How to take care of your hair this winter

Give your locks a little extra love when they need it most

Thursday 16 November 2017 14:11 GMT

Rinse and repeat: terrific tresses are just a few washes away (Getty/iStock)

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Just like with our skin, the harsh weather during winter takes its toll on our hair; think brittle fly-aways, dry scalps and a serious lack of moisture.

But, while dull-looking locks are certainly inconvenient at the best of times, consider the prospect of rocking up to your many Christmas dos with a parched, lifeless barnet. So, what to do?

Luckily, the beauty world has got your back with a wave of new-fangled products specially formulated to breathe a little life into your hair this winter.

Without a doubt, your first port of call should be to invest in a moisturising shampoo and conditioner which will help to lock in hydration and nurture the hair. But, it’s not just about finding the product, what you do with it matters too.

When it comes to washing, try giving your scalp a good massage for about 10 minutes to help relieve tension and increase blood flow, which will in turn deliver thicker, healthier tresses.

Similarly, it’s important to use a treatment like a hair mask or oil on a regular basis; particularly on the underneath section of the hair which tends gets the most abuse from friction against coats, scarves and heavy-duty duvets at night.

Sachajuan Intensive Repair Shampoo, £20, Intensive Repair Conditioner, £22, Cult Beauty

The Sachajuan range works especially well during cold spells as it contains a concentrated dose of moisturising nutrients which can help to nurse your tired strands back to health in a matter of minutes.

While heat is undoubtedly the most obvious culprit when it comes to damage, for many of us, it is an inevitable necessity. So, if you’re the kind of person who can’t go without heat styling, your best bet is to opt for a tool that’s kinder to your hair.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, £329, John Lewis

Investing in a quality hairdryer like the Dyson Supersonic is a good place to start as it uses a microprocessor to regulate the temperature 20 times every second, keeping it under control and helping to prevent extreme heat damage.

GHD’s Aura hairdryer boasts similar technological advances, reaching a maximum of 137C – the optimum temperature to style hair without causing damage.

Pureology, Hydrate Hydra Whip Mask, £26.50, Asos

If you’re addicted to your straighteners, the brand’s platinum range is also worth picking up this winter. A range of tools that reduce breakage by 50 per cent, they’re designed used GHD’s Tri-zone technology which claims to deliver optimum temperature consistently across the plates, to giving healthier, shinier and stronger hair in one stroke.