Winter hair care you need to know about

When it gets colder, our hair can really take a hit.

Throw in central heating, cold winds, friction from wearing hats and a lack of sunlight and it can be a recipe for flyaway, dry and damaged hair.

But the good news is the secret to sorting winter hair is starting from the inside out and that means feeding the body with the right nutrients.

Here are the top foods and nutrients we swear by for healthy hair (and skin):

Oily fish - Salmon, mackerel and sardines are packed with omega-3s which can hydrate your scalp and make hair bouncier. If you’re plant-based, chia or flax seeds are a great alternative and it only takes a few weeks to notice a more natural shine.

Vitamin C - Citrus fruits, kiwis, tomatoes, red peppers and berries all have a ton of Vitamin C in, which boosts collagen and can repair dry and damaged hair from the inside out.

Protein - Our hair is full of protein so eating more of this can help keep it healthy. Think eggs, lentils, mushrooms, tuna, Greek yoghurt and peas.

Iron and zinc – For particularly weak and brittle hair, upping your iron and zinc intake can help. Either buy a supplement or eat more spinach, pumpkin seeds or lean red meat for healthy hair growth.

Water - We often forget that dehydration can cause dullness, especially in hair. Keep a bottle by your side to remind you to drink, little and often.

These are the best products to calm static hair

Fuzzy, flyaway hair can be a nightmare to deal with and there are lots of different reasons why it can happen.

You could be over-styling, brushing your hair a little too aggressively, wearing your ponytail too tight, have hormonal hair thinning or fragile hair after having a baby. Fix it with these five anti-frizz products…

Static hair? Here are five products to fix it

Fuzzy hair is a common problem, and there are lots of different reasons why it can happen.

You could be over-styling, brushing your hair a little too aggressively, wearing your ponytail too tight, have hormonal hair thinning or fragile hair after having a baby.

Fix it with these five anti-frizz products…

Fix dry hair with these stylist-approved products

If you’re never used hair oils, they are a really inexpensive way to add moisture and shine while strengthening the follicles to encourage growth.

They can also help repair dry, damaged hair, split ends and even dandruff. Here’s the main benefits of using hair oils:

Moisturising: Hair oils work by penetraing the hair shaft, giving a deep hit of hydrating and helping to repair dry and damaged hair. They also help to keep the mositure in, keeping your hair feeling extra soft.

Strengthening: Hair oils also strengthen the hair shaft, and this helps to make it less likely to suffer from breakage and split ends. Amazingly, they can even help reduce hair loss, promoting healthier looking, thicker hair. You’re basically giving your hair a good old drink with hair oils, and this can reduce friction when styling so hair appears smooth and glossy.

Promotes shine: Hair oils add shine and life to lacklustre, dry hair. They can make your hair texture feel softer, too.

Protection: Hair oils provide a protective barrier around the hair shaft, helping it stay protected from environmental damage like pollution, central heating and UV rays, as well as styling tools.

Why is my hair greasy after I wash it? Causes and how to fix it

Greasy hair after you wash it? Don’t panic - there are lots of reasons this could happen, from over-washing, using the wrong products and pollution, and we’re here to identify what’s going on.

Read on to find out about the most common reasons for greasy hair - and how to fix it.

Over-washing

If you wash your hair too often you’ll know about it! It can disrupt your scalp’s natural oil balance and this triggers to the body to overproduct oil to compensate what is being stripped away by the shampoo. The result? Greasy hair.

Using the wrong products

Harsh shampoos with sulfates (look out for sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate on the ingredients list) or silicones, can irritate the scalp and trigger excess oil production. Using too much conditioner can also leave a residue on the hair, which can make it look greasy.

Over-styling

Certain products, particularly those that have oil or wax in them, can cause a build-up in hair that looks and feels greasy.

Not rinsing when you wash hair

If you don’t rinse enough then you’ll most likely get a build-up of shampoo or conditioner which, you guessed it, leaves a residue that can weight hair down and make it feel and appear greasy.

Pollution

On holiday? Humidity can make hair greasy.

Hormone imbalances

If you’re experiencing hormonal changes this can impact sebum production, which makes hair look greasier than normal.

What to do to fix greasy hair

1. Adjust how often you wash your hair: Cut back on washes to see if that helps.

2. Go sulphate-free: Opt for lightweight, sulfate and silicone-free shampoos and conditioners designed for oily hair.

3. Rinse thoroughly: Make sure you rinse all shampoo and conditioner out of your hair.

4. Consider clarifying shampoos: Using these every so often can help to remove product build-up.

5. Use conditioner sparingly: Put conditioner on the ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp.

6. Clean hair tools regularly: Keep brushes, combs and other hair tools clean ro avoid build-up.

7. Address hormonal imbalances: If you think fluctuating hormones could be at play, talk to your doctor.

These are the five steps you need to follow for rapid hair growth

Growing out your hair can be challenging but with patience and dedication, you will get there!

And with our expert tips, you'll be on your way to achieving the long, healthy hair of your dreams. Simply follow our five steps, below:

1. Experiment with different styles

During the awkward phase, experiment with different hairstyles to find what works best for you. Try plaits, messy buns and ponytails to keep things interesting.

2. Get regular trims

Although it may seem counterproductive, getting regular trims can help your hair grow longer and keep it healtthy. Having a trim every six to eight weeks helps avoid split ends from travelling up the hair shaft, causing additional damage and breakage.

3. Avoid over-shampooing

Over-shampooing can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage. Ideally wash your hair every other day or every two days, depending on your hair type.

4. Use heat protection products

Using hot styling tools such as straighteners, curlers or your hairdryer can damage your hair. Protect it by applying a heat protectant before using hot tools, which helps reduce breakage and split ends.

5. Stay positive

The awkward phase can be frustrating, but it's important to stay positive and remember that it's only temporary. Keep your hair healthy and take care of it, and before you know it, you'll be out of the awkward phase and well on your way to achieving your hair goals!

These are the products you NEED in your life to repair dry hair

Healthy hair should stretch up to 30% of its length before snapping. But if your hair is heat-damaged and dry, it will break under tension. But with these clever hair products that we recommend, you can add moisture and shine to strengthen and restore…

Dry hair detox: these are the ONLY hair products you need

Healthy hair should stretch up to 30% of its length before snapping. But if your hair is heat-damaged and dry, it will break under tension. But with these clever hair products that we recommend, you can add moisture and shine to strengthen and restore…

How to have a Good Hair Day every day

Fed up of waking up with hair you can’t tame? This is our five step salon-approved formula for how to have a Good Hair Day every day.

Step 1: Cleanse

Just like you cleanse your skin, your hair needs the same care. You don’t have to do this daily - how often you wash your hair depends on its dryness and if you have product build up. Washing your hair will leave it and your scalp feeling clean, removing any products, grease, dirt and dead skin cells which might have built up.

Step 2: Condition and nourish

Conditioning your hair helps to detangle, seal the cuticles and provide moisture. It replenishes the moisture that your shampoo may have removed, and it will help remove any knots or tangles that were caused by massaging your shampoo onto your hair and scalp.

Step 3: Protect

Never use heated styling tools like curlers or straightener on wet or damp hair. After applying a heat protectant, let your hair air dry for a couple of minutes before applying heat.

Step 4: Moisturise

After styling your hair or letting it air dry, add back in a little moisture. Also on days where you’re not washing your hair, your hair may benefit from a moisture boost. This is where hair oil comes in, our favorite multitasker! Hair oils are also great for controlling frizz and preventing dryness.

Step 5: Treatment

Try a weekly mask, oil or a scalp treatment. This can help tackle damage, dryness and an oily, flaky or dry scalp, and improve the overall appearance and health of your hair.

FIx sun damaged hair with these four hair tricks

INVEST IN SOME LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER

Comb a restorative leave-in conditioner L'Oréal Paris Ever Strong Break Proof lotion in wet hair, then throw it up into a bun to create a barrier from UV rays and keep hair hydrated. Buy it here.

PROTECT WITH A HYDRATING HAIR MASK

The sun’s rays are harsher in the summer, so even if you aren’t outside every day, your hair can still get damaged when you are. Use a hair mask like Lóreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil Very Dry Hair Masque once a week to maintain moisture. Buy it here.

CUT BACK ON WASHING YOUR HAIR

The oil your hair naturally produces protects it from the sun, so you don’t want to over-wash during the warmer months. Instead of lathering up daily, use a dry shampoo like Batiste a couple times a week to give your hair a break. Buy it here.

SPRAY ON THE MOISTURE

Some styling products can give you those effortless beach hair waves. L'Oréal Paris Stylista The Beach Wave Mist Salt Spray creates texture while adding moisture back into the cuticle so your hair is less susceptible to the sun’s heat damage. Buy it here.