Avoiding the Dreaded Hat Head

Don't let your cute winter hat ruin your style

You love the way your winter hat keeps you warm and tops off your cold weather look, but you hate what it does to your hair. Luckily for you, we have solutions from three New York City hairstylists—Luis Guillermo, Danielle Irene, and Alejandra—who are all too familiar with hat weather. Below, how to avoid annoyingly flat or static-ridden tresses. Soon, you’ll be happy to walk in a winter wonderland once again.

Stop Static Before It Starts
Even before you put your hat on you can help it look great when it comes off. Try to avoid wearing static-charged hats. “Rub a dryer sheet in the inside of the hat prior to wearing it,” says Irene.

Don’t just throw your hat on haphazardly with hair going every which way. If you have long hair, Alejandra says to put it in a loose braid. Guillermo favors twisting the hair into a high bone, and Irene suggests pinning curls at the top of your head. No matter which way you go, when you take the hat off and undo the style, you’ll end up with gorgeous curls or waves. Consider pretty hairpins like Elle Gold Rosettes Bobby Pins  just in case you want to leave the style in when you take your hat off.

Emergency Static Solutions
You thought you did everything right to avoid static, but your hair is still standing on end when you take your hat off. Now what?

If you carry a hand cream in your purse, Guillermo suggests putting a small amount in your hands (be careful not to go overboard so you don’t end up looking greasy) and run them through your hair, staying away from your roots. Or, throw a hair cream in your bag to add shine and demolish frizz on the go. We like Redken Outshine 01 Anti-Frizz Polishing Milk. Or try Alterna Winter Hair RX Anti-Static Spray that instantly eliminates static and seals and smoothes flyaways.

Give It a One-Two Punch
Once you take your hat off, stop static and boost volume at the same time with hairspray such as Samy Salon Systems Skyscraper Volumizing Hairspray. Alejandra says, “Flip your head upside down and spray a light mist on your hair. Shake it around and then flip it back over.”

Hot Head Helper
Is your hair looking flat and (gasp!) a little sweaty post-hat? Irene swears by dry shampoo. Tease the hair and spray some at the root. It will remove any moisture caused by perspiring and help bring back volume. Try John Frieda Luxurious Volume Anytime Volume Refresher.