Static hair is actually the worst. Even on your most hopeful hair days, the lack of moisture in the air presents a perfect opportunity for dry strands to turn into flyaway hair. Anyone who's ever worn a hat in wintertime is all too familiar with "I look like I stuck my finger in a socket" static hair. Though the problem is magnified for ladies with fine hair, just about every hair type has to deal with mind-of-its-own, electrically charged hair at some point. And just because we all suffer from a bit of static hair in the winter doesn't make it any less annoying.

So what exactly is causing hair to misbehave? At the risk of getting too science-y, static hair is caused when there is an imbalance of positive and negative atoms (protons and electrons) in the strands. The right number of the positive and negative atoms means a good hair day, while too many protons means crazy, flyaway hair. Basically, static electricity happens when your hair becomes positively charged — and the drier your hair, the more likely this charge change will happen.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to tone down static electricity, and even stop it altogether. Try these tricks and get rid of static hair for good this winter.

Image via Imaxtree

At the first sign of static hair, switch to a conditioner with silicone. You can keep your silicone-free shampoo, but using a conditioner like Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Conditioner, $3.99, or Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Smooth, $2.97, will coat your hair strands to seal in shine and help neutralize the electric charge. If you notice that conditioning with silicone is weighing down your hair too much, use a drop of silicone-based serum right after showering instead. Try John Frieda Original Six Effects Serum, $9.99.

To counteract the protons that make hair run wild, use an ionic blow dryer, such as the Infiniti Pro by Conair 3Q Hair Dryer, $99.99, which releases negative ions to dry the hair faster and prevent static from the start.

Also, avoid plastic combs and brushes since plastic throws off the balance of positive and negative charges. Instead, use a brush like the Olivia Garden Healthy Hair Paddle Brush, $14.45, which is made from bamboo and contains ion-charged bristles to specifically keep hair static-free.

There's a reason girls who use a styling mousse to define curls have less hair static (You didn't know that, did you?). Hair styling products like mousse, gel and texturizing spray give your hair more grip, which holds flyaway hair in place. If you're going for a straight or wavy style, use a spray (like R+Co Frizz + Static Control Spray, $27,) on damp hair before blowing dry, or lightly mist your strands if your hair is dry. If you're going curly, use a strong-hold mousse (like TIGI Catwalk Strong Hold Mousse, $17,) before blowing hair dry with a diffuser.

If static strikes post-blowout, mist your brush with a light or medium-hold hairspray (try Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray), $26, but be sure to hold the can eight inches away so it doesn't gunk up your brush or your hair. Then run it through your hair. The brush will help guide static hair back into place, and the hairspray will help hold strands there.