Winter-ready hair: How to take care of your hair in the colder months
As the golden leaves of autumn make way for the bare branches of winter, your hair can start to suffer.
Plummeting temperatures and whipping winds can leave your tresses looking lacklustre, sometimes more so than at the height of the hottest months.
“I think people don't do as much hair maintenance in the winter as in the summer, because they think there’s no risk of sun damage,” says senior director Siobhan Baynes.
While you might not need to worry about bright sunshine frazzling your locks, there are lots of other factors at play in winter - from frosty weather to central heating and party season styling - which is why you need to give your hair some extra care.
“It's the same as with your skin,” Siobhan says, “You up the moisturiser when your skin's dry in the winter - you have to do the same with your hair.”
And if you start now, you can make sure you’re not suffering from a serious hair hangover come January.
Here, the team explain how to get your hair winter-ready…
How is hair affected in winter?
Cold, windy and wet weather are the main culprits when it comes to winter hair damage.
“Hair can get very dry and brittle, and central heating dries the hair out too when you go from cold to warm,” Siobhan says.
“It can also get really static from scarves and knitwear, and people often get tangled hair at the back beause of their scarves and rollneck jumpers, so it’s important to detangle it.”
Finer hair tends to be more prone to winter frizziness and damage than thick hair, and if you have coloured hair you may notice it’s not looking as vibrant as usual.
“A lot of people like to have their hair a bit darker or more natural in winter, but it can fade quicker,” says senior colourist Marvyn Duche.
The festive season can also take it’s toll on hair, Siobhan says: “People tong their hair more because they're going to parties more and they want beachy waves. Or if someone has their hair up a lot they might be using a lot of products and heat styling so that can damage the hair.”
How to look after your hair in winter
To counteract the effects of winter on your hair, your best bet is to add an extra moisturising product into your usual haircare routine.
“I suggest using a thick moisturising mask treatment once a week,” says Siobhan, particularly if you’ve got curly or coily hair. “Curly hair is naturally drier so leave-in conditioners and thicker masks are great.”
Choose a treatment that’s tailored to your hair needs. Kérastase has a wide range of masks for different hair types and concerns.
“In terms of colour it's important to have a really effective colour protecting shampoo and conditioner to maintain the colour and protect from the environmental aggressors like UV, pollution, wind - anything that can affect your hair,” Marvyn says.
He recommends the recently reformulated Color Lustre range from Shu Uemura which also includes the potent Color Sealer Spary. A bit like a skincare serum, this extra step in your hair washing routine locks in colour and boosts shine, also Oway's Silk and Glow range of Hair Bath and Mask, give the hair a super shine and lustre.
“It’s also good to use an oil on your hair in winter, especially if you go skiing, because with the reflection of the sun on the snow the UV rays hit your hair as well,” Marvyn warns.
As for dealing with those wintry tangles, it helps to gently brush your hair before you wash it.
“Most people rely on conditioner to detangle their hair but if it’s brittle you risk over-stretching it when you wash it and it and the strands will snap,” Siobhan explains.
“Use a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner with a soft brush such as a TangleTeaser or Denman paddle brush to gently get rid of the tangles before you get in the shower.”
The best salon treatments for hair in winter
As well as upping your hair hydration at home, a salon treatment can work wonders on damaged strands.
“I always say to my clients who have quite fine or brittle hair that they should come in and have a treatment,” says Siobhan.
Whether as part of a colour or cut appointment or as a standalone service, she recommends the collagen infusion treatment: “It’s a deep conditioning treatment that works inside-out from the hair cuticle, helping to nourish, moisturse, protect and put back into the hair what it's lost.”
Explaining the treatment process, Siobhan says: “I shampoo the hair first to cleanse it and open the cuticle then apply the treatment all the way from the hair roots to ends. I either put a plastic hat on the client and leave it to soak in under the heater or steam it in with the steamer at the basin. Either way it takes about 20 minutes then it’s rinsed out and the hair is blow-dried.”
For nourishing coloured hair and preventing it from fading, Marvyn is a big fan of the Redken SAM treatment.
“It's an acidic bonding treatment that’s really effective because the hard water in London causes hair to go up to a really high alkaline pH, which makes the cuticle open so you have more tangles, it's not as shiny and it feels more brittle,” Marvyn explains.
The three-step treatment starts with shampoo and conditioner formulated to bring the pH level back to its normal level.
“On top of that you've a concentrate which has a bonding effect to repair damaged bonds within the hair and seal the cuticle shut,” Marvyn says. “You leave on for 10 minutes, so it's a quick treatment but really effective at dealing with winter hair symptoms.”
Hair treatments at Paul Edmonds London
The snowball effect
The colder months can be disastrous for hair, causing dry, knotted strands that easily snap, but you can prevent damage with hydrating products and gentle detangling.
Our experts recommend adding a moisturising mask, oil or cuticle sealer into your routine, and considering a mid-winter treatment to maintain your hair health throughout the season.
Winter-proof your hair with a smoothing and hydrating treatment at Paul Edmonds London.
