Winter Hair
Tips for Solving Winter Hair Problems
Many of my clients tend to think of summer as the time that's toughest on their hair, thanks to all that exposure to sunlight, chlorine, and saltwater.
But winter comes with its own set of weather-induced problems, like dullness, breakage, and staticky locks.
"A change in weather can cause your scalp to peel, in the winter, there's less humidity in the air, which can dry out your scalp."
Before you slip on that cute little knitted hat
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Style your hair in a way that adds body. Hats trap heat, causing your hair to hold whatever shape it's in, so if your hat's pushing down your mane, it stays that way. But if you boost it at the roots, you'll lock in volume. Depending on your length, here's what to do:
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Long Hair: Twist hair into a bun high at the crown of your head, secure it with a hair elastic (try one covered in fabric to prevent creases), and then put your hat on top. When you get inside, just shake out the bun.
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Short Hair: Pull the front section of your hair into four mini bumps, and secure it with bobby pins before you put on your hat. remove the pins once you're inside, and flip head upside down, using your fingers to restyle.
Un-friendly Hair Frabics: tweed, wool, and velvet.
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Avoid Static!
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Static happens when your hair picks up an electrical charge from the dry air. It's common in the chillier months because the air is less moist everywhere. Fight it by switching to a more hydrating shampoo and conditioner for your hair type, then use an ionic hair dryer—they don't suck out moisture as regular dryers can.
Crunchy Curls in Winter
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Try not to leave with wet hair because even a little dampness will turn hair stiff. Squeeze your tresses with a towel to absorb excess water, then flip your head over and blast with a diffuser. It takes just five minutes, and it'll keep your locks from freezing. Seal your spirals in place with the stylers below:
60 Degrees and Above: You're good with gel. Choose a moisturizing formula with botanical extracts that work with humidity to hold the shape of your curl.
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59 to 41 Degrees: This is the best temperature for curls. Go for a non-silicone-based gel or mousse, to keep ringlets silky.
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40 Degrees and Below: Curls can go stiff unless you choose a styler that softens. Pick a moisture-rich conditioning creme.
Super Dull Hair?
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Dry air and windy weather can rough up your cuticle, taking away its natural sheen. Plus, if you use hot tools and dye your locks on top of that, it can really take a toll on your condition. You don't have to change your routine; just prevent the damage by following these simple tips:
The Habit: Shampooing every day
The Fix: Look for ingredients like B5 and panthenol, which smooth the hair shaft.
The Habit: Blow-drying regularly
The Fix: Mist your brush with a nourishing heat-protectant spray to fend off dryness.
The Habit: Flatironing daily
The Fix: Rub regular olive oil onto the plates of your straightening iron once a week to keep hair from getting too fried.
The Habit: Coloring your locks monthly
The Fix: Ask for a deep conditioner with your color appointment.
Don't Wash Your Hair Every Day
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Washing your hair strips your hair of natural oils and dries out the scalp.
You don’t really need to wash your hair every day.
It can take time for your scalp to adjust to your new routine. It’s used to overcompensate and produce extra oil because it is washed daily. In time, it will stop producing so much oil and your hair will not feel too greasy to skip a washing or two. When you do wash your hair, rinse with cold water to seal in moisture.
Winter is an especially great time to try this experiment because if your hair rebels and is extra greasy for a few weeks, you can throw a knit hat or ear warmer head wrap over your greasy scalp.
If you wake up with particularly crazy bedhead, just wet your hair in the shower and restyle, but most days I bet you'll get lucky with just a little round brush, water spray bottle, and hair dryer action that can fix things right up.
The Fabric We Choose for Winter
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The thicker fabrics we wear in the winter snag hair more easily than the lighter materials we choose in the summer do. Pulling coats, sweaters, and scarves on and off; static, and dryness all add to the friction problem. A classic ponytail will protect your hair from your clothes, but if you have shorter hair or wear it loose, keep the underneath smooth by flipping your head over and spraying on a moisturizing detangler. Use a wide-tooth comb to work out any stubborn snarls, and consider some gentler materials.
Brittle Dry Hair
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Dry ends split and break off, but you can prevent severe snapping by putting a humidifier in your bedroom to boost the moisture level in the air and getting a trim every six to eight weeks. Your diet also plays a role in keeping your hair strong. Fill up on strand-fortifying protein twice a day — have an omelet for breakfast, snack on a handful of almonds, or add a cup of leafy green vegetables, like spinach, to your lunch or dinner.
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