8–12 weeks to prevent split ends.
Textured Short Wavy Bob with Padded Headband Accent
A chic, salon-ready short wavy bob finished with a padded headband for instant vintage flair. Suitable for fine to medium hair (and thicker hair with layered thinning), this style works best on hair that reaches chin to collarbone length. From salon experience, create soft, separated waves by working with small to medium sections and alternating curl direction for natural movement. Start on damp hair with a volumizing mousse at the roots and a lightweight heat protectant through the lengths. Blow-dry with a round brush to build lift, then use a 3/4–1 curling iron or flat iron to form loose S-waves; finger-comb and set with a medium-hold hairspray. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, 3/4–1 curling iron or flat iron, clips, tail comb. Products: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or root-lift spray, texturizing spray, medium-hold hairspray, light serum for shine. Difficulty: easy–medium — requires basic curling technique and sectioning. Maintenance: refresh waves with a mist of water or curl refresher and scrunch, use dry shampoo between washes, trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape, and avoid heavy oils that can weigh down the texture.
Chunky Twisted Crown Updo with Printed Headband — Natural Textured Hair
Suitable for 3B–4C textured, medium-to-high density hair, this chunky twisted crown updo uses defined two-strand or flat twists pinned into a halo and finished with a printed headband. To create the look, section hair into 4–6 large sections, apply a leave-in and styling cream, twist each section tightly or as a flat twist toward the crown, secure ends with small bands, then roll/pin the twists along the hairline to form a crown; tuck ends and set the headband over the hairline. Tools needed: wide-tooth comb, rat-tail comb, sectioning clips, elastics, bobby pins, and a decorative scarf or headband. Products: moisturizing leave-in, cream styler or twisting butter, light-hold gel for edges, and a lightweight oil or sheen spray to seal and add shine. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic twisting and pinning skills; expect 30–60 minutes depending on thickness. Maintenance: sleep with a satin bonnet, refresh roots and edges with water/leave-in mist and gel, re-pin any loosened twists, reapply oil weekly, and limit manipulation to keep the style lasting 7–14 days. Adjust twist size and tension to control volume and protect the hairline; this is an excellent low-manipulation protective style.
As a stylist, I recommend experimenting with several of the 24 looks to find what flatters your face shape and daily routine. For fine hair, add a bit of texturizing spray and backcomb lightly at the crown before placing the headband to create lift. For thick or curly hair, smooth the front with a light- hold serum and let natural texture show behind the band. Always use heat protection when styling with tools, trim ends regularly to keep styles polished, and store metal or embellished headbands in a padded box to avoid warping. If your headband slips, discreet bobby pins or a small elastic hidden at the nape will secure it without changing the look. Above all, choose comfortable widths and materials — cushioned bands for sensitive scalps, thin zig zag bands for a delicate finish. Try a few variations from the gallery and adapt product amounts; with simple practice these styles become fast, reliable go-tos for any occasion. — Lena