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Winter is coming, which means there are probably a few changes happening in your life. In addition to braving the depths of your attic and resurrecting the holiday decorations, chances are you’re probably going through a transition period with your wardrobe. Gone are the days of cutoffs and tank tops, which are being replaced by cool mornings, light jackets, boots and buildable layers. As the weather gets colder, it’s also important to think about your hair! The temperature has a huge effect on how your hair looks and feels, so it’s vital to make seasonal changes and implement the necessary winter hair hacks.
Winter Hair Care Tips
Here are a few cold-weather hair care tips to get you through the next few months!
1. Lock in Moisture
The most common problem with hair during the winter is that it can look dry and dull. Between the cold wind, bulky layers, hats and lack of moisture in the air, it’s easy to let your hair fall into a winter slump. It doesn’t have to be that way, though! It’s just as easy to maintain healthy, hydrated hair throughout the coldest months of the year. Start by winterizing your collection of professional hair care products to fit the season.
You’ll need a nourishing, hydrating shampoo and conditioner to start. In addition to those basics, consider applying a deep conditioning treatment to the hair once a week for extra hydration and shine. When it comes to styling, a leave-in conditioner is a great pre-blowout option in addition to a heat protectant. When the hair is dry, you can finish it off with a professional hair oil or serum to lock in all that healthiness and shine.
2. Minimize Heat
Cold weather is perfect for natural, air-dried hair! On days when you’ll be wearing a hat or hood, consider going with your natural hairstyle sans heat. Your hair health will thank you! For special occasions, weekends or events when you want a blowout, straightened strands or curls, be sure to use a protective product on the hair before using any thermal tools. Keep temperature levels to a minimum and maximize shine with a bit of oil after styling.
3. Avoid Over Washing
Perhaps the biggest hair mistake you can make in the winter is washing it too often! Just like your skin, your scalp naturally produces oils that are meant to protect the area and help out your hair follicles. When you shower and wash your hair, you wash those away, which is why the hair looks and feels oily or greasy after going a few days without a shampoo.
To keep your scalp health in top shape, limit your wash cycle to once every few days. If you normally go longer than this, then wait a day or two longer than usual. This hair washing cycle will help utilize your hair’s natural oils and prevent it from drying out in the cold air.
To help you squeeze an extra day or two out of your hair between washes, consider going for a chic textured hairstyle. Texture sprays and other professional hair styling products with similar ingredients can help add some grit to the hair and bring it back to life. Texture products will give you the body and dimension you need to preserve your hair and keep it looking great during the colder months of the year.
4. Stay Up to Date on Trims
Since it’s easier for the hair to look dry or unhealthy in cold weather, it’s important to make sure it’s not actually unhealthy. Make sure to keep up with regular trims at the salon during the colder months to maximize hair health and get rid of any split ends that are making your hair look dull. Plus, your stylist can help you by recommending hairstyles or specific shades of hair color if you want to change up your look during cold weather.
5. Don’t Leave the House with Hair That’s Still Wet
Aside from sending chills throughout your entire body, going outside with hair that’s wet or even damp can be destructive. Your hair is more vulnerable to damage when it’s wet, and that’s never something you want, but especially not in the cold weather! Wait until your hair has completely air dried or blow dry it on a cool to warm setting before you head out the door.
Cooler weather is right around the corner! Keep these helpful tips in mind during the winter season.