Whether you’re going natural, growing your hair out, or simply want to protect your hair, headscarves or headwraps are one of the easiest and most versatile ways to spice up your style. For any naturalista, a headscarf should be a staple in their closet. And with the closure of salons and limited access to hairstylists over the past couple of years, natural hairstyles with scarves have skyrocketed in popularity, making now a great time up your headscarf game.
Here are 19 of our favorite hairstyles with scarves, specifically for natural hair. These are not only protective styles, but look fabulous, so let’s get on with it!
But first, a little education.
How to Choose the Right Headscarf
When picking out your perfect headscarf, opt for silk or satin fabrics, rather than cotton or other rough-spun fabrics. Silk and satin have tightly bound fibres, which prevent pulling and snagging on your previous hair strands. Not only that, cotton sucks moisture right out of hair, causing dryness, frizziness, and tangling. A big no, no!
Choose a headscarf that’s long enough to wrap twice around your head, whether you opt for a square or rectangular shape. You’ll likely want to have a variety of scarves to achieve different looks, but this is a good rule of thumb to follow when picking out your headscarf.
Experiment with a wig cap if you’ll be wrapping your whole head, which can help with the scarf slipping. This will give the silk fabric more grip as you slay your day.
19 Natural Hairstyles With Scarves We Love
1. The Big, Bold, and Beautiful
The bigger the hair, the bigger the wrap! Add some curly hair extensions for instant length and volume to achieve larger than life hair, and pair with an oversized headscarf for a beautifully bold look.
2. The Shortie
Even if you have short, natural hair, a hairstyle with a scarf can still be a spicy look. Simply gather all your hair into a pineapple, take a smaller headwrap and fold it into a thin rectangle, and wrap around the front.
3. The Vintage
We love this vintage look! The voluminous bangs in the front and backward wrap give this look a 50s vibe we love. This look works great if you have short hair that can’t be tied up just yet.
4. The Royalty
This regal natural hairstyle with a scarf works well if you have short or long hair, as the majority of your hair will be covered up. If you’re just going natural and are experiencing a bad hair day, adopt this royal look.
5. The Space Buns
Who doesn’t love a good space bun? This young and fun hairstyle incorporates a scarf tied into a bow for a cute and flirty look. Just gather two sides of your hair into top buns at either side of your head, then tie a scarf in the front into a bow.
6. The Small Loop
This hairstyle is super easy to achieve if you have natural hair. Gather all of your hair into a high ponytail, then fold a skinny scarf in half, and loop the other side through it. It’s quick, simple, and gives the scarf a little something extra.
7. The Aaliyah
Remember Aaliyah’s laidback street style? You can quickly achieve the same, even with braids or protective hairstyles. Leave your hair down, then fold a large square scarf diagonally to make a triangle. Lay the longest part against your forehead at the hairline and tie tightly in the back. You can choose to leave the point of the triangle free or tuck in under the knot for a cleaner look.
8. The Fluffy Scarf
Although we preach using satin and silk fabrics for your natural hairstyle with a scarf, we have to say we love the look of this knit fabric. Knits are also easier to tie, stay put without slipping, and can build big knots for bold looks. If you choose this type of scarf, be sure to protect your hair with a moisturizing hair oil and consider a wig cap as well.
9. The Double Knot With Bun
We’re in love with this high bun double knot hairstyle with a scarf overlaid on top. It’s super easy to create, too! Gather all your hair into a high bun, then take a large rectangular scarf. Place the whole thing over your head covering the bun, then wrap the two sides around the front of your head. Tie in the knot, then wrap around the back of your head and back around the front, and tie in another knot. Wrap the remaining loose pieces around and tuck any excess fabric away.
10. The Extra Large Bow
This look screams African princess! It’s also great for shorter natural hair, as well as longer braids or curls. For a look like this, you’ll want to look for a headwrap that comes with two pieces—one bonnet, and one piece of fabric that you can tie and manipulate into a large bow in the front.
11. The Front Knot
This is another natural hairstyle with a scarf that’s perfect for those just starting out their natural hair journey or have shorter hair, as all your hair will be covered. This will work best with a large rectangular headscarf. Use the long fabric to create a big knot at the front of your head for a fabulous look.
12. The Ponytail Peek
If you have a lovely ponytail you want to show off, this is a great way to do it! You may need to find a headwrap specifically created for ponytails, otherwise, get creative with a large square or rectangular scarf and leave a little space for your ponytail to peek out. If you’re feeling spicy, add a curly ponytail extension to finish off the look.
13. The Mini Wrap
Here’s another hairstyle perfect for shorter hair. Gather all your hair into a messy bun at the top, and wrap the scarf from the back, tying into a small knot at the front of your head.
14. The Mini Turban
For naturalistas with long hair, this mini turban is a fabulous look that still shows off your beautiful curls. Here, curly ponytail extensions can take the hairstyle to the next level.
15. The Front Fold
Here’s another natural hairstyle with a scarf that’s fit for a queen. You’ll want to gather all your hair into a high bun again to give the look height, then wrap and fold toward the front for a creative wrapped look.
16. The Hippie Headband
Headscarf hairstyles don’t always have to be super elaborate. Try wearing the scarf like a headband and leaving the rest of your hair loose and free. Pop on some curly hair extensions for instant length and volume to complete the look.
17. The Protective Pony
If you have braids, twist outs, or another protective hairstyle, this is a lovely hairstyle to try. Pull all your hair into a ponytail, then wrap a small scarf around your head. Twist the scarf in the front to add height and volume to it and tie in the back.
18. The Big, Curly Knot
We’re obsessed with this big look! Even if you have shoulder length hair, this look is all about volume, volume, volume. Add curly hair extensions to achieve this thickness, then tie a headscarf in a large knot at the front of your head leaving the rest of your hair free.
19. The Grungy Goddess
Whether your style leans cute, elegant, or grungy, there’s a hairstyle with a headscarf for you. We love this voluminous look paired with an oversized denim jacket to complete the look. No need to tie your hair up for this one, simply fold a large square scarf diagonally into a triangle, and wrap from the back. Let your hair run wild and free from the top.
Up your headscarf game with hair extensions
And there you have it! We love how creative you can get with headscarves when you have natural hair—whether short or long. And if you want to take your hairstyle to the next level, add a set of clip-in curly hair extensions, specifically designed for natural 3b-4c curls. No matter your curl type, we have curly hair extensions for you.
Do you have any favorite hairstyles you like to pair with a scarf? Let us know in the comments below.