How to Get Kit Harington's Effortlessly Cool Jon Snow Hair
I dare you to name a more iconic head of hair than Jon Snow’s (I’ll wait). Since the first episode of Game of Thrones, Kit Harington’s curly mane was as important to his character as nebulus parental lineage and trademark confused/sullen scowl. It became so important, in fact, that fans tracked its changes for story clues and GoT spoilers; most notably, eagle-eyed fans called his inevitable resurrection by noting Harington did not cut his hair after season five. It’s safe to say hair was huge in Westeros (Targaeryn platinum, anyone?) but none was as huge (and full of secrets) as Snow’s.
The responsibility was as heavy as a crown on Harington, who went on record to say that the first thing he would do after GoT ended was cut his hair. He kept that promise, but the coolness of his curls didn’t change with a crop - it looks just as good short as it did long. Even post-Thrones, Harington is and will always be a hair god (just watch the Emmy’s tomorrow to see what I’m talking about).
Is it possible for those of us without a claim to the Iron Throne to get Jon Snow hair? Yes, says celebrity groomer Melissa DeZarate who specializes in curly hair, provided your hair is already pretty curly. Outside of a curling iron and lots of time, you need to have at least a wavy starting point. But as anyone who has curly hair knows, it presents special challenges. “You have to make sure your hair is healthy and hydrated at all times,” she says. “Most people with curly hair don’t like to touch hot tools [like hairdryers] or even many styling products.”
As for a clue to why Harington was so eager to leave his Winterfell ‘do behind? “Styling short hair is just easier than styling long hair,” she says, “and you don’t have to sit around forever waiting for it to dry.” Here are her other tips on how you too can get Harington-level curls, even if you’re not King In The North.
You Need the Right Cut to Get Kit Harington’s Hairstyle
When Harington was finally able to leave Jon Snow on the barbershop floor, he didn’t reach for the clippers. That, according to DeZarate, is the key to a curly hair cut. “This is a scissor cut,” she says, because shaping curly hair depends on layers. “If you don’t have layers, you’re going to get a weird pyramid shape on your head.” Don’t worry if this means nothing to you; your stylist should know exactly what to do. “Go to someone who specializes in curly hair,” says DeZarate. Some salons specialize in curly hair and if yours doesn’t, check out potential stylists on Instagram and see how many of their clients have curls (and if you like the cuts). Most traditional barbers are great at using clippers for styles like fades, but curly hair requires a more complicated approach.
Maintenance is Key to Getting Jon Snow’s Mane
Most of styling curly hair depends on how well it’s maintained. It needs a lot of moisture because, scientifically, natural oils have a harder time traveling from the scalp to the tip of the hair shaft (it’s like driving on a windy mountain road versus a highway). Practically, this means that curly hair is more prone to dryness and frizz than straight hair. Everything you put on curly hair should serve to moisturize it, beginning with how you clean it. “Cleansing conditioner is the end-all-be-all product for curly hair,” DeZarate says. Think of cleansing conditioner as a two-in-one, but with more conditioner and less shampoo. It will clean hair but not strip it of moisture. Use it a minimum of once a week (curly people shouldn’t wash every day anyway) and every two weeks use a scalp scrub beforehand to remove buildup from your scalp.
Avoid Frizzy Hair by Drying it the Right Way
Keeping curly hair moisturized isn’t just about what you do in the shower; it can become frizzy the moment you touch it, even if it’s still wet. Instead of rubbing your hair dry with your bath towel, “use a gentle microfiber hair towel that will actually pull the water out without getting your hair frizzy,” recommends DeZarate. She warns that any friction causes frizz, so gently pat hair dry with the towel or, better, wrap it into a turban to let it dry naturally. The no-touch rule extends past your bathroom, too. “Everyone touches their hair,” she says, “but try to break the habit.” Even after it’s dry and styled, the more you touch it, the frizzier it gets.
You Need to Switch Your Gel For A Cream to Get Kit Harington’s Hair
Getting hair worthy of the Iron Throne ultimately comes down to what styling products you’re using. Remember the golden rule: hydration is everything. “A lot of gels are drying because they have so much alcohol in them,” says DeZarate. Instead, use a styling cream or better yet, a curl cream. The first job of these products is to condition and moisturize hair, the second is to keep the curls intact, thanks to more elastic texture than classic creams. Apply a nickel sized amount of cream to damp hair and either let it air dry or use a diffuser attachment on a blow dryer. “When you use a cream in your hair, it looks natural and not like you styled your hair,” she says. “It’s effortless.”
Don’t Use Salt Sprays for Curly Hair
“A lot of people love salt sprays, but they are probably the worst thing you could ever use on curly hair because it dries hair out so much,” says DeZarate. Instead, if you’re trying to pump up hair with Jon Snow flow, use a curl enhancing volume spray. Curl sprays have more moisturizing ingredients that will still give volume and texture without making it feel like “you’ve been sitting in the sun all day,” she says. Always spray it into damp hair and let it dry naturally.
Use Pomade For High Impact
A difference between Jon Snow and Kit Harington is that, unlike his character, Harington’s hair always looks shiny, but never greasy. This could be because he doesn’t live at Castle Black or because, on occasion, he swaps styling cream for classic pomade. “Cream makes hair look natural, but pomade will make it shiny,” says DeZarate. The key is how to use it on curly hair. “Always apply it when your hair is wet,” she advises and make sure to rub a nickel sized amount onto your hands completely till you see no lumps. Work it through all of your hair completely (down to the roots) and then scrunch the curls back into place. You can even twirl some curls between your fingers to reshape them. Keep in mind that less is more; pomade is much heavier than cream so it’s easy to go overboard.
Use Hairspray For Hold, Not Crunch
Using a styling cream or pomade on curly hair isn’t about conquering, but accentuating it’s natural texture. So instead of overdoing the product trying to shellack your hair, use a flexible hold hairspray on occasions you want to make sure your hair stays in place (like at a coronation or, say, the Emmy’s). DeZarate recommends a flexible spray that won’t over-crunch curls and still allows you to touch your hair. Though, as we’ve established, try to keep that to a minimum.
Let It Flow
Going from a Harington IRL ‘do to a long Jon Snow flow takes patience, but the good news is that the care and styling isn’t much different. “With longer hair, you have to be more concerned with the weight of the products,” says DeZarate, “but essentially the steps are the same.” Don’t use a pomade on longer hair. Instead, mix a hair serum with your styling cream to get shine without weight. The hardest part in going full Jon Snow is getting there. “Curly hair seems to grow slower than straight hair,” she says, so she recommends taking a hair supplement like Nutrafol to help it along. “It helps support hair from the inside out and healthy hair is good hair.”
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