32 Bandana Hairstyles That Prove It's the Perfect Hair Accessory

Reviewed by Sky Kim

Hair accessories have made a strong comeback in the last few years: They've been going strong on the runways and have trickled all the way down to our vanities. But beyond the oversized barrettes and knotted headbands is our accessory du jour: the bandana.

Meet the Experts

• Jason Lee is a hairstylist, colorist, and the founder of Mela & Kera.

• Leo Izquierdo is the cofounder of the haircare line IGK Haircare.

So, we took to Instagram to find the best bandana hairstyles out there for inspiration.

And while bandanas have been around forever, these 32 styles feel entirely fresh.

Straight With Tendrils

A bandana is a great way to protect a blowout, or just to preserve one on day two or three. Here, it's worn simply over straight hair, with a couple of loose strands of hair left out, to frame the face.

Half-Up With Tied Fishtail Braid

We love this take on the fishtail braid, which sees hair put into a half-up, half-down style and braided before being secured at the top of the braid with a bandana. While most styles would utilize the bandana at the bottom of the braid, this ensures that the scarf can cascade down nearly half of the hair.

Messy Ponytail

A messy ponytail is as simple as it gets—but throw a bandana around it and it gets instantly trendy. If you're worried about the scarf or bandana staying secure, use bobby pins to ensure it stays in place around the ponytail.

Natural Curls

Sometimes, a bandana doesn't require much in terms of styling. Here, it's worn simply over the top of natural curls, and tied underneath. To achieve similar waves on straight hair, stylist Jason Lee says, "I always recommend letting hair air dry in two very large braids. The larger the braid, the more natural the waves will appear. This is a classic way to create and control air dry waves in your hair and is especially good for those who have medium to thick hair."

Curly Pixie With Bangs

A curly pixie style or lob is a great style on which to wear a bandana. Here, natural curls are showcased thanks to the ends and the bangs being visible beyond the silk scarf.

Long and Textured With Curtain Bangs

Long, textured hair looks great when wrapped with a silk scarf or bandana. This look, in particular, is kept casual thanks to long, textured curtain bangs. Lee says that even those with straight hair can add texture. "For straight to wavy hair, you can ‘set’ the hair to create a wave pattern using clips," Lee says. Basically, you just wrap the curl and pin it on top of the head with a clip and let it set for a few minutes.

Protective Wrap

This is such a chic way to protect hair from the elements. Tie a bandana into a turban and let the front curls peek out.

Swept-Back Twists

A printed statement bandana is the perfect way to pull back locs, braids, or Senegalese twists—and look chic while doing it.

Front Fringe

Anyone can wear a classic red bandana wrapped around your crown, with some wispy front fringe for good measure. To get such defined curls, Lee says, let hair air-dry, then "work through the Mela & Kera Balayage Exceptionnel Smooth Ends creme ($36) as a finisher to break up the curls without disrupting the natural curl pattern."

Messy Bun

This just in: A messy loose bun paired with a textured floral bandana is our new on-the-go hairstyle from here on out.

Swept Back

The best solution for those days when you just don't know what to do with your hair: Sweep it back in a chic patterned bandana. Of course, the straight, glossy hair is the perfect finishing touch. If you want to straighten hair but are worried about damage from hot tools, take a cue from stylist Leo Izquierdo : "If you are worried about damage from heat tools,  let your hair air dry a couple of times a week to give it a break from heat."

Off Duty

Turn your bandana into a makeshift headband to keep a loose updo in place and pesky flyaways at bay. Allow the style to do double-duty by applying a protective product, says Izquierdo: "Use IGK's Cash In Instant Repair Serum ($34) so you get the combined repair and softening effects."

Faux Bangs

Want to test-drive bangs before you actually make the cut? Tuck your hair into a bandana to achieve a faux-bang effect, like this Brigitte Bardot-inspired look.

Add Some Barrettes

Secure your bandana in place with some chic barrettes clipped on to the side. (Who cares if they're more for show than function?) We love the three lined up here and the piece-y, effortless bandana style.

Tiny Ballerina Bun

Short-haired girls get to get in on the fun, too. A long handkerchief or bandana makes a chic statement tied around a tiny ballerina bun.

Front Wisps

Sweep your hair back into a bandana style and leave face-framing wisps in front to give off major "I summer in Positano" vibes. (All you need is a convertible to complete the look.)

Wrapped-Up Curls

Wrap your curls in place with a bandana—and match it with a yellow shirt to look cute doing it.

'90s Vibes

Is anyone getting a J.Lo flashback right now? Channel the '90s with a white bandana, pieces in front, and a '90s-inspired lipstick.

Volume on Top

Hold voluminous curls in place with a strategically tied bandana folded in half and tied above your hairline. We love the hot pink bandana paired with red lips here, of course.

Tied With a Bow

Tie back a low ponytail with a hair tie, then wrap a bandana around it into a bow. Voilà—an effortless, feminine statement hairstyle that takes less than two minutes.

Loose & Effortless

Confession: It might be annoying to have to brush hair out of your face all day with this style, but we're obsessed with the effortlessly chic vibes and loose, messy tendrils falling out. Worth it.

Bun Wrap

Who needs scrunchies? (Okay, we do, but we'll make an exception here.) This bandana-wrapped-bun—that's likely secured in place with a hair tie underneath—makes a cool statement, especially with this bandana's fiery-red hue.

Tied Up

Fold your bandana into a headband and wrap it around so that it ties into a bow on the top of your head. The look is sure to get you lots of compliments. Replicate the texture by "scrunching in a product like IGK's Rich Kid Air-Dry Styler ($29) and Best Life Oil ($32) for a beachy wave with added shine."

Piece-y Bun

Say "hello" to the perfect accessory to pair with a piece-y bun or updo. Bonus points for an effortless loose front tendril.

Effortless & Half-Up

If you don't have time for an intricate hairstyle but you want to look like you put energy into it, clip or tie your hair in a half-up style before wrapping a bandana around the section. Major statement, minimal effort.

Wrapped Up

This is the new best hairstyle for greasy-hair days. To get the look, fold your bandana in half and place the straight edge right below your hairline on your forehead, then tie the corners around so it holds down the back corner of the bandana triangle.

Monochrome Moment

We can't complain when monochrome is involved. Match your bandana hairstyle to your makeup (like this coordinating pink lipstick-and-eyeshadow combo).

Long Scarf, Short Pony

It's business in the front and a party in the back. A long statement headscarf or bandana makes an unexpected dynamic duo with a short, low ponytail.

Dramatic Topknot

Make a statement with a sleek topknot tied up with a statement scarf or bandana.

Peek-a-Boo Bandana

If you have long hair, fold up a bandana to wear as a simple headband and let it slightly peek through.

Boho Braids

Go for a boho vibe by braiding sections back and securing them together in place with a hair tie or clip. Then, tie a bandana around the section, and just let the fabric flow freely.

Slicked-Back Bun

A sleek, slicked-back style is balanced out by a casual bandana wrapped around the bun.

Learn More: 11 Ways to Pull Off Hair Accessories, Even If You Aren't a Hair Accessories Person

Read the original article on Byrdie.