Preparing Your Hair for Winter Weather
There are a few events in life that signal bad news for hair. Most significant: getting gum stuck in the hair (grab the scissors!), a bad breakup (put down the scissors!), and the entire season of winter. If you are lucky enough to live in an area without winter, this article isn’t for you. Go outside and enjoy the nice weather already.
Meanwhile, for the rest of us, the weather will soon be frightful and so will our hair. Before we know it, the humidity of summer will be quickly replaced with dry frigid air. Suddenly, we will all be plagued with dry scalps and frizzy hair. You could wear a hat all winter (but you shouldn’t – more on that later) to hide your lackluster ‘do, but I have a better idea. Read on and follow all these tips for the best winter hair of your life.
Winter Hair Tips
First of all, please note that your hair is in danger of winter whether you are indoors or outdoors. “But if I stay inside all season, the cold air can’t turn my hair to a brittle mess!” you cry. It’s a solid idea, but it’s incorrect. The air outside is dry, but it is inside too, thanks to cranked-up thermostats.
Dryness is the main problem in winter. When your skin is dry, you double up on your facial moisturizer. Your hair is experiencing the same weather as your face, so show your tresses some love. Winter is the time to switch to a hydrating conditioner. Look for one with humectants and fatty oils. To boost the moisture, apply a deep conditioning mask like our Intensive Recovery Mask at least once a week.
Do you hit the snooze button five times every morning? I recommend you stop. First, because if you’re late one more time, your boss might just fire you. Second, you need time to properly wash and dry your hair in the morning. In winter, you must never step outside with wet hair. No, you will not catch a cold, but you will catch hair breakage. Dry your hair completely every morning or start showering at night.
Winter Hair Do's and Don'ts
On the topic of hair washing, you need to do it less in the winter. After all, you’re not exactly sweating like you did in summer. Regardless, shampooing washes away your hair’s natural oils, making it susceptible to winter’s harsh temperatures. Wash your hair every other night or even less. Also, turn down the water temperature in the shower. Hot water feels amazing in winter, but it is horrible for your hair.
Once you’re outside, you should wear a hat. The covering helps protect your scalp and roots from harsh weather. The downside? Hat hair. The friction of a cotton or wool hand can cause additional breakage at the crown of the hair. If you have one, choose a hat with a silk or satin liner. If that’s not an option, consider wrapping your hair in a silk scarf and wearing the hat over it.
Eating a balanced diet is important year-round, but it’s also a big factor for having beautiful hair. In the winter, keep your hair strong by getting plenty of hair-friendly vitamins and nutrients in your food. Spinach is loaded with Vitamin A and iron, which promote hair growth. If you love avocados, you’re in luck! The green fruit is a great source of vitamin E, which you need for a healthy scalp and hair.
Despite your best efforts, breakage and split ends will happen. This is why regular haircuts are so important. Keep the dry ends of your hair trimmed. If breakage and split ends have you afraid of your reflection, there is another way. Ask your stylist for a shorter trim and add back length with hair extensions. Pro tip: synthetic hair extensions don’t dry up and break like biological hair, so they are perfect in the winter. 
You may have had a so-called “hot girl summer,” but there’s no reason why you can’t keep the party going this winter. Sure, there are no beaches, but at least your hair looks amazing!
How do you prepare your hair for winter? Let us know your tips and tricks in the comments!
