How to wear a hat (or ski helmet) in winter

What about hats?

Flat roots, squashed curls, hat hair… A hat helps keep your head dry and warm in winter, but it can be hard on your hair. Worse still, friction can weaken the hair fibre. So it is important to choose yours carefully.

Here are two golden rules:

1) Pay attention to the fabric.

Choose a good-quality natural fabric: wool and cashmere are the most common. Ideally, the hat should also have a silk or satin lining, so it glides over your hair without rubbing or catching it…

2) Make sure the knit is not too tight, as this could restrict airflow around your hair and circulation to your scalp.

Once you take it off, a few strokes with a La Bonne Brosse hairbrush will be enough to restore volume. If you prefer to tie your hair back, a braid or low ponytail works well under a hat. If you wear it loose, move your parting a few centimetres before putting your hat on. When you move it back after taking off your hat, your roots will look less flat.

What about ski helmets?

A week’s holiday in the mountains can be hard on your hair. As well as the cold, it spends almost all day tucked under a helmet, with the familiar drawbacks: friction, limited airflow and excess sebum…

Since skiing without a helmet is out of the question, we recommend tying back long hair loosely. Brush your hair morning and evening for at least two minutes. The longer you brush, the better its natural oils will be distributed through the lengths, helping to moisturise them naturally while cleansing the roots. Wash your hair no more than every other day with moisturising formulas. You can also tuck your lengths inside your collar or jacket to protect them from UV rays. Finally, to limit oil build-up in your helmet, spray on a little dry shampoo in the evening. The next day, before putting your helmet on, wipe the inside gently with a dry cloth.