How to Keep Your Hair Healthy in Winter

Winter is the season for cups of hot chocolate and sitting by the fire, but it’s also the season for frost and cold winds, and the chilly air isn’t great for our hair and skin. The cold weather can easily dry out your hair and cause frizz, brittleness and split ends. Dull, dry, and frizzy hair is the last thing you need when you are posing for pictures in front of scenic, snow-topped hills and sparkling, frosted backdrops.

Here are a few of the best tips to keep your locks luscious and healthy during the colder months!

 

• Go Heat-Free 

 

When trying to smooth out your hair and add volume, many of us rely on straighteners and curling irons. Now is the time to put your hot styling tools down, as they only worsen your hair problems. Heated tools dry out the hair. Instead, you should focus more on heat-free styling options. 

If you want to encourage waves and curls in your hair, add a leave-in conditioner and plait your hair the night before. Adding more volume can be achieved with our Hairshark backcombing brush, which adds volume without damaging the hair. 

For smoother hair, apply a leave-in conditioner and wrap your hair in a silk scarf overnight to protect it from friction whilst you sleep. There are plenty of ways to style your hair without the use of heat, so get creative!

 

• Dry Your Hair Naturally

 

Going heat-free also means putting your hair dryer away. Gently pat and squeeze your hair dry with a microfibre towel, but don’t rub the hair. You should allow time for your hair to dry naturally before you leave the house, so washing your hair in the evenings could be the way to go if you find your mornings are a rush.

Having damp hair when you go outside is a no go, as the cold air will cause your hair to expand and weaken or even freeze, causing damage. Make sure your hair is dry before you leave, and if your hair is still not quite dry you can use your hairdryer as a last resort.

 

• Wear a Hat

 

Wearing a hat when you go out and brace the cold winds will not only keep you warmer but also protect your hair. If you are worried about hat hair, wrapping your hair in a silk scarf will keep it protected from the rougher textures and fibres like wool, which your hat is probably made from. 

Woolly hats keep your head warm but can cause the dreaded ‘hat hair’. If you’re confident enough, you could also sew your own silky lining in your favourite hat so you can pop it straight on. Wearing leave-in conditioner or hair oil will also help to reduce daily frizz from the cold air, and keep your hair conditioned whilst it’s wrapped up, giving it an extra layer of protection.

 

• Washing Correctly

 

Washing your hair is vital to keeping it clean, fresh and healthy, but leaving your hair unwashed for as long as possible is important too. Washing hair every day can strip it of natural oils and dry it out, so try to leave at least a day between washes. If your hair is usually washed every day, it tends to get greasier quickly to compensate for the oils that have been washed out. Using dry shampoo between washes can help with this.

Another thing to consider when washing your hair is the water temperature. Having a hot shower can feel refreshing, especially on a cold winter’s day, but hot water is damaging to your hair and skin. To avoid stripping the moisture from your hair and skin, go for more of a lukewarm temperature; you can slowly adjust the temperature as you shower so that your body adjusts. 

If you must indulge in a hot soak, opt for a hot bath with lots of moisturising bath soaks and bubble bath in it, and keep your hair in a shower cap. 

 

• Lotions and Potions

 

With so many different brilliant products available on the market, there are definitely going to be options that work wonders for you, as well as some that don’t. Because everyone’s hair is different, it can be tricky knowing what to buy, and you might have to try a few. Your favourite product may also change with the season, as what your hair needs will change with the weather and temperature. 

During winter, products with natural oils like jojoba and baobab oil will really help to lock in moisture. Oils are heavier and evaporate more slowly, giving your hair lots of time to absorb the moisturising goodness and stay protected from the harsh weather. If you prefer homemade, overnight hair masks are a great DIY option that can give great results. 

 

• Some Things to be Avoided

 

Conditioners, oils and overnight masks are all things you should be lavishly applying over winter; but there are some things you should keep away from. Whilst it might be tempting to use hairspray to keep those frizzy hairs in place, you could actually be causing damage and giving yourself more frizzy hair by drying your hair out, as many hairsprays contain ethanol. This can dry out and damage your hair as the alcohol evaporates. Instead, choose heat protectant sprays to keep your hair protected whilst you style it. Opt for leave-in conditioners, hair oils and mousses to keep hair moisturised and in place throughout the day.

Coloured hair needs lots of extra care over winter and trying out a slightly darker shade during winter will give your hair a much-needed break. Platinum hair looks great, but there are other great hair colours you could try that don’t require as much bleaching and toning. 

You can choose semi-permanent, wash-out dyes to disguise your roots a bit, without going for a permanent change that will make it too difficult to revert back to your usual bleach-blonde look once the weather gets warmer. Chemically straightening or perming your hair should also be put on pause.

Hopefully, these tips can help save you some despair and keep your hair looking healthy and feeling great. Just like your skin, your hair needs extra moisturising over winter, but keeping hydrated and eating lots of fruit and veggies will help too!