We've been harping on hats as the main cause of hat hair, but other factors may be in play, namely, your scalp's transition from fall into winter. "A dry scalp can augment the problem of hat hair, so it is important to maintain a healthy, daily conditioning routine as temperatures cool," says Gonzalez. Try Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Nourishing Conditioner, $5.99, or John Frieda Root Awakening Conditioner, $6.49 to moisturize the scalp and balance oil production.
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DO: Switch your side part
If you decide to wear a more form-fitting hat like a beanie, Gonzalez recommends a simple trick that ensures your hat won't flatten your style. "Simply section your hair the opposite way of your go-to part. If you always go to the left, try a deep side part to the right," says Gonzalez. "This way, when you flip your hair back and over after you take off your hat, it will have more volume."
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DON'T: Wear a hat over wet hair
If you find yourself rushing out the door with wet or even partially damp hair, your hat covers the fact that you hit snooze one too many times, but once it comes off, you're in for a surprise. "The rim of the hat will literally set a crease in your hair wherever the hat sits," Kyra warns.
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DO: Style your hair for the hat
Instead of doing damage control after the hat comes off, take a few extra minutes to beat hat hair with a style that suits the hat. Dorman suggests creating two loose French braids starting right above the ear/crown of your head before you put your hat on. "When you take your hat off, take the braids out and you'll be left with soft texture instead of an indentation." Another under-the-hat hairstyle? "Flip your head over, gather all your hair, and twist it into a pretty, loose bun," Dorman recommends. Wear your hair inside your hat until you arrive to your destination. Then, when you take your hat off, give your head a good Charlie's Angel shake -- "your hair will cascade out of the hat with tons of volume," says Dorman.
"You can also use your hat wearing time to create heat-free waves and curls," says Gonzalez. "Try braiding your hair or even using pin curl sets, then place your beret or fedora on, and you just created a cute updo-like hat style. Once you undo and shake it out, you will be left with waves without the time and effort of a curling iron."
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DO: MacGyver your hat hair
If cotton and cashmere aren't in your closet, and you're still getting that annoying static after effect, Gonzalez suggests tucking a travel size hairspray and mini brush or a clean, new toothbrush into your bag. "Simply mist the brush with hairspray and lightly comb your hair to conceal fly-aways and tame static." Dorman suggests spraying the inside of your beanies with static guard and also keeping a few dryer sheets in your purse to give your hair a few good swipes.
Summertime hats are built for covering up -- those floppy hats and fedoras shield your face from scorching UV rays, and hide those sweaty, salty "beachy waves" or your chlorine-crunchy mop. But when cool weather hits, hats are all about keeping your noggin' warm. Problem is, the minute you set foot inside and take off that beret, the damage is done: Your hair looks like it's been run through a turbo engine.
Whether you live in colder climates where wearing a hat is a necessity, or you're like me -- donning a hat for strictly sartorial reasons in Southern California -- you can prevent (or fix) a self-inflicted bad hair day with a few simple tricks. Click to see the top do's and don'ts for wearing winter hats from celeb stylist Josue Perez of Serge Normant at John Frieda in NYC, celebrity hairstylist George Gonzalez of George the Salon Chicago, and NYC based hairstylist Kyra Dorman.