A face mask can be both a must-have accessory and a way to stop the spread of viral particles. Whatever your reason for wearing a mask, it can still be fashionable.
In this collection of the top seven face mask hairstyles, we explore a range of sassy styles. With options from up-dos to beachy curls, you can keep your look fresh and exciting.
If you choose to wear a mask, you can express yourself while you protect yourself. Follow these instructions to learn how to wear your hair with a face mask.
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1. Snapchat-inspired Space Buns
This space bun style looks like an IRL Snapchat filter. From the basic instructions, you can get creative with different makeup styles, bun placement, and mask patterns.
For example, placing the buns behind each ear looks great when matched with a shimmery mask. You can also create a high-drama look by placing buns higher on the sides of the head and adding bold makeup and an animal print mask.
How to Get This Space Bun Mask Hairstyle
- Start with a center part.
- Gather your hair into two smooth ponytails behind each ear. Secure with an elastic band.
- On one side, twist your hair while wrapping it around the elastic.
- Tuck ends underneath, and secure the bun with bobby pins.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Adjust so that buns are even, and use hairspray to set.
- For the eyes, use iridescent eyeshadow and liquid eyeliner to create a shimmery cat-eye.
- Add a playful face mask.
2. Face-framing Curls
This mask hairstyle is great for two reasons: It’s not slicked back like many mask hairstyles, and it can be an ear saver if you get irritation from mask ear loops.
The trick to getting this look is to use a headband and hook the mask’s elastic onto the ends of the headband. However, you’ll need to do some important prep work to your hair so the style comes together beautifully.
How to Get this Mask Hairstyle of Face-framing Curls
- Side part your hair, and use a curling iron to add loose waves.
- Add texturizing sea salt spray, and scrunch to add volume.
- Place a headband onto your head from the top down, leaving the front portion of your hair around your face.
- Take the earloops of the face mask, and hook them into the ends of the headband.
- Lift and release any hair next to your face that was held down by the mask.
- Add a finishing spray now that your hair is undisturbed by the mask.
3. Face Mask with Hair Bling
This hairstyle is the perfect combination of fabulous and practical. Using a sparkly clip adds glamour, and because you can hook your face mask to the barrette, it’s also a great style if wearing a mask bothers your ears.
Choosing the right clip is key to making this style work. It needs to be big enough to hold a section of your hair and strong enough to stay in place. For most people, a sparkly French barrette is the best choice, but if you have thinner hair, an alligator hair clip can also work.
How to Get a Fabulous Face Mask and Hair Bling Style
- Start with a center part and loosely styled waves.
- Separate two small tendrils from just behind your bangs, and twist the two together until you reach your ear.
- Using a sparkly barrette or snap clip, gather together one ear loop of your mask and your hair twist.
- Secure the barrette to your hair just behind your ear.
- Do a similar twist on the other side of your head.
- Use the second clip to secure the hair twist and the other side of the mask.
4. Top Bun with a Scarf
Because this hairstyle uses a scarf that’s woven into your hair, you can complete your look by coordinating the fabric of your face mask with your hair scarf.
When choosing your scarf, opt for something lightweight. Cotton, silk, satin, or other lightweight material are great choices. You’ll also want the size of the scarf to be at least double the length of your ponytail. Measure long scarves from end to end, and if you have a square scarf, fold on the diagonal and measure from corner to corner.
How to Create a Top Bun and Scarf Style with Matching Face Mask
- Select a scarf that coordinates with your mask’s design.
- Gather hair into a high ponytail and secure with an elastic.
- Lift up your ponytail, and at the back of your head, pull the corner of the scarf through the elastic.
- Divide hair into two sections.
- Create a braid using the two sections of hair and the scarf as the third section.
- When you reach the end of your hair, secure the braid with an elastic. The tail of the scarf should extend beyond your hair.
- Create a bun by wrapping the braid around the ponytail.
- When you get to the scarf, twist the fabric and wrap it around the base of the bun.
- Tuck the end of the scarf into the ponytail elastic.
- Adjust the bun so it’s even, and soften the look by pulling some hair tendrils at your temples and ears.
5. Braided Updo
This braided updo is a classically elegant style that works just as well with formal wear as it does for a casual day around town. The fashionable swoop of the French braid around the back of the head adds interest, making it a perfect complement to a face mask.
This type of French braid is often easier to achieve when you’re working on someone else’s hair rather than when you’re working on your own hair. Attending cosmetology school can help you learn how to create a red-carpet-worthy French braid, but with practice and well-placed mirrors, you can still achieve this look on your own hair.
How to Create a Braided Updo Face Mask Hairstyle
- Divide hair horizontally along the back of the head, pinning up the top two-thirds.
- With the bottom section of hair, twist and wrap to create a tight bun at the nape of the neck. Secure with elastic and pins.
- Now working with the top section of hair, create a side part. Start a French braid along the front portion of hair, working diagonally from the temple toward the bun.
- When you’re about halfway through the French braid, begin incorporating hair from the other side of the head by sweeping it around the back of your head to meet the braid.
- Keep working the braid until all the hair has been incorporated and secure with an elastic band.
- Wrap the tail of the braid around the bun, and secure it with pins.
- Adjust the braid to add volume and spray to set.
6. Sleek Pompadour
We’ve seen plenty of celebs wear this sleek pompadour hairstyle, and it’s a great look to pair with a face mask. Add a smokey eye to complete the bold style.
Because the focus is on building volume on the top of the head, the style works for any hair length. And by keeping your hair away from your face, the final hairstyle will have a sharp finish.
How to Get a Sleep Pompadour Face Mask Hairstyle
- Start by adding mousse or volumizing spray to wet hair.
- Dry hair using a round brush while setting up the overall shape of tall on top and pulled back on the sides.
- Separate a top section of hair horizontally along your forehead.
- Backcomb along the rear of the section and set with hairspray.
- After you have enough volume built up, flip the hair back from your face. Brush the top layer of hair to smooth it over the height you created.
- Spritz a sheer hair oil or serum and use your palms to distribute evenly.
- Use a straight iron around the back of the head to finish the look.
7. Nicki Minaj Multicolored Twists
Years before we ever heard of COVID-19, Nicki Minaj hit the red carpet at the 2011 MTV VMAs with a wild style combining a face mask and flawless hairstyle. Her outfit was over the top, but the face mask hairstyle still inspires us.
Minaj used a candy-colored wig with shades of pink, gold, and platinum. The long lengths of hair were piled high on her head, and the face mask fabric looked to be inspired by Japanese-pop Harajuku style.
If you have long hair, try recreating a version of Minaj’s look yourself. You can also practice your skills as a cosmetologist by creating this look with a wig, just like Minaj’s stylist did.
How to Get Nicki Minaj’s Face Mask Hairstyle with Multicolored Twists
- The wig that Minaj wore to the VMAs was styled on a mannequin, the same way students learn when attending beauty school.
- This wig has two parts:
The lower portion is a short bob of platinum and pink.
Attached to the crown are long sections of pink, yellow, and platinum. - Working with the long section, twist all three colors together, wrapping the hair into a figure eight on top of the head.
- After the first figure eight, use flat bobby pins to secure the hair down and spray to set.
- Following the same pattern, layer the second figure eight on top of the first. Use U-shaped hairpins to secure this layer, and spray to set.
- For the top layer, curl the length into a circle and tuck the ends into the center. Secure with U-shaped pins and spray.
Do you want a career in fashion and beauty? Learn about the career opportunities for hair and makeup school graduates and learn how to get started with a cosmetology program.