How to Tie a Hair Bow

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Reviewed by Jasmin Todd

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 References

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With Ribbon

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Without Ribbon

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Q&A

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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

Looking for a super cute and easy way to add some flair to your everyday look? Try tying a ribbon in your hair! Not only is this simple to do, but it’s perfect for just about any occasion. Keep reading to learn how to spruce up your outfit with a hair bow using a ribbon or your own hair.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

With Ribbon

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You may want to look for a ribbon that matches your outfit or has an interesting texture like velvet or a raised pattern.
To make a standard size bow, use about 12 inches of ribbon. If you'd like to make a smaller or larger bow, use less than 12 inches or a bit more than 12 inches of ribbon.

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Hold section of your hair or all of your hair in your hand. You may want to tie your hair up or back with a hair tie to make sure your hair is secure.
- Feel free to also create two braids on either side of your head and add ribbons to the ends.
If you used a hair tie, slip the ribbon around the hair tie so it is covered with the ribbon.
Pull both sides of the ribbon so there is a tight knot in the center of your hair, or in the center of the hair tie.
Similar to how you would tie your shoe laces^{[1]
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Look in the mirror and adjust the bow accordingly. Check that the loops are the same size on either side of the bow and that it sits straight on your head.
- Apply hairspray or hair gel to get rid of any fly aways and ensure your hair looks sleek and tidy.
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Keep the bow in place with KY Jelly or Karo syrup. Bows can be difficult to keep in place, especially if you're dealing with a fussy child who doesn't like anything on their head. Try placing a dab of KY Jelly or Karo syrup under the center tie of the bow to secure it.^{[2]
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- You can also try placing a dab of the jelly or the syrup in the middle of the knot before you tie the bow.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Without Ribbon

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1
Make a bow bun. This is a fun spin on a typical messy bun or top knot.^{[4]
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- Start by gathering your hair into a high ponytail and looping your hair through an elastic band or hair tie, with the ends sticking out.
- Pull apart the bun to create two loops, which will be the two sides of the bow.
- Use the ends to wrap between the two loops. This will create the illusion of a bow knot in the center.
- Secure the bow bun with bobby pins and/or hair spray.
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Make a small hair bow. This look involves leaving some of your hair down, creating a more relaxed style.
- Take one small section of hair from either side of your head. The bigger the sections are, the bigger the bow will be, so decide how large or small you'd like the bow to be on your head.
- Tie the two sections together with an elastic or hair tie to create a half ponytail. Don't pull the ends through the elastic so there is a loop at the end of the tie.
- Split the loop in half to create two smaller loops. Clip one loop aside for now with bobby pins.
- Use your fingers to spread out the unclipped loop and push it flat against your head into a bow shape. Insert one bobby pin going from the top to the bottom and one going from the bottom to the top.
- Repeat this same process for the other loop.
- You should now have a bow shape.
- Pick up the remaining ends of the ponytail and wrap them up and around the hair tie to hide it. Secure the ends with bobby pins tucked underneath the bow.
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Make small hair bows with no bobby pins. This look creates two pigtails with bows and, best of all, does not require any pinning. However, you will need to have a tool call a Topsy Tail on hand or create one using the end of a fly swatter.^{[5]
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- Part your hair into two equal sections on either side of your head. Secure each section with a hair tie so some hair covers your ears and the hair ties sit just below your jaw line.
- Separate one section of hair so there are two equal sections and a thicker middle section. Try to make the two side sections of hair as even as possible as these will be the loops for the bow.
- Clip off one of the side sections.
- Take the Topsy Tail tool or your DIY version of the tool and place the stick end into the outermost layer of the hair tie. Twist the tool so the loop part is closest to your face.
- Take one side section of hair and pull it through the loop part of the tool carefully. The section of hair should form a small loop. This is one half of the bow.
- Pull the Topsy Tail tool through your hair to remove it and push the hair tie up to secure the section of hair so it stays in a nice, clean loop.
- Repeat this process for the other side section of hair to create the other side of the bow. This time though, place the Topsy Tail tool so the loop side faces away from your face.
- To hide the hair tie, place the tool in the center of the hair tie, take a section of hair from the front and loop it through the loop end of the tool. Pull the tool down and remove it. You should have a nice center bow tie.
- Complete the same procedure on the other side of your hair so you have two pigtails with two bows. Fan out both bows to make them loop full. Use hair spray to keep the bows in place.

Community Q&A

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Question

Are there any other easy ways?

Community Answer

Use a ribbon and put it behind your hair first, pull it in front and tie a bow (tie two knots to make sure it doesn't come loose).

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Question

What fabric of ribbon is best to keep itself and the hair in place as securely and long as possible without additional elastic?

Community Answer

You could use bobby pins to secure it in the back of your hair to hold the ribbon down.

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Warnings

Don't tie the bow too loosely as it could fall out.

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Try to keep all your hair together, as getting hair caught in the bow could be painful.

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