Your ultimate winter hair care guide - by the experts
Photo by Tamara Bellis on Unsplash
How do I look after my hair in winter: the tips and tricks you need for shiny glossy hair.
Want to know how to look after your hair in winter? We’ve got the answers.
We all know that the cold, dry air and harsh winds can strip our hair of moisture and leaving it looking dull and lifeless.
Photo by Martin Reisch on Unsplash
Static can be a big problem in winter too particularly after wearing a woolly hat, or if you spend a lot of time in rooms with the central heating on.
This is basically because the hair starts to pick up a static charge whenever it dries out - under normal circumstances this static charge would be absorbed by water molecules in the air, but dry winter air means there is nowhere for this moisture to go. And that means FRIZZ!
So if you want to know how do I look after my hair in winter, here are our top three tips to try today:
PUT THE MOISTURE BACK WITH A HAIR TREATMENT
Give your hair a lovely hydrating shampoo, use a hair oil treatment or deep conditioning mask to lock in that moisture and stop hair becoming brittle.
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
LOOK AFTER YOUR SCALP
As well as the hair follicles the scalp is covered in a ton of microscopic sebaceous glands (responsible for producing the healthy hair sebum oils that keep the hair nourished).
When the scalp gets dry or irritated, these glands stop working properly and your body’s supply of sebum dries up - so the hair is stripped of its natural protective coating, and exposed to the cold winter air - this is what makes it brittle or dry in the colder months.
To counteract this, look out for specialist shampoos and treatments designed to nourish the scalp. Most of these products have a combo of peptides, proteins and plant extracts to maintain the balance of natural oil needed for a healthy scalp.
GET A HAIRCUT
Regular trims mean that the split ends, and any damaged dry or old hairs are left on the salon floor. We recommend getting a trim every 4-6 weeks, more if you have a shorter style you want to keep in check. Click here or the button below to book your next haircut.
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How to get Hollywood style shine - winter edition
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Winter can play havoc with your hair. We asked our experts in the salon for their top three tips for restoring order…
Invest in a moisturising hair serum
Colder months can dry hair out and a good hair serum is the fastest way to restore order. The best hair serums will work to smooth frizz while also adding shine, making your hair look as healthy as can be. What’s more, today’s best options come with a whole host of added benefits, from colour-protecting ingredients to nourishing actives and deep-hydrating extracts.
Try a weekly hair mask
Just like hydrating yourself with a glass of water, a hair mask puts moisture back into the hair giving it a new lease of life. It also helps weakened hair follicles to regain strength and elasticity, helping to avoid further damage.
Don’t neglect your scalp
Just like the skin on your face, your scalp can become dry and sensitive when it is exposed to the cold and central heating. Like your skin, you should treat your scalp to some extra TLC in the winter, using products that specifically address your issues.
For instance, applying a weekly soothing scalp mask is a great way to calm and moisturise your scalp. Daily hydrating scalp toners can also be very beneficial – a healthy scalp is key to hair growth.
Hairdressers say these are the three things you can do to get ‘salon style’ hair at home
Never know how to style your hair from home? Here are three easy tricks our hairstylists recommend…
Make your own sea salt spray
If you love the tousled beach look, and are already a fan of sea salt spray, did you know you can make it at home?
Simply mix together 500ml of sparkling water and a teaspoon of sea salt in a spray bottle. While your hair is damp, spritz the mixture onto the ends of your hair, and use your fingers to scrunch them up.
Use your straighteners as a curler
Learning how to curl your hair with your straighteners is great especially when you’re going away and don’t want to take loads of different styling tools with you.
First, grab a small section of hair. Then, hold your straighteners vertically with the open end pointed upward. As you clamp the hair, begin rotating it away from your face. Don’t slow down or stop - the key to getting consistent curls is to keep the movement fluid.
As you keep rotating the straighteners away from your face, allow your hair to slowly slide through the clamp until you reach the end. For looser waves, lower the heat on your straighteners and brush them out after you’ve finished curling.
Level up your ponytail
This ponytail trick is the fastest way to make your updo look professional. After you’ve secured your ponytail, grab a small bit of hair from the pony and wrap it around the base of your ponytail to cover the hairband. Coat the very end of the section with hairspray, and smooth it against the base to seamlessly secure it.
How do I take care of blonde curly hair?
Being blonde and curly are two things that need just that little bit extra attention when it comes to hair care.
Here are our top tips for looking after your colour and curls.
Shampoo sparingly
Over-washing curly hair can strip it of the natural oils you need to keep it healthy, shiny and hydrated. Opt for colour enhancing purple shampoos. Click here to read about our pick of the best.
Condition like crazy
Coloured hair, as well as curl, need extra moisture, so invest in some quality deep conditioner and try and do a hair mask once a week.
Over avoid-styling
Heated styling tools like hairdryers, straighteners and curlers really play havoc with hair, so try to minimise how often you do this, and keep the heat setting low.
Expert secrets to growing out a short bob
When you're growing out your hair it can feel painstakingly slow, and there's nothing worse than that in between stage when you feel like you're neither one style nor another.
The thing is, there is no single product that will make your hair grow quicker (sorry, we wish there was!). But there are certain things you can do which will get your hair in great condition to help it grow:
Stop towel drying your hair
If you wrap your hair into a bath towel turban after washing, stop! This causes hair to break, and towel rubbing it dry causes even more damage. Instead invest in a microfibre hair wrap like this, which is more gentle on the follicles and also helps to de-frizz at the same time.
Treat your hair with some TLC
Try and exfoliating shampoo to properly cleanse your hair and strengthen it against breakage. We like this one from L'Oreal Paris. A rich argan-oil based conditioner like this will also keep your locks in good condition.
Cut your hair every six - eight weeks
We know this sounds scary and counterproductive to someone growing their hair, but regular trims will give your follicles a boost and help with your game-term plan to have long, luscious locks . Book your next appointment by calling us on 01865 553725 or clicking here.
How to look after long hair
Trying to grow your hair or simply maintain your already long locks? Read on...
Maintain a regular haircare routine
The longer your hair, the more it gets damaged by the heat, styling and sun damage. Invest in a weekly hair mask. Treat yourself out to get a hair spa treatment with us once a month, too.
Don’t blowdry wet hair
Towel dry hair thoroughly and let it semi air dry before you apply heat. Also, invest in a microfibre towel, which is gentler on the hair. Then add moisture with hair serum and heat protectant.
Buy paraben-free products
Alcohol-laden hair sprays and products with parabens damage the hair. Remember, the longer your hair the more nourishment your ends need!
Have regular trims
Regular trims are vital when you have long hair to keep it healthy and strong.
Avoid plastic hair brushes
Instead opt for a ceramic or wooden bristle brush. It’s less harsh on your scalp and also makes sure the natural oils get evenly distributed through the hair.
How to repair chemically damaged hair
Too many chemical treatments, like hair dyes, professional straightening or perms, can leave your hair in serious need of some TLC.
While going for a drastic chop and starting again is one option, if you can't face a completely new look there are a few things you can do to repair your hair and stop it from getting worse...
Unlike your skin, your hair doesn't regenerate itself once it is damaged. The good news is, increasing the moisture with a hydrating mask can help bond the hair cuticles back, both in the salon and at home. Talk to us today about the moisturising treatments we have on offer.
Weekly hair mask
If you're doing a DIY hair mask, aim for once a week. You can even sleep in it overnight (with hair wrapped in a microfibre towel) for maximum hydration.
Comb conditioner through before rinsing
Another way to improve the appearance of frazzled hair by combing conditioner through your mid-lengths and ends before rinsing, which has the effect of smoothing the hair cuticles down.
Use hair serum
A fortifying hair serum nourishes the scalp and hair follicles. We like L'Oreal's Absolute Repair Serum, which you can buy here.
Regular haircuts
A great haircut will also revitalise hair and make you look - and feel - better about your damaged hair. You don't have to do anything drastic. We can work with your hair to create a style that complements the way it moves.
