Thinking about getting a headcloth, but not sure what type of headband a guy like you can wear? No worries, in this article, you will find numerous stylish headbands for all sorts of purposes.
A headband also changes how your hair sits, so each type below comes with the haircuts that suit it and a quick way to wear your hair with it.
Before the Headband Goes On
Mind the line. A band presses a line into the hair where it sits. Wear it on the hairline or well back on the crown, not halfway up where the crease shows.
Short hair shows the band, long hair shows the hair. On a short cut the band is the whole look. On long hair the band only holds the front back, so style the lengths.
Sweat and dry. A sports band soaks up sweat at the hairline. Rinse it out, and let your hair dry before the next band goes on.
Types of Headbands for Men
Whatever the reason you need it, you will find a headband type that’s suitable for your tastes.
1. Ribbed
Unisex Ribbed headbands are ideal when you are making an effort: going for a jog, playing tennis, or any other sports you love that make you sweat. The headband is thick and acts like a towel that absorbs sweat and keeps the hair away.
Best haircuts for this headband: Short and medium cuts, and curls that need holding back.
How to wear your hair with it: Wear it on the hairline with the hair pushed up and over it. Curls sit above the band.
Hair tip: Wash it after every workout. Sweat left in the band ends up back in your hair.
2. Sweatband
Sweatbands are ideal for athletes who work hard and sweat abundantly. There are two options available, the ones you wear on your head and smaller pieces that you place on your wrist.
Best haircuts for this headband: Short cuts and fades, where the band is the whole look.
How to wear your hair with it: Band on the hairline, hair pushed up above it.
Hair tip: Terry cloth holds the most sweat and the most odor. Rinse it after every session.
3. Tennis Headband
Tennis headbands are incredibly practical when making an effort. No wonder all great tennis athletes wear them during games. Follow their example and use one while playing because it will keep the hair and sweat away from dripping on the face.
Best haircuts for this headband: Short and medium cuts. The band keeps the front out of the eyes and lets the top show.
How to wear your hair with it: Band on the hairline, hair pushed back and up over it.
Hair tip: A white band shows product. Skip the gel on match days.
4. Thin Bands
These cool thin headbands look sporty and come in all kinds of designs. Mostly, these patterns are abstract, and most sports companies sell their own version. Nike is one of them and creates thin elastic headbands that you can use every time you work out.
Best haircuts for this headband: Short hair and short curls. A thin band grips without a crease.
How to wear your hair with it: Set it an inch behind the hairline so the front pieces fall over it.
Hair tip: Thin bands slide on fine hair. A little dry shampoo at the roots gives them grip.
5. Yoga Band
Yoga bands are stretchy, come in so many colors, and are perfect for moments when you need to practice your moves and want to make it your daily routine. The headband will look cool and keep hair away no matter how long your hair is.
Best haircuts for this headband: Long hair and curls that need holding back, and short cuts that get sweaty.
How to wear your hair with it: Wear it on the hairline to hold the front back, with long hair in a low tail.
Hair tip: Elastic bands lose their stretch in hot water. Wash them cold and they stay tight.
6. Running Headband
Why go out running in the cold with an uncovered head when you can use a headband like this, with special patches added on the ears? These will keep you warm during your run or bike ride. They are so practical and can be adapted to the circumference of your head with adjustable hook-and-loop fasteners.
Best haircuts for this headband: Any cut. The band sits low over the ears and leaves the top open.
How to wear your hair with it: Pull it down over the ears with the top of the hair free. Long hair goes into a low tail or tucks inside.
Hair tip: A fleece band holds heat at the hairline. Let the hair dry fully after the run before a hat goes on.
7. Stretchable
Who doesn’t love stylish stretchable headbands? They usually have a gorgeous mix of colors and can have multiple purposes. If they are wide, you can use them to keep your head warm and keep the hair away from the face. If you have curly hair, this classy headband can bring a new vibe to your look!
Best haircuts for this headband: Curly, wavy, and long hair. The wide band holds the front back and lets the rest show.
How to wear your hair with it: Push the hair back with the band and let the lengths or the curls spill behind it. Wear it wider for more hold.
Hair tip: A band that is too tight flattens the roots. Loosen it and let the curls sit on top.
8. Knitted
Knitted large headbands have multiple purposes. They are great during winter and depending on the knit and mix of color, they can even be quite fashionable. Also, you don’t necessarily have to wear it on your head. Some also use this as a neckcloth.
Best haircuts for this headband: Short to medium hair in winter. It covers the ears and leaves the top open.
How to wear your hair with it: Wear it over the ears with the top of the hair showing. A short crop looks neat above it, and medium hair can be pushed back.
Hair tip: Wool rubs at the hairline. A thin cotton liner or a drop of leave-in conditioner keeps the hair smooth.
9. Pirate Headband
Inspired by the pirates’ look, this type of stylish men’s headband has the shape of a triangle. It covers the crown part, and you use the longer, thinner pieces to tie it in the back.
However, these days these bandanas have so many designs and patterns that make them look so cool, so you don’t have to stick to that pirate resemblance.
Best haircuts for this headband: Short cuts, buzz cuts, and long hair tied back underneath.
How to wear your hair with it: Fold the triangle, set the straight edge on the hairline, and tie the ends at the back. Long hair goes into a low tail under the knot.
Hair tip: Choose cotton, not polyester. Cotton breathes and does not slide.
10. Folded Bandana
A square bandana folded into a strip and tied at the back is the oldest headband there is, and the most forgiving.
Best haircuts for this headband: Long hair, curls, and grown-out cuts that need the front held back.
How to wear your hair with it: Fold the square into a band about two inches wide, set it on the hairline, and tie it under the hair at the nape. Pull the front pieces over it or leave them tucked.
Hair tip: Cotton soaks up sweat and washes easily. Tie it loose, since a tight knot leaves a line.
11. Japanese Hachimaki
The Japanese Hachimaki is a headband perfect for men that usually has Japanese writings, kanji, on a white cloth. This cloth band ties around the head and can be worn to keep hair in place.
Best haircuts for this headband: Any cut. It ties tight, so it works on short hair and on long hair pulled back.
How to wear your hair with it: Tie it low at the back of the head with the knot under the hair. Long hair goes into a low tail first.
Hair tip: Cotton holds sweat. Wring it out and dry it before the next wear.
12. Karate Band
If you ever went to karate, you probably remember that this headband is very common. Just like the Japanese one, this headband is also used when one is making a great effort. It keeps the sweat away from dripping on the floor, or running down your face.
Best haircuts for this headband: Short cuts. It sits on the hairline and keeps the front out of the eyes.
How to wear your hair with it: Band on the forehead, hair pushed up and back above it.
Hair tip: Tie it over dry hair. A tight band on damp hair dries into a ridge.
13. Wide Headband
Skincare routines are serious business, and men use this wide towel headband to keep the hair away when applying creams, serums, or facial masks. It is so practical, and it doesn’t even cost much.
Best haircuts for this headband: Any cut. It is a bathroom band, worn while washing the face.
How to wear your hair with it: Push all the hair back under it so the hairline is clear.
Hair tip: Put it on dry hair before you wash your face, and take it off before the hair dries in a ridge.
There are so many types of headbands for guys that you might like, and the first step is to search and decide about the color and the purpose. There are many headbands available for yoga, winter, sports, made of cotton, elastic bands, or even towel fabric.
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