How to Care for Your Hair in Cold Weather
Crackling fires, cozy sweaters, steaming mugs of cocoa...there’s no denying that the colder months have their charms. But cold weather also means a drop in humidity and long periods spent cooped up indoors with the heater on full blast: a recipe for dry hair.
Dry hair is weak hair. It’s dull, brittle and prone to breakage. What can you do to avoid a season of staticky, fragile hair? Follow these tips to preserve moisture and maintain healthy, glowing hair as the weather cools:
Keep Showers Short
You may be tempted to hide from the cold in a long, steaming shower, but hot water strips protective oils from your hair and will leave it drier in the long run. Keep showers under ten minutes and the water temperature warm, not hot.
Lay Off the Shampoo
As always, you shouldn’t be shampooing your hair every day. Shampoo is all about removing oils, and if used too frequently, it’ll dry out your hair. Find a wash schedule that works for your hair texture, whether it’s twice a week or every other day. You can always touch up between washes with dry shampoo.
Conditioner is Key
Condition your hair after every wash, paying special attention to the tips, to hydrate and heal those strands. Follow up with weekly deep conditioning treatments, applying a nutrient-packed hair mask and giving it time to penetrate your hair. Check out the Madison Hair Intensive Hair Mask—it repairs and prevents damage with organic argan oil and provitamin B5.
Cut Back on Coloring
Winter is a good time to go easy on your hair. It’s fighting for moisture and can’t afford to take much damage from dyes, chemical straighteners or hot styling tools, so try to hold off as much as possible. That could mean air-drying overnight, or opting for lowlights instead of an all-over dye job.
Line your Hat
Hats keep your head warm on winter outings, but what do they do to your hair? Rough fabrics like wool, cotton and acrylic can snag on and damage your hair, especially if it's naturally textured or curly. To protect your hair, choose a hat with a silky lining or wrap your head in a silk or satin scarf before you put your hat on.
Let it Snow!
Winter is beautiful in its own way, and you can absolutely enjoy it with healthy, vibrant hair. It just takes a little extra TLC to keep those strands safe in cold weather. Follow these tips and your hair will thank you, snow queen!