It’s an all-too-familiar scenario come winter. You wake up, get ready, and pull a cozy hat over your head to keep warm on your commute. The second that hat comes off, though, you’re left with dreaded static hair! You know the look too well at this point: frizzy flyaways and puffy strands that seem to defy gravity. Or maybe you innocently used a flat iron to smooth your strands but got the opposite result, thanks to static.
If static hair has ever ruined your perfectly good hair day, rest assured you’re not the only one! We’re breaking down everything you need to know about static hair, including why it happens, how to get rid of static hair, and the products you need in your daily routine to prevent it from ruining your look.
Good hair day by @colorwithgrace.
What Causes Static Hair?
We’ve all thought, “Why is my hair so static-y?” at one point! Long story short, static hair occurs when there’s a buildup of electrical charge in your strands. This causes flyaway pieces to appear floaty and buoyant, and sometimes they’ll even stick together strangely.
Static hair typically occurs when the air is dry (like during the winter!) and when there’s consistent friction. Hats, flat irons, and even certain hair accessories can create static hair. Even shuffling your feet or simply walking can create a buildup of static electricity in your body!
Static hair is super frustrating to deal with, and the only way to make it stop is to nix the electric charge.
Good hair day by @haircreationsbyalex.
How To Get Rid Of Static Hair After Straightening It
When straightening your hair, you might notice flyway strands pop up out of the blue. While flat ironing your mane can give you a smooth, sleek look, the heat from the iron can also minimize moisture and create friction, which leads to static buildup.
So what’s the best approach for how to stop static hair? We’ve got a simple trick! Before you reach for your iron, add a few spritzes of hairspray—like Matrix StyleLink Style Fixer Finishing Hairspray—throughout your strands and wait for it to completely dry before applying heat. Hairspray can work as a shield to protect the hair from static charge.
How To Get Static Out Of Hair
In addition to the hairspray trick above, here are a few more ways you can stop static hair in its tracks.
Good hair day by @sarahangius.
Hydrate Your Mane.
Static and dry hair go hand in hand, so your first step in learning how to get rid of static hair is to infuse your strands with some moisture! The foundation of any great hair care routine is a quality shampoo and conditioner duo. We recommend investing in a moisturizing system, such as Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo and Conditioner. In addition to delivering much-needed hydration, this system helps hair feel soft, shiny, and tangle-free.
Good hair day by @thejesjewel, @jessscissorhands, @butterflyloftsalon and @cozmic.color.
Rethink How You Brush Your Hair.
After years of brushing your hair, the basic styling ritual seems kind of like a no-brainer, right? Not so fast! When dealing with static hair, you should be wary of how you brush and what type of brush you use.
If your locks are feeling particularly brittle, it’s best to avoid using a bristle brush altogether. Instead, opt for a wide-tooth comb. Wide-tooth combs have larger gaps in between each of the teeth, which allow you to detangle your hair with less friction. This helps minimize both breakage and static.
Good hair day by @bulli_e_pupe_2004.
Reduce Your Heat Styling.
Curling wands, flat irons, and blow dryers are some of the biggest culprits of static hair. For that reason, we recommend air drying your hair as often as you possibly can.
Whenever you do heat style, be sure to apply a few spritzes of heat protectant spray throughout your hair. Redken Iron Shape 11: Thermal Holding Heat Protection Hairspray is a lightweight, thermal heat protection hairspray that protects your hair against heat-styling damage while adding shine and reducing frizz.
Good hair day by @dreamhairbycelaa.
Avoid Over-Washing Your Hair.
The debate around how often you should wash your hair will never end—and ultimately, it varies from person to person. That said, if static hair is a big concern for you, try reducing how frequently you wash. Cleansing hair too often can potentially strip your hair of its natural oils, which are a great defense against static.
If your hair becomes oily quickly (fine-haired girls, we see you), washing your hair less frequently might seem impossible. In that case, reach for some dry shampoo! Pureology’s Style + Protect Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo Spray refreshes your hair from root to scalp for that lightweight, clean feeling.
Good hair day by @tawni.cosmo.
Use A Leave-In Conditioner Every Day.
Leave-in conditioners are a saving grace when it comes to taming frizz, nixing static hair, and keeping strands looking shiny. Our best advice is to use one every single day. Try Mizani 25 Miracle Milk, a multitasking hero that boasts 25 hair benefits, including controlling frizz, adding smoothness, and helping shield against external aggressors.
Good hair day by @emmaamemma.
Use Hair Accessories To Hide Frizz And Flyaways.
Strategically placing a few bobby pins, sweeping your hair back with a barette, or wrapping a headband or hair scarf around your head can quickly conceal your flyways. While this won’t eliminate your flyaways for good, the quick trick is ideal for covering them up before a night out.
The Best Hair Products To Fix Static Hair
Now that you’ve read through all our tips and tricks for how to get rid of static hair, you’re equipped with all there is to know for getting rid of flyaway hair. If you’re still looking for products to keep your mane static-free, keep scrolling for more of our favorites.
All Soft Argan-Oil Enriched Shampoo for Dry Hair
A softening and conditioning, argan-oil-infused shampoo for dry hair.
Redken All Soft Argan-Oil Enriched Shampoo for Dry
Dealing with some serious dryness? Start your hair care routine with a deeply moisturizing shampoo, such as Redken All Soft Argan-Oil Enriched Shampoo for Dry Hair. Formulated with nourishing argan oil, this shampoo helps your hair and feel healthy, moisturized, and manageable.
A Curl Can Dream Co-wash for Curly and Coily Hair
Sulfate- and silicone-free co-wash for curly and coily hair infused with Manuka honey extract.
A Curl Can Dream Co-Wash For Curly And Coily Hair
Curly girls, it’s no secret that your texture leaves you extra vulnerable to dryness—and if there’s one thing you don’t want, it’s parched and static-y ringlets. Instead of a regular shampoo formula, try switching to a cleansing conditioner like Matrix A Curl Can Dream Co-Wash For Curly And Coily Hair. This co-wash formula gently cleanses and conditions in one step to help retain moisture and maintain your natural curl pattern.
Redken All Soft Mega Deep Conditioning Treatment Mask
For an extra dose of moisture—which is key if you want to stop static hair—then add a weekly hair mask to your regimen. Redken All Soft Mega Deep Conditioning Treatment Mask is a mighty two-in-one hair mask that serves as both an intense conditioner and care extender.
Total Results Mega Sleek Anti-Frizz Serum
An anti-frizz smoothing hair serum.
Matrix Total Results Mega Sleek Mega Varnish Shine Anti-Frizz Serum
When it comes to fighting flyways, you’ll need a smoothing hair serum by your side. The Matrix Total Results Mega Sleek Mega Varnish Shine Anti-Frizz Serum absorbs into hair and helps to control rebellious, unruly hair.
Tecni.Art Volume Envy Extra Mousse
A volumizing mousse that gives a natural, full hair look.
L'Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Volume Envy Extra Mousse
If you can’t seem to beat static hair, you’ll need styling products formulated to hold your hair in place. Opt for a hair mousse like L'Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Volume Envy Extra Mousse. This strong-hold mousse adds wearable yet controlled volume and lift without weighing the hair down.
Styling Airdry Glotion Multi-Benefit Styling Spray
A multi-benefit styling spray that works as an air dry spray.
Biolage Styling Airdry Glotion Multi-Benefit Styling Spray
If you’ve sworn off heat styling in favor of air drying, you’ll need an air dry lotion, like Biolage Styling Airdry Glotion Multi-Benefit Styling Spray. This light hold, multi-benefit styling spray leaves a glossy, finished look. It boosts shine, and enhances shape without the damage of heat.
Looking to add some static-fighting products to your arsenal? Click here to shop Hair.com’s best sellers.
All Soft Argan-Oil Enriched Shampoo for Dry Hair
A softening and conditioning, argan-oil-infused shampoo for dry hair.
A Curl Can Dream Co-wash for Curly and Coily Hair
Sulfate- and silicone-free co-wash for curly and coily hair infused with Manuka honey extract.
Total Results Mega Sleek Anti-Frizz Serum
An anti-frizz smoothing hair serum.
Tecni.Art Volume Envy Extra Mousse
A volumizing mousse that gives a natural, full hair look.
Styling Airdry Glotion Multi-Benefit Styling Spray
A multi-benefit styling spray that works as an air dry spray.
