Saturday, December 01, 2012

Headscarf tips.

There's no getting away from it, wearing a headscarf is a right faff. I thought I'd share some of my tips, seeing as I've accumulated a few that makes it less frustrating. Marginally.
  1. Always wear a cap underneath. It feels more secure and makes it easier to put the scarf on a flat surface (as opposed to a bumpy scar or velcro type hair), and also helps bulk out the volume on your head (this is useful in reducing the cheeks to head ratio, if you have big cheeks). I like hijab bonnets, they come in all manner of colours and styles and are cheap as chips. The ones I have are really comfortable and easy to put on. You can also use a small silk scarf though too.
  2. Don't struggle with tying the scarf in a knot, it always comes loose and then the whole thing swings around and paranoia kicks in. Use a hairbobble. Treat the scarf like your hair, it's really easy and much quicker and looks the same. But it's much more secure. Here's a video explaining it.
  3. Tie the scarf slightly to the side, that way you can still move your head up and down. If it's at the back of your neck the knot gets wedged when you try to look up. Discovered this talking to a tall person, very stressful indeed.
  4. If your scarf is massive, fold it up before tying. In fact fold it anyway, until you just have enough to go over your head. I've found it's much easier if you don't have scores of material to deal with at the neck end, and - added bonus - by folding it up you get more volume around the head. It's all about the volume.
  5. Layering works, use different coloured thin scarfs to tie around your hairline, over a plain headscarf. Or wear a contrasting colour cap under your scarf peeking through. Jeez. What have I become.
  6. You can use all sorts of things as a scarf (here's a video using a t-shirt), go experiment.

I've pretty much had it with headscarves to be honest. I can't wait to just be able to leave the house without thinking about it. So if anyone out there is struggling too, I hope this helps just a bit.




12 comments:

  1. Hijab bonnets and hair bobbles - that's some kind of genius right there.

    You are probably fed up of people rcommending other brain tumor blogs, but you might like "A Lie of the Mind". Her take on the whole situation was pretty inspiring.

    As for my blog, it's purely vanity, the expression of my magpie heart, I have no excuse for it

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    1. Always open to new recommendations - thanks!

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  2. PS - I don't mean that you need to be inspired... everything you already wrote makes that clear... just that someone else's humour when it comes from a similar experience can be a help. Lord knows there aren't too many other people who know what you're going through.

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  3. Great post :) I'd just like to say though that I actually found that 'annoying video' you referenced very useful, and it seems a bit mean to call her annoying as she made it to be helpful. Like me, she has alopecia areata (hence the headscarf) which means that unlike you her hair may never grow back. I find all her videos very helpful.

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    1. You're right, I found it useful too and I shouldn't have put that - I'll change it now.

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  4. Best wishes for your recovery. Patra dot com have a silk turban for £21.95 on their website, which you might find easier and more comfortable to wear than a headscarf, and there's no need to tie it on.

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  5. Really good blog, great to hear you are on the mend - long may it last!i

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  6. I have had brain cancer this year and recommend Buff headwear. Their main scary hat thing which I had for cycling (ha!) that is meant to say scarf not scary. They are under 15 pounds and dead simple and brightly coloured. I have three. Peerfect for cold, itchy, bald heads. Go to buff.com

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    1. Brilliant thanks - I'll check them out.

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  7. Jen
    I only stumbled aceoss this today, lying in bed with a bad cold and sore throat, reading the Guardian, which I never get except Saturday. So what serendipidy. I am in my 50s and was diagnosed 10 weeks ago with a dermoid tumour and cyst in the back of my brain. They will take away part of my skull altogether. I have found your description of the process very helpful. I am scared and trying to be brave for ny family, and youe great honesty and humour is inspiring and I wanted to thank you. In my case my vision has been much affected and so I hope for a bettter outlook there, but the lining is stuck to vital areas of the brain so it's somrthing I find a bit terrifying to contemplate. Op just after Christmas, so will keep dipping in and hope to update you in January! You can't fail to have a great time in Brighton, my home town. If you want to visit the North Laines go early to avoid the crowds which might be a bit much. The Mock Turtle is a good tea spot. Chilli Picklle and Indian Summer are unusal Indians. HOTEL Du Vin nice for a drink. Alfresco by the bandstand is a lovely spot for lunch on a sunny day. I'M VERY FOND OF THE MUSEUMS. bRIGHTN HAS An excellent one, with a Biba exhibition on, the Booth musuem is great for natural history. Don't leave withou touring the Pavilion For a nice pub with food, try the Basketmakers or The Hop Poles.

    Cath

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    1. Hi Cath, that sounds horrible - really good luck with everything. Thanks for your Brighton tips, we're having a brilliant time here it's beautiful in the sunshine. I hope you feel better from your cold soon x

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