You know, I always say about tichel tying, its just variations on a theme. All the different styles are really very similar. So what makes a tichel look awesome on some people and just pretty on others?
3 elements
1. Understanding your face shape. A woman with an angular face will need something different in terms of height or bulk, then a woman with a rounded face. I must say, I don’t have this down to a science. When I’m with someone, I look at them and get a feel of it.
One mistake that’s really common though, is not adding enough height. If you’re petite, you don’t want a tichel that dwarfs you, but in general, wearing one thin layer on your head isn’t flattering. It may be convenient, like the pre-tied’s but its not usually the best look
2. Understanding your energy. Are you water, fire, air or earth? (curious- ask me? and I”ll explain more in a diff post) Your tichel looks best when it matches your energy.
Are you water? More fluid, sensitive, on the quieter side? You’d look particularly great with some ribbons hanging down.
Are you earth? More concrete, a perfectionist, a more private person? You’d look great with one gorgeous tichel on (vs layering on textures and fabrics – thsts more a fire element, you need something more smooth and classic)
3. Color. Along with your energy comes certain colors.
Air – brights.
Water – muted tones.
Fire- textures, vibrant colors
Earth -intense, classic hues. 
Note – most of this I learned this through energy profiling -they’re not my own insights
Don’t just throw it on, wear it with pride.
Q. If tichels are all about modesty, why are all my videos about beauty?
A. In Judaism, we believe that everything serves a higher purpose and that spirituality is about channeling. So how do we channel feminine beauty? We use it as a vehicle to represent our modesty, our inner beauty.
My neice’s teacher said it best,“You can’t be beautiful and HOT at the same time”
WOW, let that sink in……!
Thats the kind of beauty we’re aiming for. Its our inner beauty. We’re creations of Hashem, when we take care of the King’s creations, we bring honor to the King – like the one who cleans the palace or dresses the king’s children. It all reflects on the King.
So have fun , enjoy your tichels and let me know if I can help you with any other tichel related info.
Yay! I was waiting for the next video. Ive been really playing with my tichels lately- figuring out so many fun tricks- but I cant seem to make triangle tichels work for me. They dont stay tight around my face and even when I make it work I end up having to re-tie them a few times during the day. What am I doing wrong?
HI Liz, Hmmmmm, what can it be? Are you placing them at the right place on your head? Meaning not too far back (even if your hair is not showing) so that they have anough grip? Are you pulling the knot tight enough the first time? Are you wearing something underneath? If the answer is yes to all three then unless you’ve been jumping on a trampoline in b/w taking care of two babies and being amazing, I have no idea!
if you give a good snug tug at the fold part of your ends (hope that is clear) rather than the edges you can get the triangle Tichel to form around your face better. I learned this trick when i was using a Maya Ring sling with my last baby, pull the edges to adjust snugly first, then the middle. The same concept goes with tying tichel, you want to work with snugging up at the fold until its comfortable around your face, tuck up the back corner under the knot and style from there. If you still find there is too much fabric, give it a little 1-2″ fold (over or under depending on your face shape) to shorten up the triangle.
My challenge comes with the oblong size ones because there is more scarf than head/hair for me right now so i’m always fidding with getting the adjustments right. I hope my explanation makes sense LOL
yeah, that make sgreat sense Taycia! BTW, I wish Aliza, who wrot ein the euesion would send us a picture. She wears three or four at a time beautifully!
I enjoy your tutorials and inspirational videos so much! Thank you for doing these. I tracked down a pair of nylons in the bottom of my closet because the stocking tip is just brilliant. i have just recently started wearing a tichel for my own personal reasons, and have had short hair for several years prior to it. i wanted to share a great tip i figured out for those who still want to do ties like the classic, but just don’t have the bun to achieve it: keep the nylons intact, and knot them into a faux bun that can be secured with a scrunchie if needed (which would puff it up even more).
Thank you again for doing these videos, so much inspiration for me and a real blessing.
Hi Taycia, great to hear from you! That is a very cool idea! And the scrunchie is killer! Its such a neat way to give body to the back. I tried keeping the legs in before but I never thought of knotting them, so I was tucking in pantyhose legs, which was pretty hysterical as they came falling out! Thanks for the tip!
i bet that would be hilarious! I love this tip though, because it took a naughty tired little one pulling on it to get it to budge, and i have been adjusting or retying my tichel a couple times a day to keep it from slipping. I would even trust it to stay on at the gym if needed, without too much issue.
Love the video and thanks for the tips. You have such a great personality; you made me feel happier just watching you.
awwww! now imagine turning on your smartphone and getting this comment in your inbox!!:) 🙂
Thanks for joining me!
You always make me smile, Rivka Malka. Not only are your tips helpful and your spiritual insights inspiring, but your presentation is genuine and authentic. Even if I didn’t know you, these videos would make me like you. Please continue to add your regal and joyful take on tzniut to the world.
Thank you Ruti1 So much!
What size volumnizer are you wearing in the video? I was wondering if there was something like this and then this video came out! I have a roundish face so I don’t think I want too much height. I also have very short hair. I use wig grips, but like Aliza, my tichels don’t seem to want to stay on.
And may I add that you are quite the inspiration to me as I start my journey into tzniut.
Velma, thank you! My volumizer is a small and its somewhat flattened by my wearing it so much, resting in it etc….
You’re right about the heightm but it may look nice towards the back of your head, balancing out your face shape. Hurrya fo ryou that youre exploring your inner beauty in such a profound way!
Hi Rivka!
Shalom! I love your videos!
You said you would tell us where you got your tichels. I have a drawer full of tichels that I am unhappy with. I live in Texas, and the summers are BRUTAL. It’s all I can do to dress with my neck and elbows covered,but with the triple digit summers, I don’t understand how most women in this area can STAND wearing wigs! I’ve tried, and nearly fainted from overheating. I prefer to cover with scarves. I think they are more flattering and I love color! PLEASE tell us where you buy yours! The pickings down here are slim! Also, many tend to be “pashmina” types, which are far too hot to wear in this area in the summer. If I could just find beautiful “Israeli” looking tichels without spending a fortune, I’d be happy.
Good Shabbos to you Rivka,
Chaviva
HI chaviva, I love your enthusiasm. My friend Zakah had a Texas friend who wears tichels, would that by any chance be you?
SO I ended up talking about where to get them in the comments more. But here’s a recap. For light Israeli tichels, coveredwithstyle.com Then for added color and fun, I go to marshallas etc. I’ve found that the heavier ones dont really make me hotter, but they do have lighter ones also. also check out Old navy online. great tichels, light and colroful.
one last thing. If you dont have success there, let me know your favorite colors and I cna shop fpo ryou here. Besides those two places I mentioned there’s also a few wihg stores locally that have beautiful tichels.
all the best Rivka Malka
Hello Rivka,
No, I am not Zakah, but it’s nice to know there are others down here, as we are shvitzing together 😉 I have bought from “covered with style”. They are a good company, they even gave me two free tichels when they messed up my order- wonderful people. I think the prettiest one you wear is the one with the teal-paisley look from what I can see of it. (I’d REALLY like to know where you got that one, it’s gorgeous). I’m in Dallas, and the frum women are rather sedate in their coverings. As I said, they mostly wear sheitals, although I don’t know HOW-lol! Most women in Dallas don’t wear tichels- for casual wear they push their hair up into a large hat. The only thing I am concerned about are the bright colors. PERSONALLY, I believe these beautiful colors were created by HaShem, so why not wear them? (I just don’t want to stand out, if you know what I mean). I was so enthused after watching your videos here and on you tube, I even told my husband how beautiful your hair coverings are, and how you have INSPIRED me to dress up more,and I know that would please my husband. I am very fair skinned, blue eyes and my hair color is blonde (my ancestry is German) so I don’t look right in very “dark” colors. I look best in pastels. Thank you for all your informative videos, to make us all feel like PRINCESSES! You have truly inspired me to look nicer and more dressy for my husband. I am so glad I found your site!
Thank you again, I’ll check out the places you mentioned, and if I still can’t find anything, I will let you know. Hopefully you will read this before Shabbos, but if not, I’m wishing you and your family a Good Shabbos!
Todah,
Chaviva
HI Chaviva, thank you for your enthusiastic response! I didn’t have time to comment before Shoabbos, but YOU have inspirred me! The tichel that you like was a pashmina, like you mentioned. I hold a lot of weighht on my head very comfortably. It sounds like wearing something lighter would fit your personality and look better. Send me a picture!
Shalom Rivka:
I don’t mean to be a pest by asking so many questions, but what are your thoughts on which type of tichel looks good on a round face? (Do I add height to the crown?) I just don’t want my head looking too round.
Last post, I promise, thank you!
hm, good question. I’m really not sure. I think if you have a truly round face then you dont want to be adding height and you don’t want ot be putting alot of bulk on your head either. Experiemnt. find one style thta you feel beautiful in and then analyze what works. all the best, rivka malka
Thank you SO MUCH Rivka!
(and thanks for your patience)… I’m going to try and play around with some of my scarves tomrrow, and send you a picture….
I have told several friends about your site, and your You Tubes, and they are excited as well!
Have a great evening! <:~)
Hi!
I just found your remarkable website. I’ve been covering my head with tichels (sometimes alone, sometimes with a hat or cap on top) for nearly 24 years (five of them living in Crown Heights, where I was the ONLY ONE to wear them in public!). It hasn’t always been an easy road for me, but because my husband requested of me, at the outset of our marriage, to not wear a sheitel, I have tried to honor that request in my desire for shalom bayis.
I love your enthusiasm, your creativity and your insights. And your videos! But I can’t seem to find the videos on tichel ties for weddings or Jesse part one. I’m looking for ideas for my niece’s wedding next week, so I’d love to be able to watch them.
Thank you, RIvka Malka!
Hi Yehudis Chana,Thank you for being an inspiration and for enjoying my site. Here’s the link that you were looking for.
love, Rivka Malka
https://childrensgeulagathering.org/insane-part-1-how-to-tie-the-most-gorgeous-tichel-ever/
Absolutely love you, your site and your videos. I live in Arkansas where the religious community is a handful of people. Finding inspiration to grow in my Jewish faith can be hard so finding this site has been such a mechaya for me. Thank you so so much for putting all this up. You are amazing!
Thank you Adina, I’m so happy you’re out there!
Thank you! I ended up buying a couple of volumizers and a turban and kaley from yehudit de paris. I’m having lots of fun with them. What I did for my niece’s chasuna was to buy a second dress identical to the one I was wearing to the chasuna and,with the help of a seamstress and a very talented friend, to make a beautiful head covering from it. The effect was gorgeous and elicited a lot of positive commentary. I’ve been wearing my tichels so creatively since connecting with your site. What a blessing!
Hi Rivka!
I have just been exposed to you and your videos, and you are truly inspiring!
I am not yet married, and have always been rooting for shaitels, but your style and videos are coming to make me appreciate tichels just as much!
My mother has recently decided to cover her hair, b”H, and is still feeling things out… she has very sensitive skin and thin hair, and we are trying to figure out the best way for her to fulfill this mitzvah, and still look beautiful. I noticed that you layer a lot, I’m curious what affect that has had on your hair?
You seem like a truly amazing person, may you continue to be mischazek those around you.
A chag kasher v”sameach.
Thank you so much! Welcome! Thanks for your question. My experience with covering my hair with a tichel is that its grown thicker. When I wore a shaitel I had some thinning in the front of my head due to the comb that helped keep it on in the front. And it wasn’t so comfortable, sometimes the comb would feel like it was yanking my head off! I think now women are getting more expensive shaitles so they’re lighter and that’s not such an issue.
I wish your mother all the best, I’m so happy for her and the wonderful new heights she’s reaching!
I love these looks!! I was trying some of them the other day and wanted some more “pouf” in the back. For kicks, I popped a mesh bath puff in the back. Presto!!!
I am from an almost alternate universe than you I feel, but want you to know that I find you beautiful and inspiring. I started watching your videos just to learn to tie a scarf and find am inspired to cover my hair. Thank you for your beauty and example 🙂
Alternate universe! I love that!!!! So greta to meet you – i would probably find you totally interesting 🙂
Shalom,
I first want to thank you for all the videos you have done so far. They have been a big help to me.
I am new to the Jewish faith and lifestyle. I was born to a Jewish mother who married a Christian man. We were raised as Christians but I have always been very curious of the Jewish faith and lifestyle. My mother over the 38 years she was married to my father before his death she became a born again Christian, but always believed that Jewish people are G-ds chosen people. Over the past year and half I have been learning, living my life as a Messianic Jew ( to the best I can) while learning. Over this past year I have started attending a Messianic synagogue here in Dallas. I have to says this has been the best relationship I have ever had with G-d.
I have seen I think every video that you have made and I have to say they have helped me. I also have to say there is a very something special that comes from you. G-d has given you a glow and it it’s very clear your love for him and your relationship with him.
I hope you will make videos, especially ones that goes into details of holidays, High Holidays, day to day rituals, prayers or blessings. Also yes I hope you would start selling tichel sets. I have started covering my hair while in services or at the synagogue. So building my collections and working on getting all my hair to stay… lol
Well once again thank you for all that you do. I wish you and your family many blessings
I only just saw this comment as I haven’t been n my site for a while. Thank you for sharing your story!And thank you for your words of encouragement. If you are interested in Judaism – I would go to aish.com for details etc. they are great!
Understanding your energy. Are you water, fire, air or earth? I love this question. How do I find the answer?
Could you tell us which scarf shape is the better for wraping and getting the HALO-LOOK you wear…the tri-angle shape or the oblong?…jean
Hmmmmm, In that video I was wearing triangle scrves but I’ve moved almost exclusively to oblong scarves. Please stay tuned for my next post and you’ll see tons of pics with oblong scarves with a similar effect
You are just so lovely. Your soul shines through so clearly.
May we all catch a few rays!
Thank you so much! Can you go more in depth about energy types in another post or video? I really like hearing what you have to say about them 🙂 Thank you
YES! I have one on FB – Ill try and find it and post it here
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=498753113556758&l=7848997158101555640
very good explanation!!!!
What kind of tichel style would suit a woman with a very square/rectangular face
such as is seen with this woman?
http://gershbooks.com/authors/andrea-troyer/
If that’s you – you are gorgeous! What you are looking for is something that has A LOT of height at the crown of your head (vs in the front or just at the back) This will bring beautiful balance to those gorgeous cheekbones. If it helps you, take a look at the scarves I’ve worn on recent videos ( this past year) That’s what I would be looking for for you – Beware though – you about to go form beautiful to ravishing!