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Similar to how we change our closets with the various seasons, our hair care routines also get a seasonal update! Winter is about layering soft materials and chic accessories, i.e., hats, scarves, and headbands. Yet it also accompanies cold, frigid air that can give you dryness, static, and even dandruff!
Changing your hair care routine to fit the season helps you maintain fabulous, winter-protected hair while adding a finishing touch to those winter-ready styles that will complete your winter wardrobe. This is how to protect your hair through winter so it continues to look and feel gorgeous.
Moisturize to Beat Winter Dryness
Although you can get away with just about any shampoo and conditioner during the milder months, the burst of freezing air will dry out your hair. In addition to the breathability of winter fashion, the rich fabrics and close-fitting layers can cause friction and static, especially with the dry, cold air. Your hair, much like your skin, requires additional moisture during winter. Here’s how to keep your hair soft and healthy all season long:
Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner
Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to help your hair remain moist and beautiful. Add a weekly deep-conditioning treatment to seal in natural oils and combat heated air.
Leave-In Conditioner
A leave-in conditioner aids in keeping your hair moisturized, thereby taming frizz all day. Lightweight formula for fine strands or nutty grain, heavier for coarser hair.
Oils for protection
Applying a few drops of hair oil to the ends can help prevent breakage and provide a perfect shine. This is a quick and easy method to keep the hair looking good despite how chilly it gets outdoors.
Control Static for a Sleek, Winter-Ready Look
Those random flyway strands that magically appear when you’re straightening your hair? Flat ironing your mane can give you a smooth, sleek, polished look, but the heat from the iron will also dry out the moisture in your hair and create friction that causes static electricity.
Moreover, hats, scarves, and sweaters are oh-so-fashionable; they usually create static, making hair hard to handle. Static can turn a sleek look into a frizzy mess! To keep your hair smooth and elegant, try these tips:
Anti-static Sprays
Search for hair sprays designed to combat Static. Many of these leave-ins have frizz-fighting properties that help seal your style up tight.
Natural bristle brushes
These have gentler swipes than synthetic ones and reduce static in your hair. These will make your hair smooth and polished.
Purge Less Frequently
Washing your hair day-to-day can remove essential oils, causing it to be much more subjected to Static. Instead, wash your hair every 2–3 days and use a dry shampoo between washes to refresh your hair.
Protect Your Scalp to Prevent Dandruff and Irritation
So, cold and dry air can play havoc on your scalp, leading to dryness and dandruff. Hats can be at least somewhat suffocating, and if your scalp requires healing, they will not help anything. These uncomplicated measures will allow you to invest in a healthy, flake-free scalp in even the most frigid conditions.
Hydrating scalp treatment
Using a scalp oil or serum occasionally nourishes your scalp and avoids dandruff. Seek tea tree oil, jojoba oil, or aloe vera to calm any dryness.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Use a dandruff shampoo once a week if you are getting dry. Just be careful not to overdo it so that you do not take away essential oils and leave your scalp drier.
Scalp Massage
While shampooing, try giving yourself a gentle scalp massage. It can increase blood circulation and maintain the health of your scalp, helping to prevent flaking and itching.
Try Protective Hairstyles for Easy Accessorizing
Protective hairstyles will also be more accessible when it comes to accessorizing.
Hats, headbands, and scarves that keep you warm in the cold can crush your hair or break it. So what are protective hairstyles apart from keeping your hair still chic? When you add in some accessories, you automatically get hair damage, and a protective hairstyle prevents that.
Short Buns, Braids, and Loose Ponytails
These low-effort styles hide perfectly under a winter hat and scarf. They reduce friction and aid in preventing breakage while still appearing put together. If you have finer hair, try a texturizing spray for lift at the roots, making it easier to embrace loose waves and a textured style. Textured hair bounces back more easily post-beanie, so give it a shot when you want that “I’m still wearing a hat” look!
Stay Away From Tight Styles
Even though polished ponytails are a good idea, they can cause pulling and thus breakage when combined with close-fitting winter hats. Choose looser styles that won’t pull as hard on your hair.
Embrace Seasonal Shades for a Winter Hair Refresh
Winter is the season for sumptuous fabrics and colors, so treat your hair to a winter makeover. A mere color change also promotes your style and makes you look vibrant.
Rich Warm Tones
Chocolate browns, deep reds, or honey-blonde highlights complement winter’s natural dark palette. Adding impressive depth and texture, they create dimension between the hair and a cozy, layered outfit, making a nice contrast against your locks.
Products for Color Protection
Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner if your hair is color-treated—this will keep your color looking lively for longer.
Add extra shine with gloss treatments
At-home gloss treatments add shine to your hair, enhancing your winter color for a healthy appearance. Against winter’s muted tones, shiny, healthy hair always looks stunning.
Match Your Hair Accessories to Your Winter Wardrobe
Not only do winter hair accessories help you look cute, but they can also help protect your hair! This is how to select hair accessories that keep your hair healthy and suit your look.
Silk-Lined Hats
Hats made with silk or satin linings minimize friction, helping to keep frizz and breakage at bay. They also add a luxurious feel to your winter ensemble.
Headbands
This season’s trending headbands are a fashionable way to keep your hair out of your face and avoid exposing your scalp to cold air. They’re great for an elegant look.
Color Coordination
Use winter accessories in solid jewel tones, warm neutrals, or pastel shades that match your hair color or clothing. These pops of color add a great touch to your look and keep your style feeling fresh.
Incorporating winter into your haircare routine doesn’t just help you manage the season’s challenges—it enhances your style, too. With a few adjustments for moisture, static control, scalp care, and protective styles, you can keep your hair looking vibrant, healthy, and ideally suited to your winter wardrobe. Embrace the season’s rich shades and cozy accessories, and enjoy fabulous, winter-ready hair that shines as brightly as you do!
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