How to Wear an Underscarf: The Right Way to Put It On Under Your Hijab

How your hijab sits all day starts with how you put on your underscarf in the morning. How to wear an underscarf may sound like a simple question, but where you tie your hair, where the cap sits on your forehead and how you tie the first layer of your scarf all decide the result. The steps below apply to plain, criss cross and non-slip underscarves alike.

Before You Start: Tie Your Hair Up Properly

Gather your hair at the back-middle of your head, just above the nape. This gives the underscarf a natural anchor point. Tying your hair too high makes the cap slide forward; too low and it slides back. A low bun works well for long hair, and for short hair an underscarf with bun adds fullness at the back.

Step by Step: How to Wear an Underscarf

Hold the cap the right way round. The stitched or silicone edge goes at your forehead, the wider part at the back of your head.

Place the front edge. Set the front edge of the underscarf just in front of your hair roots, along your hairline.

Slide it back. Slide the cap back over your head and tuck your bun inside.

Cover the nape. Gently pull the back down below your nape; the cap will centre itself on your head.

Check your ears. The sides of the cap should pass over your ears without pressing on your earlobes.

Final check in the mirror. Make sure no hair shows at your forehead or nape.

The underscarf should sit at the hairline, just in front of the roots

How to Wear an Underscarf Under Your Hijab

Once the cap is in place, tie the first layer of your scarf so it overlaps the forehead band of the underscarf by 0.5–1 cm. This small overlap stops your scarf sliding back and leaves no gap between the cap and the scarf. When you bring the scarf under your chin, take care not to pull the sides of the cap down.

With a plain underscarf

A plain underscarf gives the cleanest hairline. Tying your scarf parallel to your forehead shows off its neat look.

With a criss cross underscarf

With a criss cross underscarf, keep the V detail centred; if you tie your scarf slightly further back, the crossover stays visible. More details in our criss cross underscarf guide.

With a non-slip underscarf

With a non-slip underscarf, the silicone must lie flat on your skin; once it is in place, do not tug the cap back and forth. Our silicone underscarf guide has more tips.

Pulling the back down below the nape centres the cap on your head

The 5 Most Common Mistakes

Wearing the cap too far forward: A cap that comes down to mid-forehead slides back as you move.

Tying your hair at the nape: It pulls the cap down and looks shapeless from behind.

Choosing a loose cap: A gap is left at the nape and your scarf slips. For the right size, see our underscarf size guide.

Squashing your ears: A cap that presses your ears inwards becomes uncomfortable after a few hours.

Tying your scarf without anchoring it to the cap: A gap opens between the scarf and the cap, and hair shows.

Which Underscarf Suits You?

If you are on the move all day, a non-slip underscarf is a good start; if you want your neck covered, a ninja underscarf; if your size is not standard, an adjustable underscarf. We compare every type in our guide to types of underscarves.

How to Put On Different Types

Tube underscarf

The tube underscarf is tube-shaped: pull it over your head and fold the back under your bun. It is the quickest type to put on.

Tie-back underscarf

For caps with ties at the back, place the cap first, then pass the ties under your bun and tie them gently. Tying them too tightly pulls the forehead band back.

Adjustable underscarf

With an adjustable underscarf, place the cap on your head first, then slide the toggle to set the tightness. Leaving it comfortably snug keeps you comfortable all day.

Ninja underscarf

With a ninja underscarf, bring the face opening to the front and pull it over your head, then smooth the neck panel around your neck. Detailed steps are in our ninja underscarf guide.

Tips for Special Situations

If you wear glasses: Put the arms of your glasses over the cap, not under it, so there is no pressure above your ears.

If you wear earphones: Choose styles with openings at the ears.

Long hours: Loosening and resetting the cap for a few minutes in the middle of the day makes it more comfortable.

Travelling: Carry a spare underscarf; changing it on long journeys feels refreshing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does wearing an underscarf cause hair loss?

An underscarf in the right size and a breathable fabric does not harm your hair. Tying your hair very tightly and wearing a tight cap can put pressure on the roots, so we recommend a comfortable fit and a loose bun.

Can I wear my underscarf at night?

We recommend taking off an underscarf you have worn all day at night, to let your scalp rest.

Where should the underscarf sit on my forehead?

The front edge should sit at your hairline, just in front of the roots. It should not come down to your eyebrows.

Do I have to wear an underscarf under my hijab?

It is not essential, but an underscarf holds your hair, stops your scarf slipping and helps it sit neatly. The difference is very clear with thin and slippery scarves.

My ears hurt when I wear an underscarf. What should I do?

Pass the sides of the cap over your ears. If it still hurts, the cap may be too tight; try a wide fit or an XL undercap with ear holes.