3 Cool Ways to Tie a Head Scarf

POPSUGAR Photography
POPSUGAR Photography

Scarves aren't just for wearing around your neck anymore! Allure tells us how to tie our favorite accessory in our hair.

IMAXTREE

Wrap your nubby, woolly, warm scarves around your neck. But don't neglect the pretty, silky, light scarves lying around in your dresser. They have a place, too: in your hair! Trust me. While I was writing about (and testing, step by step) all the styles in our new Allure Hair: The Ultimate How-to Hair Guide issue, I discovered three great ways to get the most out of your scarves. Go grab one that's long and narrow — when you fold it in half, the two sides should be longer than your hair — and let's get tying.

Woven Milkmaid Braid
Draw a center part all the way to the nape of your neck, and divide the hair in half. Line up the center of your scarf against the nape, and drape each end on top of a section of hair. Now you're going to braid the scarf into the hair: Separate each chunk of hair into three pieces — two hair, one scarf — and braid the first side; secure with an elastic, and repeat on the other side until you have pigtail braids. Pull the two braids to the top of your head and tie the ends of the scarf in a knot. Now you're ready for a cozy day in a Parisian cafe — or Barnes and Noble.

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Urban Turban
Dry shampoo can only do so much. On the days you wake up really late, mist your hair with texturizing spray, and twist it into a messy bun at the crown, securing it any which way with bobby pins. Fold a long, narrow scarf into a three-inch-wide strip, and place it against the middle of the nape of your neck. Pull the ends of the scarf up, and cross them twice at the center of your forehead; then bring them back to the nape and knot them. No one has to know where you were last night.

Long, Woven Braid
Not only will a scarf increase the size of your braid, but it also adds a little zing! And who couldn't use that? Choose a really long one with a colorful pattern, and wrap it around your head like a headband, with the loose ends at the back of your head. After you tie the scarf at the nape, divide all of your hair into three sections: one small on the left, a bigger one in the middle, and another small one on the right. Place the two ends of the scarf into the two outer sections, and start braiding until you reach the ends; tie the scarf into a double knot. You don't even need an elastic or pins for this one — score!

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