Autumn is when we get excited about our new season wardrobes and start embracing fresh fashion and beauty trends. While we wrap up in cosy coats and slick on our favourite lip balm to keep our lips moisturised, it’s easy to forget that our tresses need some TLC at this time of year, too.
“Colder temperatures can make our hair more vulnerable to breakage, so changing the way in which we care for our hair is just as important as how we look after our skin, to avoid brittle, damaged locks,” says Stéphane Ferreira, senior colourist at Live True London.
By understanding how winter weather affects your hair and following a few simple steps you can keep your locks looking and feeling fabulous year-round. Here, Stéphane shares his four essential tips for maintaining glossy, healthy hair during the coldest seasons…
1. Change your hair washing schedule
“As you enter a new season, it’s worth adjusting your hair wash schedule to account for a change in environment and weather,” Stéphane says. “Washing your hair too often can strip the hair of its natural oils, so you might notice more dryness and breakage.”
You might want to switch up your products as well, he says: “In the same way that you might use more nourishing skincare, make the move to a more moisturising shampoo and conditioner or slow down the rate of hair washes. When washing, make sure to really work the conditioner into the ends.”
2. Consider getting a humidifier
“Central heating mixed with colder temperatures can be a shock to our hair and skin, so a way to retain moisture in your locks is to introduce a humidifier to prevent moisture from escaping,” Stéphane says. “A humidifier increases the humidity levels in your home, creating a more balanced environment where hair can retain its natural moisture.”
Whether inside or out, different hair types react differently to cold and dry weather due to variations in structure, porosity, and the distribution of natural oils.
“Straight hair loses moisture more easily, becoming flat or frizzy, while wavy hair often experiences frizz and loss of definition,” Stéphane explains. “Curly and coily hair, which is naturally drier, struggles to retain moisture, leading to more pronounced dryness, frizz, and breakage. The tighter the curl pattern, the harder it is for natural oils to travel down the hair shaft, making curls and coils more susceptible to cold-weather damage.”
3. Use a moisturising mask every week
In the same way a sheet mask floods your skin with much-needed moisture, a creamy hair mask will soothe dry strands.
“During the winter, a hair mask will be your best friend,” Stéphane says. “Build a nourishing, intensive treatment into your hair wash routine, such as the FUL Intense Moisture Mask, to strengthen hair, rehydrate and counteract any damage. The best order is to shampoo, rinse, apply your hair mask, rinse and seal with a conditioner.”
4. Don’t go out with wet hair
While leaving your hair to air-dry can help prevent damage from high temperatures, you should never go outside with damp hair in winter.
“When the days are darker and shorter, it can be tempting to leave the house with wet hair however wet hair is more vulnerable to breakage,” Stéphane explains. “Instead, switch your hair washing to the early evening to allow time to blow dry your hair before going to bed. You might be trying to avoid heat on the hair, but using a heat protectant and hair dryer will be better than leaving the house with wet hair.”
Top product picks for combatting winter hair breakage:
FUL Wide Tooth Comb | £9.50, Boots
Style and gently detangle hair using just one brush. This easy gliding wide tooth comb creates volume and smooth locks without losing its shape after styling. For curly hair, refine curls and avoid frizz. Reduce damage on detangling wet or dry hair, the wide teeth creates knot free hair without snagging or pulling.
FUL Intense Moisture Hair Mask | £25.60, 300ml, Boots
This nourishing, thirst quenching hair mask with a pH balanced formula, optimised for ultimate hair hydration that you can both see and feel. Packed with conditioning agents, glycerin, shea butter and organic coconut oil, that help lock in moisture, this mask will give you that fresh-out-of-the-salon soft, silky and strong feeling every time
FUL Hyaluronic Acid Hair Serum – £33, 50ml, fullondon.com
Meet your hydration hero. Lightweight, multi-use serum for hydrated, smooth and frizz-free hair. Non-greasy formula helps hair and scalp retain moisture without weighing it down.
