Words by Ciler Peksah
3 Minute Read
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Just like winter skin needs nourishing in cold weather, so does your hair and scalp.
The constant transitioning from chilly conditions outside to warm, toasty interiors can cause your hair to become dry and dull.
With spring and then summer on the horizon, we sent out an SOS to Holly’s hairdresser, Ciler, for some tips and product recommendations to rescue our brittle strands.
There are definitely physical things you can do that make a real difference to the condition of your hair in winter…in fact what follows applies to haircare at any time of the year, but particularly in the winter.
7 rules for healthy hair
- To prevent stripping away the natural oils, try not to over-wash your hair.
- Be gentle when brushing wet hair to prevent splitting and breakage.
- Choose hair products with ultra-nourishing formulations.
- Use a deep-penetration conditioning mask once a week, every week.
- Don’t forget to take care of your scalp as well as your strands.
- Always apply a heat protector before heat styling and where possible apply low heat.
- Don’t underestimate the damage your winter woollies can wreak on your hair. Hats and scarves cause breakage through friction. Where possible, choose fabrics like satin that reduce static, or apply a serum to coat and protect your hair.
4 ways to revive dull winter hair
1. Hair nourishment: a weekly hair mask
As with anything in life you can spend as much or as little as you want. If you’ve never tried a homemade mask before, these 2 are super effective!
Home-made mask #1
The shiny hair mask – just egg yolk!
I’m always a bit sceptical about DIY treatments, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how moisturising this treatment was. Egg yolk is loaded with vitamins A and E to boost hair growth and shine.
- 1 egg yolk separated from the white (or 2 yolks depending on how much hair you have!)
- Mix well with a small amount of water.
- Apply the nutrient rich mixture to both your scalp and hair.
- Leave for 30 minutes.
- Rinse in cold water.
Home-made mask #2
The moisture-rich hair mask – honey and olive oil
This Vitamin A & E enriched Olive Oil mask is deeply conditioning, helping to repair hair and skin and reduce hair fall. Honey has antimicrobial properties which make it an excellent cleanser, but it also locks in moisture.
- Blend 2 parts Honey with 1 part Olive Oil until smooth.
- Apply to damp hair through the lengths and the ends.
- Cover your hair with a towel and leave for 30 minutes.
Fable & Mane, Holiroots Repairing Hair Mask, £32
Whilst on the pricey side, I absolutely love the results I get with this mask. This product melds the alchemy of Indian plants with divine fragrance. They call it a strand-saving salve for stressed, unruly hair, and I can vouch for its super effective moisturising and frizz-taming properties.
How to use: Apply desired amount of product from tip to root on damp hair, section by section until evenly applied. Gently rub product into hair strands and allow to sit for at least five minutes. Rinse well with warm water.
2. Scalp nourishment
Scalp care is the new skin care. Between the blow-drying, the texture sprays and dry shampoo it’s little wonder our scalps are in need of some serious TLC.
Remember – for a healthy mane, you need to maintain a healthy scalp!
Home-made mask #3
The scalp cleanse mask – lemon and yoghurt
When I tried this homemade mask on my daughter’s scalp, it made a huge difference from the first time I used it. Until someone told me, I had no idea that lemon works wonders to combat dandruff.
The astringent properties of this citrus fruit also help to cleanse your scalp by unclogging hair follicles which in turn boosts hair growth. The yoghurt ingredient contains moisturising, shine-inducing proteins and Calcium for stimulating hair growth.
- Blend 2 parts Natural Plain Yoghurt with 1 part Lemon Juice until smooth.
- Apply gently to the scalp
- Leave for 30 minutes before rinsing with a gentle shampoo.
STRAAND, The Crown Boost Anti-Dandruff Prebiotic Conditioning Treatment 220ml, £18
This brilliant formula is designed to soak right into the follicles to nourish and build long term health. It can be used as a daily conditioning treatment or as a hair mask for an even deeper treatment.
I would say it’s so conditioning, however, that if you have fine hair, only apply it to the ends. If you have coarser, thicker hair, it’s fine to apply it all over.
How to use: Apply to damp hair, leave for 2 minutes before gently combing through and rinse out thoroughly.
Revolution Haircare, Detox My Scalp Scrub 150ml, £5.24
I love this weekly pre-shampoo treatment as it exfoliates the scalp, helping to remove excess oils, impurities, and build-up.
How to use: Wet hair and massage the scrub into your scalp before shampooing
Revolution Haircare, Stimulating Scalp Massager, £5
Now this is a hair accessory that’s packed with benefits. Massaging with the silicone tips gently de-stresses the scalp and even eases head tension. It also helps to dislodge stubborn product build up which in turn stimulates the hair follicles.
How to use: This ergonomic tool can be used on a wet or dry scalp. Use on a dry scalp by massaging in circular motions, or on a wet scalp paired with shampoo or conditioner.
3. Leave-in hair nourishment
Sol de Janeiro, Brazilian Joia Milky Leave-in Conditioner 210ml, £28
This super moisturising leave-in conditioner was created with every hair type and texture in mind. Most importantly for me, it provides weightless hydration to help detangle and defend from flyaways, alongside offering up to 230-degrees of heat protection. Now that’s a product that packs a punch!
How to use: Use on damp hair before heat styling.
Curlssmith, Moisture Memory Reactivator 59ml, £10
I love this product for reviving hair in between washes – and did I mention that it smells divine?!
How to use: If you have curly hair, spray it with this silky emulsion to refresh and moisturise curls. If you have very fine hair, you can use this instead of your leave-in conditioner, as the super lightweight texture will ensure your hair strands are moisturised but not weighed-down.
4. Hair oil
Applying hair oil regularly helps to keep the hair shafts lubricated in the fight against split ends. It’s this kind of product that will help protect your hair from the friction and static build up caused by winter hats and scarves.
Used correctly, hair oil will give hair a beautiful radiance and enhance the colour. Just make sure that the product you are using is super lightweight.
Vita Coco, Organic Coconut Oil 250ml, £4.49
Now this is a super value multi-tasking product if ever I saw one! Containing healthy fats, this natural emollient locks in moisture, not only nourishing hair, skin, nails and lips, but also doubles up as a makeup remover and shaving cream.
How to use: To use as a hair conditioning treatment, rub a little into damp hair on the length and ends. Make sure you shampoo thoroughly to leave your hair feeling soft and silky.
Nuxe, Sun Moisturising Protective Milk Hair Oil 100ml, £19
Never mind spring – with its evocative holiday scent this is summer in a bottle and I adore it. As well as providing UV protection for your hair, it also leaves your hair soft and shiny without weighing it down.
How to use: This spray is suitable for all hair types and can be used on dry or wet hair.
Nature Spell, Rosemary Oil for Hair 50ml, £5.99
This is another lovely oil that can be used on both hair and skin. A perfect blend of rosemary oil, sunflower and almond oil stimulates the scalp, enhancing blood circulation and encouraging hair growth.
How to use: You can use this as a deep conditioning treatment – just be sure to wash it out thoroughly with shampoo. Or apply a little as a finishing hair oil.
Champo, Weightless Hair Oil 28ml, £28
This product is one of my favourites. It’s expensive, but a little goes a long way so it lasts! Harnessing the power of macadamia seed and abyssinian oil, this lightweight treatment is designed to be worked into strands to tame frizz and unleash a glass-like shine
How to use: Apply to dry hair only. Smooth 1-2 drops over hands and work through mid-lengths and ends of hair when styling.
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Ciler Peksah
Hair Stylist and Consultant
@cilerpeksah_hairstylist
