There’s an old-wive’s tale floating around that sleeping on wet hair will make you sick.  Let me be the one to tell you that this is a ...]]> There are two kinds of people: those who shower at night and those who shower in the morning.  Personally, I love to shower in the morning, but I just can’t get in the habit of waking up early enough to do so.  I’ve been sleeping on wet hair several nights a week for most of my life.  The question is, is that a bad idea?  Many internet question boards are dedicated to the drama of whether or not your should sleep with wet hair.

There’s an old-wive’s tale floating around that sleeping on wet hair will make you sick.  Let me be the one to tell you that this is a myth: there’s nothing about wet hair that can harm you in that way.  If you slept with wet hair above the snow line in the Canadian Rockies in February, I can see you catching hypothermia.  But otherwise, it’s not a concern!

So, is there anything wrong with going to bed right after a shower?  After all, wet hair is more delicate than dry.  But basically, you’re facing  a toss-up between two potential types of damage: breakage from too much blow-drying, or breakage from tossing and turning on wet hair.  The middle path would be, if you’re showering at night, to allow yourself enough time for hair to air-dry.  But if that doesn’t happen, it’s really ok to do whatever you feel most comfortable doing; if a wet pillow doesn’t bug you, then go for it.  Try wrapping your hair in a soft microfiber towel to absorb as much water as possible.  If you really need to blow-dry, make sure to use protective products to prevent damage from too much heat.  It might be smart to switch off between wet and dry nights.

The best thing you can do when sleeping with wet hair is, again, to put it up in a braid or a loose bun.  Use a soft scrunchie instead of a thin, tight elastic that will cause unnecessary breakage.  Your hair may be slightly damp when you wake up in the morning, but that gives you a chance to style it properly, so it’s not such a bad thing.  It might be smart to change your pillowcase more often than usual, since moisture can attract dust and mold.

If you have some time, try putting your wet hair up on spongy rollers; you’ll wake up with bouncy curls.

Gotta include a couple of fun facts first.  Obviously, the original purpose of a nightcap was to keep a person warm in a poorly heated house.  Think about it: you can keep everything but your head under the covers. ...]]> I’ve tried going to bed with wet hair and dry hair, up hair and loose hair, covered and not.  I’m sure most of you have as well, in your quest to figure out the best way to keep things from getting too out of hand overnight.  This next series of posts is going to discuss a few of the options, and why one or another might work best for your needs.

Gotta include a couple of fun facts first.  Obviously, the original purpose of a nightcap was to keep a person warm in a poorly heated house.  Think about it: you can keep everything but your head under the covers.  Men who wore wigs on a daily basis also wore nightcaps around the house, to cover their very short (and not-so-attractive, by the standard of their society) real hair.

And, if you’ve ever read Memoirs of a Geisha, you’ll remember this one.  Geisha hairstyles are incredibly complicated and involve combing wax-based pomades through the hair to help it hold its shape.  So women who have gone through the trouble of getting their hair done that way sleep on something called a takamakura, which supports the neck instead of the head.  I’m getting a neckache just thinking about it…

So anyway, on to bedhead.  It’s caused by moving your head around in your sleep, which obviously rubs your hair over your pillow and against itself.  The cuticle of your hair gets roughed up, which makes in snag even more.  If you wake up to a headful of knots, don’t panic; get some detangling spray to ease the process of combing it out, and use a wide-toothed comb to prevent unnecessary breakage.  Be gentle to that bird’s nest!

Most sheets, and therefore pillowcases, are made of cotton, which is an awesome fabric for many reasons.  But when it comes to your hair, it’s not the best to sleep on; the fibers catch on your hair and rough it up.  But there’s an easy fix to that, namely a silk or satin pillowcase.  You want something with a smooth finish.

Another basic fix is to braid your hair at night.  The less there is loose, the less there is to tangle in the first place.  If braiding will result in flat or lifeless hair in the morning, try flipping your head upside down and gathering your hair into a ponytail or loose bun (or an upside-down braid!); this will give it some life when you eventually let it down.

Another basic – but less-popular option – is to wear a nightcap.  You don’t have to wear something purpose-made; you can improvise with anything soft and comfy.  Try a few and see if something works for you.  This soft beret might be worth a try; a plain pretied bandana, a classic turban, or a simple hairnet snood could also do the job nicely.  If you’ve been waking up with an unmanageable mess, or ponytail holders are giving you headaches at night, the old-school solution might be the best one for you.

Coming soon: The Wet Hair Debate: Will going to sleep with wet hair make you sick?  Is it good or bad for your hair?

Check out the slideshow at the link above to see how designers have been incorporating Tangerine Tango (and similar colors) ...]]> Pantone, the international authority on color, has released what it’s Color of the Year for 2012, Tangerine Tango, a warm red-orange hue.  Like last year’s happy pink Honeysuckle, Tangerine Tango is vibrant, radiating energy.  It’s a little exotic, a little spicy, but definitely friendly and upbeat; this is an approachable shade of a color that can sometimes be off-putting in it’s brightness and visibility.  If you’ve been shying away from orange, definitely give this one a shot!  You’ll be seeing it in clothing, makeup, housewares – just about anywhere color can go.

Check out the slideshow at the link above to see how designers have been incorporating Tangerine Tango (and similar colors) into their spring clothing lines.  Then check out http://www.coveryourhair.com/ to find some awesome accessories that will keep you on color’s cutting edge – and look awesome to boot.

• Worried that orange is too much for you to pull off? Get your daughter/sister/niece/granddaughter/friend this adorably hip flower headband; everyone will smile to see her wear it.  Or grab a kufi hat or stretchy headband and pick out a couple of contrasting flower pins to shake things up.
• Older girls may appreciate a fun Hawaiian print bandana or a trendy zipper headband.   If you’re looking for some small and useful presents…
•  Our argyle winter beret is another funky way to incorporate this year’s top color into your look; if the weather’s not too bad, try a suede headband or a classic net snood instead.

So, whichever holidays you care to celebrate, take advantage of an opportunity to avoid the horrendous lines, out-of-stock merchandise, and crabby shoppers and do your business online instead.  If you’re looking for something new and fun for your winter festival of choice, you’ve come to the ...]]> Ok folks, Black Friday has come and gone, Cyber Monday is nearly behind us…now it’s time to take the approaching holiday seasons seriously (if you want to, I mean).  I admit that a little snow would make it easier to feel festive right now, but alas we must play the hand we’re dealt.  Bryant Park’s skating rink is open anyway, and latkes are tasty all year-round.

So, whichever holidays you care to celebrate, take advantage of an opportunity to avoid the horrendous lines, out-of-stock merchandise, and crabby shoppers and do your business online instead.  If you’re looking for something new and fun for your winter festival of choice, you’ve come to the right place.  Even if you weren’t planning to shop the accessories market, stick around.  I bet I can convince you otherwise.  At the very least, consider your gift list!

Christmas Cheer:

This red-beaded headband (aptly named “Dashing”!) will perk up your formal holiday black – or your favorite snowy-white sweater.  Same goes for this awesome sparkly red belt.  If you’re feeling the winter chill, a red-and-white crochet chaponne is just the ticket; the combo of warmth and holiday cheer is irresistible.

Treat the little girls in your life to a cute green hairbow (perfect for photos!), or go nuts and match a baby hat or baby headband with your choice of flower; you pick the colors!  And I’m loving this green beret worn at a jaunty angle over loose hair.

Chanukah Color:

If the red-and-green thing is overwhelming you, now’s a good time to rock the blue and white – although it looks good all year round!  For indoors, there’s the classic blue-and-silver floral tichel, a star-print denim ponytail holder, or this adorable shiny blue and white hairbow, which is perfect to wear for lighting candles on the first night.  When you head out, I recommend these furry earmuffs, a stylish buttoned cap, or a cozy crocheted earwarmer.

New Year’s Glitter

If you’re invited to a New Year’s party, or even if you’re not, these sparkly accessories are sure to be a hit.  Glam it up with a dramatic silver stretch hair comb or a sequined beret/snood.  If gold is more your thing, I’ve been a fan of this gold necklace headband for a long time – jewelry for your head!  This shimmering wide headband could be more your thing…or an elegant belt.

Not that you’re limited to these color choices, of course!  Whatever your holiday outfit, I guarantee you that CoverYourHair.com has the perfect accessory.

As you can see, hat and hairstyles have been coming and going throughout the ages.  Every now and then something “retro” or “vintage” comes back into play, but there are plenty of toppers and ‘dos that have faded into the shadows of history – with good reason.  You have to wonder what inspired some of these styles!  But mainly, I’m grateful that people rarely walk around looking like this anymore – and that I’m not expected to follow these trends.

The basic toolkit for dealing with ...]]> A good lather and rinse (followed by conditioner!) is all most people need to keep their hair clean.  Unless you have unusual hair circumstances, everyday oil and dirt buildup aren’t all that hard to deal with; by now I’m sure most of you have a routine down pat.  But every now and then something weird happens to you (or one of your kids or students!), and you’ll find yourself frantically Googling for advice.  This post will cover some basics of dirty-hair emergency management.  If you have any questions or icky hair scenarios, comment and I’ll see what I can find to help.  Be prepared!

The basic toolkit for dealing with unusual substances includes: olive oil, creamy peanut butter, corn starch, good quality conditioner, and a fine tooth comb or toothbrush.  These are the first things you can try if you’ve got something gross and regular washing isn’t helping.  As a general rule, use oils to remove sticky substances, and corn starch or dish soap on greasy ones.  Nail polish remover (acetone) can remove a lot of types of crud, but it’s really harsh, so save it for a last resort and follow up with something nourishing like a good conditioner if you ever have to use it.  And always wash with warm water, not cold.

• To remove gum: Rub on some oil (olive, canola, baby – whatever’s around) or apply PB with a toothbrush and let it sit for a few minutes, after which you should be able to comb it out.  You can use WD-40 in a similar way; spray it on your fingers (not directly near your face!) and rub it over the gummy area.  After a minute or two try wiping it away – and make sure you wash/condition afterward!
• Glue: I once walked into some fly-paper – getting that kind of sticky horribleness out of hair is no joke.  Oils are the first place to start here as well; you can also try hand sanitizer.  These will also work on other sticky substances, like tree sap.  If you lost a fight with super glue, go straight for the acetone, but be careful to apply it only to the afflicted area with a cotton ball (don’t just dump it over your head), and make sure to wash and condition well afterward.  Beauty supply stores usually sell hair-glue remover meant for people with glued-in extensions.  If you often find your hair in hot glue, it might be worthwhile to invest in a bottle.
•  Vaseline:  It’s like a miracle substance in so many ways, but good luck trying to get it off of just about anything.  Whether you used it as a lice treatment or a conditioner – or it was accident – you can try dousing the hair thoroughly with corn starch or cornmeal and then shampooing, or wash a few times with a degreasing dish soap.

By the way, if you used the oil or peanut butter methods (or you were startled while making lunch), wash with a clarifying shampoo.  If it’s not totally out after that, you can use a bit of dish soap where it’s needed; try the shampoo before the soap to avoid potential overdrying.  And don’t forget to wash any combs or brushes that you used to apply (or remove!) greasy substances in dish soap as well.

Acetone and Goo Gone are good bets when it comes to getting sticky substances off of scarves or hats, but be careful to test an inconspicuous corner of the item first; you probably shouldn’t use them on delicate fabrics like silk, or something hand-dyed.  Dish soap should help with grease spots on cloth too.

You know what I mean.  Everyone knows someone whose tichel is always tied perfectly, and in a way that would make your face look fat.  Or someone who has a different hat to wear every day of the month, for both seasons.  Someone whose hair is always shiny/bouncy/curly/straight and never flat/dull/frizzy/frumpy – like your own.  You’re torn between worshiping her perfection and wanting to throw a paper bag over her head.

Some women don’t stress about their appearances.  Either they’re confident about their abilities to construct an outfit, or ...]]> “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-ey’d monster…” Well, the jealousy I’m thinking about is more of a green-haired monster.  Or a green-scarved monster.

You know what I mean.  Everyone knows someone whose tichel is always tied perfectly, and in a way that would make your face look fat.  Or someone who has a different hat to wear every day of the month, for both seasons.  Someone whose hair is always shiny/bouncy/curly/straight and never flat/dull/frizzy/frumpy – like your own.  You’re torn between worshiping her perfection and wanting to throw a paper bag over her head.

Some women don’t stress about their appearances.  Either they’re confident about their abilities to construct an outfit, or they just don’t care.  But there’s a huge middle of the road where you have women that constantly struggle to pull themselves together.  So when you feel envy raise its ugly head, remember that most women aren’t perfect.  We all have ugly days, or days when that stupid freaking tichel just won’t tie right, or a bird poops on the only hat that matches the suit you planned to wear.  We all buy a sweater in one store and a skirt in another, only to find that they are not the same shade of black – and therefore look ridiculous together.  You are not alone in your irregular semi-fashionableness.  If there was a club I’d invite you to come and join it, so we could sit around looking sort of vaguely trendy together.

Are you genuinely disgruntled about your wardrobe or your ability to utilize it?  There are fixes to those problems!

• Find a video tutorial online that addresses your particular issue, such as how to tie a tichel.  I’m a big fan of the video tutorial.
• Spend a little on a session with a personal shopper who can help you pick out the right items for your taste and needs, or a stylist who can teach you to make the most of your makeup and hair.
• Find out which colors look best with your hair and skin.
• Ask that fashionista friend how she does it.
• Read some fashion blogs.  There are plenty that are dedicated to being modestly in style, and they’ll give you practical ideas on how to use things you see in stores or on other people.

But at the end of the day, stop worrying so much; you might think that people are comparing you to Ms. Perfect, but that’s less likely than you think.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come home from work, looked in the mirror, and almost screamed because my eyebrows were in desperate need of plucking.  Ten seconds later, I usually remember that I didn’t notice a single person’s eyebrow grooming (or lack thereof) out of the dozens I interacted with that day.  Which means that few, if any, of them noticed mine.  If anyone bothered to look and subsequently formed a negative impression of me as a person, then I can safely assume that I should not care about that person’s opinion anyway.  What I mean is, sure, someone else might look awesome.  But you’re nowhere near as noticeably inferior as you fear.

Basically, when envy creeps into your day and there’s actually something you can do to improve your own performance, then do it.  But if there isn’t, then find something else to think about.  I’m pretty sure you’re awesome the way you are.

Wampum comes from the Narragansett word “wampumpeag,” which means “white strings” – referring to strings of white beads made from a type of whelk shell.  Eastern Woodlands tribes (in the Mid-Atlantic states, the Great Lakes region, and Canada) used these white shells, and purple hardshell clams, to make tubular ...]]> My previous post about Native American headgear covered some pretty wide bases, but there’s a whole world of accessories beyond hats, so I just had to share some more highlights.  For example, everyone knows the word “wampum,” but do you really know what it means?  And you may be aware of Southwestern silver-and-turquoise jewelry, but do you know when it was first developed?

Wampum comes from the Narragansett word “wampumpeag,” which means “white strings” – referring to strings of white beads made from a type of whelk shell.  Eastern Woodlands tribes (in the Mid-Atlantic states, the Great Lakes region, and Canada) used these white shells, and purple hardshell clams, to make tubular or disc-shaped beads.  The white beads are known as wampi, and the dark ones (which are considered more valuable) are called saki.  Archaeologists have discovered wampum that dates back from before 1510!

Wampum belts, bracelets, and necklaces were originally exchanged for formal events (like marriages), or given for ceremonial purposes.  Beads could be arranged in ways that kept records or served as memory aids for storytellers, in a time before written language was used in the Americas.  When Europeans arrived, wampum came into use as currency for trading purposes, but it lost its value in the early 18th century when new manufacturing methods made it less rare and special.

Turquoise is a semi-precious stone that was fairly common in the Southwestern United States.  It was used in jewelry for thousands of years, as beads or enameled inlay, but the distinctive silver jewelry that many people recognize as Southwestern wasn’t actually made until the 18th or 19th century.  Pre-Columbian metalwork involved beating sheets of copper and silver and cutting them into beads, pendants, earrings and so on.  When the Spanish showed up, they began trading various types of metal jewelry, which became major status symbols among tribes such as the Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi.  Certain designs, especially crosses and najas (crescents) were especially popular.

The Navajo themselves did not start smithing their own silver until the 1860′s or so, but the craft caught on fairly quickly, and spread to other tribes, who developed their own methods and motifs.  Concha belts (see below) were one of the most common early silver items.  Around the 1880′s, Zuni smiths introduced turquoise and silver, who got together and lived happily ever after…well, you know what I mean.  Southwestern silversmithing has been evolving ever since then.  A funny fact: the crescent-shaped motif known as a “squash-blossom” or naja doesn’t actually look much like squash blossoms, and isn’t called that in any Native languages – but it’s really popular.  It may actually be based on pomegranate designs that came over from Spain.

As I said last year, those big feathered head-thingies that you typically ...]]> It’s almost Thanksgiving once again, and as the black-and-orange decoration disappear from store shelves, they’re quickly being replaced with cornucopias and those big black buckled hats that we spoke of last November.  My previous turkey day post focused on Pilgrim fashion, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to mention some interesting Native American (or First Nations, or American Indian, or whichever term you feel is most descriptive) styles.  There are a LOT of styles to cover (for half a continent’s worth of people, so yeah), but here’s a rundown of the most commonly known, or otherwise really interesting-looking.

As I said last year, those big feathered head-thingies that you typically picture when you think of Native American clothing are war bonnets worn by Plains Indian men (Sioux, Comanche, and Cheyenne are some of the most commonly known Plains tribes), mostly for ceremonial occasions.  Feathers were added to a bonnet in honor of great deeds done in battle; in order to begin making one, a person had to earn ten such honors and receive permission from the tribe’s leaders.  Chiefs could also earn feathers for kind or honorable deeds.  Eagle feathers are considered especially valuable; the eagle is the strongest bird.  Paint, fur, and bead embellishment can add details about the deeds that earned each feather.

Some eastern tribes (Mohawk being an obvious example; Potawatomi and Caddo are others) had their own equivalent of the Plain war bonnet: the roach.  Roach headdresses are made of stiff animal hair (porcupine, moose, deer) attached to a bone or leather base, often dyed and decorated with feathers, shells, and beads.  Some tribes attached the ornament to their own hair; others wore it like a hat.

Pacific coast Indians (including Haida, Salish, and Paiute) are famous for their basket hats, woven from a variety of plant fibers: cedar bark, sumac, spruce roots.  They come in all kinds of shapes and could be painted with distinctive designs.  Depending on the tribe, these could be worn by only women, or both men and women.  These were also used for both everyday and ceremonial purposes.

The other iconic Indian headgear (as in, the kind of thing that goes along with dress-up costumes and Thanksgiving pageants) is the feathered headband.  Except that feathers are not required.  Both men and women from the Eastern Woodlands (Iroquois, Lenni Lenape, Abenaki, among others) wore headbands made of braided deerskin strips, sometimes decorated with beads, wampum, paint, quills – and yes, feathers.  This (not the war bonnet featured above, are you paying attention?) might have been worn by the Wampanoag Indians with whom the Pilgrims partied during the first Thanksgiving.

Otter-fur turbans are worn during formal occasions (not related to war) by some Prairie and Plains tribes.  As I explained in my post about turbans,  they were adopted by Southeast Woodland men in the 19th century; cloth headbands became common for men in several Southwestern tribes.  Iroquois women sometimes wore tiara-shaped beaded headbands; Wabanaki women had peaked, beaded hoods.  These two groups of tribes also took a European hat style – the Glengarry cap – and used their own beadwork to turn it into something really striking.

If you look online for pictures of pow wows, you’ll see how different tribes now interpret their traditional headgear.  You’ll be amazed at the variety – and the colors!  Stay tuned for my next post about other beautiful Native American accessories…

Yes, you can wear white after Labor Day.  We’ve been over that before!  And no, it doesn’t just have to be “winter white.”  Bright white (with cool or blue undertones) is just as acceptable year round as shades of white with warmer, yellow overtones.  According to Elle magazine, white has been very popular this season.  White is great because it can be either simple or elegant; it’s so versatile!

If you doubt that there can be more than one kind of white, I dare you to find a wedding gown website.  Prepare to be boggled at the possibilities!  If you’re not sure what shade will look best on you, consider your skin tone. ...]]>

Yes, you can wear white after Labor Day.  We’ve been over that before!  And no, it doesn’t just have to be “winter white.”  Bright white (with cool or blue undertones) is just as acceptable year round as shades of white with warmer, yellow overtones.  According to Elle magazine, white has been very popular this season.  White is great because it can be either simple or elegant; it’s so versatile!

If you doubt that there can be more than one kind of white, I dare you to find a wedding gown website.  Prepare to be boggled at the possibilities!  If you’re not sure what shade will look best on you, consider your skin tone.  ”Winter” and “summer” skin have cool tones, and look good with cool whites.  ”Autumn” and “spring” look better in warmer whites, like ivory.  The truth is that most people can pull off an ivory wedding gown, but not so many can wear a really a lot of an icy shade of white without looking washed out.  So if you’re really not sure, tend towards the warmer end of the spectrum (or ask a professional makeup artist for help!)

When choosing a white garment or accessory, make sure to match the material to the season.  White linen or cotton will look odd in winter; stick to wool, flannel, velvet, and textured or heavy silk.  White lace looks great under just about anything.  Wearing a lot of white with colorful accessories or a colorful outfit with white accessories will really show off your stuff to the best advantage.  Try a white hat/scarf/gloves set with a bright red or blue coat, or a white coat with dark gray or green accessories.

White draws the eye; it reflects light, so it makes things appear larger.  So if you have wide hips, don’t wear a white belt!  But that doesn’t mean white is only for skinny people; if you’re smart about creating outfits, anyone can rock the white.  Here’s how:

• Wear an all-white garment/outfit (with colored shoes!).
• Use a white accessory or piece of clothing strategically to draw attention to your best features.
• Balance a white item with something equally eye-catching.  If you really love that white sweater, but don’t want to appear top-heavy, pair it with a dramatically colored or printed bottom, or something full/flouncy/pleated or otherwise interesting, so that people have something else to focus on – then they see the whole outfit (and person!) instead of just one spot.  If you’re wearing white on the bottom, you can use exciting accessories around your neck or on your head to draw the eye upwards.

There’s a reason that white hosiery and shoes rarely look good; they visually “chop” you up, making your legs look shorter and your feet look bigger.  When it comes to wearing white on your bottom half, go for it – but unless you’re the bride, stick to a slim, straight cut.

Here are some of my favorite white items for this season; all but the last two can really be worn anytime!

• For those who are blessed with hourglass figures, this wide leather belt is awesome.
• The reverse of a night sky: a white tichel with black stars.
• The elegant white floral headband vs. the fun floral bandana.
• It’s not winter without furry earmuffs and slouchy wool berets.

Some popular winter fabrics are made of natural fibers, while others are synthetic.  Natural fibers (different types of wool and fur) are great for bad weather because they absorb moisture, which makes them resistant to static electricity.  They’re also naturally flame-resistant, which is sort of cool (although you still shouldn’t walk through fire in them).  Everyone has handled regular sheep’s wool at some point, but keep an eye ...]]> ‘Tis the season to start thinking about keeping warm – and stylish! – during the winter.  Sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, shawls, earmuffs, neck warmers, wrist warmers, headbands…there are lots of awesome choices, so everyone should be able to find exactly what they want/need!

Some popular winter fabrics are made of natural fibers, while others are synthetic.  Natural fibers (different types of wool and fur) are great for bad weather because they absorb moisture, which makes them resistant to static electricity.  They’re also naturally flame-resistant, which is sort of cool (although you still shouldn’t walk through fire in them).  Everyone has handled regular sheep’s wool at some point, but keep an eye out for angora, alpaca, cashmere, and other specialty fibers; they tend to be deliciously soft and long-lasting.

Synthetic winter gear is generally made from acrylic yarn or polar fleece.  Polar fleece is interesting because it is made from recycled plastic (or recycled fleece!).  It is breathable, which makes it good for winter exercise since perspiration will pass through it.  Acrylic is inexpensive and washable, and can be made to mimic different kinds of natural fibers.

Static cling occurs when two different materials touching or rubbing against each other create an electric charge; electrons in each item are attracted to each other and exchange places. which causes the items to stick together.  Winter air is dry, which lessens that chance that moisture in an item will absorb the charge.  As I pointed out above, the fact that wool absorbs moisture makes it less susceptible to static cling.

How to prevent it?  Using fabric softener or dryer sheet in the wash is a popular step.  Running a new or used dryer sheet over an affected item can reduce the cling.  Simply sprinkling with water or running a damp cloth over it will work as well (although you might want to try something else if you’re about to go out in the cold!).  Running a metal object over it can help too – try a clothing hanger in a pinch!

I rarely use fabric softeners or dryer sheets for a variety of reasons; if you’re not big on Downy, you can create the same effect by adding a bit of vinegar or borax to your laundry rinse cycle, or try a more “green” softener like Seventh Generation or Ecover.  Try to buy clothing made of natural fibers.  And use the metal hanger trick for sure!

When it comes to hair, condition, condition, condition; you need to lock in that moisture.  You should be doing this all winter no matter what, to keep your hair healthy!  Products like mousse, gel, and hairspray also help.  If your hair tends to be super dry and frizzy, try spritzing it with a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part liquid fabric softener.  And don’t forget to turn on your humidifiers.

Comment if you have any other tricks for preventing static problems!