For those of us that simply can’t afford that option, we must learn to cope with the winter blues. This coping can include everything from purchasing special lamps in order to avoid Seasonal Affective Disorder to applying lotions with bronzers in them to make sure we don’t end up looking like everyone’s favorite friendly ghost. However, a more common problem that seems to affect everyone despite their age, personality, or skin tone is the ever losing battle of hair vs. static electricity.

When the temperature starts to drop, you can breathe easy for a while knowing that you no longer have to worry about pesky flyaways caused by the stifling humidity. Once the temperature dips below a certain point, however, you can say goodbye to that relaxation and say hello to dried out hair that resembles something out of your 4th grade science textbook. Even though the hottest trends change every season, I’m pretty sure the ‘i-just-got-electrocuted’ style is just one look that will never be in.

So, how do we finally put an end to this tragedy? Follow these 5 easy tips and you’ll love your hair so much you won’t even notice that it’s cold enough to make your own snow cones outside.

Winter Hair Care Tip #1

Use conditioner that is extra hydrating. The main reason your hair has static electricity in the first place is because the cold air has sucked all of the moisture right out of it. If you allow a thick moisturizing conditioner to soak on the ends of your hair for at least 5 minutes before rinsing, your hair will absorb the moisture much better and will be less prone to drying out.

Winter Hair Care Tip #2

Ditch the blow dryer and the flat iron for a more natural look every now and then. Extra styling done through the use of heat intensive products removes even more moisture from your hair and will leave it dry and brittle. For those of you who simply can’t bare the thought of not drying your hair in this weather, dry your hair until it is 70% dry, and let it air dry the rest of the way. This will allow your hair to maintain enough moisture as possible without turning you into a popsicle in the process!

Winter Hair Care Tip # 3

Invest in a more solid brush, something preferably without plastic. A wire, hard-rubber, or natural-fiber brush is much more suitable for hair in the winter. Although plastic brushes can be insanely handy (and cute!), they often increase your risk of static, and let’s be honest, NO ONE wants that!

Winter Hair Care Tip # 4

Okay, so you’ve tried the first 3 tips and STILL can’t seem to keep that hair down! Although it may sound slightly barbaric, tip #4 can calm even the most stubborn flyaways. Grab a dryer sheet of any kind, and gently rub across your hair. A dryer sheets main purpose is to remove the static from your clothing, so the same logic applies to your hair! Just be careful not to rub over your hair for too long- the chemicals on some dryer sheets can leave your hair looking greasy or dirty, which is also something we don’t want.

Winter Hair Care Tip #5

If all else fails and you don’t want to risk looking greasy with tip #4, turn your bad hair day into a chance to try out the newest styles! Throw your hair into a messy braid, or pick up a cute new winter hat to hide it under. Pinning your hair back is the perfect fix- it won’t add any additional damage or make it look greasy, and it holds all pieces of hair exactly where you want them to be-out of your face! Braids are also a super hot trend right now and are being showcased by the biggest celebs, so don’t be afraid to try it out yourself!

Want more style tips or a place to find that perfect conditioner mentioned above? Head on over to one of the best salons in Pittsburgh, The Verve 360, to get the best advice and products around!