Winter Hair Rehab 101: Tips for Shiny, Healthy Hair This Season

Hair care that repairs, plus other tips to keep dry hair looking smooth and healthy.

Our first thought when winter hits is usually about how parched our skin will get thanks to the drops in temperature, the cold winds and the forced-air heating. But those factors (and a few more) can also contribute to frizzy hair and even a dry scalp. Wearing hats or toques can cause friction and hair breakage; the dry, cold weather can sap strands of their moisture; and more frequent blow-drying and styling can all result in lacklustre hair that’s in desperate need of some TLC.

Here are four ways to help keep your hair shiny, smooth and healthy while you deal with winter conditions.

Tip #1

We spend a good chunk of our day horizont al, hoping to get those prescribed eight hours of zees each night. And while we’re sleeping, our hair is rubbing against our pillowcase, which can cause damage and breakage depending on its material. Look for silk pillowcases, which cause less friction while you sleep, leaving your hair less prone to breakage and frizz. Another alternative is a chic nightcap to keep brittle hair away from your face and provide a barrier between strands and your pillowcase.

Tip #2

In the colder months, blow-drying seems imperative—no one wants to go outside with wet or damp hair. Instead of washing overprocessed or dry hair every day, rely on dry shampoo to help extend the life of your blowout, which in turn helps to shield hair from heat-induced damage. Always apply dry shampoo to your roots, and if you have particularly oily locks, add a shake or spritz of dry shampoo to clean hair—this will help add some volume to your locks and protect them from oil from the outset. Another tactic: Spread dry shampoo from your roots to the mid-shaft of your hair before you go to bed. The dry shampoo will soak up oil while you sleep and also add a bit of grit, leaving you with perfectly-slept-in hair come morning. Simply brush through strands if you’re looking for a more polished look.

Tip #3

Extend your winter hairstyle by finding a half-up or full updo that you can easily create with day two or day three hair. Use any excess oil to your advantage by brushing through locks and pulling your hair into a polished low pony, bun or topknot, depending on your preference. Simply add hairspray for extra hold.

Tip #4

If repairing damaged hair is your goal, look for a protein treatment that will help give locks a new lease on life. L’Oréal Paris Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge is a leave-in dry-hair treatment that helps repair damaged strands with the help of protein and almond. After shampooing and conditioning, work a small amount of Protein Recharge through your hair and style as usual. Protein Recharge will help fortify locks while also protecting them from heat styling, leaving behind soft, healthy-looking hair.