Winter is the most critical time of the year both for skin and hair. At times it can be challenging to maintain naturally healthy conditions and almost impossible to avoid dry skin patches and hair breakage. According to dermatologist Deepali Bhardwaj, you may even experience increased hair foliage during winter time but don't get too nervous about the situation, as stress may even worsen the state.
Remember that as long as you are willing to take control over the situation it is not impossible to help your hair locks look healthier and bring back their natural shine. Here are my personal hair care tips, which I follow during the coldest time of the year. These rituals keep my long and fine hair in a healthy state, protecting it from severe winter weather.
#1. Reviving Coconut Oil
No one will argue that coconut is the most popular cosmetic oil. No wonder, as it is the most affordable and easy remedy for thirsty skin cells and hair follicles. Plus it retails for a very pleasant price in almost every drugstore and supermarket. I can't survive a single winter day without coconut oil on my hair and skin. At the moment I like to use extra-virgin coconut oil by the brand called Soft Hair. It has an enjoyable fragrance and other beneficial ingredients in its composition. Another benefit of this product — is 100% recyclable packaging, and it is always a huge plus.
Though, as with any other skincare product, coconut oil should be used wisely, since over-saturation with oils may cause even more hair breakage. Dermatologist Rachel Nazarian reminds us to use only a small amount of coconut oil (the size of a dime), mixed with warm water. You can DIY nourishing hair spray by putting a few drops of coconut oil in a spray bottle with rose or distilled water and shaking it well. Spray the reviving elixir on your strands and brush them through with a wide-tooth comb. This treatment instantaneously will make your hair soft and shiny.
Frequent hair wash, blow-drying and hot styling tools strip the hair shaft from natural oils and protein. Luckily, perfumer Édouard Pinaud has invented a product that makes the life of our natural hair easier. I'm talking about hair conditioners, which we all use to soften, moisturize, and detangle our locks.
#2. Deep Conditioning
Frequent hair wash, blow-drying and hot styling tools strip the hair shaft from natural oils and protein. Luckily, perfumer Édouard Pinaud has invented a product that makes the life of our natural hair easier. I'm talking about hair conditioners, which we all use to soften, moisturize, and detangle our locks.
Depending on your hair type and its current condition, it is advised to deep condition your hair once a week or once a month. For better results, you can use professional hair treatments like Kintsugi Hair, which will allow you to see the results faster. I simply like to apply the conditioner to freshly washed and slightly squeezed hair, letting it sit in the hair for 20-30 minutes. You can also wrap your hair in a plastic cap and use a hairdryer to warm the hair. As a result, you'll get soft and revived hair.
#3. Healthy Diet = Healthy Hair
We are what we eat, and so are our hair and skin. A well-balanced diet full of vitamins, acids, and microelements will guarantee hair's health and beauty throughout the whole year. Make sure to include fresh salmon, salmon, mackerel, and sardines in your diet. These fishes are rich in omega-3, which gives your hair a healthy shine. Dark green vegetables and leaves are packed with beneficial vitamins, like Vitamin A, C, and beta carotene. They will ensure the health of your skin, and scalp.
If you live in a cold climate and having a hard time finding good-quality fruits and veggies, add them to your diet food supplements. Consult with your doctor to know what vitamins your body needs in the cold time of the year. Usually, we lack Vitamin D, Zinc, and Iron. Natural anti-oxidants can be found in Gold Bee honey. Aside from being rich in amino and fatty acids, natural honey is full of fibers, which is great for the gastrointestinal tract.
#4. Lightweight & Nourishing Hair Mask
The nutritious hair mask is something you don't want to shrug off any time of the year. Even if you feel like your hair is healthy and soft, you still want to revitalize it after drying shampoo and water. It will be the best for your hair if you choose a hair mask with a nourishing, yet lightweight formula. This is especially important if you have a fine hair structure with no volume. Heavy masks rich with oils and other heavy ingredients might weigh your hair down, making it appear greasy.
This winter I prefer using a Nazca Coconut Oil hair mask with an intensely nourishing formula. Its formula includes a blend of various vegetable oils and vitamins A, D, and E, which nourish, smooth, and make the hair more manageable. I apply a hair mask after I wash, condition, and shirt-dry (a few words about this method later) my hair, and leave it in for five-seven minutes.
#5. Substitute Rough Towel With Cotton Old T-Shirt
The next winter hair hack will sound strange and even absurd, but I feel like it really works. It's been almost six months since I replaced my fluffy hair towel with a regular cotton t-shirt. Even though bath towels have great absorbency, their texture can be too rough for fine hair, especially if it is already damaged or dry. On the other hand, a regular old t-shirt, made from soft cotton, is smooth enough to soak excessive amounts of water from the hair without further damage. Try this hack yourself, your hair won't be disappointing.
#6. Don't Skip Hair Serums & Heat Protection
It is best to minimize the usage of hot styling tools in winter. If you can't possibly avoid using flat or curling irons, then invest in a good heat-protecting product. There are a bunch of leave-in creams, sprays, and gels, which protect the hair shaft from the drying impact of styling tools and blow dryers.
Love taking long, hot showers in the winter? You might want to reduce the water temperature, because hot water washes out proteins off of your hair, making them look and feel brittle and dry. Wash your scalp with comfortably warm water and rinse the length of the hair with fresh water, to close down all of the opened cuticles.
Another product I always use for my hair is Balea Professional Beautiful Long Wunderserum — an organosilicon-based serum that helps me manage my long, fine hair. This serum has a very nice scent and smooth, runny texture. It looks like liquid silk in a bottle. Balea hair serum is super-affordable and just one drop of it goes a long way.
Another product I always use for my hair is Balea Professional Beautiful Long Wunderserum — an organosilicon-based serum that helps me manage my long, fine hair. This serum has a very nice scent and smooth, runny texture. It looks like liquid silk in a bottle. Balea hair serum is super-affordable and just one drop of it goes a long way.
Apart from making my hair look shiny and sleek, it helps me to comb through it without damage. I strongly recommend you use hair serum if you experience difficulties while combing it. However, if you have naturally curly hair, you might want to stay away from silicon, because this ingredient does no justice to the curls.
Wearing a hat in winter is one of the most obvious yet so important winter hair care tips. You have to protect your scalp from cold weather and humidity. I know this may sound silly, but there are so many people, who neglect this simple rule. Freezing temperatures cause irreparable damage to the hair and even the most expensive hair products won't reverse the negative impact.
Regular trims are something your hair will appreciate any time of the year. The reason why trims are so important is simple — hair dryness has a nasty tendency to move upwards, conquering the healthy part of the hair and turning them dry. Trim your hair once a month (or once every two months) to avoid this complication and your hair will be healthy at any time of the year.
Those were my winter hair hacks, which help me survive the most stressful time of the year for my skin and hair. Check out my simple, but working skincare post to find out how I keep my thirsty skin moisturized when the weather is too cold to function. Hopefully, these few tips will help your hair to look healthy, shiny, and soft. Please, let me know what your favorite hair products and hacks you use and follow in winter.
Lots of love,
Liz
#7. Warm Hat & Regular Hair Trims
Wearing a hat in winter is one of the most obvious yet so important winter hair care tips. You have to protect your scalp from cold weather and humidity. I know this may sound silly, but there are so many people, who neglect this simple rule. Freezing temperatures cause irreparable damage to the hair and even the most expensive hair products won't reverse the negative impact.
Regular trims are something your hair will appreciate any time of the year. The reason why trims are so important is simple — hair dryness has a nasty tendency to move upwards, conquering the healthy part of the hair and turning them dry. Trim your hair once a month (or once every two months) to avoid this complication and your hair will be healthy at any time of the year.
Those were my winter hair hacks, which help me survive the most stressful time of the year for my skin and hair. Check out my simple, but working skincare post to find out how I keep my thirsty skin moisturized when the weather is too cold to function. Hopefully, these few tips will help your hair to look healthy, shiny, and soft. Please, let me know what your favorite hair products and hacks you use and follow in winter.
Lots of love,
Liz
