Winter is a time of rest. We do some level of hibernation from our day-to-day lives to enable us to hit the reset button. Our hair relies on this time of year too—it needs a season of resting, hibernating by way of hydrating, and resetting.
Winter months bring a cooler, often drier climate, and our hair care routine often needs a major shift to accommodate the new hair woes of the season. We rounded up some low-maintenance hair styles that will help your strands rest, hydrate, and reset while still looking effortlessly cool. Keep reading to see our 15 low-maintenance hair styles to get you through winter.
Blunt Bobs
Blunt bobs are a great effortless style for anyone with limp, lifeless hair that longs for volume, thickness and shape. This cut is a magic trick that will work with what you’ve got and require zero styling. The blunt line gives the illusion that your hair is much fuller. Plus, you won’t get your fine strands tangled up in your scarves, so it’s truly a win-win.
Low Knots
If you’re a top knot kind of gal, consider giving your strands a break this season from all that tension. Keep your knots low, and rely on protective hair ties and bobby pins rather than elastics, in order to avoid breakage. If your hair is extra long, you can even wear this look with a conditioning treatment in and tie a knot that will hold without any assistance for the ultimate winter ‘do.
Small Accents
Don’t underestimate the power of small accents. A few barrettes or a stack of pins can really go a long way for dressing up any style.
Natural Curls
If you’ve ever wanted to sport your natural curls and wave patterns but haven’t had the know-how to get started, winter is a great time of year (sans humidity) to give this new look a whirl. Switch our your shower products for something lightweight yet hydrating, like this SmartCurl Hydrating Wash & Conditioner Duo from clean hair care brand Evolvh, that will leave your curls soft and defined. Your strands will thank you to get their big break from the heat (styling, that is).
Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs add an especially stylized look to any updo or down ‘do. If you’re worried about the styling maintenance for these bangs, don’t. Order yourself a hot brush and you’ll have salon-worthy styled curtain bangs in no time, without the learning curve of a round brush.
Pearl Pins
Short hair or long hair, these pins are sure to make your style more festive and dressed up. Whether you’re celebrating the holidays, hopping on a Zoom call, or simply leaving the house to run an errand, you can’t go wrong with a hint of pearls.
Two-Strand Twists
Two-strand twists are a great protective style for winter months because they’ll last for weeks and they won’t put any tension on your hair. This style will help your strands retain moisture and remain tangle-free, serving as a perfect reset to get you through the drier months. For longevity’s sake, be sure to sleep with a satin scarf or bonnet.
Headbands
Ditch the mess of glitter and glitz for a more sophisticated accessory this holiday season: the headband. Headbands literally require no effort at all but make such a great statement, and now more than ever before, we have thousands of headband styles to choose from.
Low Ponytails
This easy-to-achieve style takes the cake for second or third-day hair that’s on its last leg. Hide those oily roots with your favorite dry shampoo or dry thickening spray, tie up your low ponytail, then either leave it sleek or spray directly into the ponytail to give it a little extra oomph.
Natural Bangs
Face-framing bangs and natural texture are a win-win combination. To keep your curls hydrated with a soft separation that doesn’t weigh them down, try using a silicone-free product like Evolvh’s Wonderbalm.
Halo of Pins
Pin placement is everything. Dump out all the barrettes you have onto the counter and play around a little bit to mix and match sizes and colors, find unique patterns and shapes, and ultimately frame your hair and face in a flattering light. This halo of pins is a beautiful option for minimal effort, but we encourage you to get creative.
Mermaid Waves
Mermaid waves will last for days and have become extremely easy to achieve in minimal time thanks to triple barrel irons like the Mermade Hair Waver. No products or learning curves required to get your hair in this coveted style that will last all week long. Simply clamp down and voilà.
Face Framing Braids
If you’re growing your hair out and lacking some much needed face framing layers, these trendy face framing micro braids are a perfect style to get you through the season in between haircuts.
Hair Wraps
Hair wraps are a great low-maintenance option for covering up conditioning treatments when hair is begging for more moisture during winter months, while still keeping things festive and stylish.
Detailed Ponytails
Would you believe me if I told you that an intricate detailed ponytail like the one seen here can actually be done in less than 30 seconds? Simply secure your ponytail, split a small hole with your fingers above your hair tie, and flip your ponytail through the hole. And that, my friends, is a little trick called the topsy turvy.
