How to change up your hair care routine for healthy winter hair

Just as you change your wardrobe contents between seasons, so too should you update your hair care products to suit the changing temperatures and conditions.

The crisper, dryer winter air along with the indoor heating can result in hair becoming dehydrated, causing split ends, breakage and unruliness.

Take these steps to protect your hair during the colder months and keep it looking healthy, shiny and moisturised:

Slow down on the shampoo

Try to wash your hair less frequently during the colder months, as shampooing removes the natural oil produced by our scalps which travels from the follicle down the hair shaft, moisturising and nourishing our hair. Opt for a good quality dry shampoo to stretch the time between your wash days, and ensure you’re using a hydrating shampoo that’s gentle on the hair. Colab’s range of Dry Shampoos (R94.99) are worth a try as it absorbs oil instantly and refreshes roots without a white residue.

When you do wash, you want to swap out the lightweight summer shampoo for a hydrating product. Hask Monoi Oil Nourishing Shampoo (R180.00) nourishes and feeds hair with every wash while helping replace lost moisture in hair that’s dry, damaged or colour-treated, leaving it stronger and looking healthier.

Bring on oils

Restore shine, load up on moisture and give your hair time to regenerate by adding an oil to your hair care regime. SImply work it into wet hair directly after your wash or add to dry hair when it needs a little pick-me-up. Work into the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. Try OGX Coconut Miracle Penetrating Oil (R150.00), an ultra-moisturising formula designed to repair, soften and revive damaged hair.

Make time for masks

Invest in a hydrating treatment or mask and commit to applying it to your hair once a week during autumn and winter. Don’t rush the process as you want to follow the instructions and leave the product in your hair for the recommended time to reap the maximum benefits. We love the Marc Anthony Apple Miracle Treatment (R200.00) containing apple stem cells, biotin and grape seed oil that revives dull, damaged, slow-growing hair. This multi-tasker replenishes nutrients and protects against heat and breakage.