10 tips for beating winter hat hair — plus the best-fitting styles for beanie hats

Nothing completes your winter look—or kills a great hair day—like a cozy hat. We’ve all dealt with winter beanie hair: As soon as you take off your beanie, your once-perfect hair falls flat, or your frizzy styles take over. But it is possible to wear a nice winter hat and Feel good about your hair underneath. With the right setting, you can maintain your hairstyle for your destination. Or, if a hat complements the outfit, there are plenty of fashionable ways to style your hair around it.

One thing you shouldn’t do? Skip the warm layers for your hair. The body releases most of its heat through the head, which reacts up to five times more sensitively to cold than other areas. So, grab your favorite clothes and don’t despair: with these simple tricks and tips, your winter hat will no longer match your size and shine.

How to keep your hairstyle intact under a winter hat

Keep your hair moisturized.

Just like your skin, your hair needs some extra moisture to stay healthy during the dry winter. Using a rich conditioner and covering dry hair with moisturizing oil can help prevent dryness, breakage, and frizz, which are likely to be triggered by the friction of a winter hat.

If you’re dealing with frizzy hair after you take off your hat, adding an extra deep conditioning treatment to your regular hair care routine can make a big difference. “Conditioning products help hair retain moisture and keep strands weighed down — in a good way — and are the best way to fight static,” New York City salon owner. Oscar Blandy He said luster.

Use a leave-in conditioner.

Likewise, using a leave-in conditioner can help soften the hair and create a barrier between your more fragile strands and the material of your hat. If you’re trying to maintain a silky hairstyle or curls, leaving your hair nourished will go a long way.

Build volume.

Many winter hats compress hair flat, but use a volumizing spray or root powder to add more volume before putting on a hat. The best part? There are products that can be easily reactivated with a root brush when you take off your hat, and are also easy to take with you on the go for touch-ups.

Dry your hair properly.

Always let your hair dry completely, especially around the roots, before putting on a winter hat. Wet hair will curl and shape into your hat more easily, but more importantly, you don’t want to trap moisture around your scalp. Depending on how long you wear the hat, it may irritate the hair follicles or create an unpleasant odor.

Maintain your shape with braids.

For a practical and stylish hairstyle that helps your hair maintain its shape and texture under a hat, try a loose braided hairstyle. French braids can help maintain volume at the roots, plus the braided ends look super chic from a beanie.

Wear cotton hats.

Cotton hats may not be as warm as sheep’s wool or new wool hats, but they allow more oxygen to reach your hair. More breathing room means less flattening.

Avoid static electricity.

If you don’t want to do without your favorite wool hat, try tying a silk or satin scarf around your hair before putting on your hat. The soft fabric provides perfect protection from rough wool fibers and prevents hair from fraying. And when static is unavoidable, keep a moisturizing cream or hair oil on hand: “Quite simply put, static frizz occurs when the hair or hair environment is dry, so moisture is key,” Blandy says.

Choose a maximum hat.

If you’re hoping to maintain root volume by opting for a hat, go big or go home. Large or loosely knit headwear will help give your hair extra room. Choose a fuzzy bucket hat or chunky hat to keep warm without suffocating your roots.

Take care of your outer clothing.

If you wear the same hat every day and notice that it affects your hair more, try replacing it with other options or washing it. It’s a good idea to give your hair a chance to breathe on warm days, and be sure to wash your hats frequently to prevent buildup of sweat, oils, and hair products.

Need some inspiration? Find the best beanie hairstyles for every hair length

Pop plus cap

Not only is the bob one of winter’s biggest hair trends, but it also looks great with all types of hats. Chin-length hair appears long enough to create a sleek silhouette, without getting tangled with other layers.