Winter Haircare Tips

Frustrating frizz, hat hair and lacklustre locks: welcome to winter for hair! Chilly temperatures, central heating and woolly hats can all cause chaos for your hair in the colder months, making it more prone to breakage and dryness. Follow these tips to keep your tresses looking their best, whatever the winter throws their way.

Wash Your Hair Less

Washing your hair strips it and your scalp of important natural oils. Switching to a natural shampoo is a great way to reduce this, but in winter, when hair can be more fragile, it’s a good idea to go longer between washes – even if you already use a natural shampoo. Not only will this help to keep your hair and scalp in tip-top condition, it’ll save you time washing and drying it on those cold winter mornings.

Dry Your Hair Before You Leave the House

Speaking of drying your hair, it’s best to do it before you leave the house in winter. And not just because an older relative used to tell you it’ll give you a cold (going outside with wet hair won’t give you a cold, but it could trigger one). Hair strands are much more brittle when they’re wet than when they’re dry – and they’re especially vulnerable to breakage when temperatures are below zero. Protect them by making sure your hair is fully dry before you venture outside.

Reduce Heat Styling

In winter, your hair is already contending with drying cold weather and central heating, so the last thing it needs is harsh heat from hair tools. Yes, it’s important to dry your hair before you leave the house, but go steady on heat styling. Try to wash your hair in the evening and allow time for it to dry naturally. And if you reeeally need to reach for the hairdryer, stick to a low setting.

Turn Down the Temperature

It’s hard to resist the lure of a hot shower in winter, but it pays to dial back the temperature a little, especially when you’re washing your hair. Extreme temperatures (both hot and cold) can dry out both hair and skin, potentially leading to hair breakage and / or a flaky scalp. Resist the urge to turn the shower dial higher, and opt for warm rather than hot.

Try a Satin-Lined Hat

Who doesn’t love to pop on a cosy hat to venture outside when it’s chilly? But the downside to winter headwear is that the fibres in most knitted hats can snag on strands, absorb hair’s natural oils, and cause static. Keep things calmer under your beanie by opting for a satin-lined hat. The smooth, silky fabric will help stop all of the above from happening, meaning you don’t have to worry about the dreaded ‘hat hair’ once you’re inside.

Give Your Hair Some Extra TLC

One of the best ways to help your hair look its healthiest throughout winter is to keep it moisturised. Treating your tresses to regular hydrating treatments will protect it from dryness and breakage and keep it looking glossy. Comb through a hair mask once a week, and leave on for as long as you can. If your hair is especially dry and frizzy, it might be time to try using a hair oil, to seal in moisture and shield it from the elements.