As soon as winter arrives, I always feel like I’m dealing with a bunch of new beauty issues, like dry skin; chapped lips; and flat, static hair that hovers around my head like Einstein’s. Each of these beauty issues create their own frustrations, but static hair can be especially annoying—sometimes, no matter what I do, I can't seem to tame the fly-aways.
The elements, lack of moisture in the air, and heated indoor environments all play a part in these hair and skin problems, especially static hair. For one, since winter air often has low or no humidity, static electricity is often worse during the season (water is a great conductor of energy, so the higher the humidity, the less static is an issue). And those hats we wear in winter to keep ourselves warm? Those are making static electricity worse as well, creating friction and building static electricity as we take them on and off throughout the day. Fine hair can be even more prone to static cling, says Tina Dizon, hairstylist and founder of the Private Room in Beverly Hills, California.
With all this in mind, I asked a few professional stylists to share their best tips for keeping hair smooth and static free. Read on for their 10 fixes for static hair.
1. Use moisturizing hair-care products.
Keeping your hair moisturized is the easiest way to ensure it’s armed with the hydration necessary to fight frizz, static, and other pesky side effects of weather. Celebrity hairstylist Deycke Heidorn recommends starting with a quality shampoo and conditioner that caters to dry hair. “By using the right hair-care products, your scalp keeps its natural balance of moisture and oils, and your hair shaft stays flexible and nourished.” Her go-to: Mizani Moisturfusion Milk Bath + Silk Cream Shampoo and Conditioner ($37).
2. Apply a leave-in product on the go.
Even if you’re using top-notch hair products at home, the harsh weather you’re exposed to during your commute and lunch break can ruin everything. A quick fix is to carry a travel-size bottle of leave-in conditioner or hair oil in your handbag. “Dissolve a small amount in the palms of your hands and run your fingers through your hair,” advises Heidorn. “The moisture in the product will eliminate the electric charge that causes static, and that moisture and oil will allow your hair to become manageable again.”
3. Stay away from products that contain drying ingredients.
Just as you read nutrition labels to know what ingredients are in your food, you should do the same when it comes to your hair products. Look out for alcohol, which is often found in gels, styling foams, and dry shampoos. It can remove moisture and oils from your scalp and hair.
4. Try a different part to avoid staticky hat hair.
Hats are a staple winter accessory—I mean, it’s so damn cold! But they can leave your hair flat, dry, and all over the place. To combat hat hair, try changing your part to the opposite side than what you’re used to while you’re wearing your hat. This is a go-to move for Vanessa Ungaro, cofounder of Lauren +Vanessa Hair and Beauty. “When you take off your hat and flip your hair over to your usual part, you’ll not only have static-free locks, but you’ll also have a ton of volume,” she says.
5. Shampoo less often.
The more you shampoo, the more you’re stripping the natural oils from your hair. Instead of washing your hair every day, shampoo every other day. If you’re someone who’s prone to greasy hair, this tip might not work for you, but, chances are, you’re also not dealing with too much static anyway.
6. Use a heat protector spray before you blow-dry.
Using hot tools can also drain your hair of its moisture, which is why Ungaro always uses a heat protector spray when styling all her clients. “A heat protector spray, like Oribe’s Foundation Mist($29) will help keep moisture locked into your hair,” she says. Or, try Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray ($5) for a drugstore option. Spray the heat protector on before blow-drying to add shine and lock in anti-static protection.
7. Pull your hair up and out of the way.
If your hair’s long enough, a bun or braid is the perfect way to keep your strands from getting staticky. You don’t have to rock the slicked back look the whole day or night. If you like your hair to have a tousled look, Ungaro suggests braiding or pulling it back into a tight bun and simply undoing it once you arrive at your destination. Your hair will be wavy without having to use heat.
8. Use natural brushes and combs.
Using plastic combs and brushes on your hair can cause static electricity, much like that old trick you did as a kid of making your hair stand up by rubbing a plastic balloon on it. Instead, Heidorn recommends investing in natural boar bristle brushes and wooden combs. She does note that metal combs may be helpful in avoiding static, too, but they can be harsh on the hair shaft and inevitably lead to breakage.
9. Wrap hair in a microfiber towel or T-shirt instead of terry cloth.
It’s easy to toss your hair back in the same towel you use on your bod post-shower, but experts recommend avoiding this habit. “Hair is most fragile when wet, so it really deserves a quality treatment,” says Heidorn. This means not rubbing it aggressively. Instead, wrap and squeeze it with a hair-specific towel, like AQUIS Lisse Luxe Hair Turban ($30), or use a cotton T-shirt to absorb excess water.
10. Try anti-frizz sheets, but not the ones you put in the laundry.
You may have heard the hair hack that suggests using dryer sheets on your hair to reduce static, but most hairstylists don’t recommend this simply because laundry sheets are not made for use on hair and skin, and it could cause irritation in sensitive skin. Instead she suggests rubbing anti-static sheets made for hair, like Nunzio Saviano Anti‑Frizz Sheets ($18) right along the hairline and directly onto flyaways. “They’re enriched with non-sticky polymers and coconut oil, which provide a touch of hold and a bit of shine.”
source:self
source:self
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