16 Easy Winter Hairstyles for 2021

Winter can be rough on your strands, making it hard to get the perfect look. The season’s cold temperatures and winds can suck the moisture out of your hair leaving it dry, limp, and prone to breakage. Add any leftover damage from the summer, and your hair is likely in need of a hair rehab by winter. So why not use the season to nourish it back into its healthiest state? Use hydrating hair products like our line of curly hair products, including shampoos, conditioners, mousses, and curl-building serums that resist humidity, prevent frizz, and give elasticity back to curls. Our dry hair products include restorative creams, shampoos, conditioners, and masks to bring your hair back to life. We also have highly-effective products for damaged hair that work to correct damage and restore your hair back to optimal health. In addition to using moisturizing hair products, here some easy winter hairstyles will help you battle static frizz and split ends.

These hairstyles and winter hair trends for 2021 are all easy to master and party-approved.

Braided hairstyles are the perfect hair look to protect curly strands from cold and winds that lead to breakage. Plus, braids are just as perfect for a holiday party as they are for a night in baking cookies. Here’s an easy fishtail braid tutorial — and for more braided hairstyles, see our previous post on how to braid hair. 

• Grab the section of hair you want to braid and split it in half, holding one section in each hand. 
  
• Grab a tiny subsection of hair from the outside of the hair in your right hand, cross it over the top, and join it with the section in your left hand. 
• Then, cross a small sliver of hair from the left section and add it to the right side. 
• Continue grabbing tiny sections of hair, crossing them over, and joining them to the other half until you've reached the bottom of your strands and secure.

A twisted updo is the perfect winter hairstyle for any occasion and will give you the perfect look for any holiday party. Part your hair down the middle and gather the rest of your strands into a low bun. Clasp it with a hair clip and use bobby pins where needed to prevent strays and fly-aways from popping out. Keep your twisted updo in place with a brushable hairspray.

A half-up bun is the perfect winter hairstyle for every hair texture and length. And the messier you keep this hairstyle, the better it tends to look — how easy is that?! Gather the hair above your ears into a high ponytail at the crown of your head. Twist your ponytail around itself and then coil it toward the base until you’ve made a bun. Use bobby pins to secure it to your head and finish with a few spritzes of a strong hairspray.

The best time to play up your hair’s natural texture is in the winter when there’s no humidity. So if you've ever wanted to rock your natural curls but weren’t sure how to start, this tutorial is for you. 

• Wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo, use a light conditioner, and detangle with your fingers.
• While your hair is still soaking wet, apply a medium hold gel by rubbing the product between your palms, cupping your curls, and squeezing up towards your scalp. 
• Repeat this process with a microfiber towel to take out any excess water.
• Lift your curls and slide metal clips in along your scalp; pull your hair up before clamping them closed. This encourages volume, and it also helps the hair dry a bit faster.

An ultra-high ponytail is so classic and simple, but totally right for any winter festivity on your calendar. Just tightly gather your hair at the top of your head and secure it with a hair tie. Use hairspray to keep your pony in place.

Retro curls are a simple, but glam winter hairstyle perfect for any seasonal bash. And these curls couldn’t be easier to recreate! Rub a curl cream through towel-dried or damp hair and twist gently into a bun. Secure it loosely with bobby pins and sleep on it. When you wake up in the morning, shake your hair out and finish with hairspray.

One of the easiest ways to change up your hair look for winter is with a haircut. And this winter is all about the shag. Choppy layers create shape and volume, while also adding major texture and body. The perfect answer to winter’s flattening effects on your strands.

Could there be an easier winter hairstyle to master than a topknot? The key to nailing the top-knot is texture, so if you have straight or fine hair, start with some dry shampoo. Spray it into your roots and rub it into your scalp with your fingers. Lift your hair into a high ponytail. Leave a few intentional pieces out and wrap the ends of your hair around the ponytail, securing with bobby pins.

This knotted ponytail is the perfect winter hairstyle and looks like you put in way more effort than you did. Here’s a tutorial for an easy, grown-up ponytail:

• Split your hair down the middle, grabbing one section in each hand, crisscrossing and flipping the right over the left and pulling each section taut. 
• Slide your grip down and use your fingers to find the opening in your hair to loop one side through. 
• Lift one tail up and thread it through the opening, pulling each side tight to secure your knot.
• Transfer both tails into one hand, and tie off your pony with a hair tie just below the knot. 
• Grab a bobby pin and insert it down into the top of your knot. This will disguise any separation between the two sections, and keep your knotted ponytail secure.
• Grab a small piece of hair from the underside of your ponytail and wrap it around the hair tie — when you can’t wrap anymore, tuck the ends in with a bobby pin.

If you’re feeling the seasonal itch to chop your hair this winter, see your hair stylist for a blunt bob. This is an easy hairstyle perfect for anyone with limp, lifeless hair since the blunt line gives the illusion of fullness. This haircut will work with what you've got and requires very little styling.

Curtain bangs are incredibly wearable for winter. You can move the fringe forward to frame your face and emphasize your cheekbones, or tuck it back behind your ears to open up your features. They work well with any updo or down 'do and are so easy to style. First, part your hair down the middle. Then blow-dry your bangs away from your face, wrapped around a round brush. Twist the brush through your bangs all the way at the end so it feathers out.

The most sophisticated accessory this season is a statement headband. Headbands are possibly the easiest of all the winter hairstyles to master. They require no effort at all and work just as well with a little black dress as they do with your joggers. Choose a velvet headband for more formal occasions and leather or tortoiseshell for a more casual vibe.

A low messy bun is an insanely easy, yet incredibly chic winter hairstyle. Use protective hair ties and bobby pins rather than elastics to avoid breakage. You can even rock this look while deep conditioning or using a hair mask for the ultimate winter 'do. Add a pretty hair clip to up the ante on this hairstyle.

A twisted pony is another easy winter hairstyle that takes just minutes and will elevate any ponytail look.

• Tie your hair into a low pony at the base of your neck with a hair tie.
• Create a hole above the tie just big enough to feed your ponytail through.
• Twist the ponytail up and through the hole you just created.
• Pull it tight and pin any loose ends with bobby pins.

Hair wraps are another low-maintenance option for covering up conditioning treatments when your hair is especially parched during colder months. Keep your strands looking stylish and festive while adding a shot of much needed hydration.

Our final easy winter hairstyle is actually one you probably associate with warmer weather: beach waves. This look can be created on dry or wet hair using our This is a Sea Salt Spray. It gives you beachy, wavy hair that’s enhanced with body and shine. It's the ultimate time-saving product, allowing a spritz-and-go approach to hair styling, they also add texture, grip, and volume to all hair types.

The cold temps of winter can suck the moisture out of your hair leaving it dry and prone to breakage. Using Davines hair products free of harmful toxins, parabens, and sulfates will help you battle static frizz and split ends through the season. Sandy Super, owner of Lush Hair Studio, sums it up well: "Remember, during the cold, dry winter months, add moisture and protection from the harsh elements to your hair regime. Momo hair potion, is perfect on wet or dry hair to hydrate your locks! Add a small amount of Texturizing serum, blow dry on a low setting to give movement and volume.

Winter is a festive time of year, so having some fun with your hairstyle is a must. Usher out the year with one of these fresh, new dos and swap out a few fall hairstyles in between!

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor

Cover photo by Nesrin Danan