Winter can wreak havoc on your hair making it dry, brittle and more difficult to manage. Just like we switch up our skincare routines, it’s also important that we switch up our hair care routines as temperatures drop. There are many ways to combat dry winter hair and keep your strands healthy and hydrated all year long.  

To find out the best way to care for our strands during the colder months we turned to the pros—celebrity hairstylists Anthony Perez and Clayton Hawkins.  

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Best winter hair products to treat dry hair

1. R and Co Atlantis Moisturizing B5 Shampoo 

A great moisturizing shampoo is the best first line of defence for combating dry, winter hair. The last thing you want to do in the winter is strip your hair of its natural oils. Vitamin B5, glycerin, prickly pear stem extract, and nettle extract team up for the R and Co Moisturizing B5 Shampoo, to clean hair without stripping it, and give an extra-boost of hydration. Plus the unique scent with notes of bergamot, lotus flower, and cedarwood is absolute heaven. 

2. Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Mask 

If your hair is in need of some TLC, the Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Mask is ultra-nourishing. It’s packed with moisturizing ingredients like rose hip, sweet almond, avocado oils, biotin, and algae extract—which all help to moisturize, repair, and strengthen weak, damaged hair. It’s super lightweight as well, so it won’t weigh down thin hair. Apply to wet hair, after you shampoo and condition, and leave it on for 10 minutes. For extra hydration, you can leave it on with a shower cap over top while you do your chores. 

3. Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil 

When it comes to hair treatments, Olaplex products are the gold standard. Hawkins is a big fan of the Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil for strengthening weak, brittle strands especially during the colder months. This wonder-oil can be used on dry or damp hair, and also provides heat protection up to 450°.  

4. Shu Uemura Essence Absolue

This oil will cost you a pretty penny, but the payoff is worth it. A few drops of Shu Uemera's luxurious hair oil transforms dry, frizzy hair into a shiner, softer situation in seconds. This lightweight hair oil, which is formulated with camellia flower, is ultra-hydrating and also doubles as a protectant for any heat styling that you choose to do. It also happens to be one of Anthony Perez’s go-to products for getting dry, winter hair in check.  

5. Tresemmé Keratin Smooth 7 Day System Heat Activated Treatment

Tresemmé's weekly at-home solution uses hydrolyzed keratin protein to tame and smooth frizzy hair for up to three washes. Spritz it through towel dried hair, blow dry, then flatiron in small sections to seal in the formula and instantly transform unruly hair into salon smooth strands. 

6. SAVE ME FROM Tip To Root Hair Reboot

SAVE ME FROM'S reboot hair mask is basically rehab in a jar, it also happens to be one of Perez’s favourite conditioning treatments. The mask uses advanced Fenugen technology to improve hair density and thickness, and nourish dull, wiry hair. 

7. OUAI Treatment Masque 

Hydrolyzed keratin, tamarind seed extract, artichoke leaf extract, and amino acid blend join forces in Ouai's Treatment Masque to help restore, strengthen, and hydrate dry, damaged hair. After cleansing, remove access water from hair, and apply a quarter-sized dollop starting at the end and working to the roots. Let it set for five minutes and rinse with cool water to instantly reveal smoother, softer, and stronger hair in just one use.   

8. Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil

You won’t be surprised to hear this Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil is incredible. After all, Gisou founder and model, Negin Mirsalehi, is absolute hair goals. The multipurpose hair oil, which contains Mirsalehi Honey, rebuilds and repairs damaged locks, tames flyaways, and gives hair a luminous shine. Use it before or after styling, add a few drops to your favourite hair mask, or leave on overnight for a nourishing treatment. 

9. Ouidad Curl Quencher Conditioner 

A hydrating conditioner is a curly girl’s best friend, but every hair texture can benefit from some extra hydration during the winter. This lightweight conditioner moisturizes strands from within without weighing your hair down. Algae Extract and Wheat Amino Acids work together to seal hair's cuticle and lock in moisture, making dry, damaged hair a thing of the past. 

10. Garnier Whole Blends Coconut Oil & Cocoa Butter Smoothing Leave-In Conditioner

If you’re looking for a product that will give you the best bang for your buck, look no further than this Garnier Leave-In Conditioner. The lightweight leave-in conditioner will deeply condition and tame frizz without weighing down your hair. *Adds to cart*

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Winter hair care tips

Deep Condition Every Week

Whether you have tight coils or pin straight hair, we all have one thing in common: No matter what your hair texture, cold weather isn’t doing your hair any favors. If a weekly deep conditioning treatment isn’t already a part of your regular hair care regime, winter is definitely a good time to start. Perez recommends doing a deep conditioning treatment once a week, or once every two weeks depending on your hair’s needs.  

Buy a Humidifier 

It’s not only cold temperatures that can wreak havoc on your hair, the indoor heating in your home can also be very drying for your strands. “A humidifier is a must-have to combat this dry weather,” says Perez.  A humidifier will keep moisture in the air and keep your hair and scalp from drying out. Your skin will also thank you. 

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Swap Your Beanie For A Silk Scarf 

“It is super tempting to live in a beanie all winter long. But unless your hat is lined in silk, it’s actually causing damage and breakage to your hair,” says Hawkins. He suggests wearing a silk scarf underneath your hat to avoid friction and potential breakage. He also warns to never wear a hat over wet hair. “Your locks are their most frail and vulnerable when wet, so never add friction to it in this scenario,” says Hawkins.  

Avoid Heat Styling 

No matter the season, heat styling can seriously damage your hair. Short on time in the mornings? Wash your hair in the evening to give it time to fully dry before you step out. Embrace your natural texture and air dry whenever possible. Experiment with protective styles or try one of these cute heatless hairstyles.  

Never Leave The House With Wet Hair 

You’ve probably heard it before, “don’t leave the house with wet hair or you’ll catch a cold”. Well the sniffles aren’t the only downside to leaving the house with wet hair. Wet hair is more vulnerable to environmental aggressors, like sub-zero temperatures and icy winds. Taking the extra time to make sure your hair is dry before leaving the house will ensure that your hair isn’t exposed to damaging weather conditions, you’ll thank yourself in the long run. 

Use An Oil 

Perez swears by using an oil on himself and his clients, and it’s especially important during the winter. When shopping for products, key hydrating ingredients to look for include plant oils like coconut, argan, jojoba, shea butter, and glycerin. These oils condition and help retain your hair’s moisture. Those with thinner hair tend to shy away from heavy oils but there is an oil that works for every hair type. 

Written by: Phelisha Cassup