How to Make a Halo Headband (Pipe Cleaner or Tinsel)

7 min read · The Costume Rack

To make a halo headband, twist gold pipe cleaners into a ring about the size of your palm, wrap a longer "stalk" around a plain headband, and attach the ring so it floats 3 to 5 inches above your head. Tinsel wrapped over the ring makes it sparkle, and a stiff wire base makes it look like it is hovering. All three versions take under 20 minutes and cost a few dollars.

If you have the halo sorted but have no idea what to wear under it, The Costume Rack builds your whole angel costume from what is already in your closet: Start my costume.

What you need for a DIY halo headband

Pick one of the three builds below, then grab the matching column. Everything here is at a craft store, a dollar store or in a gift-wrap drawer.

Also useful for every version:

• Hot glue gun or strong clear tape
• Small pliers (for the wire halo)
• A headband that matches your hair color, so it disappears
• Bobby pins

The pipe cleaner halo

This is the easiest answer to how to make a halo, and it is the one to try first.

1. Make the ring. Twist two gold pipe cleaners together end to end. Bend them into a circle about 4 to 5 inches across and twist the ends to close it.
2. Thicken it. Wrap a third pipe cleaner around the ring in a spiral. It looks fuller and holds its shape better.
3. Make the stalk. Take one more pipe cleaner and twist it tightly around the top of the headband, leaving about 5 inches sticking straight up.
4. Join them. Wrap the top of the stalk around the back edge of the ring, then bend the ring so it sits flat, parallel to the floor.
5. Hide the stalk. Wrap a white or gold pipe cleaner over the headband so the joins look neat.

Two stalks or one?

One stalk at the center is fine for a light ring. If your halo tips forward, add a second stalk on each side, about 2 inches apart. Two points of contact stop the wobble.

The tinsel halo

A tinsel halo is the pipe cleaner build with a glow-up. It reads as a proper gold halo from across a room, which makes it the favorite for angel costume Halloween photos.

1. Build a pipe cleaner or wire ring as above.
2. Tape one end of the tinsel garland to the ring.
3. Wrap the tinsel around the ring in a tight spiral, overlapping slightly so no ring shows through.
4. Tape or hot glue the end, then trim any stray strands.
5. Mount it on the headband with a stalk (pipe cleaner) or a wire post.

Tinsel tips for a softer halo crown

• Thin tinsel looks classier than thick, fluffy garland.
• White or silver tinsel suits a winter angel or an ethereal look.
• Want a halo crown instead of a floating ring? Skip the stalk and wrap the tinsel directly around the headband itself, then add a small ring on top at the front.

The floating wire halo

This is how to make a halo for cosplay, where you want it to look like it hovers with no visible support.

1. Cut the wire. Use about 18 inches of 16 or 18 gauge wire for the ring. A straightened wire hanger works too.
2. Form the ring. Bend it around a mug or jar to get a clean circle, then twist the ends shut with pliers.
3. Make a thin post. Cut another 8 inches of wire. Wrap the bottom 3 inches tightly around the back of the headband so it sits behind your head, not on top.
4. Angle the post. Bend it up and slightly forward so the ring sits above and just behind the crown of your head.
5. Attach the ring. Wrap the top of the post around the ring and seal with a dab of hot glue.
6. Cover the ring. Paint it gold, wrap it with gold ribbon or cover it in tinsel. Leave the post plain or paint it to match your hair.

Making the post invisible

Placing the post at the back of the head is the whole trick. From the front, people see the ring and your face, and the thin wire disappears into your hair. Dark hair? Use black wire or paint it black. Blond hair? Try a clear plastic stick or gold wire.

How to put a halo on so it stays upright

Most halos fail in one of three ways: they tip forward, they spin, or the headband slides back. Here is how to fix each.

• It tips forward. Move the stalk further back on the headband, or add a second stalk. Bend the ring slightly backward.
• It spins or twists. Hot glue the join between stalk and ring, not just the wrap.
• The headband slides. Put two bobby pins through the headband into your hair on each side, crossed in an X.
• It is too heavy. Swap thick tinsel for thin, or trim the ring to 4 inches.

A good test: shake your head "no" three times. If the halo wobbles back to level, it will survive a party. If it flops, add support now, not at 9 p.m.

Completing the angel look

A halo headband tells people "angel" instantly, but the rest of the outfit makes it land. Knowing how to dress up as an angel for Halloween mostly comes down to color: pick all white, cream or pale gold, and keep it simple.

Here is a closet-first angel checklist:

• Base: White dress, white jeans and a white tee, or a cream knit
• Layer: A light white cardigan, a long white shirt worn open, or a sheer scarf draped over your shoulders
• Wings: Optional, but they sell it. Paper, felt or costume wings all work
• Shoes: White sneakers, nude flats or gold sandals
• Sparkle: Gold jewelry or a little shimmer

Not sure which of your white clothes actually look like "angel" and which just look like laundry day? The Costume Rack does that part for you. Tell it your vibe and what is in your closet, and it lists every angel piece, shows a version built from things you own and adds a no-makeup build. Start my costume

Angel costume for teens and guys

An angel costume for guys works best as a white button-down, light trousers and the halo, maybe with a gold tie or a white hoodie layered on top. For teens, a white hoodie plus the tinsel halo is a relaxed, comfortable take.

Angel and devil pairs

The halo pairs perfectly with a set of horns. If you are going as a duo, see our guide to devil horns out of paper so your partner can build theirs in the same session. Want something furrier for a group? Our wolf ears headband guide uses the same headband base.

Your angel costume, finished in two minutes

You now know how to make a halo headband, so the hard part is done. The Costume Rack takes your vibe and your closet and turns them into a complete angel look: every piece listed, a "Find it" link to an Amazon or Target search for anything you are missing, and a version from clothes you already own. If friends are coming too, share one link so everyone claims a costume and nobody clashes.

Start my costume

FAQ

How do you make a halo out of pipe cleaners?

Twist two gold pipe cleaners into a 4 to 5 inch ring and wrap a third around it to thicken it. Twist one more around a headband so it sticks up about 5 inches, then attach the ring to the top. Bend the ring flat so it floats above your head.

What is the easiest way to make a halo headpiece without a glue gun?

Use pipe cleaners only. They twist and lock on their own, so you can build the ring, the stalk and the join without any glue. Clear tape is a good backup if a join feels loose.

How do you make a floating halo for cosplay?

Bend 16 or 18 gauge wire into a ring and attach it to a thin wire post wrapped around the back of a headband. Angle the post so the ring sits just behind the top of your head. From the front, the post hides in your hair and the halo looks like it hovers.

How do I dress up as an angel for Halloween with things I already own?

Wear all white or cream (a dress, or white jeans with a white top), add a halo headband and gold jewelry, and throw on wings if you have them. White sneakers keep it comfortable. The Costume Rack can list the exact pieces from your own closet if you want a checklist.

How do you keep a halo from falling over?

Move the stalk toward the back of the headband, add a second stalk for support and hot glue the joins. Then pin the headband with two crossed bobby pins on each side. Shake your head to test it before you leave.