Static hair is one of those beauty problems that’s pretty unique to winter. A combination of the dry air and taking your coat on and off makes static a daily annoyance for pretty much anyone who isn’t bald. No, you can’t alter the atmosphere’s humidity or stop layering up when it’s freezing outside. But there are some things you can do to keep the electricity at bay so your locks lay flat instead of clinging to your face (and your lip gloss).”Static happens when there is too much electricity in the hair and nothing to ground it,” explained Jo Blackwell-Preston, owner of Dop Dop Salon in NYC. And it’s more common in the winter because when there’s less moisture in the air, hair tends to dry out, added Dove celebrity stylist Mark Townsend. “The key is to moisturize hair so that its charge remains neutral,” he said. The pros shared their advice for staying static-free with us. Here’s how to do it:
1. Use Moisturizing Products
Moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, as well as serums, creams and oils can all help had moisture back into dry, damaged hair, reducing static. Townsend recommends the Dove Pure Care Dry Oil line to infuse hair with healthy, hydrating oils without weighing it down or making it greasy. Try: Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Nourishing Hair Treatment ($12.99). African Macadamia oil penetrates into the hair, and a light silicone seals the cuticle and cuts blow-dry time — it’ll also help tame frizz and flyaways at the same time.
2. Cut Back on Hot Tools
“Over blow-drying hair creates more static,” Blackwell-Preston said, “but as long as you are using a heat protectant, it will keep it under control.” She recommends a hair serum like Kérastase Fibre Architecte ($43), a heat-protectant that also smoothes hair. When you blow-dry, only dry it about 90 percent, she suggests, so there is a little bit of moisture left to help combat static and frizz.
3. Avoid Plastic Styling Tools
“Use wooden, metal or ceramic styling tools over plastic to help prevent unnecessary static,” Townsend recommended. “Natural bristle brushes help distribute the oils throughout your hair, which also helps to eliminate static,” he added. He recommends Mason Pearson brushes.
4. Try These Styling Hacks
We’ve all heard that running a dryer sheet through your hair can help tame static. “I put a dryer sheet on a Mason Pearson brush and brush through,” Townsend shared with us. He also recommended spraying hairspray on a brush before using it, to help lightly distribute a little bit of product that’ll tame both frizz and static.Kérastase recently launched smoothing sheets made for hair—turning the dyer sheet hack into a legit hair styling method. The Carré Lissant Smoothing Sheets ($29 for 50) help eliminate both frizz and static with just a few swipes, and very minimal product transfer to your locks. “They’re perfect to throw into your bag and never leave home without this winter!” Blackwell-Preston said.
READ MORE: 7 Top Hair Pros Share Their Best Anti-Frizz Styling Tips
READ MORE: Hair Brush Cheat Sheet: Which One Is Right for You?
