Dry Hair Survival Guide

During the crisp winter months, the cold temperatures definitely put our hair follicles through the wringer leading to split ends and breakage. No matter what your hair type is, brittle, dry hair in the winter is inevitable as soon as the -10 degrees hits us. In order to have a beautiful, shiny mane all year around, there are a few hair secrets you should use 365 days of the year. 

We tapped into the brains of hair experts to get their dry hair survival guide for the winter season. Say goodbye to those dead ends this season with the very best tips and hacks that will leave you looking like you walked out of a salon.  

Regular Haircuts

Getting your hair trimmed every six to eight weeks is by far the easiest way to get rid of your dry, brittle ends. People often wait months, sometimes even years to get a haircut because they want ‘long’ hair; however, what many people don’t know is the longer you wait to get your haircut, the more split ends you will get, and the thinner and shorter your hair will get overtime. To avoid this, a quick snip to freshen up your ends is all you need. The more you do this, the more your hair will become stronger, thicker, longer and more beautiful. For those of you who prefer to trim their hair at home, you are more than welcome to do this as long as you have invested in a sharp set of shears or your hair will break even more. 

Bring the Heat… or Cold?

Whatever you do, do not be tempted to turn the heat up on your hair. Overheating your hair is the number one cause of dehydrated locks, so refrain yourself from turning the shower knob all the way to the left no matter how cold it is outside or putting your hairdryer on full heat. We looked to an expert hair stylist for the best tip on how to protect our hair from the heat. The answer to this is using lukewarm water in the shower or even cold water if you’re brave enough as it will seal the hair cuticles' and retain moisture to the hair. As for heating products, invest in a good thermal protector as your hair will dry out every time you apply heat to your hair making it prone to breakage. These are such easy steps to follow to save your hair this winter.

Moisture, Moisture, Moisture! 

Choosing a hydrating shampoo is essential for the cooler temperatures, but don’t be fooled by the bottles that say “hydrating” because many times this is not what you get inside. You want to invest in a moisturizing shampoo without sulfates or parabens as these ingredients completely strip the hair which is the last thing we need for textures that need some TLC. So, take the time to read the bottle before you do more harm than good. 

Lock It In

Using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner is only one of the steps in combating your dry, brittle hair. After you shower, you must incorporate a leave-in conditioner into your routine to put an extra shield on your hair. Use a few spritz focusing mostly on your ends and your hair will be looking smoother, shinier and healthier than ever before.

All photo courtesy of Sephora, Walmart, Aveda