I moved back to New England a couple of years ago, after 34 years in Los Angeles and Florida. “What? are you crazy?” is a question I get asked often. Yes, I do miss my past lives in the warm climates but I love being with family and enjoy being able to really dress up during the cold winter months. For instance, today it is 13 degrees right now and we are headed to -1 tonight, New Year’s Eve!
Hedda Hopper, Getty Images – CBS photo archive
With this very frigid winter weather, I love to wear my hats. I have many. On occasion, I proudly wear my favorite hat, a winter hat from the personal collection of newspaper gossip columnist Hedda Hopper . Hedda was said to buy 150 new hats a year!
Now, the “Hat Hair” issue surfaces! Sometimes I’ll put a hat on in the morning and leave it on until bedtime or at least have it on for half or more of the day. Then I pull off my hat to find flattened, fizzy, Static ‘icky’ hair.
Here are some pointers from hairstylist Ted Gibson and Kien Hoang for preventing “hat hair”.
Wet hair under a hat will become flat hair. “It’s also important to make sure that hair is completely dry before putting a cap on, even if it’s slightly damp, it will dry flattened and in the shape of the hat,” warns Hoang. Build volume with products beforehand to counter your hat’s flattening effect. “Volumizing sprays will add body to the hair, keeping it full for hat days,” says Gibson. Other styling tricks include twisting your hair into pin curls after using a curling iron. “This will help set hair in soft waves and will hold longer,” says Gibson. Hoang advises “a little light back-combing beforehand, which will provide some extra padding for the hair.”
Hat hair isn’t completely avoidable, but you can revive it. “Leave-in conditioners add moisture to hair, which will help combat static caused by dryness,” says Hoang. As far as discreet products you can throw in your bag, Gibson cleverly created hair styling sheets, similar in shape to dryer sheets, they deposit smoothing product as you rub them over static cling. If you don’t have those handy, blast hairspray on your fingers and “spot treat” flyways. However, try to avoid brushing hair — since it’s already dry, it will only cause more static.
The material and size of your hat is matters too.
And here is my routine for preventing “hat hair”.
PHILIP B Oud Royal Thermal Protection Spray
Whenever possible, I like my hair to be freshly shampooed when wearing a hat over it. I use a light mousse and a PHILIP B product. The PHILIP B product I discovered just this winter adds extra shine and prevents my hair from friction. It is the PHILIP B Oud Royal Thermal Protection Spray. The text on the label states it protects hair against damage from heat, sun, chlorine and salt water. If I could, I would happily ad protection from “hat hair” to that. The formula includes a time-released hair perfume. My hair smells great when the hat comes off and it keeps my hats fresh and smelling good also. I does not weigh my hair down at all.
When my hair is wet, I tousle in a light mouse and begin to dry my hair. Just before my hair is completely dry and before the pin curls, I spray The PHILIP B Oud Royal Thermal Protection Spray onto it then continue to completely dry my hair and then twist the dry hair into pin curls.
The hats of course do not come off to that look in public! But with a quick trip the ladies room I soon appear with full shiny hair – minus the bobby pins. I simply remove the pins run my fingers through my hair and give it a good shake. I have a shoulder length bob that turns into a cute curly bob.
