The winter season brings soft comfort such as warm blankets, cashmere sweaters and puffy jackets. Unfortunately chilly weather can also cause hair to feel dry and look frizzy, wreaking havoc on your holiday “do.”
Stylist Carmen Cherniawsky of Hair by Carmen at Salon Republic in Los Angeles says winter hair needs extra special care.
“Conditioner and a good protectant are especially critical to keep hair looking healthy during cold weather, because extreme elements can be harsh and styling tools can cause even greater damage,” says Cherniawsky. “For really dry hair I like Alfaparf Milano Reparative Mask. It’s made with flax seed oil that really works against environmental damage.”
She is also a big fan of Kevin Murphy’s Repair Me botanical shampoo and conditioner that are sulfate-free and specially formulated to bring shine back into the hair. (The fruity, floral fragrance is a bonus.) Cherniawsky shares that before blow-drying, she sprays on Redken One United, a protectant that increases manageability and shine.
Cherniawsky advises not to wash hair every day. Instead she recommends using a dry shampoo such as Bastiste, which doesn’t clean hair but absorbs oil and builds body. Then add a little Davines Oi Oil, and you’re good to go.
Other Ways to Protect Your Hair
The American Academy of Dermatology provides these tips for protecting hair:
You can also treat your kitchen as a beauty supply store with easy DIY moisturizing treatments. Add a drop of peppermint oil to these hair masks for an energizing tingle. Note: Always wrap hair in saran wrap or a shower cap after applying these treatments, and then shampoo and rinse as usual.
Avocado: Mash an avocado together with a raw egg. Apply it to wet hair and leave on for at least 20 minutes.
Butter: Massage a generous amount of butter to cover your hair; leave on for at least 30 minutes.
Egg: Mix one egg with a small amount of shampoo and apply for five minutes.
Mayonnaise: Slather mayonnaise from scalp to ends and leave on for 30 minutes to an hour.
Coconut Oil: Warm up coconut oil in your hands (or for a few seconds in the microwave) and massage it into scalp and hair; let sit for a few minutes.
Banana and olive oil: Puree a banana with tablespoon of olive oil. Massage into scalp and hair; leave on for 15 to 30 minutes.
Pumpkin and honey: Perfect for the holiday season, mix one cup of pumpkin puree with two tablespoons of honey. Massage into scalp and hair; leave on for 15 to 30 minutes.
Say a Proper Goodnight
Cherniawsky suggests brushing your hair before bedtime with a 100% boar brush, such as Mason Pierson, to distribute oil from the scalp throughout your hair. Another tip: Sleep on a silk pillowcase to avoid static and the dreaded, ensuing bedhead.
Follow these tips and your hair should look and feel like cashmere—not like you tangoed right into a light socket at your office party.
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