LIVE CHAT
When the snow, sleet, wind and dryness of winter arrive, it's a toss-up for which is more frightful - the weather or the condition or your hair. From hat hair to static electricity, massive frizzies to extreme breakage - winter can look like one long bad hair day. Add to that that fact that indoor heating sucks moisture from of your strands (its affects have been compared to spending an entire afternoon under a hair dryer), and you're left with an unruly mess. Keep tresses tame and protected by following some of these tips for winter hair care.
1. The key is a rich, thick moisturizing conditioner containing essential fatty acids and humectants (like Soy Protein, Shea Butter and Panthenol), which not only moisturize hair, but help attract and trap moisture to starved strands for long-term benefits. Thicker or wavy hair types also see great results from a deep conditioner once a week. Thin or fine hair should skip the deep conditioning, as it tends to weigh down hair, and opt for a spray leave-in conditioner in addition to a regular conditioner with every wash.2. It may seem obvious, but be sure to dry hair completely before braving the elements. Like everything else, wet hair can freeze, which leads to breakage and stress.
3. Don't forget sun protection for your hair, even in winter. Ski slopes reflect a ton of UV light, so spray on some sun protector before heading outdoors.
4. To curb your hair's static cling, head to your laundry room. Yep, a fabric dryer sheet will do the trick when rubbed directly on your hair. Using a natural boar bristle hairbrush can also reduce static.
5. If you typically use gel or pomade to style hair, try switching to a hair cream, which can help add moisture back to hair, as well as keep it pliable, making it less likely to break.
6. Avoid styling aids with a high alcohol content, which is very drying to hair.
7. Skip heat styling and blow drying as much as possible. If it's imperative, spray hair with a heat protecting styling aid first.
8. If you can, skip your next coloring appointment, especially if you typically get highlights, as the lightening process does the most damage to hair. To give your hair an in-between color boost, use a color-depositing shampoo or conditioning product to help liven up your natural hue.
9. To combat dreaded "hat hair," pull long hair into a high, loose ponytail and push short hair straight back before putting on your hat. By pushing hair opposite the way your style should fall, it will be more likely to bounce back into place once you take the hat off.
10. Use a Silicone or Shea Butter-based smoothing cream or finishing serum to smooth frizzies and seal the hair shaft to protect from damage.
By taking a few simple precautions and treating tresses with the right products, you can avoid those embarrassing days when you'd rather leave your hat on than see what lurks underneath.
Back
