Say “No!” to Hat Hair This Winter Season

The hat season is upon us and that means the dreaded “hat hair” is back as well. And before you start, not wearing a hat when it’s cold ...

The hat season is upon us and that means the dreaded “hat hair” is back as well. And before you start, not wearing a hat when it’s cold out is not an option. You might not be losing more heat through your head than through any other part of your body, but you will be losing it extremely fast if your head is uncovered out in the cold. Therefore, covering your head is a must, which means you need to find ways to make your hair look great in spite of it.
Here’s how you do it:

1. Choose the right hairstyle

Layers is your style for the cold season if you live in a place where cold lasts for months. Layers will create a visible illusion of volume, which is exactly what you need after taking off the hat. Get a layered haircut that you can ruffle with your hands to “fluff it up” when you go indoors.

2. Choose the right hat

Natural materials are much more hair-friendly than synthetic, and they are less likely to generate static electricity (except for wool). Therefore, if possible, you should wear a hat made of natural materials. Or you can look for a cool hat that has a natural inner layer, for example, made of satin or soft cotton.

Also, note that the style of hat determines how much it will cling to your head and therefore “flatten” your hair. Wearing something like a beret will let you minimize the volume-killing effect of headcovers.

3. Go crazy with moisturizing

Moisture will help your hair retain its shape as well as remain shiny after you remove the hat. However, you need to remember that the hot and dry air inside (result of heaters working) and cold air outside are worse on your tresses than the heat of summer. Therefore, keeping your hair hydrated is extremely challenging.

What you should do is to use a hydrating conditioner and shampoo every time you wash your hair. Moreover, you should also use a leave-in conditioner for an extra level of hydration. This is especially important if your hair is bleached because this treatment often makes it extremely dry. Even your purple shampoo must have a moisturizing effect on top of the tinting one. Bleached hair needs double the hydration regardless of the season.

You should also use an intensive haircare mask at least once a week. It’s not necessary to buy a moisturizing mask because the vast majority of these products have this effect by default. Therefore, choose one that fits you personally, for example a mask for colored or curly hair. This way, you will be able to make your locks healthier, which means they will be stronger and better able to defy the flattening effects of the hat.

4. Shapen up with extra tools

If you want to add some volume to your hair and make it stay even after wearing a hat, you should apply some texturizing spray or dry shampoo before leaving home. But bear in mind that there are some issues that may crop up if you use dry shampoo, such as white flakes of it on your clothing. It’s a fairly good solution for days when you can’t wash your hair before leaving, but only if this particular product works well with your hair.

If you aren’t sure about dry shampoo, try some texturizing spray. It will boost the volume if you apply it on the roots of your hair after flipping it. Let the product dry for a couple of minutes before you smooth it with your fingers.

5. Get creative with hair styling

The sad truth is that no matter what you do, wearing a hat for extended periods of time will flatten up your locks. And even the best volumizing styling products cannot make your hairstyle withstand this trial completely.

Therefore, the cold season is the time to learn how to make various buns, ponytails, and braids. If the length of your hair allows you to try such styles, you should definitely use the opportunity.

However, if you have short hair, you’ll just have to talk to your stylist about finding the best style that you can “whip back into shape” with your hands or minimal tools after you take the hat off.

All this might seem trying, but remember that wearing a hat in the cold protects your health. And that is far more important than a hairstyle, especially considering that styling can make your hair look good regardless of any headcovers.