Types of Hats
Now that we know how to prep, we have to choose which type of hat to rock. There are so many to choose from. Finding the one that best suits your style is the easy part of things. Finding a hat that serves its purpose and fits your particular hair needs is more of a challenge.
Beanies are a go-to for many short haired ladies. They are easy and cozy. Beanies also can be dressed up or down. In the winter months, the beanies worn tend to get heavier. The light weight and colorful beanies of summer months simply don’t fit.
Wool beanies are popular and affordable. If you go for a beanie, pay close attention to your edges when applying additional moisturizer. Because of how the beanie hugs the hairline, the edges are most susceptible to friction and breakage.
Also, because beanies can shift slightly, you will be adjusting the hat during its wear time. That adds to the risk of breakage.
Fedoras and hats that sit higher up on your head, can still pose some issues if you’re not careful. Let’s refer to these style hats as ‘top’ hats.
Top hats can cause friction in the area that’s just at the base of the crown. This is something to take into consideration, but with top hats, the more pressing issue is product buildup. Because the hat presses against the hair, there is a bit of pressure that is created.
The pressure points of where a top hat hits your hair will press that product into your strands. For instance, you add gel and a creamy leave into your hair and put on a top hat. After you return home, you moisturize your hair again with the leave in preparation for bed. The product has been pressed into the area where the hat sat all day and has penetrated the strands in that area. In essence, you’re adding more product to an area that is already overloaded with leave in conditioner*.
Quick Tips
Keep in mind the amount of friction your hair will experience and moisturize accordingly. If your hair is fragile or damaged, avoid heavier fabrics. Instead of wool, go for a faux fur or shearling lined hat. Don’t over apply products to the areas of your hair that your hat will press up against.
ladee neenah says
i keep my bonnet on or wrap a silk scarf over my hair before I put my hat on.