But for all those times you may want to keep your Winter hair in check and wear it slick and sleek, here are a few tips to help smooth things over.
Use a sulphate-free shampoo
Sulphate can strip the hair of its natural oils, try switching to a gentle sulphate-free shampoo to help your strands retain moisture and maintain a healthy scalp.
Get to know glycerin
So you’ve said see ya to sulphate already, what else can you do to help your mane stay sane?
Introduce a shampoo with glycerin in it – your hair LOVES it. This hero ingredient makes light work of frizz by hydrating the hair shaft from the inside out and forming a protective coating to prevent damage. Ta-da!
Love don’t rub
Rubbing your hair with a towel like Aladdin and the lamp? Guilty. Our hair is more prone to breakage when wet which means all that vigorous rubbing could be damaging the hair follicle and causing frizz. Wring out hair in the shower and ideally use a microfiber wrap to minimise breakage. If you do use a cotton towel, blot and dab gently instead of rubbing.
Never skip mask day
A deep conditioning once a week might seem like more body admin than you care to take responsibility for but treating your locks to a nourishing treatment once a week will help keep your hair feeling soft and hydrated, especially in the colder months.
Try making your own at home with 100% natural coconut oil. Simply run it through the length of your hair, avoiding the roots, tie it up in a scunchie and leave overnight. Pop a small hand towel over your pillow to protect your linen from any oil stains or sleep in a shower cap. Glamorous we know, but it does the trick!
Use a hair oil
Fight flyaways and unruly fuzz with a moisture-locking oil. Use a couple of pumps on damp hair before styling or use sparingly as a finishing product on dry hair to smooth mid-lengths and ends.
Never underestimate the toothbrush trick
Rather than dowsing your whole head with hairspray, spritz a clean toothbrush with a thin layer of lacquer and comb down the hair around your parting – those pesky baby hairs are relentless, but this will have them on their best behaviour. A spoolie brush or clean mascara wand would also work wonders.
Use a wide-tooth comb
Brushing wet hair is asking for trouble! Use a wide-tooth comb to gently separate any tangles after or during the shower once you’ve applied your conditioner, to help glide the comb through the length of your hair.
Sleep on a silk pillowcase
It might sound a little extra but sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help ease frizz come morning and reduce friction while you catch some precious Zs. It’s also said to help prevent premature fine lines and wrinkles – we’re converted!
Direct the airflow down when blow-drying
If you’re using a hair-dryer, direct the heat down the hair shaft using the nozzle attachment to reduce frizz. It’s tempting to rough dry it in every direction but the more care you take over the drying stage, the smoother your tresses will be. Top tip: finish blow-drying with a 20 second blast of cold air for a smoother finish.
Invest in a good hairdryer
Hairdryers with ionic technology break down the water molecules in the hair faster, meaning your hair dries quicker. The less time it takes to dry your hair = less heat damage. Simple!
Let your natural oils do their thing
Washing your hair every day will strip it of the natural oils that keep it healthy. Ditch the daily habit and let your oils work their magic. If you’re prone to oily hair, stretch time between washes with a good dry shampoo.
Keep on top of your trims
Visit your hairdressers once every two months for a healthy trim to keep those split ends at bay – they’re one of the worst culprits for causing frizz.
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