It's that time of year again. Hot chocolate, wooly sweaters, cozy nights in. And somewhere in there, you start to notice your hair needs a little extra attention.
Cold air outside, dry heat inside, hats and scarves all day. Winter is hard on hair. So here are the winter hair care tips I'd actually give you to keep your hair feeling soft, hydrated and fresh all season.
Tip #1: Wash Hair Less Frequently
Winter air can leave your hair and scalp dry, itchy and flaky. Shampooing every day strips away the natural oils your scalp makes, which only makes it worse.
If you wash daily, try washing every other day, and use a sulfate-free shampoo.
Tip #2: Healthy Lifestyle = Healthy Hair
Drink plenty of water. It's easy to forget in winter when you're not as thirsty, but staying hydrated matters for your whole body, hair included.
Hair health starts from the inside, so a balanced diet is just as important. It helps you avoid vitamin deficiencies that can show up in your hair. Many of our customers also like adding Goldie Locks® Hair Supplements to their daily routine.
Tip #3: Hair Oil Treatment
An oil treatment is one of the easiest ways to keep hair from feeling dry in winter.
Use coconut oil, olive oil or your favorite hair serum as a pre-wash treatment. Massage it into your scalp and lengths for a few minutes. It's relaxing, and your hair will feel softer afterward.
Tip #4: Smart Heat Styling
Winter already leaves hair dry and prone to breakage, so heat on top of that is a lot. Skipping heat is ideal, but I know it's not always realistic.
When you do use it, protect your strands with Goldie Locks® Blow Dry Spray 450° Style Extender, which protects hair from heat up to 450°F. And try heatless styles when you can.
Tip #5: Lower Shower Temperature
I know a hot shower is the best thing on a cold day, but very hot water strips your hair of its natural oils and can dry out your scalp.
Wash with lukewarm water instead. If you like, finish with a quick cool rinse. A lot of people find it leaves their hair feeling smoother.
Tip #6: Cover Up
Cold wind and dry air are rough on hair, so cover it up with a scarf or hat.
Silk or satin-lined hats are ideal because they cause less friction and breakage. A little hair serum or smoothing cream also helps with flyaways and static.
Tip #7: Don't Go Out With Wet Hair
Your grandma had a point. I can't promise wet hair will make you sick, but wet hair is more fragile, and in freezing temperatures the water in it can actually freeze, which makes it easier to break.
Take a few extra minutes to dry your hair before you head out into the cold.
Tip #8: Get Regular Trims
Your ends are the oldest part of your hair, and they split and break more easily, especially in winter.
Cold weather and wearing hats can make hair drier and more brittle, so a trim every 4 to 8 weeks is a good idea.
Tip #9: Dry Shampoo
If you're washing less, you'll probably want a little help on day two or three.
If your hair gets oily and flat between washes, try a dry shampoo. It soaks up oil at the roots and gives hair a fresher, fuller look.
Tip #10: Fight Static With Leave-In Conditioner
Static is everywhere in winter. Dry air plus constant friction from hats, sweaters and hoodies is a recipe for flyaways.
The best fix is conditioning every time you wash and adding a good leave-in conditioner.
Read more about how to get rid of static in hair here.
Tip #11: Microfiber Towels
Swap your cotton towel for microfiber. Cotton is rough on fragile hair, makes it tangle more, and causes frizz and flyaways.
Microfiber soaks up water fast, causes less friction and is much gentler on your hair.
Tip #12: Cut Down On Color
Color and bleach can leave hair drier, and winter only adds to that. If you can, give your hair a break from heavy coloring or bleaching during the coldest months.
Tip #13: Weekly Hair Mask
A weekly hydrating hair mask is one of my favorite winter habits.
A good hair mask leaves dry hair feeling soft, smooth and hydrated, which is exactly what you want when cold wind and indoor heat are working against you.
Tip #14: Overnight Treatment
Follow your hair mask with an overnight oil or serum for an extra dose of hydration.
Apply it to dry hair before bed and cover your head with a cap or scarf. You'll wake up with hair that feels soft and moisturized.
Tip #15: Invest In A Humidifier
When it's cold, the heat goes up, and indoor heating dries out the air, your skin and your hair.
A humidifier adds moisture back into the air, and both your hair and skin will feel the difference.
ULTIMATE HYDRATION BUNDLE
If dry, brittle-feeling hair is your winter struggle, the Goldie Locks® Ultimate Hydration Bundle brings together our favorites for hair that feels soft and hydrated all winter long.
