Show your locks a little love: Winter hair care essentials
Because good hair is a lifestyle.
By Jenny Brownlees
2020 hasn’t exactly been kind to our tresses. DIY haircuts, COVID stress and, now, winter all mean even more dry hair woes, and even hair loss. Yes, you can thank the cold dry air for sucking moisture from the scalp, resulting in breakage and hair fall. Add to that central heating and, well, let’s just say winter calls for some hair TLC.
The below buys are all set to nourish and replenish, meaning your hair will be healthier, feel smoother and look glossier once again. So at least something’s back to the way it should be.
SHAMPOO AND CONDITION
OUAI Haircare – the brainchild of hairstylist extraordinaire and Kardashian-hairdresser Jen Atkin – recently reformulated their haircare range to specifically suit each hair type. Now they offer their sumptuous-scented shampoos and conditioners for fine, medium and thick tresses. Each is infused with hair-strengthening hydrolysed keratin for smooth, frizz-free lengths.
SERUM
This ultra-concentrated serum works to increase the thickness of each strand of hair by up to 13%. You have Larch Tree and Green Tea extracts to thank for a re-energising boost – invigorating the scalp to promote denser, healthier-looking locks.
MASK
When the winter snap sets in, adding a hair mask into your routine once a week will ensure extra-hydration. The Body Shop’s banana mask is just the ticket – with vegan, Community Fair Trade Brazil nut oil, coconut and banana helping to reduce frizz and lift levels of shine.
OIL
Tsubaki Oil has been used for centuries, valued for its hair-smoothing qualities. Here, it performs a miraculous transformation – turning frizzy, dull, dry hair into silky, luscious locks.
FOR SPLIT ENDS
If pesky split ends are your haircare concern, rebuild broken strands with this fibre-sealing serum. It’ll leave locks strengthened and split end-free, thanks to cuticle smoothing technology and super-ingredient Pelvetia Canaliculate’s intense moisturising properties.
MIST
This new, strengthening hair mist will leave hair with a mirror-shine finish. Specially formulated to add shine while reducing breakage, this clever spray works to nourish all three layers of the hair’ strands, replacing natural oils that are stripped away. So you can say goodbye to dull, unhealthy looking locks.
AT-HOME COLOUR
When it comes to at-home hair dye, there’s no better than hair master Josh Wood’s range. Now, the perfect every-time range has extended its innovation to include the Miracle Shot. Miracle Shot does more than just colour – it protects and conditions the hair to minimise long-term damage, leaving hair stronger than before colouring. Not only that, it reduces colour fade by up to 38% and gives 62% less breakage.
SUPPLEMENT
While you might be in two minds about supplements, listen up – Hair Gain has been scientifically formulated to stimulate up to a 78% increase in hair growth. Delivering visibly thicker, fuller and stronger hair, this unique edible vitamin contains powerful organic pea shoot, clinically proven to reduce hair loss. Not only is it vegan-friendly, but it’s also packed with vitamin C, zinc and biotin. Plus, the tasty, chewable gummies are ideal for those who don’t enjoy taking tablets.
SCALP-CARE
Healthy hair truly starts with a healthy scalp. Remove product build-up and excess oil with this luxe scalp scrub, allowing hair to grow thicker and stronger. Coffee and rosemary help detoxify your tresses, so hair stays cleaner between washes, too.
IF YOU WANT TO FIGHT YOUR GREYS
This Grey Scalp Treatment is a godsend for those of us who aren’t ready to give in to colour fade. Clever ingredients work to reactivate pigment in your follicles, ward against development of greys and maintain hairs’ moisture levels. The overnight formula not only helps to pre-empt but actually reverses the loss of pigment. In clinical trials, the proportion of white hair was shown to reduce by as much as 56% when used consistently for four months. Impressive!
PERFECT THE AT-HOME BLOW DRY
This brand-new offering from Mark Hill offers professional-grade haircare at an affordable price point. This priming cream smooths, seals and adds shine. Simply apply through towel-dried hair and say hello to a beautiful at-home blow-dry. To enhance natural waves or curls, apply evenly through damp hair and leave to air dry.
BRUSH
If you can’t get to the salon and want to up your hair’s volume in winter, blow dry with Kent’s extra-large round bristle brush. The smoothing bristles promote natural shine while helping to prevent split ends. Hello big, bouncy hair.
GREAT FOR AFRO HAIR
Briogeo’s Crème hydrates, defines and weather-proofs wavy, curly and coiled hair with light, flexible hold, while maintaining touchable movement. Rice amino acids help to seal the hair cuticle to lock out any pesky humidity that can cause frizz.
FOR ADDED SHINE
Award-winning stylist Charlotte Mensah’s haircare collection uses a unique blend of organic, sustainably-sourced ingredients to help hair shine. Here, a blend of Manketti Nut and Ximenia oils are the saviours of dull, dehydrated hair. Whilst this oil works for all hair types, Charlotte’s 26 years of experience working with afro hair means you can be confident this oil works beautifully to condition coiled locks.
THE SET
If you like your haircare in one set, we love sustainable haircare brand Wild Science Lab’s range. This set will breathe life back into hair suffering under the daily grind, with restorative, organic hemp seed oil and anti-inflammatory organic aloe vera.
IF YOU BUY ONE HAIRCARE TOOL
While we’d advise to stay away from the harsh heat of straighteners and tongs in winter, if your hair really is looking flat and flyaway, Babyliss’ Big Care brush now includes care-for-hair Sensor Protect™ to precisely manage the heat and deliver an even airflow for kinder styling. So now you can achieve flowing, voluminous locks without worrying about damage.
STYLE
Get a salon-level look at home thanks to Mark Hill’s new expert range. For weightless styling with flexible hold, simply spritz this hairspray over your finished style. The enriched plant extracts and certified organic essential oils will ensure hair is nourished but not left heavy. No crisp hairspray strands in sight.
ACCESSORISE
For a hair-tie that won’t snag – because, frankly, who needs more hair loss in winter? – we love Bulan’s silk scrunchies. Yes, they’re an indulgent buy, but a stylish and practical one all the same.
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