5 Cute and Easy Hairstyles to Beat Winter Hat Hair

Let’s face it, ladies: dealing with our hair is a full-time job year-round. Whether it’s battling humidity-induced frizz in the summer, tending to dry split ends in the winter and everything in between, it’s never-ending!

Another challenge of winter is "hat hair." You know what I’m talking about—when you need to wear a cozy winter hat because it’s subzero outside, but you then dread taking off your hat when you get to the restaurant for date night. Whoosh! There it is: either a flattened helmet head or a voluminous, static mess of hair, as if you’ve just had an electric shock!

Let’s put an end to the hair struggle with winter hats once and for all. In this article, I’ll suggest five cute styling ideas to help combat hat hair—whether it’s a floof, flop or helmet after you remove your winter hat! 

These hat-friendly hairstyle ideas are primarily for those with long hair who are looking for a day-to-evening look. If your hair is short, you can skip to the bottom of this article, where I suggest some styling products and bonus tips to help with your winter hat hair blues.

1. Crown Braid

A crown braid is a great way to make sure you don’t get winter hat hair.  The hair is parted in the middle and is plaited with a regular braid or a French braids.  

Braids are created from both sides, wrapped around the sides of the head and crisscrossed in the back. Tuck in the ends and secure with hairpins.  You can  add a decorative hair barrette at the crisscross that sits tucked under your knitted hat.  Finish with a spritz of dry shampoo or hair spray to tame the static.

2. Low Twisted Bun

Create a sleek low ponytail. Twist and swirl the ponytail in a circular motion to create a low bun and secure with bobby pins or a hair elastic to secure in place. 

Tip: Use a spritz of hair spray and smooth down any stray hairs and to cause less friction under the winter hat.

Decorative tip: Use a fun decorative hair tie to insert some fun element into your hair bun style.

3. Sleek Side Braid 

Smooth hair with either a leave-in conditioner or argan oil.  

For this hairstyle, you can create a regular hair braid starting from the nape of the neck on either side, or begin on one side and French braid all the way down to the other side into a main braid, creating a more intricate look.

Don’t know how to French braid? Watch this video 

Tip: Make sure you keep your French braiding taught to reduce hat hair when you pull your winter hat off.

Decorative Tip: to add some pizazz and style to your braid you can use a decorative ponytail barrette such as a dragon or sea siren, or use a flower hair tie.

4. Simple Half-Hair Clip Style

Sometimes, a simple half-hair clipped hairstyle is all you need. It's also easy to re-adjust if you have any loose hairs after removing your beanie or woolly hat.

Comb hair with some leave-in conditioner. Take the top and sides of your hair, smooth the hair with hands.  Clip the hair using a decorative hair barrette that shows your personality. Finish with a spritz of hair spray (this will help tame the flyaways especially with hat hair)

 5. Tucked Low Ponytail

Form a sleek low ponytail. Use an anti-static spray to smooth out the strands.   Use a hair elastic to secure the ponytail in place.  Above the hair elastic gently pull the hair apart leaving a gap in the middle.  Take the ponytail and feed it through the hair opening from the top and pull through.  This gives the ponytail a little something extra by adding a twist and also making it more secure.  

You can use bobby pins to secure the knot or a decorative hair barrette to finish the look. Spritz with dry shampoo to tame any flyaways. Now you're ready for your knitted hat!

Bonus Tips for Hat Hair Prevention

Some of these tips are repeated from above, but are new to those who have skipped to the end to learn how to deal with hat hair with short hair. 

• Make sure your hair is dry before putting on your winter hat.  
• Use satin or silk lined beanies and wool hats to prevent static.
• You can use dry shampoo, hair spray or anti-static spray to control the frizz. and flyaways.
• Use leave-in conditioner when styling your hair to combat winter dryness and friction when pulling on and off your hat.
• As an alternative use knitted hairbands and wear them all day without removing.  They keep your ears warm and look fun and fashionable.
• Another alternative is to use ear muffs. They keep your ears cozy and warm and keeps hair disturbance to a minimum.

Are you ready to rock those winter woolly hats?

Hat hair doesn’t have be something you experience every wintertime.  With a little investment of your time, a few dollars for some hair products, and the right type of hat, you will have this under control in no time at all! 

Whether you style your hair with a crown braid, a tucked ponytail, or a simple half-updo, don’t forget to add flair with fun and artistic hair accessories from Paula McNulty Designs. These finishing touches will keep your locks tamed and elevate your look from day to night even the hat comes off!

If you have questions about winter hairstyling leave them in the comment box below and I’ll be happy to help.