Oversized bows, diamante pins, pearl barrettes jazzy enough to make Ariel jealous…if the influx of larger-than-life hair accessories is sending you into a tailspin, the return of the understated black headband is just the antidote.
With its jet-black tone and clean lines, this no-frills classic has stood the test of time thanks to its practicality, elegance and versatility. The world’s most famous faces – from Brigitte Bardot and Diana, Princess of Wales to Zendaya and most recently, Jennifer Lawrence - have all relied on this minimalist accessory to subtly dress up their hair without stealing the show.
Just like the classic Little Black (or Brown, if you’re feeling especially au courant) Dress, the Little Black Headband is all at once chic and practical, appropriate for business hours, ballrooms and bar-hopping, and yes, it really does go with everything as proven by the A-listers recently spotted wearing the band.
Most recently in New York, actor Sydney Sweeney once again turned to the LBH to elevate her shiny blow dry and add low-key glamour to her waistcoat and blue denim flares.
‘Black headbands can instantly elevate an evening look,’ says hairstylist Pete Burkill who styled a stretchy band on Millie Bobby Brown’s chestnut lengths.
Back in October, Sweeney (styled by Molly Dickson, hair by Glen Oropeza) channelled Sixties bombshell energy with waterfall blonde locks and a Miu Miu shift dress while Maude Apatow kept things prim with a glossy headband to match her equally glossy, collar-grazing bob at Valentino spring/summer 2024. Her hairstylist Halley Brisker used a combination of GHD Curl Tong Soft Wave and a hydrating hair balm.
Elsewhere, model-cum-actor Hari Nef amped up the glamour with a vertiginous bouffant by hairstylist Peter Lux. Anya Taylor-Joy (and hairstylist Gregory Russell) leaned into the balletcore aesthetic with a Dior frock complete with a nipped-in waist and low-heeled ballerinas.
Unlike claw clips which need something to grip onto or embellished pieces that call for careful planning lest it clash with the rest of your ensemble, the LBH wins extra points for requiring neither. It sits easily on any hair length, texture, cut and colour while its neutral nature means it effortlessly complements any outfit.
Hair trend forecaster and creative director of John Frieda Salons, Zoë Irwin, herself a fan of black headbands spotted in New Wave Parisian cinema, has this styling tip to offer: ‘It’s all in the grooming. If the hair is teased underneath with the top layer smoothed over, you get some elevation so the hair doesn’t look flat. I’d keep the hair sleek and incorporate a hair oil such as Virtue Healing Oil into the blow-dry to add shine from the mid-lengths and ends and blow-dry the hair back.’
Celebrities and runway looks - the LBH were big news at Tibi and Schiaparelli - often add extensions to create a fuller, Sixties effect but simply brushing your hair back and adding shine will lend to the polished, quiet luxury vibe like Clueless’ Cher Horowitz. Styling third-day hair has never been easier.
ELLE Edit: Black Headbands
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