Winter Hairstyles That Work Perfect With Snow Hats

Snow hats, ski caps, beanies, and bonnets are essential winter fashion.  They’re fun, functional, and keep you warm while looking great.  Best of all you don’t have to sacrifice a fashionable hairdo to wear one!

The following hairstyles are perfect for snow hats as each lets you put on and remove the hat while keeping your look intact.  This is because they account for both the hair underneath the cap and the hair tied or hanging free below.  

Many use a sleek style on top that is secured in place via hair ties and a finishing spray, or set your hair to be released once you remove the cap.  Others have your hair sleek on top and secured or hanging below so your look carries through the day.

No matter how you celebrate, relax, or commute this winter, one of the snow hat hairstyles below will work perfect for you!  And don’t forget to check out our guide to winter hair care tips.

Sleek Claw Clip Ponytail

Claw clips are the go-to hair accessory we all love.  And there’s now flat hair clips that can hold your ponytail under your cap letting you enjoy the slopes, reclining for a movie, and never having to worry about an “ouch” moment when you rest your head back.

1. Run a hair brush or comb through your hair to remove tangles and knots.
2. Pull your hair back to the back of your head and make sure the top is sleek.
3. Hold the ponytail in one hand and secure it with your flat hair clip.
1. You can do a half-up half-down ponytail if you want more texture but not extra depth since you may be wearing a snow cap.

Bouncy Blowout

There’s nothing better than a blowout, especially in winter when you feel the warm air from the hair dryer against your skin.  And best of all, bouncy blowouts are perfect for shorter ski hats because they’re sleek on top and full of volume and life below.  Because they’re face framing, they work for all face shapes!

1. Remove any tangles or knots with a hair brush (paddle, curve, and round may work best for thick, curly, and long hair which is required for this look.)
2. Apply a heat protectant and volumizing mousse to damp hair.
1. This is especially important as winter air is more dry than summer, and you’ll be using heated tools that further dry out your locks.
3. Section your hair into upper and lower parts.
4. Starting with the lower sections, use a round brush to lift hair at the roots.
5. Blow dry each section with the brush, moving from roots to ends.
6. Curl the ends around the brush for a few seconds for bounce.
7. Repeat with all sections, moving from bottom to top.
8. Add volume at the roots with backcombing or volumizing spray.
9. Finish with a quick blow-dry to set the look.

High Bun & Heatless Waves

One of our favorite hair hacks are heatless waves and curls.  This look holds your hair up in a bun underneath your ski cap (which looks great even without releasing it).  When you’re ready to let your hair down for the evening, you’ll have bouncy curls that look fab! 

Best of all this hairstyle is heatless so you won’t be drying your hair out more than the winter air is already doing.

1. Apply mouse to your damp hair and secure it at the crown of your head with a hair tie in a ponytail.
2. Split the ponytail into two sections and make it a twisty ponytail.
3. Wrap the ponytail around itself so you create a high bun, and secure it with another hair tie.
4. Let your hair dry and set.

Now you have a textured high bun and when you release it you’ll have stunning curls and waves.  If the curls or waves are too tight, run your fingers through them.  And if you use TELETIES for the hair ties, they’ll double as fun fashion bracelets on your wrists when you release your curls.

Bob With a Flared Base

Made famous in the 1920’s, this style has stood the test of time and is still popular today.  You could flare the bottoms outwards for a 70’s disco look, forward for a modern pop, part it asymmetrical for some flare, or curl the base under to let your outfit be the star.

Best of all, hair bobs are an easy style to create and look great whether you’re wearing your snow cap or not.

1. Smooth out tangles or knots with a brush or comb while your hair is damp.
1. If you plan on doing an asymmetric or a side part, use a rat tail comb as it will help you create the line.
2. Apply a heat protectant as you’ll be using a hair dryer and likely a hair iron.
3. Blow dry your hair straight using a round brush going from root to tip.
4. As you reach the ends, turn the brush outwards to create the flare.
5. Use a flat or curling iron for more defined flares at the ends, if desired.

Bubble Braid Ponytail

Bubble braids are one of the most popular styles year round.  And they work especially well for winter because they use coil hair ties that tend to pull and rip on your hair follicles less than elastic hair ties. 

This style can be worn loose and the bubbles don’t lose shape whether they’re tucked into your winter hat or left hanging out the bottom.  It’s a fun and comfy winter look with pops of color from the hair ties you can wear from the slopes to me time.

1. Smooth your hair so it is free from tangles and knots with a brush or comb.
2. Gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure with a coil hair tie.
3. Add another hair tie a few inches down the ponytail.
4. Gently tug the hair between the ties to create a “bubble”.
5. Repeat the process down the length of the ponytail.
6. Tease the bubbles so they’re even, or the same size in alternating patterns.  
7. Use a light hairspray to keep the bubbles strong and to help prevent flyaways.

Double Dutch Braids

If you’re ready to hit the slopes, run a slalom, or participate in a snowball fight, double Dutch braids are your go-to winter sports hairstyle.  They’ll hold tight against your head because they braid under compared to a French braid that ties over the center, and because they’re nested against your scalp, they hold tight vs. loosening like cross-over braids tend to do.

1. After detangling and smoothing your hair, part your hair down the middle to create two equal sections.
2. Begin on one side by taking a small section of hair at the top.
3. Divide this section into three equal strands.
4. Cross the right strand under the middle strand, then the left strand under the new middle strand.
5. Add more hair to the strand each time before you cross it under the middle.
6. Continue this process, following the hairline down the side of your head.
7. Once you reach the neck, continue with a regular three-strand braid.
8. Secure the end with a hair tie.
9. Repeat the same process on the other side.

Winter hairstyles are all about reducing the amount of heat used, and when it comes to snow hats, making sure the cap doesn’t pull out your style so you can go from ski slopes to the supper table, or for a soak in the hot tub.  If you found this style guide helpful, subscribe below for more content just like it.