Tips and tricks to help protect and pamper your tresses during the coldest months
Extremes of temperature, whipping winds and daily styling with heated tools can all take their toll on our hair in winter. Follow our tips to and ensure your tresses stay a shining example, whatever the weather…
A cut above
Have regular trims. This will help to keep hair of all lengths and textures looking sharp, healthy and shiny. As well as snipping off split ends, even the tiniest trim will make all the difference in maintaining overall condition and manageability. If your hair is long, colour-treated and prone to split ends, try a specialist treatment such as Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends Leave In Spray.
Make sure you moisturise
Hair, like skin, needs adequate moisture to stay in tip-top condition. Try switching to a moisturising shampoo in the winter months, such as Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo or Tresemme Moisture Rich Shampoo. In addition, treat your tresses to a deep, salon-style conditioning treatment once a week. Many work in a matter of minutes, so you don’t have to wait around in order to give your hair the winter TLC it craves. Try Aussie 3 Minute Miracle or Dove Intensive Repair Mask.
On one condition
Keep moisture locked in by using a leave-in conditioner. Particularly good for dry, coloured and/or curly hair, nourishing formulas which you don’t wash out will help to keep hair soft and avoid weather-provoked attacks of the frizzies! Ideal formulas include Elvive Leave In Conditioner Nutri Gloss and Charles Worthington Results Hair Healer Leave-In Conditioner.
Frizz free
Look out, too, for styling products with anti-frizz benefits. If you use a mousse, for example, try a specialist, season-friendly formula such as John Frieda Frizz-Ease Curl Reviver Mousse.
Keep it natural
Natural bristle brushes are gentler on the hair and will help to maintain natural shine in winter. Avoid snagging and tearing hair by always using covered hair elastics to secure a simple ponytail or bun for everyday chic - try Hair Gallery Snag-Ease Thick Blonde Ponyband, also in Brown and Black. A great trick for preventing winter static: spray a little hairspray on a natural bristle brush and smooth it over your hair, from the roots to the ends.
Stay cool
Blow-drying and the use of straightening irons, hot brushes and curling tongs (especially during the party season!) can leave hair feeling dry and looking lacklustre. Aim to keep concentrated heat styling to a minimum - using a dryer with a diffuser attachment, such as the Vo5 Big Hair Dryer with Wave Diffuser - ideal for curly/wavy hair - is a great way of doing this. Use heated appliances as a finishing touch only. Reduce drying time by using a microfibre towel or hair turban that absorbs water more quickly, such as the One Body Sport Towel before you blow dry. Protect hair before heat styling with a styling spray such as Vo5 Heat Protect Spray and Tresemme Heat Defence Spray.
Avoid hat hair horror
Flyaways, frizzies and static can all be a problem in winter (especially when you’re taking hats on and off!). Don’t put a hat on hair which is still warm from blow-drying (this will only ‘set’ it in the shape of your hat!), but wait until it has cooled down. Also, avoid hats which are too tight-fitting. Styling serums will help to prevent static, too - keep a travel size in your handbag, such as Charles Worthington Take Aways On The Go Hair Serum to instantly ‘fix’ frizz attacks, wherever you are!
Got any top tips for protecting your hair this winter? Share them below…
