Frizzy Hair in Winter: Why Hair Gets Frizzy in Cold Weather & How to Fight Back
Winter is here! Cozy sweaters, hot chocolate, and snow—there’s so much to love about this season.
But if you struggle with frizzy hair in winter, the cold months can feel more like a hair horror story than a winter wonderland.
From wild, staticky strands to dull, dehydrated hair that looks like cotton candy, winter frizz can hit anyone, regardless of hair type.
But don’t worry—we’re here to walk you through everything you need to know about frizzy hair in cold weather, and, most importantly, how to keep it smooth, soft, and under control.
Why Is My Hair So Frizzy in the Winter?
Here’s why frizz shows up as soon as winter arrives:
1. Cold Air + Indoor Heating
Outdoor winter air is extremely dry and cold, pulling moisture out of your hair. Meanwhile, indoor heating systems can be just as drying, creating an environment that’s tough on hair moisture levels.
2. Lack of Humidity
Low humidity can strip your hair of moisture, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to static and flyaways.
As the air draws hydration from your strands, they become dehydrated, losing their natural protective lipid layer that keeps the cuticle flat and smooth. The result? Rough, frizzy, and unmanageable hair.
3. Static
Frizz can also come from static. Wearing hats, scarves, and winter coats made from wool or synthetic fibers causes friction that leads to static electricity, especially when hair is dry or dehydrated.
Electrically-charged static hair strands are out of control and look wild and frizzy.
Dr. Joseph Cincotta, our award-winning, in-house chemist, explains, “Low humidity often leads to frizz, static, and fly-aways, particularly in chemically processed or damaged hair.
This lack of moisture causes the strands to separate, increasing the spacing between them (now imagine that multiplied by 100,000 hairs on your head!). The result? Unwanted volume, reduced control, and hair that’s harder to manage."
4. Hot Showers
Who doesn’t love a steaming shower when it’s chilly? But hot water can strip your scalp and hair of natural oils that keep them hydrated and healthy, making hair prone to dryness and frizz.
5. Curly Hair Gets It the Worst
For those with naturally curly hair, frizzy hair during winter is often more noticeable because curls tend to be drier and more porous. This means curly hair loses moisture more easily, leading to more frizz.
How to Control Frizzy Hair in Winter: 4 Tips
Understanding why winter frizz happens is only half the battle. The real challenge is keeping it under control. Here’s a breakdown of how to control frizz in winter:
1. Avoid Hot Water When Washing
Yes, hot showers are tempting, but rinsing your hair with warm or cool water will help keep frizz at bay. Hot water opens up the hair cuticle, allowing moisture to escape, which leads to more frizz.
Opt for lukewarm water during your wash, then do a final cool rinse to help close and seal the cuticle.
2. Avoid Overwashing
While it can be tempting to wash hair frequently in winter to combat hat hair, this can lead to even more frizz. Over-washing strips away your hair’s natural oils, making it more susceptible to dryness.
Read our guide to hair washing frequency for more information.
3. Lock in Moisture with a Leave-In Conditioning Mist
The secret to beating winter hair frizz is hydration. Color Wow’s Money Mist Leave-In Conditioning Spray is ideal for preventing frizzy hair during winter.
Money Mist adds lightweight moisture without weighing hair down. It keeps hair sleek and shiny, even in the driest, coldest air. A quick spritz on damp hair will help seal in hydration, smooth the cuticle, and help keep frizz from forming all day.
4. Protect Hair from the Elements
When you step outside into freezing temperatures, protect your hair by wearing a hat or wrapping it in a scarf.
Choose a satin-lined beanie or wrap to reduce friction and prevent static. This little bit of protection can go a long way in reducing frizzy hair in cold weather.
Dream Coat: The Ultimate Winter “Coat” for Frizz Protection
If you’re serious about fighting winter frizz, you need more than just moisturizing products—you need a true barrier that helps lock in natural moisture and seal out hair’s outer cuticle layer.
That’s where Color Wow Dream Coat steps in as your winter “coat” for hair, creating a sleek, frizz-free shield that stands up to even the harshest winter conditions.
So, what makes Dream Coat the ultimate defense against frizzy hair in winter?
1. Humidity-Proofing Power
Dream Coat uses breakthrough anti-frizz technology that acts like a mini “raincoat” for your hair.
Unlike typical products that coat hair with heavy silicones or oils, Dream Coat’s unique polymer formula actually forms an invisible, water resistant barrier around each strand.
This shield also seals in the natural moisture within each strand which keeps winter frizz, static and flyaways at bay.
2. Heat-Activated Frizz Control
Dream Coat is heat-activated, so it must be applied to damp hair prior to blow-drying. The heat from your dryer activates the polymer technology, sealing the cuticle and forming that frizz-blocking barrier.
The best part? One application can last up to three washes, which means ongoing protection without adding extra weight or residue.
3. Featherlight Feel and Weightless Shine
Unlike many anti-frizz products that can leave hair feeling heavy or greasy, Dream Coat is designed to be completely weightless.
It delivers mirror-like shine without any heaviness, so you get sleek, glossy hair without sacrificing volume. This lightweight finish makes it ideal for all hair types.
4. Multi-Textured Formulas for Every Hair Type
The Dream Coat line offers specialized formulas that cater to different hair textures.
For instance, Dream Coat for Curly Hair is specifically formulated to enhance natural curls while taming frizz, making it a game-changer for anyone with curly or wavy hair that gets frizzy in winter.
Meanwhile, Extra Strength Dream Coat works on extremely dry/dehydrated or curly/coily hair types.
Common Winter Frizz Questions, Answered
Does cold weather make hair frizzy?
Yes, but not for the reason you might expect. Cold air and indoor heating strip moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. While dryness can cause static and make your hair harder to manage, it can also lead to frizz if your strands don’t retain enough moisture.
Why is my curly hair frizzy in winter?
Curly hair is naturally more porous and prone to dryness, so it tends to lose moisture quickly. This makes it more susceptible to frizz when exposed to winter’s dry, cold air.
What is the best way to control frizzy hair in winter?
The best way is to focus on keeping your hair hydrated with products designed to lock in moisture, like leave-in conditioning sprays, and by protecting your hair from the elements.
With these simple steps to combat winter frizz, you can chill out and be assured of glossy, silky smooth hair when temperatures drop.
Just start making these tips part of your cold weather routine and no matter how freezing, your hair won’t start frizzing!
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