Many people with long hair and even shorter styles have a difficult time wearing headphones without ending up with the dreaded “headphone hair” that causes a crease across your head. That’s never a good look. When you have long hair, it takes some creativity to wear your headphones not only comfortably but without tangling in your hair. In this article, I’ll share some practical tips for how to wear headphones with long hair and help you not end up with dented or fly-away hair.
These simple tips and techniques will help you wear your headset comfortably any time, any where, and feel confident that with your headphones on (or when you take them off) you’ll look great.
How to Wear Headphones with Long Hair & Look Great
There are plenty of tips for wearing headphones with long hair, but in this article I’ll go over some of my favorites. These include:
- Wear your hair in a bun,
- Wear your headphones over a cap,
- Switch it up and wear your headphones at the back of your head or resting on your neck,
- Keep some product with you to quickly get your headphone hair under control,
- Loosen the band of your headphones so it doesn’t press your hair down tight,
- Choose lightweight headphones that are less likely to leave a mark,
- Consider a braid (for ladies) or a man bun,
- Grow your hair longer and/or wear it in a low ponytail,
- Use the right kind of hair dryer to help keep your hair smooth all day, and
- Keep a brush and large-coil hair ties handy just in case.
Now let’s take a closer look at each of these strategies to combat “headphone hair.”
Wear your hair in a bun
Putting all your hair back in a well-positioned, or even a messy bun can keep the area under the headphone band resolutely sleek, even when you put on and take off your headset.
Make sure to use product and a hairdryer on your hair before styling, so the cuticles are as smooth as possible. Also spray your hair with hairspray after you create the bun, but let the spray dry before putting on the headset.
Wear Your Headphones Over a Cap or Knit Hat
If you can find a snug cap over which it’s comfortable to wear your headphones, this will help to prevent headphone hair.
You can use a ballcap, or a knit cap and your headphones will look great, and taking this approach will mean that when you take off your headphones, they won’t have the chance to pull out your style.
Try Wearing your Headphones at the Back of your Head
Wearing your headphones with the band resting against the back of your neck can be a good solution for some people.
While some won’t find this comfortable or convenient, others will love the look, and the fact that it keeps your headphones out of their long hair.
Give it a try the next time you want to avoid headphone hair.
Keep Some Product with You
Having some hair product or a mist bottle or water, as well as a small brush or comb handy can be a game changer.
Usually headphone hair can be resolved by a misting of water and a brush. If you’re near a bathroom or other water source, you can dampen your hand and then smooth over the area of dented hair.
Try Loosening up the Headset’s Band
Wearing your headset band on a looser setting may help to prevent creating a dent in your hair or pulling your hair out of its style. You won’t want to go too loose, as then your headset can fall off too easily.
If you will be exercising with your headphones, this probably won’t work very well. You don’t want to have to keep putting your headset back into place, but for the commute or at work, a loose headband can be a game-changer.
Go Lightweight
If you’re still shopping for headphones, try looking for a pair that is lighter in weight.
Lighter weight headphones are much less likely to cause headphone hair. They can also be more comfortable generally by putting less strain on your ears and head.
Try a French Braid
If you know how to French braid, this is a great way to keep your hair in place when wearing headphones. It’s also known to be the perfect style for working out, as it keeps your hair so tidy. If you don’t know how to French braid, look at some of the fantastic tutorials available online.
If you find French braiding too tricky, there are other similar things you can try, too. For example, you could create a look that travels compactly down the back of your head that actually consists of two separate braids brought together with an elastic. Just always remember to ensure there won’t be anything bumpy or uncomfortable under the area where your headphone band will go.
If You’re a Guy, Embrace the “Man Bun”
They’re super popular right now, and they’re easy to do. Just make sure you position the bun in a place where it won’t get in the way of your headset.
Use some product in your hair too, to help keep it in place. This is especially important if you find you’re regularly taking your headphones off and replacing them (for example if you work in an office all day and have to pause your music for quick meetings as people walk by your desk.
Try Growing your Hair a Bit Longer
It may sound weird but the fact that long hair flows so freely can make it more resilient to headphone hair than shorter cuts. Short hair tends to get flattened more easily.
Especially if you’re a man, your long hair might not be long enough to weigh the hair down. That might make it easier to keep your long hair looking good while you wear your headphones.
Try a Low Ponytail and Keep some Product and Bobby Pins Handy
Sleek is the operative word here, as you want your hair to be securely smoothed to the shape of your head.
Use a hairdryer so that your hair knows which direction you want it to go in. And then re-do the ponytail, putting in product. If you find a traditional ponytail at the back of your head a little boring, try a low side ponytail, as long as the elastic area won’t get in the way of your headphones.
Decorative Barrettes are in Fashion – Use Them!
We’ve all seen some of the large pretty barrettes that are currently in all the fashion magazines. Keep some of these on hand to cover and distract from headphone hair any time you want and need to.
Keep Your Hair Sleek and Smooth
Use an ionic hair dryer (like this one on Amazon) and use products that help to keep the cuticle of your hair smooth instead of rough. Hair with a smooth cuticle is harder to mess up than regular, air-dried hair.
When you take your headphones off, simply use your hands and a brush to smooth out any area that has been slightly lifted. You can use some of the other tips we’ve listed here, too.
Always Keep a Brush or Comb on Hand
This is especially important if your hair has texture in it or you are wearing a textured hairstyle.
Keep Large Hair Coil Hair Ties with You
These have a really firm hold and can sometimes create the tension necessary to pull out dents. If you find that you have a dent in your hair, you can quickly dampen it down in the bathroom or with a water misting bottle, brush or comb your hair smooth, and then bring your hair into a low ponytail in the back or side.
If you go with a side ponytail, make sure to position it correctly so it won’t get in the way of your earphones or cause any discomfort.
As we’ve seen, there are lots of things you can do to prevent or get rid of headphone hair. Happy listening!
