When fighting the winter elements, hats, beanies and caps are not just practical, they are a necessity. They are not, however, always hair friendly. Well, no longer be victim to the friction induced frizz and conquer hat hair this winter with our methods below
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We know that, at this time of year, a beanie is always a good idea. That is, until, it comes off and you are left with hair that is limp, lifeless and static-y, with kinks from the hat line. The good news is, that a post-hat restyle is easier to achieve that you may believes, as Johan Hellström, CEO and founder of Björn Axén reveals:
Use a nourishing shampoo and conditioner
Typically, the biggest complaint when it comes to winter hair is the static. Hats do nothing to aid this matter as the fabric rubs up against vulnerable strands. “Heat indoors causes the air to get dryer, which means both hair and the skin on your scalp loses moisture,” explains Hellström. “Normally, healthy strands are made up of three per cent moisture, but in winter these levels can drop and hair becomes static.” Ergo, the key is to add the moisture back into your hair to keep it nice and smooth.
Shampoo alone can leave hair a tad dehydrated after a wash, so it is necessary to always follow up with a restorative conditioner such as Eleni & Chris Keramin Strengthening Conditioner, which is rich in vitamins and the protein keratin. “Add a hair mask into your routine once a week if needed or apply a leave-in cream to fight frizz and lock in hydration,” says Hellström, who recommends the Björn Axén Signature The Leave-In Cream, enriched with macadamia oil and provitamin B5. This is especially good for hair with a tight curl pattern as it takes longer for the scalp’s natural oils to travel down to the mid-lengths and ends.
Oversized hats seen on the Holzweiler runway during Copenhagen Fashion Week.
Emma Fridsell in Emma Brewin's Satsuma hat. Photo: Emma Fridsell (@emmafridsell)
Rawdah wearing Silk Gucci dress and black hat in the first issue of Vogue Scandinavia. Photo: Jacqueline Landvik
Always blow-dry your hair ahead of time
It is crucial that before putting on your hat, your hair needs to be completely dry, iterates Hellström, who recommends you dry your tresses on a low heat. “Wet hair under a hat isn’t good for the health of your scalp as bacteria love a damp environment.” When you add roughed-up cuticles into the equation, it is no wonder wet hair is more prone to damage. Given a beanie comfortably warms your head, putting it over the hair that is already set in place will help you hold the style you worked so hard to achieve this morning. This is especially applicable to fine hair, which is far more susceptible to imprints.
Style on the go
A dry shampoo or dry texturising spray is about to become your hero if your roots have become flat and greasy. For a mess-free option, look no further than Sachajuan’s Dry Shampoo Mousse – simply work it through with your fingers when you’re out and about. For ease, Hellström swears by a quick mist of the Björn Axén Dry Spray Texture & Volume – “It’s amazing for re-styling your fringe as it adds volume without feeling stiff.” Try sweeping your fringe to one side under your hat, and then, when you’ve reached your destination, mist close to the roots and finger comb it through. If all else fails and your hair is long enough, “throwing it into a braid or high ponytail, and using hairspray to keep it in place, can disguise flat hair, too,” says Hellström.
